📸 SeMA Photo: Your New Spot for Art in Seoul! 📸
📸 SeMA Photo: Your New Spot for Art in Seoul! 📸
The Building Itself is a Work of Art
Explore the World of Photography
SeMA Photo is designed to help you experience photography in many different ways. It has three floors above ground and two underground.
1st Floor: When you first walk in, you'll find a welcoming lobby. There's also a photobook cafe where you can grab a coffee and browse some amazing photo books. Need a break? The family lounge is a comfy spot to relax. And yes, there are free lockers for your bags!
2nd Floor: This is where you'll find the main exhibition halls and a video room. Right now, until October 12, 2025, you can see the special exhibition "Storage Story." It explores how the museum's design connects with photography as a "record." What's really neat is the AI-powered photo restoration experience by artist Oh Ju-young – it shows you how digital tech is changing photography.
3rd Floor: Head up here for more exhibits. Also running until October 12, 2025, is "Gwangchae: Moments of Beginning." This exhibit features works by early Korean photographers, showing how photography became an art form here in Korea.
4th Floor (Library): If you're really into photography, this is a must-see! It's a specialized photo library with over 5,000 photography books and materials. It's open Tuesday to Friday and is a real gem for anyone wanting to dive deeper into the subject. You'll also find educational rooms and even a darkroom here, which are used for various workshops.
Good to Know Before You Go
One of the best things about SeMA Photo? All the exhibitions are free! That's right, you don't need a ticket to enjoy the art.
Getting There: It's super easy to get to! Just a 3-minute walk from Chang-dong Station (Subway Line 1 or 4, Exit 1). Seoul's subway system is fantastic, so you'll have no trouble finding it.
Opening Hours:
Weekdays (Tues-Fri): 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Weekends & Public Holidays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (March-October) / 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (November-February)
Last Entry: One hour before closing.
Closed: Every Monday, and on January 1st (if January 1st is a Monday, they are open).
Programs: Beyond the main shows, the museum offers a lot of other things, like visits from artists from Korea and around the world, digital archiving projects, educational programs, workshops, discussions, and even special activities for kids and teens. Check their official website for the latest schedule!
Facilities: Besides the library, they have convenient lockers and a gift shop. There's also parking available, but it costs 400 KRW per minute.
Taking Photos: You can often take pictures inside, but rules might change for different exhibits, so always look for signs at the entrance of each gallery.
A New Must-See in Seoul
SeMA Photo is designed to help you really think about art, society, and personal change through photography. It's also an important part of making Chang-dong a livelier cultural area. So, if you're looking for something interesting to do on a rainy day or just want to escape the summer heat in Seoul, this museum is a great choice.
Ready to explore? Head over to the official SeMA Photo website to check out current exhibitions and plan your visit!
Quick Info:
Official Name: Seoul Museum of Photography (SeMA Photo)
Address: 68 Madeul-ro 13-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul (Chang-dong)
Contact: +82-2-2124-7600
Website:
sema.seoul.go.kr/kr/visit/photosema
Have you visited SeMA Photo, or is it now on your Seoul travel list? Let us know!
