Discover Korea’s History at the National Museum of Korea

History is who we are and why we are the way we are. You will understand the meaning behind David McCullough’s quote as you discover Korea’s History at the National Museum of Korea. This infamous museum gives visitors a glimpse into over 5,000 years of Korean art, history, and culture. It is among the most visited museums globally, welcoming over 4 million visitors in 2023. Any Seoul visitor must stop by this place at least once to understand everything there is to Korean culture, art, and history. Intrigued yet? If so, join us as we share facts about the NMK.

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National Museum of Korea Opening Hours

• 📌 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea
• 🌐 https://www.museum.go.kr/
• ☎️ +82 2-2077-9000

Let’s travel back in time to the early 1900s when Emperor Sunjong opened Korea’s first museum, the Imperial Household Museum, in 1909. Shortly after, the Japanese Government General Museum was launched during the Japanese rule of Korea. Both museums’ collections contributed to establishing the National Museum of Korea in 1945. It was initially housed at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and several other government buildings before relocating to its current location in Yongsan in 2005.

The NMK is the sixth largest museum in the world, spanning across 295,551 square meters (3,180,000 sq ft). It features a gigantic collection of over 310,000 pieces, including cultural artifacts, statues, paintings, sculptures, craftworks, artworks, and literary works. And the best part? This museum is open every day, except for some holidays, such as New Year’s Day, Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day), and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). Here are the museum’s regular operating hours:

🕛 Opening Hours of the National Museum of Korea

• Monday-Tuesday: 10 AM – 6 PM
• Wednesday: 10 AM – 9 PM
• Thursday-Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM
• Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM
• Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM

Note: The National Museum of Korea’s opening hours might slightly differ during the national or public holidays.

National Museum of Korea Architect

The National Museum of Korea is an architectural masterpiece. The building’s basic concept is to reinterpret Korean traditional architectural philosophy in a contemporary way. A team of Robert Siegel, Samoo Architects, and Kunwon International Architects came up with the current museum design, which effortlessly blends traditional elements with a modern approach. The theme is to create a safe fortress with mountains behind and water in front. The fortress symbolizes the sense of security and disconnects from the outside world.

The NMK building faces south and is between Namsan Mountain and Mirror Pond. It features three floors, with each one housing galleries and exhibition rooms. The ground floor features parks, waterfalls, pools, gardens, pagodas, stupas, steles, and lanterns. The museum houses six permanent exhibition galleries, including the Donation Gallery, Ancient History Gallery, Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery, Asian Art Gallery, and Sculpture and Crafts Gallery. It also hosts temporary exhibitions in its special exhibition halls.

How To Get To The National Museum of Korea?

The National Museum of Korea is centrally located in Yongsan, Seoul. You can access the establishment through public and private transportation options.

By Subway:

• Take Line 4 or the Gyeongui-Joungang Line to Icheon Station.
• Use Exit 2.
• The Yongsan Family Park is within a 150m walk.
• The National Museum of Korea’s building is inside the park.

By Bus:

• Take the Bus Number 400 or 502.
• When you board the bus, tap your transportation card on the terminal by the front door.
• Sit back and enjoy the scenery.
• The bus will take you directly to the museum’s main entrance.
• Upon exiting, tap the transportation card again by the rear door.

Traveling By Car:

• Drive towards Itaewon.
• Before entering Banpogyo Bridge, turn right towards Yongsan Family Park.
• Drive straight for 300 meters from the park’s entrance.
• The museum building will be on your right.
• Be mindful that parking spaces are limited in the museum.

The NMK is easily accessible for all visitors, including those with disabilities. Visitors with mobility disabilities will get free parking services.

National Museum of Korea Entrance Fee

Are you looking for free things to do in Seoul? Then, the National Museum of Korea is your destination. It offers free admission to everyone. That’s right, you can access the museum’s permanent collections without paying a single penny. You also don’t require any tickets to explore the outdoor exhibition area. That said, you may have to purchase tickets to access some special exhibitions. Fees vary depending on the type of exhibition and visitor’s age. Here’s a rough breakdown of the National Museum of Art’s ticket prices for special exhibitions:

• General Admission (25+): Typically ₩3,000 per individual entry
• Students (8-24): Usually ₩2,000 to ₩2,500 per individual entry
• Children (5-7) and Seniors (65+): Free Entry

If you are visiting museums in Seoul, it’s best to invest in a Seoul Pass. It will offer free entry to many museums and attractions in the city.

