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

Santorini Seoul is a multipurpose cultural complex comprised of a museum, gallery, performance hall, shop, and a café. The cultural complex, located in the basement floor of Homi Atelier (a famous art supply store for professional artists), is around 700 pyeong (more than 2000 meters squared) in size. The facility can be categorized into three main parts: an open-run museum exclusively for trick art; three galleries / performance hall; and an art museum displaying cat-related pieces. The trick art museum features paintings that are extremely realistic and seem as if they are in 3D. By posing next to the painting in a certain way, you can take a picture and look like you’re part of the painting! In the gallery section, artwork by well known artists is on display and is changed every few months. The complex stays open every night until 10:00pm and is a popular date spot for office workers.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

When taking the subway from Seoul Station to Yongsan Station, you will notice a tall and distinct hanok (traditional Korean architecture) building; this is Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs. Construction of the building began in 1984, the year of the 200th anniversary of Catholicism in Korea, and was completed after three years. Also called "Nodeul" and "Sanamgi", Saenamteo was used as military training ground during the early Joseon period. It was also the place where convicted felons and the Sayuksin (the six martyred ministers) were executed.   Many Catholics were executed here during the Sinyu Persecution of 1801, the Gihae Persecution of 1839, the Byeongo Persecution of 1846, and the Byeongin Persecution of 1866. Among those executed were 11 priests including the first Korean priest Kim Taegon (Andrew), the first Chinese priest that came to Korea Ju Mun Mo (Jacobus), the first French priest that came to Korea Bishop Imbert and other Catholics including Hyeon Seok-mun. There is also an altar here where the remains of nine Catholic saints are enshrined.


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

With 24 granite pillars, a splendid blue dome, and white exterior, the National Assembly Building is a beautiful piece of architecture. The historic building came to life in 1975 after six years of construction. The pillars and the dome symbolize the various opinions of the public emerging as one. The building is a favorite among tourists as it is located next to the Hangang River. The Hangang River sits behind the building as a beautiful backdrop.The National Assembly Building contains the Visitor Center, a walking area, and benches alongside the Hangang River. The easiest way to visit the National Assembly Building is by applying at the Visitor Center. One can tour various parts of the National Assembly Building as well as the main conferencing area. The application process lasts roughly twenty minutes. The drawback is that it does not offer a foreign language service. Those who are interested in seeing Korean politics in action may also see sessions as they proceed. However, those not particularly interested in Korean politics will be more than satisfied with the regular tour.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is the first national modern contemporary museum ever opened in Korea and it showcases the nation’s history in a comprehensive and structured way. The museum first opened its door to the public on December 26, 2012. Located in Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, the building where the museum is currently housed was formerly that of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Its current renovated state has 4 open-run exhibition chambers and 2 themed, rotating exhibit halls. Also inside the building is a seminar room, lecture hall, café, souvenir shop and a rooftop garden.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

The National Museum of Korea is located about 1.5 km away from Yongsan Station. It is the largest museum in Korea and houses precious Korean cultural assets that tell the story of Korea’s fascinating history, from ancient times to the modern era.The museum is also close to Yongsan Family Park, a grassy wooded park with a pond that serves as a natural habitat for various species of birds, as well as over 80 different kinds of trees. The War Memorial of Korea, also nearby, is located next to Samgakji Station, and 1 km from Yongsan Station. It displays a vast collection of wartime relics.In addition to galleries with a wide array of national and international pieces, the National Museum of Korea is the stage for a number of cultural activities related to collection, preservation, research and analysis, social training, academic publications, intercultural exchange programs, concerts, and more.Visitors of all ages get the opportunity to participate in a number of educational events and quality cultural programs. For those who prefer to tour at a leisurely pace, the museum grounds have a number of environmentally friendly spaces and rest areas. * Mobile ServicesThe National Museum of Korea offers a state-of-the-art digital guide service to provide a more enjoyable tour of the museum. The digital guide service has a bookmark function and a search function that can be used to obtain more detailed information on specific pieces.1. Digital Guides are available to visitors aged 14 and over who are able to present a valid ID.2. Rental Fees: PDA - 3,000 won / MP3 - 1,000 won3. Rental reservations must be made online 1 day prior to visit (maximum 5 rentals allowed per person).※ Rentals are provided on the day of visit, only after applying for membership.* Size of Facilities6 ground floors / 1 underground floor* Galleries Approximately 15,000 Pieces- 3rd Floor: Sculpture and Crafts Gallery(Buddhist Sculpture, Metal Arts, Celadon, Buncheong Ware, White Porcelain)Asia Gallery(Indonesian Art, Central Asian Art, Chinese Art, Nangnang Remains, Relics from Sinan Seabed, Japanese Art)- 2nd Floor : Calligraphy and Painting Gallery(Calligraphy, Paintings, Buddhist Paintings, Woodworking),Donations Gallery (Iuchi Isao Collection, Hachiuma Tadasu Collection, Yoo Chang-jong Collection, Kaneko Kazushige Collection, Choi Young-do & Park Byong-rae Collection, Yu Kang-yul & Park Young-sook Collection, Kim Chong-hak Collection, Lee Hong-kun Collection, Other Collections)- 1st Floor : Prehistoric and Ancient History Gallery (Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age & Early Iron Age, Proto Three Kingdoms, Goguryeo, Baekje, Gaya, Silla, Unified Silla, Balhae)Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery (Hangeul, Prints, Inscriptions, Maps, Documents, Kings and their reign, Socio-Economic Life, Traditional Thought, Foreign Relations)※ This is one of the places that was visited by the "first ladies" of the G20 Summit in Seoul in November of 2010.


