Deoksu Palace brings imperial feasts back to life with AI exhibition

The Korea Heritage Service's Deoksu Palace Management Office, in partnership with Davero Art, will unveil an innovative AI exhibition titled "Imperial Banquet of the Korean Empire, Prepared With AI" at the Dondeokjeon Hall in central Seoul, starting on Tuesday. This interactive exhibition will run until March 28, 2027, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the culinary traditions of the Korean Empire.

Utilizing generative AI technology, the exhibition enables guests to become royal chefs and design their own imperial banquet menus. By selecting from a variety of ingredients such as lamb, pheasant, salmon, truffles, and caviar, visitors can then place their choices on a virtual banquet table. Here, sensors identify the selected items, and the AI system generates an image of the envisioned imperial feast.

The exhibition also boasts an extensive collection of over 60 artifacts and items related to royal Western-style banquets. These include chandeliers adorned with the imperial plum blossom emblem, iron cooking utensils, and matching tableware. At the heart of the experience are 30 meticulously crafted ingredient models, providing visitors with an immersive and educational journey into the gastronomic heritage of the Korean Empire.