Seoul is well-known for its rich culture, heritage, cuisine, and ancient history. On top of learning the language at a Korean language school, what better way to immerse yourself in what Korea has to offer than exploring the country’s museums and art galleries?
From the unique, awesome, and strange, here are 6 must-visit museums in Seoul that you should visit at least once in your lifetime!
1. National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관)
As the largest museum in Korea scanning six permanent exhibition galleries and over 40,000 objects of royal treasures and artefacts, the National Palace Museum of Korea is the place to go to discover the history of the famous 40 Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty – the longest-ruling and last royal dynasty spanning five centuries. This is a great place to spend an afternoon for both solo travellers, couples and families alike.
2. Leeum Samsung Museum of Art (삼성미술관 리움)
Leeum Samsung Museum of Art was founded by the Samsung Foundation of Culture and is one of the most exquisite and classy museums in Seoul. This museum houses the perfect blend of contemporary and traditional Korean art forms and comprises two parts which are designed by famous architects including Jean Nouvel and Mario Botta.
Museum 1 contains collections of traditional Korean art, while Museum 2 contains museum features and contemporary arts from Korean and foreign artists. It is currently one of Korea’s leading art establishments for both locals and tourists alike to immerse themselves in paintings, ceramics and even features an outdoor sculpture park for you to relax and soak in the beauty.
3. CheongGyeCheon Museum (청계천박물관)
The CheongGyeCheon Museum is a multi-level museum that documents the history of the Cultural Space Cheonggyecheon Stream and Seoul Park. The two mentioned places are important parts of the Seoul Museums of history, as it yields the restoration project of the Cheonggyecheon. The stream is well-known among both locals and foreigners and talks about the past, present and plans of the stream and its role in the city.
4. The National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관)
The National Folk Museum of Korea is deemed the best museum to visit if you want to experience traditional Korean life. The museum was made to dedicate and present the traditions, cultures and philosophies of Korean people from prehistoric times to 1910. Also, it houses popular and special exhibitions like the Annual Korean traditional handicraft Art Exhibition and the Korean Artisans Traditional Skills Exhibition.
Containing over 98,000 artefacts comprising items used by Koreans in the past, the architecture of the museum is well-known as it is made from the Korean traditional style pagodas and is a must-visit if you’re interested in getting to know more about Koreans and why they live the way they do.
5. Trickeye Museum Seoul (서울 트릭아이뮤지엄)
Trickeye Museum Seoul is proof that museum trips are not always boring, but can also be fun and exciting! Combining high-end technology and 3D effect illusions, this museum is the first to use Augmented Reality (AR) effect in its displays. Featuring horror, fantasy, and nautical backdrops to give visitors a thrilling experience, it’s no wonder this museum is popular all over the world!
Containing art pieces designed for you to make yourself a part of them by following some simple instructions – this is the perfect opportunity to take some wacky and fun pictures for Instagram!
6. Pulmuone Kimchi Museum (뮤지엄 김치간)
The country’s capital, Seoul is famous for its creative ideas in any field! One proof is the creation of the Pulmuone Kimchi Museum, a museum dedicated to Korea’s staple food – Kimchi. As the national pickle of South Korea, kimchi is a fermented food that is prepared by mixing ingredients such as ripped cabbage, red chilli paste, garlic, and radish with different seasonings, and this museum promotes and shows the traditional importance of the dish, offering kimchi-making sessions, kimchi tasting, and even kimchi cooking classes!
Conclusion
Seoul has an interesting and breathtaking history and culture, and the blend of both technology and tradition can be seen in their museums. When museum-hopping, it is essential to know and understand their beautiful language! So, before you book a ticket to travel, learn or improve your Korean skills by enrolling in a Korean language course in Singapore! Sejong Korean Language School offers a range of exciting and interactive learning methods catered to all levels, so begin your language journey with us today!