Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

The Chojun Textile & Quilt Art Museum opened on October 27, 1998 with the goals of preserving Korean traditional patchwork quilting techniques, which are gradually being forgotten, and of exhibiting other countries’ textile crafts. The Chojun Textile & Quilt Museum in Namsan-dong, central Seoul, is the only museum in Korea that displays local and foreign textile art.The museum brings together a number of beautiful quilts and other textiles from around the world that embody the love and spirit of the women who created them. These works include Korean traditional personal ornaments, ceremonial dresses, everyday objects, and traditional costumes of the Chinese Miao tribe. The displays of rare foreign quilts and Korean traditional patchwork quilts dating back as far as 100 years have been attracting a continuous flow of quilt aficionados and international tourists.As you may already know, the term ‘quilt’ refers to a coverlet made of two layers of fabric decoratively stitched together with a layer of cotton in between. A long time ago, Koreans wore quilted clothes and held quilting parties similar to the Western quilting bee. Koreans have long since used various cloth remnants to make quilts.Though the actual type of cloth, pattern, and stitching may vary from country to country and person to person, quilts the worldover represent the resourcefulness and care of the people who made them. At the museum, visitors can compare the styles of a variety of beautiful Asian and Western textile works, which is perhaps one of the main draws of the museum.The museum’s first exhibition presented the winning works of the Japan International Quilt Contest. It then hosted the first Korean Quilt Contest and presented the winning works of the contest at the museum. It has since held several shows featuring quilts and other textile works including “The Manhole Quilt Exhibition for a Beautiful Environment” and the World Traditional Textile Exhibition.In addition to exhibits and various programs, the museum has served as an educational center for textile artists by organizing a number of workshops and seminars. Fast emerging as a favorite destination for foreign tourists thanks to its unique items and exhibitions, the Chojun Textile & Quilt Art Museum plans to hold more diverse exhibitions and contests in the future while continuing to exhibit its permanent collection of Korean textile art.The programs at the museum are aimed at providing the general public with opportunities to get closer to the textile arts, which remain unfamiliar to many, and to help preserve Korea’s textile traditions and promote them worldwide. In addition, by introducing unique textile artwork from overseas, the museum seeks to offer opportunities for local textile artists to obtain new ideas and techniques and gain a wider, global perspective.


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

Daejanggeum serves traditional Korea meals, reinterpreting royal dishes from the Joseon Dynasty. Daejanggeum faithfully uses only the best local ingredients to make all their food, from the soybeans used for soy sauce and soybean paste, to kimchi. In addition to the food, guests can enjoy dining with lacquerware from Korea's Holder of Intangible Heritage, Mr. Yi Jin-ho, and forged works by 5th generation blacksmith, Cha Ingyu.


5.0/2
Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Dongdaemun

         


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

In an alley near the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, the Italian restaurant The Hanok Smith Likes can be found. The restaurant is famous for serving homemade Italian cuisine in traditional Korean house in Samcheong-dong.The Smith in the restaurant’s name refers to a blacksmith as well as Mr. Smith which is a common name like Cheolsu in Korea. The restaurant decided to pick the name Smith with the second meaning in mind. So, the concept is that Mr. Smith who is a virtual person cooks his favorite dishes in a hanok. One of the interesting aspects about this restaurant is that they serve hwadeok pizza (brick oven pizza) and pastas which are not the Korean dishes one might expect given the hanok exterior. They also serve salads, risotto, steak and wine at the restaurant. Particularly, the nighttime atmosphere of the restaurant offers a more serene and cozy experience thanks to the traditional hanok architecture.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Dongdaemun

Jangchung Gymnasium is Korea’s first domed gymnasium and opened Februrary 1st, 1963. The gym holds diverse athletic events such as basketball, volleyball and handball competitions as well as boxing, wrestling, weight-lifting and ssireum (Korean traditional wrestling). The gym also presents other cultural performances and events including international competitions, concerts and madangnori. The Jangchung Fitness Club, is also located within the facility and offers monthly memberships.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Hongik-University-Area

Tomorrow With You is a K-drama about Yoo So-joon (played by Lee Je-hoon), a CEO of a real estate company, who travels through time via subway. While traveling back and forth in time, Yoo realizes that his future is gloomy. In order to change his fate for the better, he decides to marry Song Ma-rin (played by Shin Min-a), a perky photographer. Café Comma located in Donggyo-dong is one of the locations featured in the K-drama, where Song nervously waited for Yoo. Run by famed publisher Munhak Dongne, the café offers grand-scale bookshelves containing more than 5,000 books. It is comprised of two floors: the 1st floor featuring large glass windows and the second floor providing a cozy, attic-like atmosphere. Café Comma opens at 7:30 daily. From 7:40 until 11:00 on weekdays, all drinks are offered at half the regular price.  


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Samcheongdong・The Northern Part of the Seoul

Boasting over 600 years of history, The Bukchon Cultural Center is situated inside the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village, a narrow series of roads between Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Jongmyo.The Bukchon Cultural Center immerses visitors in a traditional Korean atmosphere as it is centered between two of Seoul’s main royal palaces. A traditional experience hall and hanok-style restaurant were recently built inside the complex, presenting a more enjoyable experience for all visitors.The Bukchon Cultural Center is a traditional Korean-style building called Hanok Gaok and not only provides a genuine traditional Korean atmosphere, but also offers cultural programs that educate visitors on Korea’s history and traditions. Classes are also available with lectures lead by specialists covering a host of topics, and special extended lecture programs that last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Registration can be made over the phone after selecting the lecture of your choice. However, be aware that all classes are conducted in Korean only, so you may need to bring a guide or someone who will be able to translate for you. 


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

The Seoul Color Park spans over 9,000㎡ of land next to Hangang River under the Mapo Bridge. It features a large wave-shaped sculpture, as well as bar code graphics and benches painted with 10 different colors that have been designed as the Colors of Seoul. In the 'Seoul Color' scheme, dark gray represents the traditional 'giwa' roof tiles, red represents the 'dancheong' pattern used in traditional wooden buildings, green represents Namsan Mountain, and orange represents flowers. Other colors include light gray, beige, blue, yellow, brown and white.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located in Gahoe-dong (Jongno-gu), Myeongin Museum is the only museum in Seoul that specializes in masks, including traditional Korean masks and masks from around the world. Visitors can find the "Myeongin Collection" on the first floor and a large exhibition hall on the first basement level. The museum is home to over 500 rare masks collected by its director over the course of 30 years from Korea and countries around the world. Masks at the museum reflect the unique cultures of countries from all over Africa, Oceania, Latin America, India, Tibet, Nepal, China, Japan, and East Asia. In addition to these fascinating masks, the Myeongin Collection further offers visitors a look into culture with a number of Buddhist sculptures, Buddhist paintings, Buddhist crafts, ceramics, modern art, and western paintings. 


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

The Plateau (formerly Rodin Gallery) is a cultural relaxation site where you can appreciate the works of Rodin, including ‘The Gates of Hell’ and ‘The Burghers of Calais.’ The Glass Pavilion, a permanent exhibition hall, is entirely decorated in semi-transparent glass to allow viewers to appreciate Rodin’s famous pieces under natural light. These glass walls and the ceiling slanted in the direction of ‘The Gates of Hell’ were inspired by Rodin’s masterpiece 'Cathedral.' The building itself aspires to vitalize the artistic spirit of Rodin.At the planning gallery halls you can see other art pieces aside from Rodin’s. These are pieces by contemporary artists both foreign and domestic, who left great works in art history.