Courtesy Korea Tourism Organization
Explore the garden, shop or watch a traditional wedding ceremony and other performances.
Hours:
Daily noon-2 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m., 7-8:30 p.m.
History buffs, listen up: Your schedule includes a meal and a performance at Korea House—that’s an order! After you’ve had your fill of traditional fare and performances that bring the city’s folklore to life, explore the garden, shop for handicraft items or watch a traditional wedding ceremony, which take place in the beautiful back garden. Even the area the Korea House in nestled into, in the northern part of Nam-san in the heart of Seoul, is historically significant. It was referred to as the Cheonghak-dong Seonbi-chon, or the “Confucian Scholar's Village in the Blue Crane District,” during the Joseon Dynasty. The site was once used as the private home of Bak Paeng-nyeon, a famous Joseon scholar and politician who is remembered as one of six courtiers executed for their loyalty to the ill-fated young King Danjong.
Built in a traditional Joseon architectural style, Korea House consists of several buildings, each of which has its own archaically poetic name: Haerin-gwan ('house for overseas friends'), Sohwa-dang ('house of beauty and brillance'), Hwanbyeong-nu (tower pavilion of blue ring), Garak-dang ('pavillion of beauty and music'), Munhyang-nu ('tower pavilion of fragrance), Nogeum-jeong ('green pavilion for singing') and Cheongu-jeong (pavilion for listening to the sounds of rain). Before departing, browse the lobby in the main building, which houses a selection of cultural items, or shop in the gift shop for souvenirs and postcards.