The horror film "Exhuma" has captivated audiences here, with over 9 million moviegoers watching the popular flick, with its intriguing depiction of ancient burial traditions. Among its captivating scenes, undertaker Yeong-geun, played by Yoo Hae-jin, is seen extracting gold ornaments from an open coffin, thereby igniting discussions about the long-standing custom of burying the dead with valuable items.

A scene from the box office hit movie, "Exhuma"/ Courtesy of ShowBox

This practice, which dates back to before the ancient Three Kingdoms period, involved burying the deceased with items such as jars, millet seeds and earrings, to serve as the fare for their journey to the afterlife.

A significant aspect of these burial customs is the "myoji," or grave tablets inscribed with details about the deceased's identity and life. These tablets, often considered sacred, were created by skilled writers and served as a lasting tribute to the departed.

Beyond their commemorative function, these tablets are also valuable historical and artistic artifacts, offering insights into the societal norms, literary styles and artistic practices of their times.

The tablet of Joseon scholar Kim Sa-mun / Korea Times photo by Lee Hye-mi

Kim Yong-sun, a professor emeritus of history at Hallym University and an expert on grave tablets from the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon dynasties (1392-1910), described these artifacts as comprehensive cultural heritage. They encapsulate not only religious views on life and death but also reflect the aesthetic sensibilities, art history and craftsmanship of their era.

In a remarkable development, five grave tablets from the Goryeo and Joseon periods have been repatriated to Korea. This return is considered exceptional by the National Foundation for Cultural Heritage, which has facilitated the recovery of similar artifacts over the past five years.

The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation recently unveiled these pieces, including the tablet of Joseon scholar Kim Sa-mun, the grave marker of Joseon military official Lee Ju, a tablet from the Goryeo scholar Kyonghwi, eight fragments of Son Chang-man's Joseon grave, and a cylindrical white porcelain grave marker with iron underpaint for a Joseon-era woman from the Taein Heo clan.

The successful recovery of these tablets and the academic and public interest they have generated underscored the significance of Korea's cultural heritage. This interest is further amplified by the portrayal of historical burial practices in films like "Exhuma," bridging the gap between past traditions and contemporary fascination.

A cylindrical white porcelain grave marker with iron underpaint of a Joseon-era woman from the Taein Heo clan in the 17th century /Courtesy of the Cultural Heritage Restoration Foundation

The recent unveiling of the repatriated ancient items has sparked considerable interest.

Lee Sang-geun, chairman of the Cultural Heritage Restoration Foundation, emphasized the ethical and moral imperatives driving the recovery of these artifacts. "Unlike other artifacts, tombstones hold a unique place in our heritage that demands ethical consideration for their recovery," Lee said.

The foundation plans to conduct further research on these artifacts before returning them to their original locations, ensuring that they are preserved and appreciated within their historical and cultural context.

This wave of repatriations not only represents a triumph in the preservation of Korea's cultural legacy but also serves as a testament to the growing global consensus on the ethical management of cultural heritage. As these tombstones find their way back home, they bring with them stories of Korea's past, rekindling connections with history that transcend time and borders.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and edited by staff members of The Korea Times.