From Still to Alive (Chuncheong Animation Museum)

Our team’s maiden experience to an actual museum in Seoul was the Animation Museum. Located in the state of Chuncheon (which is the state where the popular Korean drama, Winter Sonata was filmed), the two-storey museum houses the biggest archives of animation-related exhibits.

The sign that welcomes us to the Animation Museum at Chuncheon

Upon entering the museum, we were greeted by sculptures of some world-renowned popular cartoon characters, like Korea’s Pompom and even the popular Japanese character, Astro Boy. The exhibits showcased the origins of animation, and how it all originated from the Altamira cave of 10,000 BC.

The first film was produced in 1895, and that kick-started the journey of animation. In 1928, the world’s first talkie animation – Steamboat Willie – was created by Walt Disney, and is also the birth of the world-famous Mickey Mouse character.  This timeline of animation was especially interesting, as we could see the development of this technique over the years, and now, we are able to enjoy 3D versions of just about any other movie!

Toy Story - The first feature length animation film

We found out about the brief history of Korean animation and the development of the early filming equipment to its current state. Moving up to the second floor, the museum showcased a few exhibitions of the progress of animation in various countries like Japan, Europe and America. There were interactive exhibits like a wall where we could manipulate instruments using our shadows, as well as pin-screens, which could form our silhouette when lying on it.

Exhibits of various figurines of animations such as The Smurfs

However, the museum was clearly targeted at children: there was a playground and a bouncing castle too! But for us, it was a little trip down memory lane – back to our good old childhood days watching cartoon programmes over the weekends. Lastly, we visited the sound studios, where we could make sound effects using some objects for an animated movie. Also, for just ₩1000, we could create our own dubbing for a Korean cartoon character. However, due to the language barrier, the Chingus didn’t get a chance to try out.

It was a fun experience overall – even though we are technically overage – and if it helps, the café serves great desserts, and the gift shop even sells books related to animation. So if you ever get a chance, do drop by the museum!

- Chingus

Article by: Rachel Leong

Video by: Shah Ezuan and Angelyn Leow

Pictures by: Hannah Farhanah, Angelyn Leow and Fatin Sufiah