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Learn 선비정신: Yeongju’s History in a 10-Million-Viewer Film

Discover the meaning of 선비정신 (Seonbi spirit) through a special history lecture in Yeongju inspired by a hit film. Learn more!

#yeongju #choi-tae-seong #seonbi-spirit #korean-history #korean-movies

Summary

Yeongju City has announced a special history lecture featuring South Korea’s most famous history teacher, Choi Tae-seong, also known as 'Keunbyeol-ssaem.' The event, titled the '2026 Yeongju Seonbi Academy Special History Lecture,' is scheduled for May 3, 2026.

The lecture aims to connect the history of Yeongju with the themes of a recent blockbuster film that has surpassed 16 million viewers. By using popular media as a bridge, the city hopes to make local history and traditional values more accessible to the public.

Registration for the 300 available spots begins on April 17 on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will take place at the Seonbi World Convention Hall, coinciding with the Yeongju Korean Seonbi Culture Festival.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by Yeongju to host various celebrity lectures throughout May, covering topics from family psychology to crime prevention in the AI era.

Full story (translated & rewritten)

The upcoming lecture focuses on the film 'The Man Who Lives with the King' (왕과 사는 남자), which has become a massive cultural phenomenon in Korea. Choi Tae-seong will use the movie's narrative to explore the real-life historical significance of Yeongju. Specifically, he will highlight that Yeongju was the place of exile for Prince Geumseong, a pivotal figure in the movement to restore King Danjong to the throne.

By examining the turbulent era of King Danjong and King Sejo, Choi will explain how the 'Seonbi spirit'—a code of integrity and loyalty—was forged and how it remains rooted in the Yeongju region. Choi is well-known for his ability to simplify complex history, having appeared on popular shows like KBS's 'The Day, History Journal' and tvN's 'Naked History.'

Yeongju City officials stated that using a 'ten-million-viewer movie' as a hook will help residents feel a greater sense of pride in their local heritage. The lecture is designed to be interactive; when people sign up online, they can submit questions that Choi will answer during the session.

For those who miss the online registration, the city will also allow about 100 walk-in attendees on the day of the event. The lecture is free and open to any citizen aged 8 or older. This event is just the start of a 'Master Lecture' series in Yeongju, which includes upcoming talks by profiler Pyo Chang-won and relationship experts later in the month.

Context