Leeum Museum of Art’s Three Buildings and Ancient Art on Hannam-dong Hill

The History of Leeum and the Samsung Foundation of Culture’s Collection, Founded in Hannam-dong in 2004

Leeum Museum of Art is a museum that opened in Hannam-dong, Seoul, in 2004, based on the cultural heritage preservation activities accumulated by the Samsung Foundation of Culture since its establishment in 1965. The name “Leeum” is known to combine “Lee” and “Museum,” and its core concept is to present Korean traditional art, modern art, and international contemporary art in one place.

It is located in Hannam-dong, at the foot of Namsan and overlooking the Han River. Against this topographical backdrop, the museum arranged three distinct buildings—M1, M2, and the Children's Education and Culture Center—and in 2021 carried out renovations, including the lobby and visitor amenities, while introducing a new MI.

M1, M2, and the Black Box by Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas

M1 is a traditional art exhibition space designed by Mario Botta. According to the official description, the terracotta bricks represent a material choice that translates earth, fire, and the beauty of Korean ceramics into an architectural language. The permanent traditional art exhibition is free and is arranged across the first through fourth floors of M1 in sections such as Authority and Taste, Appreciation and Taste, A Journey of White Light, and A Single Pattern in Blue Light.

M2 is a modern art space by Jean Nouvel, described as an architectural work using weathered stainless steel and glass. The Children's Education and Culture Center, designed by Rem Koolhaas, contains the Black Box on basement level 1, the Ground Gallery and auditorium on basement level 2, and customer parking on basement level 3. To appreciate the architecture itself, it is better to first check the circulation routes of each building from the lobby rather than quickly passing only through the galleries.

About 5 Minutes from Hangangjin Station Exit 1 to 60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil

The official street address is 60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, postal code 04348. By subway, the recommended route is to walk about 100 meters toward Itaewon from Exit 1 of Hangangjin Station on Line 6, then enter the first alley on the right and walk uphill for about 5 minutes. If your itinerary mainly involves flat terrain, you should take this uphill section into account.

By bus, you can take routes 110A, 110B, 400, or 405, which stop at the Hannam-dong Saemaeul Geumgo stop. Passenger-car parking is available, but spaces are limited; entry is not permitted when the lot is full, and the parking lot is available only until 6:00 p.m. Parking is not permitted for purposes other than visiting the museum.

• Subway: Line 6, Hangangjin Station Exit 1 → about a 5-minute walk
• Bus: Routes 110A, 110B, 400, and 405, Hannam-dong Saemaeul Geumgo stop
• Main telephone: 02-2014-6900

Reservation Schedule: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00, with a 17:30 Closing Time

Visiting hours are 10:00–18:00 from Tuesday through Sunday, and ticketing and information services close at 17:30. The museum is closed every Monday, January 1, Lunar New Year's Day, and the day of Chuseok. The official website is https://www.leeumhoam.org, and because exhibition schedules and prices may change frequently, you should check them shortly before your visit.

Individual reservations are available from 14 days before the visit date, with a maximum of four tickets per person. On-site ticketing is also possible, but waiting may occur when the museum is crowded. Entry is permitted from 20 minutes before the reserved time until before the next reservation time, so it is safest to arrive 10–15 minutes before your reservation time, allowing for the uphill walk from Hangangjin Station.

• Groups of 10 or more: Advance online reservation required
• Last Wednesday of each month: 50% discount for Culture Day; discounts cannot be combined
• During current exhibition changeover periods, access to special exhibitions may be limited

How to Distinguish the Free Permanent Traditional Art Exhibition from Special Exhibition Fees

The permanent traditional art exhibition is free. Special exhibitions, on the other hand, require payment. Based on the exhibitions listed in the official visitor information, a combination ticket costs 25,000 won for adults aged 25–64 and 13,000 won for young adults, university and graduate students, teenagers, and seniors. A discounted adult price of 20,000 won is listed for Yongsan-gu residents.

Preschool children; persons with disabilities and national merit recipients, plus one accompanying person; active-duty military personnel, coast guard officers, and firefighters; and holders of Culture Nuri Cards or Artist Passes may qualify for free admission depending on the relevant conditions and documentation. Discounted or free admission requires verification and ticket issuance at the information desk, so bring an identification card, student ID, or relevant card.

Why to Check the Lobby Lockers, Free Digital Guide, and Stroller Rental First

The lobby has a ticket counter, information desk, lockers, Leeum Store, and a café. Items larger than a backpack may not be brought into the galleries, so you must use the lockers. On rainy days, umbrellas should also be stored in the umbrella stand before entering the lobby. Food and beverages cannot be brought into the galleries, while drinks and cookies purchased at the lobby café may be consumed in the lobby and the Black Box Lounge.

Digital guides are available to borrow free of charge and provide commentary in front of the artworks. They are available to visitors from elementary-school age and older, who must leave a passport, resident registration card, or other identification as a deposit. Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese are supported, so international visitors can request their preferred language setting at the information desk immediately after entering. The lobby nursing room has sofas, a crib, and nursing cushions, while strollers and wheelchairs are also available to borrow free of charge from the information desk.

Photography Rules and an Itinerary for a 90–150-Minute Visit

Photography without flash is permitted except in specific special-exhibition spaces or areas containing works marked “No Photography.” However, tripods and selfie sticks may not be used because they can interfere with other visitors' enjoyment. Personal or group tours or explanations other than those provided by the museum may not be conducted inside without prior permission.

For a first visit, an efficient order is to leave your belongings in the lobby lockers, see the M1 permanent traditional art exhibition first, and then check the exhibitions available in M2 and the Children's Education and Culture Center. Seeing just one exhibition briefly takes about 90 minutes, while allowing 120–150 minutes is appropriate if you include M1, M2, the architectural route, the café, and the store. Information services end at 5:30 p.m., so digital guide rentals and ticket issues should be handled beforehand.

Three Honest Points to Consider When Visiting the Hannam-dong Hills

Leeum Museum of Art is relatively close to Hangangjin Station, but the final stretch is uphill. For visitors using mobility aids or pushing a stroller, the slope and weather may affect the perceived difficulty more than the stated five-minute walk from the subway exit. Wheelchairs and strollers can be borrowed free of charge indoors, but it is best to ask the information desk about availability first.

There may also be times when the official exhibition page indicates that “a new exhibition is being prepared.” In that case, the availability of the free permanent traditional art exhibition, accessible areas, and paid special exhibitions may vary, so check both the exhibition page and reservation page on the day of your visit. The museum is a better fit for visitors who want to compare architecture, traditional art, and contemporary art along one route than for those who only want to see an exhibition.