Seoul(Seocho-gu)

Hangaram Art Museum, located in the left wing of the Seoul Arts Center, displays a unique exhibition of formative arts. Established in 1990, the museum has a total area of 15,540㎡ and contains 6 exhibition halls (including one for oversized artwork), a storage area, and an art shop. The building features a lighting system that controls the humidity and temperature and is equipped with a luminous ceiling system that captures natural sunlight and feeds it into the museum, allowing visitors to enjoy a brightly lit viewing area. The Art Square in front of the museum houses a wide range of exclusive artwork and serves as a venue for various events such as the Cloz Art Market. Visitors may also enjoy the open-air café right in front of the building or dine at “Yehyang,” a traditional Korean restaurant right down the stairs.


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

The National Palace Museum of Korea opened in 1992 displaying relics from the Joseon Dynasty [1392~1910]. Over 20,000 royal relics from Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine are on display. 1. Royal Symbols and Records The Joseon Dynasty attained Confucian ideals, and therefore, the king and his queen were worshipped as parents of all citizens. To elevate their authority, the Joseon royal households crafted various royal symbols. 2. Ancestral Rites The royal ancestral rite was held at a royal shrine encompassing the ancestral tablets of the late kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. This was not merely a royal ancestral worshipping ceremony, but also a festival with music and dance, in the hope for the nation's eternal prosperity. 3. Palace Architecture The palace was the living quarters of the king and his family as well as the center of administration where the king ruled the nation. The center of the palace in the Joseon Dynasty, according to traditional Oriental architectural planning, was featured at Jeongjeon. The main hall was the center of state events and political discussions, and the Pyeonjeon, the government office. 4. Joseon SciencesThe Joseon Dynasty strove to establish the legitimacy of its foundation to enrich the nation's economy. To attain these ideals, the dynasty unprecedentedly promoted such areas as the sciences and medicine while developing various weapons for national defence. 5. Royal LifeThe king and queen were symbolic figures of the Joseon Dynasty, but they were also ordinary people who lived private lives within the palace. The palace was divided into various sections of living space such as the king's office, the queen's quarters, and the prince's study room. Each section contained appropriate pieces of furniture, which were made of the finest quality materials according to well-established criteria for the royal family.


Busan(Dongnae-gu) , Dongnae Hot Spring Zone・Busan University

Dongnae Halmae Pajeon (동래할매파전) has preserved the distinctive taste of its Dongnae Pajeon (Korean pancake) for four generations and has even been designated Busan Folk Restaurant No. 1. Dongnae Pajeon, rumored to have been presented to the king long ago, is made from a combination of glutinous and non-glutinous rice flour and contains various kinds of seafood, beef, and fresh green onions making for a tender and slightly sweet taste. In addition to Dongnae Pajeon, main menu items include Mushroom Pajeon and Nurungji Tangsu (browned rice stew with seafood). The restaurant also offers set menus (Ttugisang and Ttumisang) for customers to get a taste of a wider selection of dishes.  


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The Choi Gi Soon Dackjongyi Doll Institute makes and displays Dackjongyi dolls (traditional Korean dolls). The dolls are made of special paper created from mulberry trees. Naturally, they ooze a unique scent that comforts visitors. This cozy gallery displays traditional Korean dolls from the past to the present. Visitors can watch and attend a craft class. The dolls can be leased for exhibition, purchased, or customized upon request. 


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Sinsadong・Garosu-gil

A number of A-list Hallyu stars, including Kim Tae-hee, Park Bo-gum and Park Han-byeol are frequent diners at Dure Guksu. Having been featured in numerous Korean TV shows, the most popular dishes on the menu include the signature beef noodle soup, bibim guksu (spicy cold noodles) and bibimbap (mixed rice bowl). During dinner service, gopchang jeongol (beef tripe stew) is often paired with soju (distilled rice liquor). Rice stir-fried with vegetables in the same pot makes for the perfect finale for a laid-back dining experience. Please note that there is usually a long wait during lunch and dinner hours.  


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

First opened in June 2003, Pungwoldang is a cultural salon for classical music enthusiasts. It's filled with music albums and houses seminars, travel services, and a café. There are over 11,000 music albums (classical music CDs/DVDs and opera CDs) and a diversity of seminars related to classical music. Visitors can watch music-related movies free of charge and can receive a 50% discount at the café with each album purchase.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Changdeokgung Theater is located across from Changdeokgung Palace in the Gungangno Special Cultural Zone of Seoul. Sogeukjans, meaning small theater, provide a unique and intimate atmosphere. Built to promote Korean music, the stage and seating at Changdeokgung are arranged for audience members to sit on the floor similar to in a traditional restaurant or home. The theater offers a wide array of performances including Samulnori (Korean traditional percussion music), traditional Korean music, and Madanggeuk (a play infused with traditional music and performances). First time visitors often find the creative and cozy experience to create a lasting memory of Korean culture and arts. Also nearby the theater are a number of tourist attractions including Changdeokgung Palace, Unhyeongung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine Park, and Insa-dong. 


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

This restaurant specializes in boribap (steamed barley). Once a rather humble staple, boribap has been reintroduced as a popular health food. The meal consists of steamed barley and potato, as well as ten types of cooked greens, all mixed with red-pepper paste. Miso soup is also given as a side dish. Add some soup to the boribap for more flavor. Gamjajeon (a potato pancake) and dotorimuk (an acorn-starch jelly) are recommended as good appetizers. Deodeok jeyuk-bokkeum (stir-fried deodeok), godeungeo-gui (a grilled mackerel)and bassak bulgogi (completely baked bulgogi) are the restaurant’s specialties that you do not want to miss out on. *Best Korean Restaurant as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government  


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Namdaemun・Seoul-Station

Located in the heart of the Namdaemun Market (the largest wholesale market in Korea and a popular tourist attraction), Samick Fashion Town is home to 1,500 shops, spread among 15 floors (B5F-10F). Opened in 1985, this giant, one-stop shopping destination offers shoppers virtually everything: from clothing (women’s, men’s, and children’s) and shoes to accessories for wholesale merchants and individual shoppers.The Samick Fashion Town is particularly known for its large children's section (called Seoul Won Children’s Clothing) on the first floor and its giant shoe mall on the sixth that is unlike any other shoe store in Namdaemun Market. On the ninth floor is the food court and on the first basement level at MBIC Mall, visitors can find character products related to some of their favorite Hallyu stars. Character items include (but are not limited to) cushions, notebooks, mugs, t-shirts, postcards, stickers, mobile phone screen cleaners, and mechanical pencils featuring the comedians from Muhan Dojeon (Infinity Challenge) and other popular stars. 


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Established by Olivier Baussan, Loccitane has its roots in the French Provincial style. It is a brand focusing on overall "wellbeing": the harmony of sensual pleasure and mental bliss. It is one of the first brands in Korea to use essential oils and natural ingredients in all its product lines.