{"id":1594,"date":"2026-06-26T16:50:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T07:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sooutof.com\/?p=1594"},"modified":"2026-06-26T16:52:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T07:52:59","slug":"seoul-museum-of-art-sema-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sooutof.com\/ko\/seoul-museum-of-art-sema-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Why SeMA (Seoul Museum of Art) Should Be on Your Seoul Itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to my favorite art museums in Seoul, this place is an absolute must-visit: the Seosomun<\/em> Main Branch of the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)<\/strong>, nestled along the beautiful Jeongdong-gil(\uc815\ub3d9\uae38)<\/em>. As you pass the entrance of Deoksugung Palace(\ub355\uc218\uad81)<\/a><\/em> and walk about halfway down Jeongdong-gil<\/em>, you\u2019ll spot a gentle uphill path on your left, lined with lush, leafy trees. Walk up that path, and the museum building will reveal itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built in 1928, the building originally served as the Gyeongseong Court(\uacbd\uc131\uc7ac\ud310\uc18c)<\/em> during the Japanese colonial period and later became the Supreme Court of Korea after liberation. Today, only its historic facade remains preserved, blending the building’s exotic architectural beauty with the deeply layered history of Korea’s colonial modern era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you are planning to visit SeMA and Jeongdong-gil<\/em>, early summer is the absolute best time. Sitting under the lush, green canopy of trees right in front of the museum, or taking a peaceful stroll around Jeongdong-gil<\/em> after catching an exhibition, is a guaranteed way to lift your spirits. Better yet, as one of Seoul’s premier public art institutions, the permanent exhibitions are completely free, and while many special exhibitions are also free, a small selection of major curated shows may require a ticket, making it incredibly accessible. (Personally, I highly recommend the permanent Chun Kyung-ja (\ucc9c\uacbd\uc790)<\/em> collection\u2014she is one of Korea\u2019s most iconic female painters, celebrated for her vibrant color work!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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+ I\u2019ve shared more stories about the surrounding area in my previous post, “Seoul\u2019s Best Kept Secret: A Guide to Jeongdong-gil and Shin-ah Memorial Hall.”<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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SeMA (Seoul Museum of Art) Seosomun Main Branch<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n