Must-See National Museum of Korea Artworks

Pensive Bodhisattva

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The NMK displays over 12,044 pieces in its six permanent exhibition sections. These include national Korean treasures, including Pensive Bodhisattva. This gilt-bronze statue is believed to be Maitreya, the future Buddha. Its origin dates back to the early 7th century and is 93.5 centimeters tall. The best part about this artifact is that it is one of the finest Buddhist sculptures ever produced. It is also among the few bronze statues from the Silla kingdom.

The Oegyujanggak Uigwe

At the National Museum of Korea, don’t miss the Oegyujanggak Uigwe—beautifully illustrated royal protocols that documented Joseon Dynasty ceremonies from weddings to state banquets. These treasured manuscripts were taken to France in 1866 and only returned home after 145 years, with the final volumes repatriated in 2011. Today, viewing these exquisite records offers travelers a rare glimpse into Korea’s royal past and a powerful story of cultural heritage coming full circle.

Gold Crown

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Your trip to the National Museum of Korea will be incomplete without seeing the Golden Crown. One of the national treasures, this golden crown’s origin dates back to the Silla Kingdom in the 5th-7th centuries. It was excavated from the North tomb of Hwangnamdaechong in Gyeongju. Adorned with ornaments shaped like deer antlers and tree branches, the crown symbolizes the power of the wearer through its natural imagery and precious materials.

Goryeo Celadon Openwork Burner

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Another masterpiece you can’t miss at the NMK is the Goryeo Celadon Openwork Burner. This celadon is from the Goryeo Dynasty and showcases all the decorative techniques used at that time. These include openwork, incising, attaching, relief carving, and modeling. It is a piece of art with its lotus blossom-shaped body, openwork-decorated globular lid, and three rabbit pedestals. Take some time to admire this 12th-century celadon incense burner.

White Porcelain Moon Jar

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If you love ceramics, you will enjoy seeing the White Porcelain Moon Jar at the National Museum of Korea. This spherical white-glazed Korean ceramic vessel is from the Joseon Dynasty, an era which valued simplicity and natural beauty. These traits are evident in this moon jar, which boasts a lustrous, milky white glaze with no patterns or designs. It resembles a full moon and is a must-see collection in the museum.

Ten-Story Stone Pagoda

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Finally, the Gyeongcheonsa Ten-Story Pagoda is one of the national treasures of Korea. It was initially erected at the now-lost Gyeongcheonsa Monastery at the foot of Mt. Buso. Later, Japanese court official, Mitsuaki Tanaka, illegally smuggled the pagoda to Japan. The pagoda found its way back to Korea in 1918 and was eventually relocated inside one of the halls in the National Museum of Korea in 2005. Snap pictures as you admire this magnificent work of art from the sidelines.

National Museum of Korea BTS

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Did you know that the idol group BTS has collaborated with the National Museum of Korea? The world-famous artists have served as global ambassadors to introduce and promote Korean culture worldwide since the beginning. Their collaboration with the museum further helped reach their goal to introduce Korea to a global audience through the lens of BTS. The first time BTS collaborated with the museum was in 2021 through the “Dalmajung” series. It served to integrate traditional Korean culture into BTS’s global brand and to offer fans a unique connection to Korea’s rich artistic heritage.

After successful 2021 and 2022 collabs, the global sensation launched “Dalmajung BTS X MU:DS” in 2024. It featured fourteen products featuring motifs from the NMK’s collection. Each product’s design also incorporated BTS branding and lyrics from their songs, “Mikrokosmos” and “Yet To Come.” The highly sought-after merchandise is the miniature Pensive Bodhisattva statue. Leader Kim Namjoon, aka RM, contributed to the statue’s popularity after he bought one and shared the picture on social media. Another must-buy item from the series is a white-glazed Moon Jar featuring Mikrokosmos lyrics.

If you are an avid history lover, you can’t miss out on this epic experience. As you discover Korea’s history at the National Museum of Korea, you will understand how the past has shaped Korea’s present. You will also get a thorough knowledge of Korean arts, crafts, archaeology, and culture. If you have time, continue towards the National Museum of Korea’s new branch inside Incheon International Airport. Check out authentic Korean cultural artifacts and the 27-meter tall Millennium Hall Media Tower. You can also buy popular K-culture products here.