Culture - Korea travel and tourism information

Namsan Library (서울특별시교육청 남산도서관)

2021-07-07

109, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-754-7338

Namsan Library opened as Kyeongseong Prefectural Library in 1922 as a public library in Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. The library was moved to the current site in 1964 with a newly built building and its name changed to Namsan Library in 1965. This concrete building was built in 1964 and was designed by architect Lee Haeseong. It was designated as Seoul Future Heritage in 2013, credited for its preservation value.
It is comprised of 19 rooms and educational areas including the Humanity and Social Science Hall, Nature Science Hall, Language and Literature Hall, Electronic Information Room and more. Since opening, the library has collected nearly 500,000 books, 16,000 non-book materials, 700 continuing resources, and other special materials like old books, oriental books (including Japanese books), and more. Namsan Library also operates a reading treatment program unique to this library that began in 2005. The program includes remodeling of reading consultation room, training for people in charge of reading treatment, workshops, programs for individuals and groups. Also, various exhibitions, lectures, shows, cultural classes and other events are available all year long to enhance lifelong education.

Doosan Art Center (두산아트센터)

2021-11-01

15, Jong-ro 33-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-708-5001

Doosan Art Center, which opened on October 1, 2007, is structured around three different spaces: The Yonkang Hall, exclusively designed for musical performances, Space 111, a “space for art incubation,” and the Doosan Gallery, built for installations.
The Yongang Hall, a theater with 620-person seating capacity, has specially designed lightings and a world-class audio-visual system to provide a second-to-none sensory experience.
Space 111 can accommodate a broad range of performing arts, from theater and dance to film and music concerts. The Doosan Gallery is open to the public, and art exhibitions and performances here can be enjoyed free of charge.
All three theaters include spacious lobbies with handicapped access, designated seating for parents with infants, and meeting areas. Rest rooms are also available nearby, in order to avoid long queues and long walks during intermission.

The National Library of Korea (국립중앙도서관)

2021-06-22

201, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
+82-2-590-0500

The National Library of Korea collects and preserves many important documents and books, promoting a culture of appreciation for these cultural heritages. The library was founded on May 28, 1988 in the area of Seocho Park, later expanding to include an annex. The scenery of the park is beautiful and the atmosphere is very relaxing, perfectly suited to the pursuit of knowledge. For further understanding, the library also offers guided tours for those interested in library science. Many materials have also been scanned and are accessible online through the digital library.

National Gugak Museum (국립국악박물관)

2021-08-13

2364, Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
+82-2-580-3130

The National Gugak Museum opened on February 23, 1995 as the first gugak museum in Korea, featuring approximately 6,000 pieces of gugak-related materials and relics which have both historical and cultural value. It is comprised of seven themed permanent exhibition halls that present 250 pieces of audio and video clips regarding gugak. In the 3D room, visitors can enjoy 3D animation at all times. The museum also hosts special exhibitions in unique and interesting themes.

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

2023-08-07

3, Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-760-4850

ARKO Art Center was founded in 1974 as Misulhoegwan in a building of former Deoksu Hospital in Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu to offer much-needed exhibition space for artists and arts groups. In 1979, Misulhoegwan moved to its present building, designed by preeminent Korean architect Kim Swoo-geun (1931-1986) and located in Marronnier Park, the former site of Seoul National University. The two neighboring brick buildings accommodating ARKO Art Center and ARKO Arts Theater are the major landmarks of the district of Daehakro.
As more public and private museums and commercial galleries came into the art scene in the 1990s, Misulhoegwan shifted to curating and presenting its own exhibitions. Renamed as Marronnier Art Center in 2002, ARKO Art Center assumed a full-fledged art museum system and played an increasingly prominent role as a public arts organization leading the contemporary art paradigm. When The Korea Culture and Arts Foundation was reborn as Arts Council Korea, Marronnier Art Center became ARKO Art Center named after the abbreviation for Arts Council Korea in 2005.
ARKO Art Center is committed to working as a platform where research, production, exhibitions and the exchange of creative activities grow and develop in connection with one another in addition to having a diversity of programs including thematic exhibitions addressing social agenda and public programs widely promoting various discourses in art.

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (경인미술관)

2024-03-04

11-4, Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-4448

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is located in Insa-dong. It has six exhibition rooms, an atelier, an outdoor exhibition area, and a traditional tea house. It hosts outdoor concerts in spring and fall, and Q&A sessions with authors can also be found as well. The traditional tea house offers about 15 types of traditional Korean tea in a space that overlooks the garden.

Whanki Art Museum (환기미술관)

2024-03-04

63, Jahamun-ro 40-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-391-7701

Whanki Art Museum exhibits the works of Kim Whanki (1913-1974), the pioneer of Korean abstract art. Kim was inspired by traditional features such as Korean mountains and streams, the sky, moons and clouds, the white porcelain and traditional patterns, and worked to express them in abstract forms through points, lines, and surfaces. The main collection features nearly 300 works by Kim. One can also find an art shop and a café.

Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun (교보문고)

2024-03-05

1, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
02-3295-0312

Kyobo Book Centre is the first large-scale bookstore in Korea, and this particular store can be found next to Gwanghwamun Square. Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun divides its internal area into 11 sections and organizes them in a way that allows readers to find books easily. The store also has specialized shops for stationery, digital devices, and accessories, as well as exhibition spaces and cafés.

Kumho Museum of Art (금호미술관)

2020-06-11

18, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-5114

The Kumho Museum of Art was opened to celebrate the diversity of art. The museum displays new pieces of art from promising new artists and accomplished artists every year. The museum first opened its doors in Gwanhun-dong in 1989, but moved to a larger area in 1996 where it stands today. The Kumho Museum of Art stands on the east side of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The museum is surrounded by other cultural and folk museums. The B1 floor features artwork of new artists while the 1st and 2nd floors feature project exhibitions and invitation exhibits. About once a year foreign artists are invited to display their art in the museum. There are official invitation exhibitions of seven artists yearly. These are artists who have strongly influenced Korean art. On the 3rd floor of the museum is a small concert hall, also known as Kumho Recital Hall. Although the capacity is only 171 people, all concerts are executed with professional care. On the 1st floor there is a coffee shop and an art shop. The coffee shop and art shop remain open on days the museum is closed.

LG Arts Center (LG아트센터)

2024-03-18

(LG Arts Center Seoul), 136, Magokjungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2005-0114

LG Arts Center is a cultural complex space designed by Tadao Ando, a world-renowned architect. Its architectural excellence and design have won great acclaim. The main facilities contain performance halls, Art Lounge, and Studio. The LG SIGNATURE Hall, a multipurpose performance hall, has a capacity of 1,300. Its state-of-the-art facilities and sound design have drawn many visitors and performances to the complex.

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