If you can’t afford to go to an art gallery or museum that takes a lot of time to fully appreciate, but still need inspiration from art. Head to the art streets of Samcheongdong, Hannam-dong, and Apgujeong. Here are some of the best art galleries in Seoul that you can visit for free.
1. Gallery Hyundai
As you walk around Gyeongbokgung Palace and up Samcheong-dong, you’ll come across Gallery Hyundai before reaching the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Since its opening in 1970, the museum has exhibited works by Korean contemporary artists such as Kim Chang-yeol and Lee Ufan. Currently, itis holding a solo exhibition of Park Hyunki‘s “PassThrough the City”.
📍14, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu (Naver map)
2. Hakgojae
Located in Samcheong-dong, Hakgojae is a gallery that boasts a wide range of exhibitions, from contemporary Korean artists to traditional art to international artists, including Chinese artists.
📍50 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu (Naver map)
3. Kukje Gallery
This building is also made of tin with a sculpture walking on the roof. It is located right next to Hakgojae. Not only is it a gallery that has been in line with Korean art history, but it is also a place where you can often find works by the most popular international artists such as Louis Bourgeois and Ugo Rondinone. There is also an exhibition center in Busan.
📍54, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu (Naver map)
4. PKM Gallery
Although many Korean galleries now participate in world art fairs such as Frieze, it wasn’t always the case. PKM was the first Korean gallery to participate in Frieze in 2004. Last year, it held solo exhibitions by Yoo Youngguk, Yoon Hyunggeun, and Jorge Pardo, and is currently showing Jung Hyun: His Layered Moments until December 13th.
📍40, Samcheong-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu (Naver map)
5. Arario Gallery
If you cross Bukchon and come to Ankguk, you will find Arario Gallery. Right next to the gallery is the Arario Museum, which is run by the same foundation, but there is a fee for the exhibits. There is also an exhibition center in Cheonan.
📍85 , Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu (Naver map)
6. Songun
This assertive building towers over Dosan-daero in a triangular shape. This is Gallery Songun. With its iconic architecture and spatial organization that allows for more diverse scenes than other galleries, it is worth a visit regardless of the subject of the exhibition. The next exhibition is the 25thSong Eun Art Grand Prize Exhibition, which opens on December 12th.
📍441 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu,Seoul (Naver map)
7. Face Gallery
Many of the leading international galleries that are currently leading the art scene can be found in Seoul. One of them is the American gallery Pace, which was founded in New York in 1960 and has maintained a close relationship with abstract artists such as Alexander Calder and Mark Rothko. Pace Seoul is located in Hannam-dong, a neighborhood that has become a haven for art lovers, on the way up to the Rium Museum of Art. Currently, two masters of 20th-centuryabstract art are exhibiting“Abstract Language , Universe of Emotions: Adolf Gottlieb and Hwan KiKim” is on display.
📍267, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu (Naver map)
8. White Cube
The Seoul branch of London-based gallery White Cube is located near Dosan Park. Currently, an exhibition by Julie Curtis filled with iconic themes is on display.
📍 6, Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu (Naver map)