The National Museum of Korea in Seoul has been ranked as the world’s third most visited museum for 2023, trailing only the Louvre in Paris and the Vatican Museums.
A key draw is the museum’s Room of Quiet Contemplation, a dedicated space featuring two gilt-bronze bodhisattva statues.
Exhibits and Artifacts
The two statues, dating from the early 7th century and the 6th century, are positioned on a round platform. They are characterized by half-closed eyes, faint smiles, and asymmetrical leg positions—features interpreted in Buddhist art as symbols of contemplation, realization of truth, and readiness to assist others.
Visitor Experience
The museum provides recorded ambient sounds within the exhibition room. An audio commentary, narrated by Blackpink singer Jisoo, is available to visitors, offering historical context on the statues.
Museum Popularity
The museum’s ranking as third most visited globally has been attributed to its integration of South Korean pop culture and its use of innovative digital and physical exhibits. The exact number of visitors for the ranking period was not specified in the reports.