Art Galleries, North of Han River, Seoul    

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Following are some of the hundreds of Art Galleries one can find in Seoul. Some of these charge admission, while others do not. Some exhibit art works while others offer them for sale. The same gallery may do one or the other depending on the exhibition. (For galleries, south of the river, scroll to the bottom of this page and click on Art Galleries, South of Han River.)

LAUGHING TREE LAB - Itaewon
Hours: depends on the exhibition, may be11am to 7pm or by appointment
Address: Laughing Tree Lab 559 B1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu/ 용산구 이태원동 559
DIRECTIONS: Take exit 2 out of Noksapyeong Station (line 6, stop 629). Walk straight down the hill to the pedestrian underpass, cross through, head out the right side exit, and walk straight for a block and a half. The entryway is on the left between Buttercup Cafe and Taco Enchilato.
Info: Jessica@LaughingTree.com
Laughing Tree Gallery, the first fine arts gallery in Haebangchon, was established by Adam and Jessical Lofbomm, sho invite artists interested in showing their works to contact them at the above email address.

ARARIO SEOUL - Jongro
Hours: Tuesday ~ Sunday 10:00-19:00. Closed Mondays
Address: #149-2, Sokyuk-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul
Tel: 02 723 6190
Email: info@arariogallery.com
Directions: see map on website. Near ArtSonje (see below) 

ARKO ART CENTER - Jongno
Hours: Tue - Sun 11 am - 8 pm. Closed Mondays.
Address: Arko Art Center, Insa Art Space. 100 Daehangro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Tel: 02-760-4563
Directions: 
Subway: Hyehwha Station (Line 4, stop 420) Exit #2

ART SONJE CENTER - Jongno
Hours: 11 am to 7 pm. Closed Mondays.
Address: Seoul-si Jongno-gu Sogyeok-dong 144-2
Tel: 02-733-8945  
Directions: At Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3, stop 328), exit no.1, walk towards Gyeongbok Palace and turn right at Poongmoon Girl's High school. Then go straight towards Jeongdok Library for 7 min on foot.
Art Sonje Center is an art complex which was built in 1998. As an art complex, in addition to regular art exhibitions, movies, dance & music performances and plays are also shown here.

DOOSAN ART CENTER - Jongno
Can be reached by walking 30m toward the Jongno 5-ga pharmacy alley from Exit #1 of Jongno 5-ga station on subway line number 1, stop 129. Address: Seoul-si Jongno-gu Yeonji-dong 270. Info:  (02) 744-4011.
Hours: 11AM to 6PM (Tuesday to Sunday)
Address: 130-1 Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-260
Tel: 02-74501644
Email: info@oneandj.com
Directions: Line 3, Anguk Station, Stop 328, Exit 2
Website has information in English, including map

GAAIN ART GALLERY - Jongno
Hours:  11AM to 7PM (March-Oct) and 11AM to 7PM (Nov to Feb)
Open Tuesday thru Saturday (Closed Sundays and Mondays)
Address: 10-848 512-2 Pyungchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Directions: Line 3 (Orange Line) Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 3, stop 327  → Transfer to Bus 1711, 1020 → Get off at Byucksan Pyeongchang Hillstate → 400m walk from Bus Station
More Transport Info
Tel: 02.394.3631
Email: info@gaainart.com

GALLERY CHA - Jongno
Hours: Mon to Fri 11am to 7pm / Sat 12 to 6pm
Admission is usually free. 60 Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
Address: 35-97 Tongui-dong, Jongro-gu Seoul
Tel: 02-730-1700 (curator speaks English)
Directions: Take Subway Line 3 and get off at the Gyeongbokgung (Gyeongbok Palace) Station, STN #327.  Come out of Exit # 4, turn around 180 degrees and walk to the street corner, where you'll see a small grocery store. Turn left into that street, with the palace wall on your right. About 50 meters in, you will see Gallery CHA on your left. 

