Publications
Originality and Alteration: The Repair and Restoration of Sŏkkuram Grotto During the Park Chung-hee Era
The restoration of Sŏkkuram Grotto during the Park Chung-hee era fundamentally altered its structure and public perception, shifting its narrative from a single Buddhist hall to an enclosed dual-chamber temple resembling Indian cave temples. Key modifications included adding a concrete double-dome and realigning the entrance, which reinforced a specific historical interpretation as both a state-protecting temple and a royal prayer hall. This study re-examines these 1960s interventions, combining modern and pre-modern techniques, to analyze their lasting impact on heritage management and public understanding of Sŏkkuram's original design.
Seokguram Grotto and the Lacanian triad: Imaginary, symbolic, and Real dimensions of heritage interpretation
Seokguram Grotto's heritage value is sustained through cyclical interpretations shaped by Lacanian dimensions of the Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real. The study reveals that despite its canonical status, the monument generates recurring debates over restoration and digital reproduction due to unresolved historical tensions and interpretive plurality. Using architectural analysis, discourse study, field observation, and digital heritage critique, researchers traced Seokguram's transformations and symbolic codification within colonial, nationalist, and UNESCO frameworks. The findings highlight how the grotto functions as an objet petit a in the Imaginary register of idealized harmony while being positioned within institutional narratives (Symbolic) and revealing Real intrusions through interpretive tensions. This work advances psychoanalytic approaches to architectural heritage research and advocates for an ethics of interpretation that embraces uncertainty.
Deconstructing Seokguram Grotto: Revisiting the Schematic Design
Seokguram Grotto, renowned for its sculptural artistry, is revealed to be a masterpiece of rational architectural design. Contrary to prior assumptions that it relied on irrational numbers like √2, this study demonstrates that the grotto's dimensions follow an integer-based proportional system using 12 cheok as the main module and binary division, facilitating practical construction. The research employs the concept of design constraints to analyze its dimensional system and scene perception, identifying external (e.g., Bodhgaya Buddha dimensions, cosmological symbolism) and internal (visual coordination between the Buddha's head and nimbus stone) factors. Findings show that the pedestal’s height and position were iteratively adjusted, and the arched headstone served as a threshold to ensure perfect alignment from the viewer’s perspective. This challenges the notion of Seokguram being purely aesthetic, highlighting its tectonics of empathy—prioritizing human-scale intimacy and visual harmony over vertical transcendence.
Impact of Cultural Heritage Travel Experience on Well-being Mediating Escapism: A Multi-Group Analysis between Travelers from the Daily and Non-Daily Living Spheres
A holistic travel experience at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, encompassing sensory, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and relational aspects, significantly enhances travelers' well-being. This study, conducted on visitors to Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, found that escapism mediates the relationship between cultural heritage travel experiences and well-being, providing crucial insights for designing more effective travel programs. Using multi-group analysis with 509 responses, researchers employed statistical tools like SPSS and AMOS to validate their findings, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive experience over isolated escapism.
The Influence of Cultural Heritage Travel Experiences on Well-being: Mediating and Moderating Role of Daily Escapism and Awareness
Travelers' well-being is significantly enhanced through cultural heritage experiences, particularly when these experiences facilitate daily escapism. A study analyzing data from 509 travelers visiting sites like Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju found that sensory, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and relational aspects of travel—frame by Schmitt's (1999) Strategic Experiential Modules (SEMs)—positively impact well-being. Daily escapism acted as a mediator, strengthening the link between travel experiences and well-being, while mindfulness did not moderate this relationship. The findings suggest that designing travel programs to emphasize escapism could be an effective strategy for improving travelers' psychological benefits.
Trends and Directions of Research History Regarding the Background of the Construction of Seokguram Grotto
A notable connection between two interpretations of symbolic elements in Seokguram Grotto’s construction background has emerged, bridging the gap between 19th-century scholar Igi Baek’s analysis and modern scholar Sung Nak Ju’s perspective. Both interpretations uniquely frame a bear as representing surviving Baekje people, suggesting deeper historical parallels than previously acknowledged. While Igi Baek’s work on Song Gosungjeon (a record of Korean Buddhist monks) sparked significant academic debate, Sung Nak Ju’s interpretation remains underdiscussed despite its potential to enrich broader discussions on Seokguram’s symbolic meanings. The study urges further exploration of metaphorical and allegorical sources to advance understanding of the grotto’s ideological foundations, particularly in relation to Baekje heritage and Buddhist thought.
A Study on the Photobooks of Joseon in the 1920s
A 1922 photobook, 'Trip in Chosen,' offers a unique visual record of Joseon (Korea) during the early Japanese colonial period, capturing Western-style infrastructure like hotels and modern leisure activities alongside historic sites such as Bulguksa Temple. Unlike official government publications, this album was issued by a private railway company, reflecting its promotional intent for tourism. Its bilingual (Japanese/English) design targeted both Western audiences and Japanese readers, serving as a tool to showcase colonial achievements. The study highlights the photobook’s role in documenting cultural landmarks while emphasizing its propagandistic purpose under imperial rule.
