Insa-dong (인사동)
5.9Km 2024-05-17
62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-0222
Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.
The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.
The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. They are hidden deep within the twisting alleyways, making it feel like a treasure hunt. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.
Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture first-hand, and also purchase pieces of fine art.
Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)
5.9Km 2025-06-19
4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
The Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA), the first public museum of craft art in Korea, opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, in July 2021 after renovating five buildings of the former Pungmoon Girls’ High School. SeMoCA studies and shares not only works, but also information, records, people, and environment related to craft art with the goal of becoming a dynamic platform for experiencing the technical, practical, artistic, and cultural values of craft.
SeMoCA holds a collection that comprises various crafts and craft materials covering multiple fields and eras from the traditional to the present. SeMoCA also holds exhibitions that feature the history of craft from traditional to contemporary art as well as local and children’s crafts, along with programs that utilize the museum’s craft installations, craft archives, craft library, and craft resource management system.
The site of the museum has deep historical roots as it is also the Andong Secondary Palace Site, where a detached palace was constructed as a royal residence for King Sejong’s son Prince Yeongeung, and served as a venue for royal celebrations, such as the wedding of King Sunjong. The site is also at the center of Jongno-gu, where Joseon-era master artisans (“gyeonggongjang”) of the royal palace produced and delivered craft works.
Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)
5.9Km 2025-07-14
33 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Matthew Chang Anguk flagship store uses the whole space to bring the brand's philosophy to life through fragrance. Located in Anguk, the heart of Korea's tradition and aesthetics, the store's tranquil atmosphere sets the mood for visitors to try on and experiment with the brand's carefully selected perfume collection. The staff provides assistance in recommending the perfect scent according to visitor's preference, mood, and nostalgia. The store also has a section dedicated to body care products, such as hand wash and body lotion.
Kukje Gallery (국제갤러리)
5.9Km 2021-07-29
54, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-8449
The Kukje Galley has been committed to presenting the work of significant Korean and international contemporary artists to the public since 1982. The gallery has established itself as a leading venue for international exhibits such as Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Francis, Jim Dine, Frank Stella, Robert Mangold, Anthony Caro, Cy Twombly, Edward Ruscha, Anselm Kiefer, Joseph Beuys, and Bill Viola, attracting enthusiastic responses from both the public and the media.
The gallery has placed emphasis on collaborations between artists, galleries, and art dealers around the world and nurturing upcoming artists by sponsoring their artwork and giving them international exposure.
Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간)
5.9Km 2025-06-19
(4-6th floor, Maru Art Center), 35-4 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Museum Kimchikan is a museum dedicated to kimchi in Insa-dong’s Maru Art Center. The exhibition details the culture, history, trajectory, and efficacy of kimchi and teaches the visitors how to make kimchi through videos. Visitors can also sample different types of kimchi. The museum offers both individual and group experience programs.
Bukchon Hanok Village Gamgodang Street (북촌한옥마을 감고당길)
5.9Km 2025-10-30
Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
An alley with cute cafes and galleries
This is the road that appeared in the last episode and the flashback scene where Choi Ung (played by Choi Woosik) and Kuk Yeonsoo (played by Kim Dami) got drunk. Behind the Seoul Craft Museum in Bukchon Hanok Village, it extends for about 440m from Poongmoon Girls' High School to Jeongdok Library. There are many pretty cafes and galleries on the cozy road, and there are also craft markets open, so there is plenty to look around. The alley where Kuk Yeonsoo walked with the drunken Choi Ung on her back is Yunboseon Street in the middle of Gamgodang Street. It stretches along the hill between narrow tiled walls and stone walls, giving off a unique atmosphere.
Toin (토인)
5.9Km 2025-11-05
48 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-736-5142
Toy store where you can buy Dalgona sets
It is a retro-style store that sells nostalgic toys and snacks. The small space is filled with colorfully colored wrapping paper and toys that are difficult to understand at first glance. As soon as you enter this place, children and adults will feel excited and their eyes will sparkle. Among the various products, the most popular item is by far the Dalgona set. It is good to make new memories by choosing snacks and toys that suit your taste
Seokparang (석파랑)
6.0Km 2024-09-02
309 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-395-2500
Seokparang is a place built by relocating the Sarangchae of Heungseon Daewongun, the father of King Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. It boasts beautiful late Joseon-style gardens and three traditional hanok buildings. Here, one can enjoy authentic Gungjung hanjeongsik (royal Korean table d'hote) for both lunch and dinner, featuring meticulously prepared dishes such as traditional porridge, chilled salads, steamed prawns, kimchi cabbage wraps with pork, soybean paste jjigae set menu, and desserts. Diners can also savor traditional liquors crafted by artisans from across the country.
HIDE AND SEEK - Ssamzigil Branch (하이드앤시크 쌈지길점)
6.0Km 2025-11-06
44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
This is where TXT members enjoyed escape games on their own series, “TO DO X TXT.” Chosen as the tagger by random draw, Huening Kai showed impressive game skills, using his instincts to “eliminate” the other members.
Geoan (거안)
6.0Km 2025-10-23
44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Geoan, a store in Insa-dong, specializes in wooden furniture and accessories. Visitors can purchase products on display in the store or customize their pieces according to their preferences. In addition to furniture production, the shop also exhibits and sells various artworks such as celadon, lacquer mother-of-pearl, and sculptures by artists, making it a classy art space that harmonizes tradition and modernity.
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