Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung was originally built as an annex to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. It specializes in seeking out and researching modern art, and also in exhibiting and preserving it. You can see classical works of modern art when you visit National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung. Because it uses the Seokjojeon annex inside the Deoksugung Palace as its exhibition space, the center maintains a unique traditional atmosphere. On the first floor are the administrative office and the audiovisual room, and the second floor has planned exhibitions of modern art in exhibition rooms one and two. The third floor has exhibitions three and four, where works selected as best modern art by the National Museum of Contemporary Art are displayed all year around. You can see modern works such as paintings in Indian ink, colorings, oil paintings, and sculptures. National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung has "Art Center With the Citizens" as its motto. Besides the exhibitions, the center has various performances such as music and mime. Lectures or seminars on artists' works are also held often and are popular with tourists. The "Citizen's Park" outside the museum is frequented by many people who go there to relax. Tourists can take a breather here as well, so be sure to make use of it.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Tong-In Store is the oldest traditional crafts shopping center in Korea. It is home to over 100 shops that sell ancient and contemporary traditional crafts, as well as galleries that display crafts collections by emerging artists.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Daehangno Street, known as the street for young people, is the former location of Seoul National University. In the 1980s, many theater groups started moving to Daehangno, and it soon developed into a cultural center. In a short period of time, movie theaters, live-cafes, regular cafes and pubs sprung up, and it grew into an entertainment district. Its popularity is still maintained by famous small theaters such as Parangsae (Blue Bird) Theater and Hakjeong Theater, and some 30 additional theaters have concentrated here to contribute in keeping Daehangno as the root of performance art in Korea. The center of Daehangno, Marronnier Park, has frequent live acts and dance performances by young people. This is why Daehangno is called the “Play Mecca” and “Young Street” as well. Another reason Daehangno became so popular with young people is the various interesting sights and food to be found here. Many restaurants, fast food joints, cafes, and bars are concentrated here, making it convenient for people to find something to do after plays and live-performances. Its unique atmosphere and space continues to be loved by many young people.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

Olympic Park is an expansive outdoor area for Seoul residents to enjoy and also offers facilities and venues for a range of events including athletic competitions, concerts and other performances. The park houses athletic facilities including the gymnasium of the ’88 Seoul Olympic Games, a fencing stadium, weightlifting stadium, swimming pool and tennis courts. Moreover, those venues are multi-purpose facilities that can host a wide range of events and performances. The park also holds sports classes in swimming, golf, badminton, basketball, gym, dance and others. There are also daily use gym facilities as well as a number of walking and jogging trails.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

Opened on April 30, 2012, Seoul Baekje Museum (interchangeably called Hanseong Baekje Museum) was established by the Seoul Government in order to preserve the artifacts related to Seoul's 2,000-year-old history and to shed light on Seoul's cultural identity. The museum is located inside Olympic Park, overlooking Monchontoseong Fortress.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

The main feature of Dongsoong Arts Center is that it accepts various cultural genres. Movies, plays, dances and traditional Korean music (Gukak) that are artistic and experimental are mainly held here. The main facilities are the Dongsoong Hall, the Studio Theater, Hypertheque NADA, etc. Dongsoong Hall is a performance theater where you can watch performances such as plays, dances, and concerts. Located on the B1 floor of the art center, it has a capacity of 450 people on the 1st and 2nd floor balcony. The Studio Theater is on the 5th floor. It boasts a stage set that can be easily changed to fit the performance features. There are 150 seats in the small theater. The most eye-catching facility at Dongsoong Art Center is the Hypertheque NADA, which is on the 1st floor. Its name means 'the theater of the audience.' Here you can spend the night watching various movies that are bizarre. In this theater you can find 147 names of celebrities on the seats. You'll be able to sit in a chair with a celebrity's name written on it. At the Hypertheque Character Shop you will find the 'NADA' character and various movie character products. After browsing around the shop, you can go to the cafe for tea and snacks. There you can relax in the tranquil space and cultural atmosphere of the art center.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Taegeuk Crafts offers diverse traditional Korean crafts from antique furniture to mother-of-pearl lacquerware and wooden lacquerware. These colorful crafts are popular among international tourists.