Bibliographic construction and Examination of repair and restoration of 『The Great Dharani Sutra(Mugu Jeonggwang Dae Darani Gyeong, 無垢淨光大陀羅尼經)』, found at Seokgatap(釋迦塔) of Bulguksa temple(佛國寺)
A comparative analysis of the "Great Dharani Sutra" (Mugu Jeonggwang Dae Darani Gyeong) discovered at Bulguksa Temple's Seokgatap reveals significant differences in its bibliographic structure compared to the Goryeo Daejanggyeong collection. The study identifies 10 types of discrepancies, including missing or misplaced characters, incorrect spacing, and damaged ink traces, which challenge traditional transcription methods. These findings highlight the unique characteristics of this 8th-century sutra, providing insights into its historical context and preservation challenges. The research also emphasizes the importance of accurate restoration practices to maintain textual integrity.
Dome Architecture in Ancient Asian Art and Seokguram Grotto: In comparison with Western Dome Constructions
Seokguram Grotto, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, stands out as a testament to the Korean aesthetic and architectural ingenuity during the Silla unification period (7th–10th c. AD). This study highlights its unique dome architecture, comparing it with Western dome constructions to emphasize its significance in Buddhist art and doctrine. The grotto features a central cella housing a Sakyamuni Buddha sculpture, surrounded by mural images of eminent monks, showcasing advanced craftsmanship and iconography. The research underscores Seokguram's role as a masterpiece representing a pivotal stage in human history, blending artistic brilliance with religious symbolism.
From Vertical to Horizontal
Seokguram Grotto, a unique structure in East Asia, likely draws its design from domestic Silla tunnel-type stone-chamber tombs rather than foreign influences. By adapting the vertical layout of these tombs to a horizontal one, Seokguram achieved structural stability and accommodated more Buddhist sculptures, symbolizing the earthly realm, the world of Buddha, and the transitional space between them. This study challenges previous assumptions about its origins by analyzing architectural components and their symbolic significance.
How do visitors perceive the significance of tangible cultural heritage through a 3D reconstructed immersive visual experience at the Seokguram Grotto, South Korea?
A 3D reconstructed immersive visual experience significantly enhances visitors' perceived significance and value of tangible cultural heritage sites, such as the Seokguram Grotto World Heritage Site in South Korea. The study found that these immersive presentations influence visitors' psychological factors, thereby deepening their engagement with the site's cultural, historical, and archaeological importance. This research contributes to the field of sustainable heritage tourism by demonstrating how advanced visualization technologies can be leveraged to improve visitor experiences while ensuring the careful management of heritage sites for future generations.
Architectural Significance of the Seokguram Buddhist Grotto in Gyeongju (Korea)
Recent architectural analysis of the Seokguram Grotto, a UNESCO-listed Korean Buddhist site, reveals its unique structural and compositional sophistication. By comparing its features with other ancient hypogeal constructions, researchers uncovered hidden proportions and cohesive construction techniques that distinguish it from similar structures. The study also explores subtle lighting effects and philosophical underpinnings, demonstrating Seokguram's enduring relevance through modern parallels, such as Tadao Ando’s Buddha Hill in Hokkaido (2017). This rediscovery of its latent architectural properties offers new insights into Korean heritage conservation and monument design.
Reconstructing Pure Land Buddhist Architecture in Ancient East Asia
Pure Land Buddhist architecture, rooted in the Sanskrit term 'sukha' meaning welfare and happiness, evolved in East Asia to symbolize hope for a happy afterlife. This study reveals that the conceptual representation of Pure Land architecture became increasingly concrete over time, influencing the layout and design of real-world Buddhist temples. Notably, Bulguksa Monastery exemplifies this evolution through its U-shaped central-axis arrangements, courtyards, terraced platforms, high-rise pavilions, and lotus ponds, integrating religious practices and pre-Buddhist traditions with Hwaeom thought. The research compares Bulguksa to other Pure Land tradition temples like Hojoji and Byodoin, highlighting the transformation tableau's role in shaping Buddhist temple architecture. The study draws from Sanskrit literature and Buddhist sutras to reconstruct this architectural concept.
A New Study of the Gilt-bronze Amitabha Buddha Statue and Gilt-bronze Vairocana Buddha Statue at Bulguksa Temple - Focusing on the Reconsideration of the Iconography and the Avatamska Doctrinal Interpretation of the Levels of Dignity
A new interpretation of the iconography and doctrinal significance of the gilt-bronze Amitabha Buddha and Vairocana Buddha statues at Bulguksa Temple suggests that these 8th-century statues reflect the Avatamsaka (Hua Yen) Buddhist doctrine's hierarchical levels of dignity. Contrary to prior assumptions linking their elongated forms to later Tang or Five Dynasties styles, this study posits they align with earlier Tang-era stone carvings from Tianlongshan Grottoes and predate 9th-century state restrictions on large bronze statues. The statues' reversed mudras (hand gestures) are attributed to Chinese Zen meditation practices, while their iconography challenges traditional views of Amitabha as a Pure Land Buddha, instead aligning with the Hua Yen school's concept of the 'Ten Buddhas.' This reinterpretation highlights Bulguksa Temple's role in disseminating complex Buddhist doctrines during Unified Silla.
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