On July 7, 2023, Handok invited young people from the MZ generation to experience traditional culture in a unique way through a special event – The Protector of Living National Treasure, Treasure Hunt.

The Protector of Living National Treasure, Treasure Hunt has been part of Handok’s annual social contribution activity since 2012 and promotes the value and importance of traditional culture. This year’s event was organized to be an exciting and meaningful way to reach the MZ generation and its desire to enjoy new experiences. The 15 participants, selected through a pre-recruitment process, experienced traditional culture on various missions in areas near North Chungcheong Province under a “Treasure Hunter Trip” concept of searching for special treasures hidden in Korea.

The participants met with Master Painter Kim Young-jo, a National Intangible Cultural Asset No. 136, to watch a demonstration of fire painting and learn first-hand about the unique skill. Not only did they watch the master at work but had the chance to complete their own artwork. At the end of the experience, Master Kim signed their completed artwork with fire painting, framed it, and gave it to the participants as a gift.

In addition, the participants visited the Handok Medico-Pharma Museum and took part in Dr. H’s Secret Notebook investigation game, where they searched for hidden treasures in the museum using medical artifacts as clues. Over the course of the hour-long game, the participants viewed a variety of Eastern and Western medicinal artifacts, including those designated as treasures.

Since 2009, Handok has been providing medical checkups for people that are national intangible cultural assets in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Heritage Administration and 11 partner hospitals nationwide to ensure that the nation’s living treasures are healthy and able to devote themselves to passing on their skills. Specifically, Handok provides comprehensive health checkups (biennial checkups for even/odd years) to national intangible cultural assets aged 50 to 80 who receive medical benefits and engages in a variety of activities to keep them in good health. In addition, it collaborates with national intangible cultural assets that have received medical checkups to organize events and complimentary performances to promote the value of traditional culture.