GALLERY GAHOEDONG60
Hours: Mon to Sat 12 to 7pm / Closed Sundays (can vary by exhibition)
Admission is usually free
Tel: 02-3673-0585
Director Jung Min Kim (speaks some English)
Address:60 Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea (located in a beautiful small Korean tradiitonal house)
Directions: Take subway to Anguk St., Stop 328, Exit 2. Go up towards Bukchon village until you arrive at the 2nd Family Mart - almost 500M from the Anguk Station. The gallery is on the street to the left and can be seen from the road. It's small but localted in a beautiful Korean traditional house. There is a pharmacy and DooRoo coffee shop on the corner.
Email: gahoedong60@gmail.com 
Map link
Website: Mainly Korean

GALLERY HYUNDAI - Jongno (also Gangnam)
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10a.m. to 6p.m.
Closed Mondays, New Year's Day, Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok Day
Admission is usually free.
Works generally for sale
Address: New Space: 80 Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea 110-190 
Tel: 02-2287-3500
Dugahun: 109 Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea 110-190 
Tel: 02-3210-2100
Main Space: 122 Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea 110-190
Tel: 02-734-6111~3 
Directions: go out exit 1 of Anguk Station (line 3, stop 328). Map.
Email: mail@galleryhyundai.com
Website

GALLERY K.O.N.G. - Jongno
Hours:  10am - 6pm Tues-Sat / 12pm - 6pm Sun / Closed Mondays
Address: #137 Palpan-dong, Jonro-gu, Seoul 110-220
Tel: 02-738-7776 (possible no English speaker)
Email: info@gallerykong.com 
Directions: Anguk Station, Line 3, Stop 328, Exit 1. It's about a 10-15 minute walk heading toward ChungWaDae (Blue House), just up from Jinsan Book Cafe.

GANA ART CENTER - Pyeongchang-dong
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Admission varies depending on the exhibition
Address: 97 Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: 02-720-1020  
Directions: Go out exit No.3 at Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3, Stop 327. Take Bus No.1020, or 1711. Get off at Pyeongchang-dong Olympia Hotel (Bus comes every 5-10 minutes / takes about 10-15 minutes)
The Art Gallery Tour Bus will take you from Insa-dong to Gana
Weekdays : 1:00 p.m./ 2:00 p.m./ 3:00 p.m.
*Go out exit No.6 at Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. Then walk into the street between Crown Bakery and LG 25 (walk for 5 minutes). You will find Insa Art Center. Take Gallery Tour Bus and get off at Gana Art Center
Weekdays : 4:00 p.m./ 5:00 p.m./ 6:00 p.m.
*Go out exit No.6 at Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. It is then approximately a 3-minute walk to Anguk-dong Roundabout Tourist Information Center. Behind of the Tourist Information Center, take Gallery Tour Bus and get off at Gana Art Center.
Weekends & National Holidays : Go out exit No.6 at Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. It is then approximately a 3-minute walk to Anguk-dong Roundabout Tourist Information Center. Behind of the Information Center, take Gallery Tour Bus and get off at Gana Art Center (The Bus comes every hour/ takes about 25 minutes).
*Buses do not operate on Mondays.

GALLERY GOLMOK - Itaewon
Hours: 10:30am to 10:00pm (can vary by exhibition)
Admission: varies, sometimes free
Address: 34-9 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: 02-792-2960
Email: shim9092@hotmail.com
Directions: From Noksapyeong Station:Go out Exit 3 of Noksapyeong Station, Stop 629. Walk straight to the pedestrian crossing  (toward Itaewon). Once you've crossed the street, keep going straight. You'll see a lane on your right (if you reach McDonald's you've gone too far). Go up the lane about 20m. Gallery Golmok is on the right. / From Itaewon Station: Go out Exit 4 of Itaewon Station, Stop 630. Keep going straight until you pass McDonald's and Rotiboy. You'll see an alley on your left. Go up the alley about 20m. Gallery Golmok is on the right. Alternately, veer left down the alley next to Suji’s Restaurant and Kwon’s Engraving, and proceed to the yellow and pink buildings.

INSA ART CENTER - Insa-dong
Hours:  Daily 10am-7pm 
Address: 188 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu 110-300
Directions: Anguk subway (stop 328, exit 6). Located on Insadong's main drag, the Insa Art Center is a cluster of small shops and galleries. 

JAY GALLERY - Insa-dong
Hours: vary depending on the exhibition
Admission: may be free, but also depends on the exhibition
Tel: 02-266-4550
Address: SK HUB Plaza, 101-B108 Insa-dong, Seoul
Directions: At Anguk Subway Station (Line 3, Stop 328) look for the entrance to the SK-HUB building located between exits #5 and 6. (Currently there is a Storyway Convenience Store nearby). Once you get to the stop of the stairs or the escalator, you are in B1 of the SK-HUB building - Art Center. You'll see a number of galleries - walk past them going south until you see an open-air garden outside. Jay Gallery is located there.
Email: artforumasia@gmail.com
Website: mainly Korean
 
KOREA FOUNDATION CULTURAL CENTER - Jung-gu
Hours:  10am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday (till 9 pm on Wednesdays). Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Admission is free.
Address: Mirae Asset CENTER1 Building West Tower, 67 Suha-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Gallery(2nd Fl.),  Seminar Room (19th Fl.)  
Tel: 02- 2151-6500
Directions:Map: click on About us, then on Directions
By subway: Between Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (stop 202) and Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station (stop 203)
Email: kfcenter@kf.or.kr
Website: general information in English.

