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“Drunken Scholars” color-changing cup set. / National Museum Foundation of Korea

Korea’s cultural heritage-inspired merchandise, known as “Muds” (a blend of “museum” and “goods”), will be showcased in Japan for the first time at the 2025 Osaka Expo.

The National Museum Foundation of Korea announced on May 8 that it will exhibit more than 80 Muds from May 13 to 16 at the event in Osaka. This marks the first time that the foundation's museum products will be introduced directly to a Japanese audience.

The foundation will participate in the “Korea Premium Product Exhibition,” hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and organized by KOTRA, operating its own exhibition and promotional booth.

Among the featured items are the miniatures of the Gilt-bronze Pensive Bodhisattva—popularized by BTS member RM, who is known to own one—and a lamp inspired by the UNESCO World Heritage site Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju.

“A mini museum through Muds” will be the theme of the display, said a foundation official. The space will be divided into six themed sections, including the Pensive Bodhisattva, celadon, white porcelain, lacquerware, paintings, and Gyeongju Museum-exclusive products.

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Miniatures of the Pensive Bodhisattva. / National Museum Foundation of Korea