On Nov 22, the National Copyright Museum opened in Jinju, a copyright-specialized city, making learning about copyright easy and fun through exhibitions and creative experiences

Minister YU In Chon promised to protect creators’ rights and revitalize the copyright industry at an on-site meeting

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) together with the Korea Copyright Commission (Chairman CHOI Byung Goo, KCC) opened the world’s first experiential copyright museum in Jinju Innovation City on Wednesday, November 22. The National Copyright Museum was established so that young people can learn about copyright in an easy and fun way through creative experience activities.

 It is expected to satisfy the youth’s intellectual curiosity and lead them to become K-content creators

At the opening ceremony, about 100 individuals, including Minister YU, People Power Party lawmaker PARK Dae Chul, Jinju Mayor CHO Kyu Il, heads of copyright trust management organizations in four fields, copyright public relations ambassador Dotty (NA Hee Sun), and choreographer Lia KIM, attended and cheered for the opening of the National Copyright Museum. In addition, the KCC and Jinju City declared Gyeongsangnam-do Province’s Jinju City as a specialized city for copyrights. They committed to actively collaborating in providing an environment where local creators and businesses can engage in creative activities, ensuring that proper copyright culture becomes prominent in Jinju City.

Minister YU stated in his opening speech, “We are currently living in an era of one-person media where anyone can become a creator. I expect the National Copyright Museum to be a magical space that fills the intellectual curiosity of the youth about copyright and leads them to become future creators in various K-content fields, such as musicians, film directors, choreographers, and more. Moving forward, I will diligently establish and refine the ‘Copyright Act’ and related regulations to ensure the robust protection of creators’ rights.”

 Choreographer BAEK Koo Young participated in providing three choreographies, which will be utilized as part of a dance experience program

At the opening ceremony, celebratory events were held, including a saxophone performance by KIM Won Yong, the president of the Federation of Korean Music Performers and a donor of museum materials, as well as a performance by the dance crew AMAZON, affiliated with 1MILLION Dance Studio.

Choreography is considered a crucial element in K-pop, playing a significant role in the global spread of this genre. Recently, its importance and value have been acknowledged as a distinct form of copyright. In light of this, 1MILLION Dance Studio has made a meaningful contribution to the promotion of dance copyright value. Renowned choreographer BAEK Koo Young, who has worked on choreography for K-pop groups such as EXO and THE BOYZ, has generously donated three choreographies to the museum. During the opening ceremony, the dance crew AMAZON, affiliated with 1MILLION Dance Studio, showcased the donated choreography as part of the celebration. The donated dance pieces are set to be utilized in the museum’s dance experience program, adding even greater depth and significance to this generous gesture.

 Space for copyright exhibitions and experiential activities by field created on the first floor, copyright and creative education programs on the second floor

The National Copyright Museum has designed programs allowing young people to become creators themselves by directly experiencing digital technology, understanding that anyone can be an author, and recognizing the precious rights of creators through these programs.

On the first floor, valuable copyright materials are exhibited, providing a direct and tangible experience of copyright in various fields, such as literature, music, video, photography, art, computer programs, shapes, architecture, and theater. Notably, a dance experience room has been set up, featuring donated music such as “F!RE” by rapper LEE Young Ji, YG Entertainment, the music group Harmonize, and 1MILLION Dance Studio. It showcases three-dimensional character videos that use dance, allowing the youth to engage in interactive and enjoyable activities by imitating the dance moves.

A space has also been created for young people to directly create new works, equipped with cameras, blue screens for composition, and kiosk tables for production and editing. To enhance the experience, an area with a large 350-inch screen has been set up for viewing the creative works produced in the experiential space, fostering both the mindset of creators and users simultaneously.

On the second floor, different education and cultural programs are provided. In total, there are nine educational programs, including two exhibition-linked education programs related to the first-floor exhibition experience program, three digital creation education programs, and four art-based creation education programs. Through these, participants can discover that everyone can become a “creator” and enjoy the pleasure of creation.

 415 pieces of copyright-related historical and archival material secured

The National Copyright Museum has obtained 415 pieces of copyright-related historical and documentary materials with significant value, including works such as “Seoyugyeonmun (Observations on Travels in the West) (1895)” and the “Gutenberg Bible in English (1961).” YU Gil Jun’s “Seoyugyeonmun” is particularly noteworthy as it is the first document in Korea to mention the term “copyright.” With YU’s optimistic perspective and personal signature, the document holds high documentary value.

On the first-floor exhibition space, there is an exhibition of an English edition of the Bible printed using Gutenberg’s printing technology, which enabled mass reproduction in the 15th century, serving as a catalyst for the birth of “copyright.” The exhibit also features artifacts such as a five-tube vacuum tube radio and speaker used by the first broadcasting station in Korea, Gyeongseong Broadcasting Station (1927–1947), which transmitted broadcasts using the “JODK” call sign. Visitors can also explore an LP record of LEE Mi Ja’s “Camellia Girl,” released in 1964, and an illegally produced LP record. The unauthorized reproduction of “Camellia Girl” is noted as the starting point for the crackdown on illegal records. As the world’s only museum in the field of copyright, the National Copyright Museum aims to establish its identity and enhance competitiveness by continuously securing symbolic materials in order to contribute to the understanding and appreciation of copyright-related history.

 On-site meeting in the copyright community held, including the head of a copyright trust management organization and copyright public relations ambassador Dotty

Before the opening ceremony, Minister YU met with copyright industry stakeholders at the National Copyright Museum’s education center. The meeting focused on the protection of creators and the activation of the copyright industry in response to the spread of K-content. Attendees included Chairman CHU Ga Yeoul of the Korea Music Copyright Association, along with heads of copyright trust management organizations, copyright ambassador Dotty (NA Hee Sun), and choreographer Lia KIM, totaling around 10 participants. The meeting provided an opportunity for on-site discussions and the gathering of opinions regarding challenges and opportunities in the copyright industry.[1]

Minister YU stated, “I believe that the most crucial prerequisite for the development of cultural arts and the content industry is to properly protect the rights of creators. I will strive to incorporate the opinions and suggestions from the meeting into copyright policies, ensuring that the copyright industry continues to expand and develop in line with new environments.”

The National Copyright Museum will initially operate for nearby schools, classes, and groups after the opening ceremony on November 22. Starting 2024, it will be open to the general public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., allowing free access to the exhibitions and educational experiences. Visitors must make reservations through the museum’s website.