November In Seoul: Must-See Cultural Events & Museum Exhibitions

Curious about the special exhibitions and must-visit events in Seoul this November? You’re in luck! We’re here to help you discover all the exciting happenings in the capital city that you can have right at your fingertips!

Seoul has numerous museums and galleries that offer a wide range of exhibitions from permanent to temporary that are only around for a limited time. So seize the opportunity now while they’re still here, or else you might never get the chance again. Whether you’re an avid art lover, a curious soul, or simply searching for free indoor activities, look no further.

Throughout the month, we’ll continue recommending cultural events in this article, so be sure to bookmark it for updates!

Here are the events we suggest checking out during November. With the fall foliage in full effect, it’s the perfect time to visit museums and enjoy a peaceful, reflective experience.

 

1. What a Brew-tiful Day!

Duration of the exhibition: August 20th, 2024 ~ November 10th, 2024
Location: National Folk Museum of Korea
Location tip: It is located by Gyeongbokgung palace
Price: Free
Learn more here

This exhibition explores the deep-rooted coffee culture in Korea, highlighting its integration into daily life over the past century. Coffee, now a staple in Korean diets alongside rice and kimchi, has become a social and cultural symbol. The exhibition traces the history of coffee in Korea, from its introduction by Westerners to its current widespread consumption. Visitors will see how coffee has evolved from a luxury to an everyday drink and how it connects people through shared experiences. With historical artifacts like ginseng coffee and U.S. military C-rations, the exhibit illustrates coffee’s impact on Korean society, offering a glimpse into the cultural significance of this beloved beverage.

 

2. Craft Intuition

Duration of the exhibition: October 29th, 2024 ~ November 10th, 2024
Location: Seoul Museum of Craft Art
Location tip: Located in Insadong
Price: Free
Learn more here

The exhibition, hosted by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Craft Art, highlights the work of 36 artists from the 15th cohort of Sindang Creative Arcade. Running from October 29 to November 10, 2024, the exhibition invites visitors to explore diverse craft pieces, including ceramics, metal, textiles, and design, crafted with unique combinations of materials and styles. Located on the 1st floor of Exhibition Hall 1 at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art, the event encourages cultural engagement through tactile experiences and showcases 70 works reflecting artistic intuition.

 

3. Seoul Sculpture Festival

Duration of the exhibition: September 2nd, 2024 ~ November 11th, 2024
Location: Yeollin Songhyeon Square (Anguk Station)
Location tip: Located close to Insadong
Price: Free
Learn more here

The plan aims to transform Seoul into a vast “open-air exhibition” by connecting citizens, artists, and spaces. Citizens can enjoy sculptures in daily life, while artists gain opportunities to exhibit in diverse spaces. Major parks will become sculpture landmarks, with five key sites and continuous outdoor sculpture exhibitions along the Han River, shaping a unique urban identity.

 

4. Bojagi, Embracing Daily Life

Duration of the exhibition: July 16th, 2021 ~ December 31th, 2025
Location: Seoul Museum of Craft Art
Location tip: Located in Insadong
Price: Free
Learn more here

The “Bojagi, Embracing Daily Life“ exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) explores the traditional Korean art of bojagi, or wrapping cloths, used in various aspects of Korean life. This exhibit presents bojagi not only as utilitarian items but also as intricate works of art, reflecting the historical and cultural significance of Korean textile arts. Traditional bojagi are typically made from fabrics such as silk or cotton, often hand-dyed and embroidered, symbolizing values like care and respect in everyday exchanges. The exhibit illustrates how these cloths served multifunctional purposes, such as gift-wrapping, carrying items, and even decorating living spaces.

