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Whanki Museum

ArchitectureArtClosed todayFrom £15000Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3)

The Whanki Museum is a private art museum in Seoul's Buam-dong neighborhood, founded in 1992 by the Whanki Foundation to preserve the legacy of Kim Whanki (1913-1974), one of the pioneers of Korean abstract art. Designed by architect Kyu Sung Woo, its terraced concrete galleries hold around 2,500 works tracing the artist's evolution from early figurative painting to the luminous dot compositions of his New York period. Alongside the permanent collection, the museum stages changing exhibitions on Whanki's life and on contemporary artists tied to the Whanki Foundation.

What's On

Now
Aug
Sept
Oct

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

63 Jahamun-ro 40-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03020, South Korea

Nearest station: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3)

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Hours

Closed until 26 September

Chuseok closure

MonClosed
Tue10:00–18:00
Wed10:00–18:00
Thu10:00–18:00
FriToday10:00–18:00
Sat10:00–18:00
Sun10:00–18:00

Admission

From £15000

Seniors (65+) and youth (19 and under): 7,500 KRW; children under 7, disabled visitors and ICOM cardholders free; 30% off on Culture Day (last Wednesday of the month)

Nearby

National Folk Museum of Korea

ChildrenFree22 min walk

MMCA Seoul

Art25 min walk

National Palace Museum of Korea

ArchitectureFree26 min walk

Art Sonje Center

Design26 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Whanki Museum cost?
Standard adult admission to Whanki Museum is £15000. Seniors (65+) and youth (19 and under): 7,500 KRW; children under 7, disabled visitors and ICOM cardholders free; 30% off on Culture Day (last Wednesday of the month). Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Whanki Museum?
Whanki Museum is open Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, last admission 17:00. Closed Mondays and on Seollal and Chuseok holidays (closed 24-26 Sep 2026 for Chuseok).. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Whanki Museum?
Whanki Museum is located at 63 Jahamun-ro 40-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03020, South Korea, in the Buam-dong, Jongno-gu area of Seoul. The nearest station is Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3).
What can I see at Whanki Museum?
A hillside museum of concrete terraces devoted to Kim Whanki, pioneer of Korean abstract art. Current highlights include Kim Joo Young: Beyond the Window, Utopia, WHANKI MUSEUM Highlights II, Kim Whanki: The New York Dot Paintings.
Do I need to book Whanki Museum in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Whanki Museum?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

PaigePhault via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)

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