Jeju had been considered a place of exile for political prisoners until the end of (조선) Joseon Dynasty.
Works by political exiles are being displayed at the Jeju National Museum.
Mike Balfour reports.

The (조선) Joseon Dynasty's 15th king, (광해) Gwanghae, was deposed in a coup. He was exiled to Jeju, the farthest island from the capital city.
While staying on the island, he fell ill and died in 1641.

(김정희) Kim Jeong-hui, otherwise known as (추사) Chusa, was one of the most celebrated practitioners of calligraphy and a scholar of the late (조선) Joseon period.
During his exile in Jeju, he developed the calligraphic style known as the “Chusa style,” based on his studies of models dating back to the earliest periods of Korean and Chinese history.
He also produced his most celebrated ink painting, known as (세한도) Saehando.

[slug] “Journey to Unknown Place: Story of Exiles to Jeju”
Through March 1, Jeju National Museum
“Journey to Unknown Place: Story of Exiles to Jeju” is a current exhibition at the Jeju National Museum.

The exhibition relates interesting stories about the once isolated island that was used as a place of exile.

Oh Yeon-suk / Curator, Jeju National Museum
People from various backgrounds, from kings to thieves, were exiled to Jeju during the Joseon Dynasty. At the exhibition, visitors can see how they lived and what they left in Jeju.
-오연숙 학예연구사/국립제주박물관-
조선시대에 제주에는 왕부터 도둑까지 다양한 계층의 사람들이 유배를 왔었습니다. 이 분들이 제주에 와서 어떻게 생활을 했는지, 그리고 그 분들이 남긴 유산들은 어떤 것들이 있는지 한 눈에 바라볼 수 있습니다.

[slug] Exiles’ emotional writing being displayed
A copy of an inscription dedicated to a lady an exile loved as well as exiles’ letters to kings, families and friends are included in the display.
Inkstones, writing brushes and seals used by (김정희) Kim Jeong-hui are also being exhibited.

INTERVIEW
Visitor
Coming to the exhibition in person and appreciating the display helped me to understand more about the exiles than from just reading books.
-관람객 인터뷰-
이 박물관에서 여러 유적들을 보니까 책으로 읽던 것 보다 조금 더 가깝게 느껴지는 그런 시간이었던 것 같아서 좋았습니다.

Exiles used Jeju as a place to create new calligraphic styles and express their passion for life, love and learning even though they were prisoners on this isolated island.

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Jwa Sang-eun

“Journey to Unknown Place: Story of Exiles to Jeju” is being exhibited through March 1st of next year.

Mike Balfour, KCTV