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When people think of ancient kingdoms, they often imagine powerful rulers, legendary battles, and grand palaces. But the story of Baekje, one of Korea's Three Kingdoms, is told a little differently.
It is the story of the scholars who preserved knowledge, the architects who designed magnificent temples, the physicians who advanced medicine, the astronomers who measured the stars, and the artisans whose craftsmanship influenced generations across East Asia. Long before Korean culture captivated the world through K-pop, K-dramas, beauty, and fashion, Baekje was already leaving its mark beyond the Korean Peninsula through creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange.
This spirit lies at the heart of the 2026 National Heritage Media Art: The Baekje Scholars of Sabi.
A Kingdom Built on Knowledge
Rather than focusing solely on kings and political history, this year's media art festival celebrates the people who quietly shaped Baekje from behind the scenes.
Known as the Baksa (scholars), these highly trained specialists mastered a wide range of disciplines. Some dedicated their lives to studying the Confucian classics, ensuring knowledge would be preserved for future generations. Others developed astronomy and calendar-making, helping society understand time and the movement of the heavens. Physicians advanced medical science, while architects and master craftsmen created temples and pagodas whose influence can still be seen today. Together, they became the innovators whose expertise helped define an entire civilization.
For many international visitors, Baekje may be an unfamiliar name. Yet its influence reached far beyond Korea through diplomacy, Buddhism, architecture, technology, trade, and artistic exchange. Architectural techniques inspired new buildings abroad, Buddhist teachings spread through shared learning, and artistic traditions crossed borders, demonstrating how knowledge grows stronger when it is shared. It is a message that remains just as relevant today.
Before the Korean Wave
The Korean Wave has introduced millions of people to Korea through music, television, cuisine, beauty, and fashion. But Korea's role as a cultural trendsetter did not begin in the twenty-first century.
More than 1,500 years ago, Baekje was already admired for its refined craftsmanship, advanced engineering, artistic excellence, and intellectual achievements. In many ways, it represents one of Korea's earliest examples of cultural influence extending beyond national borders.
Understanding this history adds another layer to today's fascination with Korean culture, revealing that the creativity celebrated around the world has roots stretching back centuries.
The Heart of the Story: Jeongnimsa Temple Site
At the center of this story stands the Jeongnimsa Temple Site, once the royal temple of the Sabi capital and the spiritual and cultural heart of Baekje society. Here, religion, education, architecture, and artistic expression came together, reflecting the kingdom's belief that knowledge and culture were inseparable.
Its iconic Five-Story Stone Pagoda remains one of Korea's greatest architectural treasures. Built during a period when craftsmen were transforming wooden pagoda designs into enduring stone structures, it showcases both remarkable engineering and artistic vision. More than fifteen centuries later, its quiet elegance continues to inspire admiration.
More than a light show
The National Heritage Media Art Project was created to help visitors experience Korea's cultural treasures in a completely new way. You'll wander through illuminated temple grounds where every beam of light, every sound effect and every projection reveals another chapter of Baekje's remarkable legacy.
It's an experience designed for everyone looking for memorable evenings during their Korea adventure.
At the center of the event lies Jeongnimsa Temple Site, one of the most important locations within the UNESCO-listed Baekje Historic Areas.
This year's theme shines a spotlight on the scholars, engineers, architects, doctors, astronomers, and artisans who helped Baekje flourish. Their ideas, craftsmanship, and knowledge spread far beyond the kingdom's borders, making Baekje one of East Asia's great cultural powerhouses.
Experiences you don’t want to miss
As darkness falls, the entire heritage site transforms into a sequence of immersive installations that encourage visitors to explore every corner of the grounds.
Tower of Light
The evening's centerpiece is a spectacular projection mapping performance on the iconic Five-Story Stone Pagoda. Powerful visuals wash across the ancient stone while synchronized lasers, LED displays, lighting effects, and music tell the story of Baekje's artistic and intellectual achievements. Watching a National Treasure become the canvas for contemporary digital art is an unforgettable sight.
Sabi Sermon
Step inside the historic lecture hall and prepare for one of the event's most atmospheric experiences. Lasers cut through drifting fog while immersive audio and reflective lighting create a dreamlike environment that feels both futuristic and timeless. It's less like visiting a historical building and more like stepping into another world.
Incense Burner of Light
Inspired by Baekje's famous gilt-bronze incense burner, this signature installation blends projection mapping, laser art, and digital media into a mesmerizing tribute to one of Korea's greatest artistic masterpieces. It's a beautiful example of how ancient craftsmanship can inspire modern creativity.
A Night Made for Exploring
Unlike many exhibitions where visitors simply move from one display to the next, the Jeongnimsa Temple Site encourages exploration.
Take your time wandering between illuminated ruins, discover interactive installations hidden throughout the grounds, pause to admire glowing architectural details, and enjoy a peaceful evening under the stars as centuries of history unfold through modern technology. Every path offers new perspectives, making the experience feel personal no matter how many people are visiting.
Photographers will find endless opportunities to capture beautiful nighttime scenes, while couples, families and solo travelers alike can enjoy an evening that feels both educational and magical.
Many international visitors travel to Korea for its modern culture, but Buyeo offers something equally fascinating: the chance to discover where that cultural legacy began.
The media art exhibition connects the past and present beautifully, showing that the same artistic spirit continues to define Korea today.
The Event Layout
The festival is divided into three themed zones, each offering a different way to experience the legacy of the Baekje Kingdom through immersive media art.
Zone 1 introduces visitors to Baekje's history with striking light installations and interactive displays that symbolize the kingdom's origins, identity, and cultural brilliance.
Zone 2 forms the heart of the festival, featuring large-scale media art, projection mapping, and interactive exhibits inspired by Sabi-era architecture, craftsmanship, wisdom, and daily life.
Zone 3 provides a more relaxed and reflective experience, with illuminated walking paths, artistic light displays, and interactive installations that encourage visitors to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere. The route also connects to the Jeongnimsa Temple Site Museum, where special exhibitions further explore Baekje's history and cultural heritage.
