K-Pop Fans, BTS ARMY, Listen Up! The National Museum of Korea is Now Seoul's Hottest Cultural Hotspot!
K-Pop Fans, BTS ARMY, Listen Up! The National Museum of Korea is Now Seoul's Hottest Cultural Hotspot!
This incredible shift began with the global success of the Netflix animation, 'K-pop Demon Hunters'. As the show captivated audiences worldwide, traditional Korean elements like the tigers and magpies from folk paintings, the gat (traditional hat), and jeoseungsaja (grim reapers) sparked immense interest.
This excitement flowed directly into the National Museum of Korea! At the museum's souvenir shop, affectionately known as the 'Mutz Shop,' traditional cultural goods like the 'Magpie and Tiger Badge' and 'Black Gat String Ballpoint Pen' are selling out as soon as they're stocked. In the first half of 2025, Mutz sales soared by 34% compared to the previous year, reaching an unprecedented 11.5 billion KRW, and the online shop welcomed over 260,000 visitors daily.
Adding fuel to this explosive popularity was none other than BTS's RM. Known for his deep appreciation of art, RM visited the museum's special exhibition, 'New Nation, New Art: Joseon Dynasty Early Art Exhibition,' and later posted a photo of Yi Am's <Hwahagujado> on his Instagram. This post instantly generated a huge buzz among ARMY worldwide, leading to a dramatic increase in actual museum visits by international fans.
This powerful synergy of K-Culture has breathed unprecedented vitality into the National Museum of Korea. In the first half of 2025 alone, the museum welcomed a staggering 2.7 million visitors, a 64% increase from the previous year, marking an all-time high. The National Museum of Korea is no longer just a museum; it has become a vibrant icon where you can immerse yourself in the depth and charm of Korean culture. Step into this extraordinary space, brought to life by 'K-pop Demon Hunters' and BTS RM's genuine love for culture, and discover the true essence of Korea for yourself!
Exploring the Museum: Features & Collections
For instance, in 2013, when the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York planned a Silla Dynasty exhibition and requested to include a Pensive Bodhisattva, the National Cultural Heritage Administration initially expressed difficulty in permitting its departure. After much discussion, the Metropolitan's earnest request and the Korean government's persuasion led to its journey to New York. Naturally, the Bodhisattva displayed at the National Museum of Korea remained in place, and a piece kept in storage was sent for the overseas exhibition.
Visitor numbers are also impressive. Although they briefly dropped from Asia's 2nd and world's 12th in 2017 to outside the top 20 in 2018, visitor numbers have rebounded post-COVID-19. In 2023, 4.18 million people visited, breaking the all-time record. This figure ranked the museum 6th globally for that year, making it the only Asian museum in the top 10.
The museum's exhibitions cover a wide range of fields, including Korean history, archaeology, art, calligraphy, crafts, and Buddhist art, from the Paleolithic period to modern times. Key artifacts include gold crowns, Pensive Bodhisattvas, Goryeo celadon, and paintings and calligraphy from the Joseon Dynasty. Additionally, the museum boasts a variety of cultural, educational, and convenience facilities, such as permanent exhibition halls, special exhibition halls, a children's museum, education centers, the Theater Yong, a library, a museum shop, and an outdoor garden.
Visitor Information and Facilities
Admission Fee: Permanent exhibitions and the Children's Museum are free. Some special exhibitions may require a fee.
Operating Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Wednesday and Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Outdoor exhibition area: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM.
Closed Days: January 1st, Lunar New Year's Day (Seollal), and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day).
Accessibility: Easily accessible on foot from Ichon Station (Exit 2) on Subway Line 4 or the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.
Parking: Indoor and outdoor parking lots are available (paid).
Tailored Services for Global Visitors
The National Museum of Korea offers a variety of services for international visitors. Free guided tours in English, Chinese, and Japanese are available, along with special interpretation programs for foreigners and international students. Furthermore, the exhibition guide robot, 'Q-Eye,' provides guidance, simple conversations, and exhibition explanations in four languages, earning high praise from international guests.
Make sure to visit the 'Room of Quiet Contemplation' (Sayuui Bang), where you can admire two National Treasure Pensive Bodhisattvas side-by-side, and the 'Celadon Gallery' (Cheongjasil) to experience the beauty of Goryeo celadon. Digital immersive content, such as the Digital Gwanggaeto Stele, a 60-meter panoramic video (depicting King Jeongjo's royal procession to Hwaseong and the "Gangsanjinmudo" landscape painting), and AI-drawn Joseon Dynasty portraits, are also highly popular.
In addition to exhibition tours, hands-on activities like making traditional Korean mask decorations are also offered, allowing visitors to experience Korean culture beyond mere observation. The National Museum of Korea actively engages in cultural exchange with leading museums worldwide, including those in the United States, Japan, and Germany, by hosting international special exhibitions that showcase Korea's traditional and contemporary culture. Several large-scale international special exhibitions are also planned for 2025.
The museum's souvenir shop is famous for its diverse range of merchandise utilizing traditional Korean patterns, earning it the nickname 'Goods Hotspot'. The National Museum of Korea is truly a place where Korean history, art, cutting-edge technology, hands-on experiences, and international exchange converge, offering global visitors a unique opportunity to deeply understand Korea.
How to Get to the National Museum of Korea
Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (within Yongsan Family Park)
1. From Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Public Transportation (Train/Subway):
AREX (Airport Railroad Express) + Subway Line 4 or Gyeongui-Jungang Line Transfer: Take the AREX from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station (approx. 1 hour). At Seoul Station, transfer to Subway Line 4 (blue line) or the Gyeongui-Jungang Line and get off at Ichon Station (Exit 2). From Ichon Station Exit 2, walk along the 'Museum Walkway (Bangmulgwan Nadeulgil)' for about 10 minutes to reach the museum. The total travel time is approximately 1 hour 20-30 minutes, and the estimated cost is around 5,500-7,500 KRW.
Airport Limousine Bus: Take Airport Bus No. 6010 and get off at Ichon Station or a nearby stop, then walk (1 hour 20-30 minutes travel time).
Taxi/Private Car: Approximately 48 minutes travel time. The taxi fare is about 20,000-24,000 KRW. For private cars, it's about 48 minutes for a 60 km distance.
2. From Within Seoul
Subway: Get off at Ichon Station (Exit 2) on Subway Line 4 or the Gyeongui-Jungang Line. From Ichon Station Exit 2, walk along the 'Museum Walkway (Bangmulgwan Nadeulgil)' for about 8-10 minutes to reach the museum.
Major Transfer Examples: If you're on Line 1, you can transfer to the Gyeongui-Jungang Line at Yongsan Station and get off at Ichon Station. Transfers are convenient from major Seoul lines like Line 6, Line 4, and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.
Bus: Take a bus that stops at the National Museum of Korea or Yongsan Family Park bus stops (e.g., Bus 400, 502, 6030, 90S Tour, 100).
Additional Information: When using public transportation, using a T-money card (or other transportation cards) is recommended, and some tourist passes may also be accepted. The museum's address is 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (within Yongsan Family Park). Ichon Station Exit 2 is the closest subway exit. These methods provide the easiest and most convenient routes for international visitors to reach the National Museum of Korea.
