The joys of traveling abroad are incredibly diverse.
While it’s great to walk through a bustling market teeming with local life or explore a city’s glamorous downtown, I personally love visiting a country’s museums.
That’s because I believe cultural artifacts offer the truest window into a nation’s soul.
Even in a short description, you can catch a glimpse of the history they’ve lived and the culture they’ve cultivated.
That is why today, for my second introduction to Korea, I have chosen the National Museum of Korea.
My goal isn’t to bore you by listing countless relics; it would be far too much to try and contain 5,000 years of history.
Instead, I want to introduce you to two very special experiences that you simply shouldn’t miss when you visit.
About the National Museum of Korea: A Historic Walking Path in the City
Korea may seem like a small country, but its history is deep and long, stretching back 5,000 years.
The National Museum of Korea houses countless artifacts that cut across this long history and is proud to be one of the largest museums in the world by floor space.
In the past, it was just a tedious destination for school field trips,
but it has since been transformed into a sophisticated space, much like a modern art museum, that offers a wonderful experience to all.
Above all, this place is exceptionally friendly to travelers. No matter where you are staying in Seoul, your journey begins at Ichon Station on subway line 4.
The station platform signs also display the name ‘National Museum of Korea,’ so there’s no need to worry about getting lost.
From the station, a dedicated underground passage called ‘Museum Nadeul-gil’ leads directly to the museum grounds.
This long, modernly designed path is equipped with moving walkways, allowing you to comfortably reach the edge of the museum complex, even on a rainy or snowy day.
From the moment you emerge from the tunnel, it’s a short and pleasant walk to the main building.
As you travel through this passage, feeling as though you’re entering a colossal work of art, your anticipation for the museum will build to a peak.
The scenery that greets you at the end of the path is nothing short of spectacular.
The first thing that welcomes visitors is a serene pond called ‘Geoulmot’ (Mirror Pond) and a traditional pavilion floating on it like a painting.
If you pause for a moment to admire the calm water and green trees,
you’ll truly feel that you’ve left the bustling city behind and entered a tranquil piece of history.
The path leading to the museum’s main building is like a well-manicured garden in itself.
Large pots filled with seasonal flowers bloom brightly along the grand staircase, welcoming visitors.
Finally, you’ll face the museum building, which boasts its grandeur with a vast, open plaza.
The modern yet elegant architecture creates an overwhelming impression against the vast sky.
When you stand in this plaza, you can see Namsan Tower, the symbol of Seoul, in the distance.
Your eyes will also be drawn to two adorable figures resting their chins on their hands.
These are giant tube dolls created in the motif of the two treasures I’m about to introduce.
Please note that this installation was there when I visited, but it might not be a permanent fixture.
At night, the area offers a beautiful nightscape.
Don’t miss the ‘Seoul Nightscape’ sign on the ground—it marks the perfect photo spot for this view.
It’s a hidden gem that many Koreans probably don’t even know about.
The Room of Quiet Contemplation and the Pensive Bodhisattvas: A Time for Thought
The first thing you absolutely must see here—the museum’s highlight—is the Gilt-bronze Pensive Maitreya Bodhisattva.
It’s okay if you’re not religious.
This artifact offers a profound emotional and aesthetic beauty that transcends religion.
The term ‘Banga-sayu-sang’ (Pensive Bodhisattva) refers to a statue of a Bodhisattva seated with one leg over the other knee (the ‘banga’ or half-lotus position), with a finger to the cheek, deep in thought (‘sayu’) about the sorrows of human life.
These two national treasures are displayed in the ‘Room of Quiet Contemplation,’ a space created solely for them.
Just like the phrase at the entrance, ‘Time to lose yourself, deep in wandering thought,’ this place invites us to step away from our daily lives and enter a world of meditation.
As you step into the dark, silent room, the two Pensive Bodhisattvas appear, floating mysteriously under a soft light like planets in the cosmos.
The countless lights on the ceiling twinkle like stars in the night sky, and in this sound-proofed space, you can focus entirely on the two masterpieces.
Visitors slowly circle the artworks at their own pace, traveling back a thousand years in time.
On the Left: National Treasure No. 78
On the left is a work from the late 6th century. It wears a simple, three-pointed crown, and its upper body is bare, adorned only with a simple necklace.
Thanks to this simplicity, your gaze is naturally drawn to its gentle face, lost in deep thought.
