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Story & Photos TRUONG QUY
These days, Seoul captivates visitors not only with its fashion boulevards and bustling K-Pop-themed venues but also with its expansive creative spaces.
It’s no coincidence that Seoul continues to draw visitors back time and again. As the capital of a major Asia-Pacific economy, Seoul is home to year-round vibrant art exhibition spaces that add cultural depth to the tourist experience.
Each destination, a historical chronicle
The National Museum of Korea truly exemplifies excellence in comprehensive museums. It’s worth dedicating an entire day to wandering through vast exhibition spaces showcasing national treasures, large-scale court paintings and depictions of daily life across many dynasties. The Korean Peninsula’s history unfolds through images and artifacts, accompanied by meticulous annotations, while the museum’s modern design attracts young visitors. Each exhibition area also features interactive video screens that cater to visitors’ curiosity. Nearby, the Korean War Memorial Museum stands as a reflection on the historical events that shaped the peninsula in the 20th century.
Seoul still preserves place names that evoke the ancient city walls. Beyond Gwanghwamun – the main gate to Gyeongbokgung Palace – six of the original eight city gates remain. Dongdaemun Design Plaza, located at the East Gate cultural and historical park, houses a landmark building designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The structure features a futuristic style mimicking liquid dynamics. Seoul’s modern landscape still preserves these historical reminders, where cultural narratives serve as the primary connecting thread.
Each space, a visual reward
Korea’s careful and systematic preservation extends beyond ancient facades; it’s about bringing content to life. Seoul has emerged as a continuous host of international exhibitions.
Around Seoul’s historic center, there are massive museums like MMCA (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art), Seoul Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary History. Notably, Korea’s leading corporations compete in establishing their own private art museums. Corporate investment in art, along with sponsorship funds, has succeeded in building an extensive collection of world-renowned artists’ works in Korea, making Seoul a crucial destination for prestigious exhibitions.
Located near the youthful, fashion-forward Itaewon district, Samsung’s Leeum Museum ranks among Korea’s top three private art museums. The complex’s futuristic nature harmoniously displays centuries-old Korean ceramics alongside modern works and innovative installations. During my visit, a contemporary Asian artists’ exhibition was ongoing in the temporary gallery, featuring works by Vietnamese artist Arlette Quynh-Anh Tran. The multimedia pieces immersed viewers in a dreamlike world, where digital technology adds layers to the sensory experience.
When the library is the hottest destination
The Starfield COEX mall, renovated in 2014, amazes visitors with a giant library housing 50,000 books and 600 magazines on 13-meter-high wooden shelves. Reading areas feature individual lamps and comfortable seating, surrounded by busy dining zones. Koreans’ love for reading is also evident in many public centers and cafes. And hasn’t the promotion of books, especially Korean literature, borne fruit, as evidenced by the recent Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to author Han Kang?
The scale of Seoul’s cultural spaces is readily apparent. Their vibrancy keeps visitors engaged until the very end of their stay. The modernity of contemporary elements finds ways to coexist with the ancient, where every detail is carefully curated, making the journey itself a gift.
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