ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

1.6Km 2025-06-05

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.

Regal Optical [Tax Refund Shop] (리갈안경)

1.6Km 2024-04-19

Store #123, Section Ra-3 of Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center, 2, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Daehangno (University Street) (대학로)

1.6Km 2021-03-25

104, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1114

Daehangno is an artistic neighborhood that stretches 1.1 kilometers from Jongno 5-ga Intersection to Hyehwa-dong Rotary. The area is filled with culture and performing arts facilities, with the center of all this being Marronnier Park. Visitors can find performances taking play every day at the many theaters large and small, as well as restaurants serving a range of cuisines. The area is especially active on weekends and during the street festival period.

Owl Museum (부엉이박물관)

1.7Km 2022-09-19

143, Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3210-2902

The Owl Museum is filled with over 2,000 pieces of owl-themed arts and crafts collected from all over the world by the owner. Renovated from a house, the museum has a feel of an antique café as the owner offers a cup of coffee or tea to visitors. Located near the city, those interested in owls should stop for a view and a drink. Various stories of how the collection was gathered as well as information on owls are also interesting.

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display (청와대 국민과 함께 영상전시)

1.7Km 2025-08-20

1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
박주원 학예연구사 02-3771-8636

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display brightens the night through a media facade display on Yeongbingwan Hall. The display shows the history of Cheong Wa Dae through the theme "Twelve Lights".

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital (강북삼성병원)

1.7Km 2025-10-23

29 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Established in 1968, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital has over 50 years of history and is taking a new leap forward with a vision for its centennial year.
Through partnerships with renowned institutions, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States and the BBDC in Canada, the hospital delivers advanced medical services while leading the public health arena. It is also committed to systematic research and the development of ICT-integrated digital healthcare, which will be the foundation for future medicine. With an excellent infrastructure that includes clinics and specialized centers (e.g., the Diabetes Center, Breast and Thyroid Cancer Center, Digestive Cancer Center, Musculoskeletal Disease Center, and Prostate Center), Kangbuk Samsung Hospital provides top-quality medical services focused on providing patients with satisfactory treatments.

Namdaemun Market (남대문시장)

1.7Km 2024-05-17

21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-2805

Opened in 1964, Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with shops selling various goods. All products are sold at affordable prices and the stores in this area also function as wholesale markets.

Most of the goods are made directly by the storeowners. Namdaemun Market is even open overnight, from 23:00 to 04:00, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the site of busy shoppers bustling around the market creates a unique scene that attracts tourists worldwide. Namdaemun Market sells a variety of clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationery, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng, and imported goods.

Olive Young - Jeongdong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 정동)

1.7Km 2024-04-22

26, Saemunan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Myeongdong Jjukkumi (명동쭈꾸미)

1.7Km 2025-07-23

3-28 Toegye-ro 6-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Myeondong Jjukkumi is a jjukkumi (ocellerated octopus) restaurant located in Jung-gu, Seoul. It only takes about a 1-minute walk from Hoehyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 2, a convenient location for both tourists and people who work in the area. Main menu items consist of jjukkumi and samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), pork galbi (rib meat), bossam (cabbage wraps with pork), among other set menus. All dishes are cooked in the kitchen, and are known for their spicy kick and savory taste. The restaurant can accommodate group guests as it has a spacious hall as well as outdoor tables. Customers dining at the restaurant can help themselves to more side dishes at the self-service side dish bar and enjoy a hearty meal at a reasonable price.

Bokidang (복이당)

1.7Km 2025-09-15

3-28 Toegye-ro 6-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Bokidang is a handmade salt buns specialty bakery cafe located in Jung-gu, Seoul. It is conveniently located just a 30-second walk from Exit 2 of Hoehyeon Station, situated in an area with high foot traffic from office workers and tourists. Bokidang presents handmade salt bread and beverages made with carefully selected fresh ingredients, with the hope that "everyone who eats will be blessed." The signature menu features a lineup of salt breads inspired by the 12 zodiac animal characters, each embodying health, wishes, and small happiness in a single bite. The store has a clean and warm atmosphere with an indoor seating area and outdoor seating, accommodating group guests and offering takeout for added convenience.

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관) - Area information - Korea travel information