The serene, mysterious smile gracing its lips is considered the quintessence of the ‘archaic smile,’ bringing peace to the viewer’s heart.
The powerful, flowing drapery of the robes displays a beauty that is both incredibly realistic and dynamic.
On the Right: National Treasure No. 83
On the right is a work from the early 7th century, boasting a more splendid and elaborate beauty.
It immediately captures the eye with the unique ‘Sun and Moon’ style three-peaked crown on its head.
The bodily proportions are close to perfect, and the soft, organic flow of the robes is a testament to the finest metalworking techniques of the era.
Above all, the masterpiece’s gentle smile, created by the slightly upturned corners of its mouth and half-closed eyes, is the highlight, offering a mysterious beauty that seems to change subtly depending on the viewing angle.
In this space, I hope you take the time to lose yourself in your own thoughts as you come face to face with a serene smile and a moment of profound contemplation that has transcended a thousand years.
If you are curious for more detailed information, you can find English explanations on the official Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea website below.
National Treasure No. 78
National Treasure No. 83
National Museum of Korea: The Calligraphy and Painting Hall (Seohwagwan)
The second space I’d like to recommend is the Calligraphy and Painting Hall (서화관, Seohwagwan).
As the museum’s directory signs show, if you want to see traditional Korean paintings and calligraphy, this is the place to go.
You might have the preconception that ‘old paintings’ are difficult and boring, but the artworks here are incredibly interesting.
In particular, look for the ‘Pungsokhwa,’ or Joseon-dynasty genre paintings, which depict the lives of everyday people.
You might even see famous examples like ‘A Dancing Boy by Kim Hong-do’ highlighted on the signs, and these lively paintings are exactly what makes this hall so special.
A bustling marketplace, a tense civil service examination site, a scholar lazily napping on a wooden floor—you’ll find yourself smiling at these familiar scenes that don’t seem all that different from our lives today.
This exhibition hall has a quiet, bright atmosphere perfect for focusing on each painting one by one.
There are also digital videos that zoom in on the details of the artworks, helping even those unfamiliar with Korean art to appreciate them easily.
And after you’ve looked around the exhibition hall, be sure to step out onto the rear of the building.
Another hidden gem awaits you there.
Because of its high ground, it’s one of the best observation decks, offering a panoramic view of Seoul.
To your left, you’ll see the majestic rocky ridge of Bukhansan Mountain; in front, the Presidential Office and the vast Yongsan Park; and to your right, Namsan and the N Seoul Tower stretching into the sky.
It is a special place where you can gaze out at Seoul more peacefully and leisurely than any other observatory.
It occurred to me then that just beyond Namsan lies Myeong-dong, one of the busiest shopping districts in Korea.
The fact that such a quiet, profound space coexists with a place bustling with tourists and shops—isn’t this the very essence of Seoul’s diverse charm?
A Final Thought
If you want to hold on to all this emotion and resonance, you’ll find the museum’s official gift shop on the first floor.
Because this is a state-run institution, you could say that the souvenirs here are ‘official state goods,’ a class above what you’d find elsewhere.
They have many high-quality goods diligently made with motifs from the museum’s treasures, so be sure to stop by and check them out.
Especially if you liked the giant tube dolls you saw in the plaza, you can purchase them here as mood lamps.
You’ll like them much more than the souvenirs you might buy at a market.
The quality and design are so excellent that they are popular even among Koreans.
The National Museum of Korea is more than just a place to see artifacts; I believe it’s one of the most wonderful places to discover another face of Seoul and to deeply understand Korea.
Even with a busy travel schedule, I hope you can take half a day to visit here, to walk slowly, to stay quietly, and to lose yourself in thought.
Korea is a fast-paced country, but moments of quiet breath like this certainly exist within it.
If you ever feel the need for a moment of quiet pause, I hope you’ll remember this place.
I hope this article becomes a small inspiration for your trip to Seoul.
Thank you.
[ Travel & Viewing Pro-Tips ]
Hours: 10:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM (Open until 9:00 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Admission Fee: The permanent exhibition is free. (Special exhibitions may have a separate fee.)
Closed: January 1st, Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day), and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day). (Open on all other public holidays.)
Transportation: Directly connected to Ichon Station (Subway Line 4 & Gyeongui-Jungang Line) via a dedicated walkway.
Nearby Attractions: Close to Itaewon and Yongsan Family Park. It is also easy to connect to other major tourist sites like Seoul Station and Myeong-dong via the subway.
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