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

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

1.4Km    2025-06-05

3, Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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.


Naksan Park (낙산공원)

Naksan Park (낙산공원)

1.4Km    2025-12-16

41 Naksan-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Naksan Mountain (alt. 125 meters) is one of the four inner mountains of Seoul, and can be accessed by following the road leading to the mountain entrance from Daehangno and Dongdaemun. It was also called Naktasan Mountain, which can be translated to Camel Mountain, because the terrain resembled a camel's back. It also had another name, Taraksan Mountain, “tarak” meaning fermented milk, because there was a royal ranch in the area that supplied milk to the palace. After the 1960s, the original appearance of Naksan Mountain disappeared due to apartments and dense housing, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government established a restoration plan. As part of this plan, a park project was carried out, and it opened Naksan Park in July 2002. Currently, Naksan Park has established itself as a resting place for citizens to feel the beautiful atmosphere of Hanyangdoseong, or the Seoul City Wall, and green forests. It has gained much popularity as a place for seeing the most beautiful night view in Seoul.

◎ Travel Information to Discover Hallyu’s Charm - Netflix Series "KPop Demon Hunters (2025)"
The fortress walls at Naksan Park served as the backdrop for Rumi and Jinu’s conversation in the Netflix series "KPop Demon Hunters." The view of the walls and the cityscape beyond adds to the unique atmosphere of the show, and visiting Naksan Park in person offers an expansive and memorable view of Seoul’s city center.

Speed Scandal(과속스캔들)

1.4Km    2025-09-16

서울특별시 종로구 동숭길 47 (동숭동)

Another Today(또 다른 오늘)

1.4Km    2025-12-04

서울특별시 종로구 동숭길 47 (동숭동)

Sulla-gil Yeah Café & Bibi (순라길 예 & 비비)

Sulla-gil Yeah Café & Bibi (순라길 예 & 비비)

1.4Km    2025-01-23

55 Seosulla-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Situated in Sulla-gil, the Sulla-gil Yeah Café & Bibi is a roaster café where each bean is handpicked. It also offers a range of wine selections. The café is a perfect place to relax after exploring downtown Seoul. The cozy atmosphere of the café with the added charm of the stone wall visible from café, makes visitors feel at ease and relaxed. The evenings here turn into a music and movie session, adding a lively atmosphere to the space.

Marronnier Park (마로니에공원)

Marronnier Park (마로니에공원)

1.4Km    2021-07-14

104, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Marronnier Park was given its name due to the marronnier trees, or horse chestnut trees, growing within the area. The location where Seoul National University's College of Liberal Arts & Science and School of Law once stood, it is now a park dedicated to culture and arts open to the public. In addition to a variety of outdoor performances that take place throughout the area, exhibitions and cultural centers create a romantic atmosphere unique to the park.

Korea House (한국의집)

Korea House (한국의집)

1.5Km    2025-10-23

10, Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Korea House was opened in 1981. It is a traditional Korean building that introduces the culture and lifestyle of Koreans, where you can experience traditional architecture and a classical atmosphere. The building was built in the style of the Joseon Dynasty's Jagyeong-jeon building at the Gyeongbok Palace. It is the only building built in the traditional architectural style. You will feel its antiquity as you enter the building.

It is divided into the Haerin-gwan (a space for people to get acquainted with each other), the Traditional Theater, and three annex buildings (Munhyang-ru, Nokeum-jeong and Cheongwu-jeong). At Haerin-gwan, you can enjoy traditional music at Garak-dang and try traditional food at Sohwa-dang. In the square of Garak-dang you can view a traditional wedding (on the weekends) or people playing folk games. Also, at the Traditional Theater, about 156 seats are available, and in the afternoons Human Cultural Assets or members of the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and the National Corps members present traditional music and dances. Sinayui, Salpuri, Pansori, the Drum Dance and the Bongsan Mask Dance are the most popular programs for foreigners. The programs are all explained in English and Japanese.

In the Cultural Gift Shop you can view various crafts made by traditional craftsmen. It is always open and the crafts are for sale as well. There are pottery, ceramics, golden crafts, knots and embroidery etc; approximately 500 pieces of artwork made by craftsmen from 20 different fields. Next to the House of Korea is the Namsan-gol Hanok Village where visitors can explore traditional houses.

Jongno 3(sam)-ga Jewelry District (종로3가 귀금속 전문상가)

Jongno 3(sam)-ga Jewelry District (종로3가 귀금속 전문상가)

1.5Km    2025-06-30

Jongno3-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si

There is an enormous selection of wholesalers and retail jewelry stores in this district, spread throughout Jongno 3(sam)-ga and 4(sa)-ga. The glittering showcases here are especially popular amongst young people and foreign tourists looking to find fine jewelry at affordable prices. Stores in the jewelry district have a selection of designs that are extraordinarily diverse and prices that are 20 to 40% lower than at other jewelry outlets in Korea.

Seoul National University Hospital (서울대학교병원)

1.5Km    2025-10-23

101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seoul National University Hospital, a national central hospital that has led Korean medicine for over 130 years, is a top-tier hospital equipped with world-class medical professionals and cutting-edge systems. For 25 consecutive years, it has ranked first in brand power in the hospital sector. The hospital is renowned for its cancer research, the most comprehensive pediatric care in the country, and treatments for rare and intractable diseases. Through patient-centered, personalized services, it has established itself as a trusted healthcare institution.

Wasted (웨이스티드)

1.5Km    2025-12-04

서울특별시 종로구 대학로12길 73 (동숭동)