2026 Yeongdeungpo Art Square X KAIST Experience Design Lab Special Exhibition <Living Geometry>

An exhibition where the city comes alive, in the basement level 2 of Times Square

When I first heard about 'Living Geometry,' what I was most curious about was, "Why Yeongdeungpo of all places?" When I actually went, the answer was obvious. The neighborhood of Yeongdeungpo, where factories, financial buildings, and shopping malls are all mixed together, is already a giant piece of geometry. This exhibition reinterprets the city as a living organism based on the industrial, financial, and cultural landscapes where Yeongdeungpo intersects. The planning was handled by the KAIST Experience Design Lab (XD Lab), which used data visualization and immersive media to explore the relationship between the city and people. Artists and researchers including Kang Yi-yun, Choi Jeong-yun, Hwang In-tae, and Seo Min-hyeok participated, presenting works that interpreted geometric structures from their own distinct perspectives. The exhibition runs from May 1 to June 28, 2026, and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission at 5:45 p.m.).

The exhibition space is fairly dark, and lines and patterns slowly spreading along surfaces move across the walls and floor. Simple shapes transform as if they were alive, creating movement within the space and a sense of visual tension. As you walk among the works, you feel as if you are passing through data itself, and even first-time media art viewers can easily get immersed.

The one thing your foreign friends will love most: it is free, and no reservation is needed

The biggest reason to recommend this exhibition to a friend from abroad is that there are almost no barriers to entry. Admission is free for all ages, and there is no separate entrance fee. You do not need to buy a ticket or make a reservation in advance either. Just go during operating hours and walk in. For travelers, the fact that it is easy to fit into your schedule without worrying about sold-out slots or admission cutoffs is a huge advantage.

That said, one thing to keep in mind is that the exhibition explanations are mainly in Korean, so if you want to read the texts carefully, it may feel a little disappointing. But because this is media art shown through light and movement rather than text, you can still enjoy it sufficiently even without knowing Korean. Before entering, if you keep in mind only the title 'Living Geometry' and the concept that "the city is viewed as a single living being," your perspective on the works becomes much richer.

Take the subway and combine it with shopping — plan a whole day in one route

The exhibition is on Basement Level 2 of Times Square, specifically inside Yeongdeungpo Art Square. Finding the way was easier than I expected. From Yeongdeungpo Station on Line 1, it is about a 7-minute walk via the underground passage, and from Exit 4 of Mullae Station on Line 2, it is also about a 7-minute walk. From Exit 4 of Yeongdeungpo Market Station on Line 5, it takes about 10 minutes. On the day I was dragging luggage around, the passage from Yeongdeungpo Station that connects directly indoors was the most convenient because I did not get caught in a single drop of rain.

Times Square itself is one of Korea's largest mixed-use shopping complexes, so it is a location too good to visit only for the exhibition. I arrived in the morning, walked through the exhibition once, had lunch in the basement food court, and then browsed the department store and bookstore. Inside the mall, card and mobile payments work everywhere, and it has restrooms, resting areas, and even stroller rentals, so it is no trouble even for families with children or visitors with older adults. Even though the exhibition ends at 6:00 p.m., the mall stays open until 10:00 p.m., so you can naturally continue into dinner and the night view. Since this is not a late-night exhibition, I did not have to worry about catching the last train at all.

Small tips worth knowing before you go

To avoid making a wasted trip on a Monday or a public holiday, remember that Yeongdeungpo Art Square is closed on New Year's Day (January 1), during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, and on other designated days. Operating hours may also change on certain dates during the exhibition period, so checking the official page once right before your visit will give you peace of mind.

• Admission: Free / No reservation required — walk in freely during operating hours
• Viewing hours: Daily 10:00-18:00 (last admission 17:45)
• How to get there: Yeongdeungpo Station on Line 1 (7-minute walk via underground passage), Exit 4 of Mullae Station on Line 2 (7-minute walk)
• Convenience: Food court, restrooms, parking lot inside Times Square; card and mobile pay accepted

The exhibition space is not particularly large, so 30 minutes to 1 hour is enough for the visit itself. That is why I recommend making it a "half-day Times Square course with an exhibition." It is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience media art, city scenery, shopping, and food all in one building, and for anyone who wants a light taste of contemporary Korean design. If you find yourself in Yeongdeungpo, be sure to go down to Basement Level 2 at least once.