Long before Korean culture swept global airwaves through pop music and cinema, residents of Seoul perfected "pungryu" — a philosophy of refined leisure, artistic expression and communion with nature. Now, that centuries-old ethos has arrived in Italy, bridging ancient Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) scholarship with the vibrant pulse of modern city life. The Seoul Museum of History, in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center in Italy, officially opened its touring international exhibition, "The Charm of Seoul: Pungryu," in Rome Thursday. Following a widely acclaimed run in Warsaw, Poland, earlier this summer, the showcase invites European audiences to experience 600 years of Seoul's aesthetic heritage through rare artifacts, immersive media and interactive culinary pop-ups. Supported by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism under its Touring K-Arts initiative, the exhibition uses the concept of pungryu to trace how Seoul’s citizens have cultivated joy across eras. The journey begins in the late Joseon Dynasty period, showcasing historic treasures such as "Sangchun Yaeyo