5 Secret Art Spots in Seoul that Even Tour Guides Won’t Tell You About

Seoul has been a hot travel destination for some time now (thanks to the K-Wave), and while we know all about the cultural villages, aesthetic cafes and the must-visit tourist spots, we’re sure any tourist would love to see a new side of Seoul - maybe one that’s favored by locals. With our guide on artsy places around Seoul, we’ll let you in on some of the recommendations from the trendy Korean youth - check it out:

For a richly interactive and sensory experience of sights and sounds, visit D Museum! Designed to stimulate the senses, the hip museum is one of Seoul’s trendiest places offering guests a unique and ethereal experience. 

Located right at the center of urban development in the district, it is hands down the trendiest museum in the city and a hub where young people hang out. Considering its demographic, unique style and mission, it’s not surprising how much hype it’s getting.

On its official website, it is described as “A distinctive space of new change and culture”. As far as museums go, it is as dynamic as it gets with its array of ever-changing displays. Featuring a number of contemporary artists, you’ll expect to find a variety of collaborative work among local and international artists.

Download the mobile guide or join their tours to enhance your understanding of the art inside. 

Storage by Hyundai Card values the finer things in life, incorporating art into living spaces, travel, music, and cooking seen through their exhibitions. In recent years, their cultural libraries have become some of the most iconic landmarks in Seoul’s fashion industry, aptly located within the buzzing and vibrant district of Itaewon. 

Established to bring together the city's trendiest people to engage in creative expression, this exhibition space showcases a collection of multimedia art from a variety of mediums - from design all the way to film. The building itself is hard to miss, with big bright blocks of color illuminating through its industrial structure. 

For music lovers, Vinyl & Plastic in the same building showcases a fine curation of vinyl records and CDs of all genres. You can browse through their selection as you grab a coffee at their in-house cafe, too.

It is worth noting that some features of the cultural district are limited to users of the Hyundai Card. For instance, the Music Library and Understage, the Design Library and the Travel Library, all of which archive an impressive collection of rare pieces. 

The Arario Museum is an office-turned-art-space renowned as a masterpiece in modern Korean architecture. It also is the only museum in Seoul fully dedicated to art! 

Navigate your way through triangular and spiral staircases and through rooms of seemingly endless artworks! With multiple exhibits featuring 39 artists, you may think they’ll be competing for your attention; but the museum is designed so each artist receives their own spotlight. Guests, in turn, can take their leisure time admiring and deconstructing works of their choosing. 

The museum has a collection of over 3,700 modern art pieces carefully selected by the artist and museum founder, Chang-il kim. Needless to say, guests are in for a treat with the wide variety of art found here.

The Seoul Metro Seongsu Station and Seongsu-dong have become a popular neighborhood among local Koreans in recent years. The area has been transformed from a small and deteriorating factory district into a hip destination for the younger generation. 

Coined “the Brooklyn of Seoul” for its street art and graffiti, Seongsu-dong is a haven for artists and social media-savvy individuals. Apart from the murals, the idyllic cafes and establishments make for the perfect backdrop of any photo! 

Wherever you go, you’ll be reminded of the neighborhood’s history: hand-made shoe stores, and a metal factory that was converted into one of the most famous cafes: Cafe Onion to name a few. Another trendy destination is the Daelim Warehouse, which has been repurposed into a cafe, gallery, and cultural space. The most eye-catching bit? Their high loft ceilings and spacious domain - where you’ll find an actual tree growing inside the building! 

Many of the establishments in this area have retained much of their original facades with little modern reconstruction to lure in customers. 

Stay within the loop with Seoul’s youth and visit the Alternative Space LOOP, an art gallery celebrating more than 20 years of history. While its monotonous facade seem cold and chic on the outside, it stands for a heart-warming cause: to showcase artwork by undiscovered and underrated artists waiting for their big break. 

You’ll be amazed by the quality of work that spread throughout the gallery. Though the space is often used for events, visitors can expect more than ten unique exhibitions annually, undoubtedly keeping the art scene alive within the Seogyo-dong area.

If it happens to be your first time in Seoul, you must make sure you make the most out of it! Apart from the trendy spots we listed above, there are a couple attractions you absolutely cannot miss!

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