ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관) - Area information - Korea travel information

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

2.2Km    2025-06-05

3, Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-760-4850

ARKO Art Center was founded in 1974 as Misulhoegwan in a building of former Deoksu Hospital in Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu to offer much-needed exhibition space for artists and arts groups. In 1979, Misulhoegwan moved to its present building, designed by preeminent Korean architect Kim Swoo-geun (1931-1986) and located in Marronnier Park, the former site of Seoul National University. The two neighboring brick buildings accommodating ARKO Art Center and ARKO Arts Theater are the major landmarks of the district of Daehakro.
As more public and private museums and commercial galleries came into the art scene in the 1990s, Misulhoegwan shifted to curating and presenting its own exhibitions. Renamed as Marronnier Art Center in 2002, ARKO Art Center assumed a full-fledged art museum system and played an increasingly prominent role as a public arts organization leading the contemporary art paradigm. When The Korea Culture and Arts Foundation was reborn as Arts Council Korea, Marronnier Art Center became ARKO Art Center named after the abbreviation for Arts Council Korea in 2005.
ARKO Art Center is committed to working as a platform where research, production, exhibitions and the exchange of creative activities grow and develop in connection with one another in addition to having a diversity of programs including thematic exhibitions addressing social agenda and public programs widely promoting various discourses in art.


The Story of King Sejong (세종이야기)

The Story of King Sejong (세종이야기)

2.2Km    2022-09-13

jiha 175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-399-1000

The Story of King Sejong comprises six different sections with a total area of 3,200 square meters. The museum consists of exhibition zones, an event space, video room, shop and more to display King Sejong’s scientific, artistic, military, and political contributions, including the theory of Minbon, which recognized the people as the base of politics. King Sejong, the 4th king of the Joseon dynasty (1397-1450, reigning from 1418-1450) was responsible for some of the most brilliant achievements in the history of Korea, including the creation of Hangeul (Korean alphabet) and great advancements in the areas of science, culture, art and politics.

Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum (배재학당 역사 박물관)

Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum (배재학당 역사 박물관)

2.2Km    2022-10-14

19, Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-319-5578

The Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum is dedicated to Henry Gerhart Appenzeller, the missionary who opened the first Western-style educational institution in Korea in 1885. The school started with English and core subjects, but expanded into the Pai Chai University, Pai Chai High School, and Pai Chai Middle School and has many famous alumni, including Rhee Syng-man. The memorial hall opened in 2008 in the east wing of the original school building, which was built in 1916 and designated as a Seoul Monument. With dynamically arranged permanent exhibitions, annual special exhibitions and special lectures, the museum offers a unique learning experience to visitors and people with an interest in the history of education in Korea.

King Sejong Statue (세종대왕 동상)

King Sejong Statue (세종대왕 동상)

2.2Km    2024-03-04

175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-7713

King Sejong Statue can be found at Seoul’s Gwanghawmun Square. The statue commemorates King Sejong the Great (1397-1450, reign 1418-1450), the fourth king of Joseon (1392-1897). He is thought to be the greatest king in Korean history, for he is credited with great developments in science and technology, expansion of Joseon’s territory, and the creation of the Korean script, [Hangeul]. King Sejong’s likeness can be found on the 10,000 won bill as well. 

Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Seoul Namdaemun (라마다 호텔앤스위트 서울남대문)

Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Seoul Namdaemun (라마다 호텔앤스위트 서울남대문)

2.2Km    2024-12-23

27 , Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-775-7000

Ramada Hotel and Suites Namdaemun in Jung-gu, in the heart of Seoul,is famousd of for foreigner tourists and vacationers. Transport is convenient, with Seoul Station and City Hall Subway Station close by. Major Seoul tourist attractions such as Namdaemun Market, Myeong-dong, Gwanghwamun, and Deoksugung Palace are easily reachable on foot. A range of room types are offered, and additional facilities include a business center, restaurants, cafes, and an underground shopping mall. Dogs are allowed in rooms, but an extra cleaning fee is payable.

Blue Square (블루스퀘어)

Blue Square (블루스퀘어)

2.2Km    2024-03-05

294, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-1544-1591

Blue Square is a multipurpose performance venue located in Hannam-dong. It includes Shinhan Card Hall, a performance hall dedicated to musicals with 1,776 seats, and Mastercard Hall, a multipurpose performance hall with 1,400 seats. Blue Square also includes the Book Park, which has a collection of nearly 75,000 books, and a café with a terrace that looks toward the Namsan Mountain. Many visitors come to the Blue Square to see its collection of popular musicals and other performances.

KGC - Dongmyo Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (KGC 동묘점)

KGC - Dongmyo Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (KGC 동묘점)

2.2Km    2024-04-22

347, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (충무공 이순신 동상)

Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (충무공 이순신 동상)

2.2Km    2024-03-04

175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin can be found at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598) was a naval commander who served during the Japanese invasion of Korea (also known as Imjin War: 1592-1598). The undefeated admiral achieved 23 victories against the Japanese navy using innovative tactics, and he is thus considered as one of the greatest generals in the history of Korea. Admiral Yi’s likeness can be found on the 100 won coin.

The Sool Gallery (전통주갤러리)

The Sool Gallery (전통주갤러리)

2.2Km    2025-06-19

18 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Sool Gallery is an exhibition and experience space for traditional Korean liquor, established to promote the taste, style, and cultural values of the time-honored traditional Korean liquor. It provides various information about traditional Korean liquor for consumers or international tourists who can rarely obtain such information elsewhere. In addition, it provides traditional liquor education and business counseling to food service businesses and sales experts to continuously create demand for traditional liquor and expand the market. It is run by experts specializing in traditional liquor, including traditional liquor sommeliers, and it holds events to introduce various traditional liquors with different themes every month, as well as tasting events. Moreover, according to the monthly changing “Recommended Traditional Liquor by Month,” it displays a drinking glass and a bottle of the month recommended by the Korea Craft & Design Foundation.

HANSIK Space E:eum (한식문화공간 이음)

2.2Km    2025-11-11

18 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

HANSIK Space E:eum, located in Jongno, is a cultural space operated by the Korean Food Promotion Institute. It offers visitors an opportunity to delve into Korean cuisine through exhibitions, performances, educational programs, and a library.