KUKJE GALLERY SPACE ONE & SPACE TWO - Jongno
Hours: 10am - 6pm Monday thru Saturday / Sunday & Holidays : 10am - 5pm
Address:
Space One - Sogyeok-dong 59-1, Jongno-gu Seoul
Tel: 02-735-8449
Space Two - Sogyeok-dong 62, Jongno-gu Seoul
Tel : 02 733 8449
Directions: Subway : #3(Orange) Line to either Anguk Station (# 328) or Gyeongbukgung Station (#327) Walk 10-15 minutes.
Bus : Village Bus 11 from Kwanghwamoon to Samcheong-dong (2 stops)
Map

MONGIN ART CENTER - Jongno
Hours:  11AM to 6PM, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays
Address: 106 Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: 02-2736-1447~8
Email: info@mongin.org

NOAM GALLERY - Jongno
Hours: 10:30AM to 6:30PM (can vary depending on exhibition)
Address: 133 Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel 02-720-2235 
Directions: The gallery is located near exit 6 of Anguk Station on subway line 3, stop 328. Or Get off at Jonggak station (line 1, stop 131), exit 3 or 14, walk straight ahead about 50 m, turn to the left at the first alley, and you'll be at  Noam Gallery in about 2 minutes. Map (in Korean).
Website in Korean only.

P K M GALLERY | Bartleby Bickle & Meursault - Jongno
Hours: Monday to Friday: 10:30 am - 6 pm. Closed Saturdays & Sundays
Address: 137-1 Hwa-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul 110-210
Tel: 02 734 9467
Map

P K M TRINITY GALLERY - Cheongdam-dong
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:30 am - 6 pm. Closed Sundays
Address: The Trinity Place Bldg. B2/B3, 79 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, 135-954 
Tel: 02 515 9496
Map

SAMTOH GALLERY - Daehangno
Hours: Open daily 11AM to 8PM (closed Mondays)
Address: Daehang-no, Seoul
Tel: 02-3675-3737
Directions: Go out Exit #2 of Hye-hwa Station Subway Line 4, STN #420. Find the Coffee Bean - a 30 second walk from exit 2.. With your back to the Coffee Bean’s main entrance, look down the road slightly to the right in front of you. The Samtoh Gallery entrance is about 15 meters down this road on your right.

TOPOHAUS GALLERY - Jongno
Address:110-300 184 Gwanhun-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, Korea
Directions: By subway, get out from exit #6 from Anguk Station (Stop 328 -orange line) - make a first left  - walk until   you see Ssamzi Gil building - make a right having the building on your left side - TopoHaus is on your right as soon as you make a right
Website: Korean only 

URBAN ART - Sinsa, Gangnam
Address: 3F, Urban B/D, 545-11, Shinsa-donng, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-889
Hours: Monday -Saturday, 9AM -6PM (closed Sundays/National Holidays)
Tel:02-511-2931
E-mail: urbanart@chol.com
Directions: click on website and then on Contact us - public transport and car in English

WATERGATE GALLERY - Gangnam
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday : 10am - 6pm, Closed on every Monday
Address: 211-21, 5F WATERGATE gallery, Nonheon-dong, Kangnam-Gu
Tel: 02-540 3213 
Directions: Subway: Hak-dong Station on Line 7 (stop 731) Exit #1 - Walk toward Imperial Palace Hotel.
Email: info@changart.com

YOGIGA EXPRESSION GALLERY - Hongdae
Hours: vary - often 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Address: Hongdae
Tel: 02-3141-2603
Directions: Hapjoeng Station on Lines 2 and 6, stops 622 and 238.  Take Exit 5 and turn right on the corner with the "GIANT" Bicycle Store.  Continue on the road as it curves to the left.  Yogiga will be on the right just before a Family Mart.
Website: Korean only

Korea4Expat Note: If there is no English speaker when you contact the Gallery, the 1330 helpline operator can help you get the information you need. (02-1330 from a cell phone / 1330 from a landline).
As indicated in the introduction to this page, the list is far from complete. If you know a gallery that you feel should be listed here (offers space to foreign artists, curator speaks English, etc.) do let us know at info@korea4expats.com

Image: Courtesy Laughing Tree Gallery