On a Saturday afternoon when I wanted to explore all the galleries I’d been curious about, I took a walk starting from Gyeongbokgung Station, passing Cheong Wa Dae (청와대/the Blue House), through Samcheong-dong and Seochon, all the way to Jeongdong-gil by Deoksugung Palace. It might not have been the most efficient route, but it was a day full of visual delights.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend following this exact path step-by-step, but I do highly suggest focusing on the specific galleries, shops, and locations mentioned. The walk took about four hours, and notably, there are no restaurants or cafes included in the middle of this stretch. (In fact, I ended up walking all the way down to Jeongdong-gil simply because I couldn’t find an empty seat in any cafe along the way!) I walked over 10,000 steps just within this neighborhood.
Gallery Mosoon (갤러리 모순)
- Address: 4 Sajik-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 12:00 – 18:00 (Closed on Mondays)
- Official Website: mosoon.co | Instagram
- Maps: Google Maps | Naver Map (Recommended for navigation in Korea)
Gallery Mosoon is dedicated to showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of Korean art. Focusing primarily on Korean crafts, the gallery highlights the work of contemporary artists through carefully curated exhibitions and collaborations, fostering an intriguing dialogue between tradition and modernity.
Located just a 2-minute walk from Exit 7 of Gyeongbokgung Station, Mosoon was originally situated in the Shin-a Memorial Hall on Jeongdong-gil. After hearing news of its relocation to the Gwanghwamun area a few months ago, I was very curious to see the new space.
The first floor houses a shop, while the second and third floors serve as exhibition spaces with displays that rotate monthly. I viewed Yu Su-yeon’s ‘Volcanic Shadow’ collection (March 12–29). Even if you miss a specific exhibition, you can still find works by previous artists in the first-floor shop, which I found to be a wonderful touch.
After much deliberation in the shop, I ended up purchasing a cup by artist Jung Hyun-woo. Since each piece is handmade, every cup has slight variations, and finding the “one” that felt right for me was a joy in itself. If you are a traveler who loves artisanal crafts, this is a must-visit.
Samcheong-dong is home to the iconic National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA). There is also the Seoul Museum of Craft Art(SeMoCA), which I covered in a previous post (5-Hour Gahoe-dong & Samcheong-dong Local Route). Beyond these major landmarks, there are countless hidden galleries tucked away in every corner of this neighborhood.
Whether I’m driving or walking, I truly love the route that passes in front of Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House) from Seochon and leads into Samcheong-dong. Today, I’d like to introduce two galleries you’ll encounter right as you enter this area: PKM Gallery and Kong Gallery.
PKM Gallery
- Address: 4 Samcheong-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Closed on Mondays)
- Note: Visitors under 15 are not allowed for safety reasons.
- Admission: Free / Walk-ins welcome (No reservation needed)
- Official Website: pkmgallery.com | Instagram
- Maps: Google Maps | Naver Map (Recommended for navigation in Korea)
Since opening in 2001, PKM Gallery has consistently hosted exhibitions by leading domestic and international artists who define the trends of contemporary art. It has showcased masters of Korean Dansaekhwa (단색화/Korean monochrome painting) like Yun Hyong-keun and Yoo Young-kuk, while also introducing renowned international artists like Olafur Eliasson and John Baldessari to the Korean public.
This is a place I find myself visiting whenever an intriguing special exhibition is held. I still vividly remember being deeply impressed by Yun Hyong-keun’s exhibition here in the past.
During this visit, the main building was hosting a group exhibition titled ‘From Hands’, which explores the intersection of fine art and craft. Meanwhile, the annex featured ‘Seoul Syntax’, a solo exhibition by the actor and artist Paik Hyunjhin.
Beyond the exhibitions, I’m someone who really likes this space itself. I love the view of the neighborhood across the street from the second floor of the main building, as well as the perspective of looking down into the first-floor gallery through the glass. In the annex, the view of Samcheong-dong seen through the large floor-to-ceiling windows the moment you step inside is truly impressive.
Kong Gallery (Kongkeonhye Gallery)
- Address: 38 Samcheong-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 10:30 – 17:30 (Closed Sundays & Mondays)
- Admission: Free / Walk-ins welcome
- Official Website: konggallery.com | Instagram
- Maps: Google Maps | Naver Map (Recommended for navigation in Korea)
Since 2005, Kong Gallery has been a major influence in the Korean photography scene, introducing world-class photographers to the country. It has since expanded to include painting, sculpture, video, and installation art.
I used to just pass by this gallery, but this time I finally stepped inside. On the path from PKM‘s main building to its annex, you have to walk up a hill past Kong Gallery. They were hosting an exhibition titled ‘Disappearing Landscapes’, and I couldn’t resist going in.
The layout is striking: you enter and immediately descend a floor to the left. The space felt overwhelming in the best way possible. The photographs were spaced out perfectly, and the view through the large windows was breathtaking. Both PKM and Kong Gallery are worth visiting just to experience how the artwork interacts with the architectural space.
Since The exhibitions are relatively compact, it took me about 30 minutes to an hour to see everything. This actually makes them perfect for a quick, casual visit without feeling any pressure as you pass by.
Tip: Many galleries now use QR codes for digital PDF brochures instead of paper ones. Look for small QR codes at the front desk or on the walls.
After visiting the three galleries, I was more than ready for a coffee break. Right across from Kong Gallery, there used to be a beautiful cafe where I loved sitting outdoors to soak in the autumn vibes when the ginkgo trees turned golden. On this visit, however, I discovered it has since been replaced by FOUR B.
If it hadn’t been so windy, I would have grabbed a coffee on the outdoor bench. However, by the time I finished my gallery tour, the wind had driven everyone inside, and the cafe was packed.
four b (CheongWaDae)
- Address: 1F, 37 Samcheong-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 08:30 – 19:30
- Instagram: @fourb.hours
- Map: Google Maps | Naver Map (Recommended for navigation in Korea)
Tailor Coffee Seochon (Gyeongbokgung)
- Address: 1F, 15 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 08:00 – 21:00
- Maps: Google Maps | Naver Map (Recommended for navigation in Korea)
I had already visited other TAILOR Coffee locations, but since I’d been curious about the Gyeongbokgung branch, I set it as my destination and headed back toward Seochon, passing by Cheong Wa Dae again. Of course, I expected it to be crowded, as it was around 3:00 or 4:00 PM on a Saturday.
However, it was really, really crowded. Also, since there was still a bit of a chilly breeze, the front folding doors were closed, which made the space feel somewhat cramped and stuffy. I think it would be much better to visit when the weather is nice enough for an outdoor picnic—specifically when those folding doors are wide open. Of course, finding a seat would still be extremely difficult, but I’d recommend avoiding the post-lunch rush on weekends if possible.
Eventually, I kept walking down in search of a quiet seat, which led me all the way to Jeongdong-gil by City Hall and Deoksugung Palace. Keep an eye out for my next post about the charming shops I found in the Shin-a Memorial Hall!
Safe travels, Soy Kim
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