Silla’s Face-Inlaid Glass Bead and Ancient Networks of “Hallyu”

This study investigates the symbolism and production of Silla face-inlaid glass bead to reassess their origin and significance within the context of ancient Korean craftsmanship and cultural exchange. Through design analysis, archaeological data, textual sources, and comparative cultural study, the paper argues for the likelihood of local production in Silla, supported by advanced metalworking and inlay technologies. The analysis also explores how these beads reflect a unique shamanistic worldview, and how their distribution pattern provides insight into Silla's participate on in steppe and maritime Silk Road trade networks. The findings contribute to a reevaluation of Silla's technological and symbolic sophistication and suggest a broader role for ancient Korea in early trans-regional cultural interaction.