Exhibition Recollects Memory of 60 Years
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Do you remember the Pony? The now out-of-production car was the first to be exported to other countries in the 1970s and 80s, and the very symbol of national pride.
Now, the nostalgia-provoking car that exists only in the memories of many Koreans can be seen on display at a special exhibition titled ``Moments of Hardship and Glory'' until Sept. 15 at the National Folk Museum of Korea.
To mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the nation, the museum presents not only this old car but also other items hard to see first hand.
The exhibition explores contemporary perspectives on Korean culture, history, art and ideas over the past six decades, connecting the life experiences of Korean people of the past and present through a calm recollection of memories.
``Over the past 60 years, we Koreans have built up the nation despite difficulties from Japanese colonial rule and the Korean War by going through poor and tough times,'' the curator of the museum, said.
``The exhibition is expected to draw public attention as it is all about our lives, like the faded and nostalgic black-and-white photos of our parents,'' he added.
The exhibit shows about 500 pieces, which cover food, clothing and housing from 1948 to 2008.
The exhibition consists of five themes ― Our Country, Our Sweat, Our Life, Our Time and Our Memory ― to reflect the difficult times in the process of building up the country.
The old cars, which are rarely seen, are surely the highlight of the exhibition.
Five old cars, which were produced in the 1970s-80s, are on display in the lobby and hallways of the exhibition hall.
The Pony was the first car to be developed, produced and exported by Hyundai in the 1970s. The car was a symbol of the country which overcame the devastation of the 1950-53 Korean War to produce global-standard goods, meaning the middle class could afford to buy their first car.
The Pony 2 was a follow-up model for the previous Pony. The Cortina Mark V was also developed by Hyundai in technical cooperation with Ford.
Royale Salon was one of the luxurious automobiles in the 1980s. Kallista was the first classic car in 1992. Only 78 Kallista cars were produced.
The museum tried to purchase a Pony but couldn't afford to do so because they cost around 30 million won.
The Pony is one of a few important cultural assets quickly disappearing. An icon of the engine of the economic growth between 1975-85, the Pony on display is lent by an individual owner for the exhibition.
A radio model A501, first produced by Gold Star, a predecessor of LG Electronics, is a catchy item. Currently, there are only 10 radio sets of this model remaining, according to the museum.
The first Korean-made black and white television model VD-191 from the 1960s is also on display.
Also, you cannot take your eyes off these rare items ― an embroidered ``Taegeukgi'' made during the Japanese colonial period, a photo of lawmakers commemorating promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, a dung dipper, a fly catching device and an old soda bottle.
The museum said that in this materially affluent era, even a soda bottle tells a lot of things about the past hard times to the present generations.
``The soda was a special drink only those whose fathers received a monthly wage in the 1960s could have,'' the curator said.
The museum said that a rice-popping device and rice-storing bowls were all designed to overcome the lack of food at that time.
The exhibit also offers various old animations such as Robot Taekwon V, films and records to evoke memories from the 1960-1980s.
For more information, call (02) 3704-3114. Admission is free.
