Museum of Gugak, Museum of traditional Korean music in Seocho District, Seoul
The Museum of Gugak is a museum in Seoul's Seocho District dedicated entirely to traditional Korean music. It has seven permanent exhibition halls that present instruments, costumes, and audio-visual materials covering the history and practice of gugak.
The museum opened in 1995 as the first institution in Korea dedicated solely to gugak. It was founded to gather and protect instruments, costumes, and relics tied to centuries of Korean musical history.
Visitors can sit in a dedicated room on the third floor and listen to old recordings of Korean music through headphones. Gramophones and LP records line the shelves there, giving the space a noticeably old-fashioned feel.
The museum is easy to reach by public transport and also has on-site parking. It is closed on Mondays and New Year's Day, so it is worth checking those dates before planning a visit.
The museum has a 3D room where animated films show scenes from traditional performances, which is an unusual way to experience music history. Outside, a small stage occasionally features robots dancing in traditional styles, something many visitors do not expect to find there.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
