The National Folk Museum of Korea — Attraction in Seoul

The National Folk Museum and Gyeongbokgung Palace are basically housed in the same space, with the slight difference being that the latter costs a pittance to visit, and the other one is free. So, I am going to review them individually.

This is one of those places that makes you happy that countries still invest in giving visitors a chance to experience their history . . . for free!

While the outside looks like an ancient palace was placed on top of a modern concrete foundation, the actual history is a wee more complicated and simpler: it was created during the Japanese occupation and was meant to emulate traditional sites in the area. So, basically, it is an early-1900s facsimile of things that were born out of Korea’s complicated history. That, too, is historical.

And what a museum! The modern interior opens with a spacious entry area with plenty of seating and a coffee shop. The permanent exhibitions are laid out in an orderly fashion, providing lots of details regarding the cultural history of Korea. Printing, fashion, K-Pop, and traditional aspects of housing, cooking, and cuisine are all covered, often with multi-media accents and unique flourishes: the wood cow is particularly interesting and some of the video/audio sections are almost nightmarish in their melding of history and contemporary graphical/auditory choices (watch the rice field video and listen to the sound of the workers' hoes hitting the ground . . . it’s quite amazing!). The room featuring a traditional abode with the video background is also a pleasure to experience. It is clear that great care is taken to present a compelling view of the broad scope of Korea's cultural history.

Big bonus? The outside grounds also present a historical recreation of buildings from the 70s and 80s, all of which are like viewing life through a time machine. So much so that, in the photography building, older Korean women were actually trying on the available fashions and having a good laugh! Big bummer? The gift shop was an underwhelming grab bag of items that either are too pricey for what they are or lack any reference to the actual museum itself. Why would I buy a standard magnet at a higher price here when I would pay more for a special magnet that actually made reference to the museum itself? Sure, the branded glasses are cool. But I am not risking taking those on a flight! And I am not sure who wants branded playing cards?

All in all, recommended. You can’t beat the price (free) and the history lesson...

National Folk Museum of Korea is a national museum of South Korea, located within the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and uses replicas of historical objects to illustrate the history of traditional life of the Korean people. The museum has three main exhibition halls, with over 98,000 artifacts: History of Korean People features materials of everyday life in Korea from prehistoric times to the end of the Joseon Dynasty in 1910; Korean Way of Life, which illustrates Korean villagers in ancient times; and Life Cycle of the Koreans, which depicts the deep roots of Confucianism in Korean culture and how this ideology gave rise to most of the culture's customs. The museum also features open-air exhibits, such as replicas of spirit posts where villagers used to pray, stone piles for worship, grinding mills, rice storage shelters and pits for kimchi pots. The National Folk Museum of Korea offers a variety of educational programs for adults, and multicultural and socially alienated groups. Moreover, traditional folk performances are held on an on-going basis to offer opportunities for visitors to experience the traditional arts of Korea. The National Folk Museum of Korea also operates the Children’s Museum, with exhibitions centered on actually touching and playing with traditional Korean folk life exhibits. The Children’s Museum also collects, preserves, and manages artifacts and materials related to children. The Museum encourages children to take interest to better understand and to further advance Korean history and culture rather than just playing the role of a repository for cultural relics related...

The National Folk Museum of Korea is a fascinating destination that provides deep insight into the country’s rich cultural heritage and traditional lifestyle. Located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, the museum blends seamlessly with the historical architecture, making it an integral part of any visit to the palace.

Inside, the exhibits are well-curated and cover a wide range of topics, from daily life during the Joseon Dynasty to traditional Korean customs, clothing, and agriculture. The displays are both informative and visually engaging, with detailed dioramas, artifacts, and multimedia presentations that bring Korea's past to life. The museum also offers rotating special exhibitions that explore specific aspects of Korean history and culture in greater depth.

One of the highlights is the Open-Air Exhibition, where you can walk through life-sized reconstructions of traditional homes and see tools and household items that were once part of daily life in Korea. This outdoor section makes the museum particularly enjoyable for families and photography enthusiasts.

Overall, the National Folk Museum provides a comprehensive and accessible way to learn about Korea’s folk traditions and is a must-visit for anyone interested in understanding the cultural roots of the country. The only challenge may be the sheer size of the collection, which can take a few hours to fully explore. However, the peaceful atmosphere and the surrounding palace grounds make it a pleasant and...