12 Best Art Galleries in South Korea

Surrounded by the beautiful and pristine nature of Jeju Island, the Jeju Museum of Art is the epicenter of the region’s art. The building itself reflects the local culture, colors and sounds of the island, while its historical and contemporary works are sure to inspire art enthusiasts. Of particular interest is the Chang Ree-suok Hall, which displays more than 100 artworks created by the well-known Korean artist Chang Ree-suok.

With its striking modernist architectural shell, Gallery Yeh is an iconic landmark in Seoul’s ritzy Gangnam district. Established in 1978 and reopened in 1982, it led to the transformation of the Sinsa-dong neighborhood into a dynamic cultural center. The gallery has also played a significant role in bridging the gap between Korea’s capital and the wider art world, featuring the works of celebrated artists such as Raphael Soto and Alberto Giacometti, as well as representing Korean masters such as Ku Pon-ung, Kwon Ok-yeon and Kim Hwan-gi around the globe.

Founded in 1990, the Johyun Gallery (formerly known as Gallery World) is one of Busan’s premier art galleries. Johyun represents many well-known Korean and international contemporary artists such as Nam June Paik, Julian Opie and Georges Rousse. With its carefully curated exhibitions of sculptures, paintings, and installations, Johyun is guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning of art lovers.

Located in Gyeongju’s Bomun Tourist Complex, Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art is a private gallery that houses a number of collections of major modern and contemporary artists. Some 450 pieces of European and American sculptures, paintings, and photographs from the 1960s, in addition to noteworthy collections of Korean modernist art from the 1970s, are displayed for the viewing pleasure of the museum’s visitors. Various lectures and exhibitions are regularly held here, making this museum a major cultural hub in the local community.

Perhaps the most powerful and undoubtedly the most famous private gallery in Seoul, Leeum is a must-visit for anyone interested in art. Directed by Hong Ra-hee, wife of Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, Leeum is a center of Korean and world art. Designed by celebrated architects Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel and Rem Koolhaas, the museum’s architecture reflects the collection’s interplay between past and present. Dedicate at least an afternoon to explore dedicated areas displaying Korean traditional art, international contemporary art, and special exhibitions.

Designed by French architect Laurent Beaudouin, the quaint white structure that is the Ungno Lee Museum of Art was built to commemorate the work of the artist Goam Ungno Lee (1904-1989), who devoted his life to the modernization and globalization of Korean tradition through architecture. Goam’s work, which epitomizes the harmony between East and West, is distributed throughout four halls, which seem to flow together in one continual, unified space.

With an aim to promote Daegu art’s advancement, the Daegu Art Museum presents exhibitions that introduce the social and artistic issues of the times, and illustrate the leading trends in both domestic and international art scenes. Rotating exhibitions include works that cover a wide range of mediums from contemporary sculpture to more classical painting styles. Academic programs and lectures led by renowned professors are also offered to visitors of all ages, while concerts and holiday events aim to bring the Daegu community together through art.