June 17, 2 p.m. at Songpa Book Museum's Eoulim Hall — Free and Open to All Adults
Songpa-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) will host the first book culture lecture of this year at Songpa Book Museum on June 17 at 2 p.m., featuring historian and Konkuk University professor Shin Byung-joo.
The "Book Culture Lecture" series is a flagship program of Songpa Book Museum that brings citizens face to face with the people who make books — authors, publishers and editors. Running consistently since the museum opened in 2019, the series will hold five sessions through December this year.
The first speaker this year is Shin Byung-joo, a professor in the Department of History at Konkuk University. Known as a "history storyteller," he has appeared on numerous broadcasts, including KBS's "History Journal: That Day," making history accessible and engaging for general audiences. He has also written several popular books, including "Korean History Through Rivals" and "What It Means to Live as a King."
The lecture, titled "The King's Warden and Yeongwol," centers on the film that drew 16.8 million viewers and ranks second all-time at the South Korean box office. Professor Shin will explore the story of Yeongwol — the backdrop of the film — through the lives of King Danjong and King Sejo, offering audiences a chance to revisit the familiar story through a historian's lens and uncover the real history behind the scenes.
Admission is free for all adults. Registration opened June 1 on the Songpa Book Museum website on a first-come, first-served basis. Up to 130 participants may attend, and walk-in registration will be available on the day for any remaining spots.
The district plans to continue the series with lectures on the birth of French luxury brands in July and on everyday perspectives in September.
"This will be a unique opportunity to rediscover a familiar story through the eyes of a historian," District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said. "We will continue to create diverse programs through Songpa Book Museum so that more residents can enjoy the pleasures that books, people and culture bring."
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