Written documents are perhaps more important than physical artifacts, because these written artifacts can tell us the history, and significance of how things were in Korea back when there were no electronic ways to preserve these records.

Hunminjeongeum (훈민정음) was an instruction manual to help people read and pronounce hangul (한글). Before the introduction of hangul, people read hanja (한자), which were Chinese characters. Therefore the hunminjeongeum teaches people (especially peasants) how to read hangul, which is much easier to read than Chinese characters.

Dongui Bogam (동의보감) is a medical compilation of Korean medical advice. Some of the treatments listed in the dongui bogam are advanced for its time, and even Europeans at that time did not have the knowledge of medicine that the dongui bogam contained. This is an important written relic because it shows how Koreans had superior medical knowledge, despite not having machines like computers.

The Palman Daejanggyeong (팔만대장경) is a collection of Buddhist scriptures written on wooden blocks. It’s one of the most comprehensive Buddhist scriptures that were remarkably preserved. The strokes of the palman daejanggyeong show a high level of workmanship, meaning that the letters were beautifully carved in the wood.

The Uigwe (의궤) is a written record of Korean court life. Royal ceremonies, and the music and dance that accompanied these ceremonies show how Korean royals celebrated and practiced certain rites. These records are also accompanied by drawings of fabulous dances that we now can reproduce because of the uigwe.

The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong (한중록) is one of the few diaries that we have that was written by a woman. This memoir is important because it chronicles the events that led to the execution of her husband, Crown Prince Sado (사도세자). Her memoirs gives insight to how royal women lived in the palace, as well as to the political turmoil of the time.