Don’t Miss Seoul’s Top Museums

By
Ian Morris
-
Photo by Cait Ellis on Unsplash

Seoul, South Korea is a city that is absolutely full of interesting things to do and see. If you’re a fan of museums, this city of nearly 10 million has plenty to offer.

If you find yourself in Seoul and are looking to have a day at the museums, here are three of the best that you absolutely must check out.

National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea is arguably the country’s best museum, holding an enviable collection of artifacts and memorabilia tied to the country’s long history. The mix of traditional elements and contemporary pieces makes this a comprehensive look into South Korea’s past and present.

View this post on Instagram

기획특별전 “로마 이전, 에트루리아” <개선 행진이 묘사된 유골함> . 에트루리아 사람들은 사후 세계로 가는 과정을 드라마틱한 여행으로 표현했습니다. 이 유골함에는 그 여정의 마지막 순간을 부조로 나타냈습니다. 유골함 왼편에는 죽은 이가 탄 마차를 저승의 신 반트가 횃불을 들고 인도하는 모습이 있습니다. 독특한 것은 파스케스(도끼날을 끼운 막대 다발)을 멘 경호원과 호른 연주자가 표현된 오른편의 운구 행렬입니다.저승에 도착하는 장면을 마치 로마 사람들의 개선 행진처럼 묘사한 것입니다. 이 유골함은 에트루리아와 로마의 문화가 서로 융합되어 갔음을 보여줍니다. 이탈리아, 기원전 2세기 말, 설화석고, 높이 42.5cm, 구아르나치 에트루리아박물관, 기획전시실 전시 중(7월 9일~10월 27일). . #국립중앙박물관 #행복배달부

A post shared by 국립중앙박물관 (@nationalmuseumofkorea) on

The Leeum

The Leeum is arguably Seoul’s preeminent art museum, housing two collections: contemporary modern art and traditional Korean pieces. Lovers of all kinds of art will find something to appreciate here.

View this post on Instagram

Looking up at “Alchemy,” @choijeonghwa_official's piece for the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art in Seoul. The work “strikes a harmony with the architecture,” said June Young Kwak, a @leeum_official curator. “It’s well-matched.” The piece makes use of natural light to turn plastic and industrial materials into something more. In designing the #spiralstaircase that showcases this work of art, @mariobottaarchitetti_official was inspired by ceramics and porcelain design. The natural light that reaches from the rotunda down to the lobby represented a shift from the traditional idea of the museum — a white box without windows. And, June added, it's simply more welcoming. MUSEUM 1, as it’s known, is meant to resemble a fortress from the outside. It was built in 2004 to house the Leeum's permanent collection of traditional Korean art. More than 120 pieces of traditional art are displayed over 4 floors, and about 5 years ago, the museum added contemporary works to MUSEUM 1 to foster dialogue between the two. #BehindTheDesign: Throughout June, we’re exploring design in #Seoul. 📸: @junmichaelpark . . . #theworldneedsmorespiralstaircases #leeum #samsung #여행 #여행스타그램 #한국여행 #🇰🇷 #lookingup #rotunda #architecture #architectural #architecturephotography

A post shared by Instagram’s @design (@design) on

Museum Kimchikan

Are you looking for a unique museum to visit during your time in Seoul? Look no further than the Museum Kimchikan, which this the only museum devoted to kimchi. Here, you’ll learn all you could’ve ever wanted to know about one of the country’s most treasured foods.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfe36iMnWZg/