Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Sungkok Art Museum is an art gallery built by the Korean corporation Ssangyong to promote Korean art. To help talented writers there is an individual exhibit. For the development of art culture in Korea, there is a planning exhibit, and finally there is an international exhibit that enables the public to keep in touch with the flow of foreign art as well. They hold more than 15 exhibits a year. The art gallery building can be roughly divided into two. The main building that holds the exhibition, and the annex building that harbors many diverse facilities. In the sculpture park there are about 100 kinds of trees that are decades old, which form a forest. Together with the sculptures the forest itself also plays a role as an art piece. Inside the forest a wood path exists. If you slowly follow this path you can soak in all of the sculpture park. Here you can the view the sculptures of famous artists from Korea and abroad in harmony with nature. If you want to buy practical craftwork for a mid-low price, there is an art shop inside the main building. You may encounter the Seonggok Museum’s own products, as well as high quality artwork by famous artists. These are the kind of products that make you happy even though they are small. After viewing the museum, if you want to rest for a while, try visiting the teahouse. At Seonggok Museum’s teahouse you will be able to enjoy the sculpture park’s four seasons with a delightful cup of tea. In the spring time the fresh and green scent of nature, in the summer, the vivid life of the forest, in fall, the forest’s brilliant change of color, and in the winter, you will be able to see the world covered in white. Outside the building there are terraces and outdoor tables awaiting you. Perhaps you might want to relax there inhaling the fresh air, and contemplate your trip and your life. The teahouse offers green tea, tea, citron tea, coffee and cookies. The citron tea and the sweet cookies with walnuts inside are made personally by the director herself, and they are the house specialty; so you may want to try them.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Opened in 1992, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery is a 17,791 sq. ft., two-story building with four exhibition halls. It is one of the main pavilions of Insa-dong, displaying diverse artwork ranging from Western and Korean paintings to sculptures. Due to the great interest in Korean paintings, 2~3 of the annual long-term exhibitions focus solely on them.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

As the largest exhibition center in Korea, KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center) has 10 exhibition halls that span 108,556㎡ and 40 meeting rooms that cover 13,303㎡. Since its opening in April 2005, KINTEX has undergone two of three scheduled expansions. September of 2011 marked the completion of the second expansion, adding 53,975㎡ of exhibition space to the world-class meeting facilities, and reinforcing KINTEX's position at the forefront of globalization and economic development in Korea.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

The Jeonju Korean Traditional Wine Museum offers visitors the unique chance to explore the world of traditional Korean liquor and engage in related hands-on experience programs. At the museum, visitors can see the tools and machines used in the making of alcohol and get a closer look at the different types of Korean traditional wine. Some of the most interesting displays at the museum are the alcohol preparation room and the fermentation room. Thanks to speakers located in these two rooms, visitors are able to hear the amplified sounds of the fermentation process.


Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

63 SeaWorld features 20,000 marine creatures of 400 different species. Coral reefs, penguins, seals, dolphins, 2-meter-long crabs, and more are exhibited in 54 aquariums and 26 special aquariums. One of the highlights of the collection is its Coelacanth fish (pronounced "see-la-kanth"), a prehistoric fish once thought to be extinct. Coelacanth originated 350 million years ago, and their mysterious existence today as a “living fossil” continues to fascinate scientists.In the exhibition halls, located throughout two basement floors, you can watch a synchronized swimming show featuring former national synchronized swimmers moving among beautiful fish and sharks. Also waiting to delight visitors are a ‘Dr. Fish’ foot massage and some amphibians and reptiles, including lizards and anacondas. Throughout the day are a variety of shows including a seal show, a fur seals show, a sea princess show, and a penguin feeding show. Check out the show times so you don’t miss an interesting show.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu)

AmorePacific, a Korean brand, initially gained popularity in New York since its opening of AMORE Beauty Gallery & Spa in Soho, New York. The AMORE Spa is a popular spa and treatment center frequented by many international celebrities. The AMORE Spa Seoul branch, opened in April 2005, offers approximately 30 different kinds of programs. One of the most popular spa programs is Spa Therapy, which uses a diverse range of natural therapy materials including lotus flower, ginger and bamboo. Another popular program is the Halla Green Tea program, which uses green tea leaves grown in Jeju's Hallasan Mountain. Other programs include Gold & Silver Energy Healing therapy, Mystic Bamboo Forest, facial therapies, body slimming and massages.


Jeollabuk-do(Namwon-si)

The Namwon National Gugak Center envelops visitors in the enchanting world of Korean folk music, a genre known for its explicit beauty. Recruiting only the nation’s top performers in each discipline, the center offers a variety of regular folk performances such as musical plays, Pansori (epic stories told through song), folk songs, Gaya harp concerts, Samulnori, and more, representing all types of Korean traditional music.The center is located in Namwon, the birthplace of “Dongpyeonjae Pansori,” and offers a regular “Pansori Performance” through which visitors can hear the authentic melodies of Dongpyeonjae Pansori, handed down from generation to generation.In addition to performances, the center is home to a folk music reference room and a traditional Korean instrument gallery displaying approximately 60 different kinds of instruments along with pictures of famous performers. Among the instruments on display, of particular note are Gangneung Province’s “Sogu” (small drum) and the traditional Jeju folk instrument the “Muak.”Nearby attractions include Gwanghallu, a garden from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and Ojakgyo, the bridge from the epic love story of Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo. Namwon is also famous as the setting of the ancient novel “Chunhyangjeon,” which is celebrated with Chunhyang, a folk festival that takes place each year on May 5th.


Incheon(Jung-gu)

Jajangmyeong Museum opened in Incheon during the open port period to promote the historical and cultural values of Korean-style jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) that has now become one of the “Top 100 Cultural Symbols of Korea.” * Opened: April 28, 2012 * Cultural heritage: Gonghwachun, Seollin-dong, Incheon – Registered Cultural Heritage No. 246 (designated on April 14, 2006)


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Located east of Naksan Mountain at Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu in Seoul, Myogaksa Temple offers the urbanites a chance to experience Temple Stay. Since 2002, Myogaksa Temple has run its special Temple Stay program titled “Free from All Anxiety”, which sees a growing number of foreign participants every year. Moreover, you may also have a chance to experience Korean traditional culture as well as get to know Korean history better through interesting stories.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Sajik Park is one of the three most popular parks in Jongno-gu along with Tapgol Park and Samcheong Park. Located west of the Government Complex-Seoul on the southeastern foothills of Mt. Inwang, the park measures an impressive 188,710m².The name of the park dates back to 1395 when Taejo Lee Sung-gye made the first Sajikdan (altar to the State deities) along with the Jongmyo Shrine (Royal Ancestral Shrine) at the center of the park. "Sa" refers to the deity of the earth while "jik" refers to the deity of the five grains. Rites wishing for a good harvest were held regularly at the Sajikdan. However, the area was not officially recognized as a park until 1922 under the Japanese colonial period.In the park are several playgrounds, statues of Sin Saimdang, Hwanghakjeong, and Yi I (often referred to by his pen name ‘Yulgok’), and the Municipal Children's Library. Dangun Shrine and Jongno Library are situated nearby. By following the path next to Sajik Park for approximately 5 minutes, travelers can reach the Mt. Inwang hiking path with relative ease.