Seoul(Gangseo-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

I think there was a lot of waiting time at the airport ~! It is boring and tiring while waiting at the airport even if having excitement for going on a trip, but It was good and helpful spending the waiting time with the variety of cultural events such as performances and experiences at the national airports which are provided by Korea Airport Corporation. The event called "Culture Outing" will be held at 12 different airports nationwide including Kimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Daegu so on, I went to Gimpo International Airport!           I was searching on online to get some information for the events and I found there was “Cool Cool cocktail show”, “an airport marble”, “a prizewinning event”, and it seems to be showing experiences and performances on a regular basis!         The performance team I met last Friday was a female four-string electronic group called "T.L" that combines beauty and skill. I remember saw the vocals on TV show called “Immortal Songs @불후의 명곡”!  It was amazing that they played the instrument and even dancing lightly while they singing. It was a rare show where I really went !!         I was surprised and proud because there are many foreigners could enjoy their show at the international airport, I think that it is very good to be able to get close to daily cultural life these days. I had time to listen to an electronic keyboard and an electronic violin. It was amazing to hear an a cappella sound from an electronic keyboard.            I also had a passionate performance and then had experience making of a pouch and an eco bag ! I had lots of fun while making them.       The experience of making by hand is very popular in Korea, but I really enjoyed it personally because I like making stuff. And I watched one of girl among steps who draws a picture very well. I knew it she’s a student who majoring art!! She said she can’t draw it well but she has a skill! I think it will be useful when I travel.                   I saw a pamphlet, and there was a curling of the carrier at Gimhae Airport, and I thought it might be a fun and interesting to be a part of one. Instead, Gimpo Airport has a golfing experience. There are several obstacles, but it is easy for children as well as adults. Most children feel boring and having a hard time waiting at airport so the golfing experience would helpful not to be bored when they are waiting.      And the most impressive martial art performance, "Return of the Thousand Swords" It was a traditional but brilliant martial art performance because I only can watch it when I go to Gwanghwamun. How many people have imagined to get into such an amazing performance at the airport?     People who did not expect to see the performances will be think they have a gift ~ It is not easy to see a scene of the historical drama in front of you, but I have experienced a rare experience !!         Everyone applauded and cheered whenever they showed the tumbling. There was also a hanbok experience and photo time after finishing the performance, but there were too many foreign tourists are in line.       The online promotions are being held on different topics every month regarding on Korea Airport Corporation's culture. This month have a hash tag event, It’s about airport fashion. Topic of maple leaves. A nice and beautiful MC kindly explained to me that I can find out the events on the official blog of Korea Airport Corporation. I’m planning on to travel in December, and I hope I can enjoy the performance and all different kind of experience again at the airport!.   Source : http://blog.naver.com/apffhs12?Redirect=Log&logNo=220841437614 Korea Airports Corporation​ www.airport.co.kr


Seoul(Mapo-gu)


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located in the heart of Seoul, Changgyeonggung Palace was first built by the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong (r.1418-1450), for his retiring father, King Taejong. It often served as residential quarters for queens and concubines. During the reign of King Seongjong (r.1469-1494), the palace was renovated and renamed to Changgyeonggung Palace. It later became a park with a zoo and a botanical garden during Japanese colonial rule. The palace was then relocated in 1983 and regained its old grace after years of restoration. Past the entrance of Changgyeonggung Palace, the Honghwa Gate, you will find Okcheongyo Bridge. All palaces of the Joseon Dynasty have ponds with an arch bridge over them, just like Okcheongyo Bridge. Cross Okcheongyo Bridge, pass the Myeongjeongmun Gate, and you will find Myeonjeongjeon. This is the office of the king, and Myeongjeongjeon is the oldest of the Joseon Dynasty palaces. The houses face southwards, but Myeongjeongjeon faces east. Because the ancestral shrine of the royal family is located to the south, the gate couldn't face the south, as is required by Confucian custom. There are stones with the status of the officials carved on the yard. Behind Myeongjeongjeon on the upper left side is Sungmundang. This building utilizes the slope of the mountain. If you look at Myeongjeongjeon and Munjeongjeon, the combination of the high and low roofs offers a beautiful view. Tongmyeongjeon was built for the queen. It is the biggest building in Changgyeonggung Palace, and you can recognize the delicate details of its structure in various parts of the building. Walk up the stones past Tongmyeongjeon and there you will find Jagyeongjeon. On the southeast direction of the Jagyeongjeon is the Punggidae. This Punggidae is a measuring instrument. It is a long pole with a cloth hung at the end used to check the speed and direction of the wind. If you head north there is a large pond called Chundangji. Half of the pond was originally a rice field that the king took care of. But during the Japanese occupation, the rice field was changed to a pond with little ships floating on it. And the botanic garden built above the pond still remains today.