Groundseesaw East: Cho Eun 'Today's Garden' Review (2026)

These days, wherever I go,

instead of feeling the need to see and do a lot,

I find myself wanting to relax a bit more comfortably.

So today,

I visited **Cho Eun's Original Painting Exhibition, 'Today's Garden'**,

a wonderful place to casually lift your spirits with bright artworks.

The paintings are drawn with hanji paper and ink,

but they had a slightly different vibe from the ink wash paintings (sumukhwa)

we commonly imagine.

With swimming pools, parks, and people leisurely passing their time.

Looking at the paintings made me feel

as if I was taking a short break at a travel destination myself.

Let's quickly go over the exhibition details.

It's on the 2nd floor of NC Eastpole, connected to Exit 3 of Gu-ui Station (구의역)

Groundseesaw has several branches,

so make sure to double-check the location when booking your tickets.

This exhibition is being held at Groundseesaw East.

Just enter the NC Eastpole building,

which is connected to Exit 3 of Gu-ui Station,

and head up to the 2nd floor.

Inside, it wasn't hard to find, as I just followed the Groundseesaw signs.

​

At the same branch,

Lee Ki-hoon's Original Painting Exhibition: Paradise of Tomorrow (이기훈 원화전: 내일의 낙원) is also running.

I considered seeing both exhibitions

but decided to choose only Cho Eun's exhibition this time.

It felt a bit brighter,

and seemed like a great option for a relaxed stroll.

I purchased an early bird ticket (₩12,600 (~$9)) in advance through Kakao,

and exchanged it for entry.

Checking the current selling price,

you can book tickets for ₩14,400 (~$11) if you reserve via KakaoTalk.

On-site, I confirmed my reservation

and exchanged it for a ticket before entering.

When I visited,

they also provided stickers and discount information.

At the entrance, there was also a notice that

an audio guide could be accessed via QR code.

We didn't use it, but if you'd like to learn more about the artworks,

it would be a good idea to check out how to use it before entering.

Also, if you download the app, you can get wallpaper downloads,

but you need to authenticate with a QR code on-site to unlock them,

so don't miss out!

A different kind of travel scenery, painted with hanji and ink

What drew me to this exhibition was

how it used hanji and ink,

yet the landscapes depicted within were exotic.

When I think of sumukhwa (ink wash painting), I first imagine

mountains, rivers, and serene black-and-white landscapes.

Here, however, you can find swimming pools, buildings,

and people enjoying their leisure, all enhanced with color.

Some paintings

made me think, "Is this Singapore?"

or "It looks like somewhere in America."

While I couldn't pinpoint the exact locations,

it actually made me reflect on the places I've traveled to myself.

Up close,

you can see the smudges of ink and the texture of the hanji paper.

It was captivating how the colors and landscapes caught my eye from a distance,

while the subtle blurs became apparent up close.

There's also joy in observing the postures of the small figures

Instead of just passing by the landscapes,

take a moment to observe the people within them.

Their sitting postures, body directions,

and how each person spends their time are subtly different.

Even though they are small figures,

I couldn't help but imagine, "What is that person thinking right now?"

Seeing these details, I thought

the artist must have observed people a lot in their daily life.

That's what I felt.

Elements like water, trees, and birds also

caught my eye throughout the exhibition.

The way the ink bled on traditional Korean paper, *hanji*, and

modern everyday scenes came together

felt truly fresh and innovative to me.

Thanks to the gentle music, I could wander through feeling completely at ease

The exhibition hall was filled with soothing background music.

In some areas, light and subtle movement were added to the artworks,

making them feel even more alive and immersive.

So, instead of feeling like I was formally analyzing each artwork,

I felt like I was simply enjoying a moment in a beautifully atmospheric space.

It was so comfortable, my companion and I could even

chat softly about the paintings.

I visited on a Tuesday, and

since there weren't many visitors,

it was lovely to just stand and soak in the artworks that truly spoke to me.

The exhibition took about 40-50 minutes to explore

Normally, when I visit an exhibition,

I tend to scrutinize each piece in great detail.

But this time, with a continuous flow of similar tranquil landscapes,

I found myself simply following the rhythm and enjoying the journey.

By exploring in this way,

it took me about 40 to 50 minutes to go through.

You could certainly do it quicker, but

if you want to snap some photos and check out the merchandise,

I'd recommend setting aside about an hour.

Of course, if you opt for the audio guide or

prefer to linger over each artwork, it might take a bit longer.

The park paintings I discovered towards the end of the exhibition

truly resonated with me the most.

The movements of the people depicted felt a bit more dynamic,

and I loved seeing everyone enjoying their time

in their own unique way.

The people in the park might have been

taking a brief respite, or

perhaps they were there to clear their minds of complex thoughts, couldn't they?

Watching those scenes,

I felt a sense of permission, as if I too could

set aside my own worries for a little while.

Rather than intensely trying to dissect and understand the art,

it felt more like taking a peaceful break *within* the paintings themselves.

This feeling of serene comfort

was truly the highlight of this exhibition for me.

​Carry the Lingering Serenity with Goods and Wallpapers

Once you've finished exploring the exhibition,

you can also browse the souvenir shop.

They had lovely merchandise perfect for everyday use,

like magnets, cards, and bookmarks.

If there's an artwork that truly captivated you,

picking up a small souvenir is a wonderful way to bring that feeling home.

What really stuck with me this time wasn't just the incredible artworks,

but also the unique way the exhibition was designed to be experienced.

The music complementing the paintings,

products infused with captivating scents,

and even wallpapers you can download for your phone.

These thoughtful touches ensured that the experience didn't just end at the exhibition;

they were elements that helped me recall that wonderful atmosphere

even after I returned home.

I truly felt that this thoughtful arrangement

allowed me to carry the serene afterglow of the exhibition with me for much longer.

Perfect for a Day When You Need a Gentle Refreshment

Cho Eun's solo exhibition 'Today's Garden' (조은 원화전 ‘오늘의 정원’)

felt less like an exhibition where I needed to intensely study something,

and more like a tranquil space to simply pause and rejuvenate.

I loved taking a moment to closely observe the beautiful bleeding of ink on *hanji*,

to spot the tiny figures nestled within the scenes,

and to simply stand and admire the landscapes that truly captured my heart.

When you want to see brightly colored paintings

and lighten your mood without any pressure,

or if you're looking for an indoor date spot near Guui Station (구의역),

you might want to stop by.

The exhibition runs **until November 29th**, so

if you're interested, check it out before the end of this month :)

👉 [Check Schedule and Reservation Info for Jo Eun's Original Art Exhibition]

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