 

5. Project Hashtag 2024

Duration of the exhibition: November 15th, 2024 ~ April 6th, 2025
Location: National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art
Location tip: Located close to Gyeonbokgung palace
Price: 5,000
Learn more here

This exhibition showcases a diverse range of contemporary art that delves into modern social, cultural, and environmental issues. It highlights works by Korean and international artists, offering perspectives on topics such as identity, technology, nature, and urbanization. The exhibit includes a variety of media—paintings, sculptures, installations, digital art, and interactive pieces—encouraging a multi-sensory experience. Through innovative and thought-provoking works, the exhibition aims to foster dialogue on global and local concerns, reflecting the evolving landscape of contemporary art.

 

6. Let’s Play!

Duration of the exhibition: November 1st, 2024 ~ January 31st, 2025
Location: Donuimun Museum Village
Location tip: Located close to Gyeonghuigung Palace
Price: Free
Learn more here

The solo exhibition “Let’s Play!” by artist Hyun JiWon (Z1) at Seoul’s Donuimun Museum Village aims to present the historical evolution, lifestyle, and culture of Donuimun in a friendly, engaging way. Targeting families, couples, and friends who frequently visit the museum, the exhibition is designed to make Donuimun’s history accessible and enjoyable, encouraging active participation. Through a series of short videos lasting between 2 minutes and 30 seconds to 5 minutes, the exhibition highlights Donuimun’s historical flow in the initial scenes and then showcases key moments in a leisurely style.

 

7. Balance

Duration of the exhibition: November 7th, 2024 ~ January 5th, 2025
Location: Hanji House
Location tip: Located near Anguk station
Price: Free
Learn more here

Artist Park SunKi’s exhibition “Balance” at Hanji House explores natural balance through hanji (Korean paper) and mobile sculptures. Known for examining materials and gravity, Park SunKi uses hanji’s transparency and strength to capture shifting shadows and light, creating an evolving, interactive space. The exhibition invites viewers to experience Korean aesthetics as hanji reflects Korea’s seasons and traditional natural views, blending tradition with contemporary form. It offers a sensory journey that redefines sculpture, encouraging viewers to feel harmony in nature and space.

 

8. Canary Release: Proof For All Lies

Duration of the exhibition: November 13th, 2024 ~ December 2nd, 2024
Location: Rho Gallery
Location tip: Located near Anguk station
Price: Free
Learn more here

In the exhibition Canary Release: Proof for All Lies, Bang & Lee create an interactive experience resembling a “walking simulator” game, guiding visitors to question reality through movement, poetry, and memory. Using tools like poetic commands and past recollections, they construct an environment where visitors navigate layered meanings and question established truths. This toolkit approach encourages deep engagement with the artwork, transforming traditional art into a game-like exploration of perception and reality.

 

9. Transport To Another World

Duration of the exhibition: October 18th, 2024 ~ February 16th, 2025
Location: National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art
Location tip: Located close to Gyeonbokgung palace
Price: 5,000
Learn more here

The exhibition, co-organized by the MMCA and the National Film Board of Canada, explores immersive storytelling through virtual reality (VR) and other interactive media. Featuring works by artists from Korea and Canada, the exhibition allows viewers to step into different times and places, offering a deeper understanding of history, memory, and survival. With films and interactive experiences, visitors actively participate, engaging with characters and narratives in new ways that challenge conventional film experiences. The exhibition is part of the 2024–2025 Korea-Canada Year of Cultural Exchanges.

 

10. MMCA Performing Arts 2024: Space Elevator

Duration of the exhibition: May 25th, 2024 ~ February 2nd, 2025
Location: National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art
Location tip: Located close to Gyeonbokgung palace
Price: 5,000
Learn more here

The MMCA Performing Arts 2024: Space Elevator is a year-long project exploring human aspirations toward space. It focuses on the concept of a “space elevator,” a more efficient alternative to rockets, proposed by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in 1895. Through a series of performances, the project will examine how the pursuit of space challenges both human imagination and fear, drawing connections between past ideas and futuristic technologies. The project encourages reflection on innovation, history, and humanity’s complex relationship with space exploration.