Daegu(Dong-gu)

Daegu Safety Theme Park was established in the wake of the Daegu Subway Station tragedy (February 18, 2003), wherein an arsonist set fire to a train stopped at the subway station, resulting in large casualties. Its main goal is to provide citizens with education on safety measures in an emergency. Almost all visitors are required to attend a brief orientation on safety measures, and may exercise them during the simulated accidents set up at the experience stations. All of the facilities throughout the park, including the exhibition halls and the safety education theater, convey the message of safety.


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Situated in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Children’s Grand Park covers 530,000 square meters and is an ultimate leisure facility for families, offering a zoo, botanical garden, amusement facilities, and diverse performance events. Opened on Children’s Day in 1973, the park is full of attractions that appeal to youngsters: Marine Animal House that exhibits seals and polar bears, Small Animal Village, and even Parrot Village. The Music Fountain showcases a colorful array of water shows while the Outdoor Concert Hall offers a wide variety of performances year-round. The Water Playground is the ideal place to cool off in the summer. The wildly popular amusement park, iLand offers an entertaining assortment of thrilling rides: train rides, a viking ship, Jumper-Boat, Bumper Cars, Ghost Castle and more. Added to this are football fields, tennis courts, Dome Art Hall, and Kids Auto Park, making Children’s Grand Park an ultimate venue for family entertainment.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Since its foundation in 1986, the museum has displayed historical relics related to kimchi, different types of kimchi, mock-ups of the kimchi-making process, and information about the efficacy derived from the kimchi fermentation process. The museum now has changed its name to Kimchikan and has relocated to Insa-dong, a center of hallyu. Kimchikan aims to provide visitors with fun hands-on activities and a variety of information on kimchi. Visitors will learn about the origin and history of kimchi through historical books, paintings, and writings. Various types of kimchi containers, along with traditional kitchen utensils that were used to prepare it, will also be introduced. Various models show specific types of kimchi that were developed in regions all over Korea.


Daejeon(Yuseong-gu)

The National Science Museum is a scientific culture facility which studies and exhibits various scientific materials. At its center is the Astronomical Hall, which is the largest dome in Korea. From here you can vividly see the phenomenon of the celestial sphere and the human development of space. It also has the only world-class space theater in Korea. The 242 seats are available on a first-come first-serve basis. It can re-create the appearance of a night sky, the highlight being the view of the starlight at the planetarium. The Astrovision is also a special visual device, giving a magnificent and realistic view of space development.There are exhibits featuring about 4000 items based on nature and natural science at the Permanent Exhibit Hall. There are also exhibit halls featuring Korean nature, weapons, and folk musical instruments. You can see the stages of collecting energy from nature, and its use in transportation. Outside the Hall is Cheomseongdae, a weather evaluating machine from the Goryeo period; models of plant-eating dinosaurs; and a steam engine. The exhibits help to easily understand the theories of science, and the wonders of nature. The museum has a movie theater. Science movies and other excellent movies are shown at 11am and 2pm every day, and the seating can accommodate 776 people.


Seoul(Jung-gu)

The phenomenon of Jangchungdong Jokbal Street started 50 years ago with the opening of two Korean jokbal (steamed pig trotters) restaurants, followed by the influx of new jokbal restaurants during the late 70's and early 80's.Today, the jokbal restaurants continue to serve one of the most sought after Korean delicacies from the main road and the alleyways of the Jangchungdong 1(il)-ga Street area.