Seonhyewon (선혜원) Free Exhibition Guide 2026: Booking & Tips

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SEOUL

Seonhyewon Free Exhibition

Review of a Reserved Visit to Seonhyewon (선혜원), a Must-Visit Spot in Jongno (종로) Samcheongdong (삼청동)

© Text and Photos by Naver Travel Blogger Hyeoniz (혀니즈)

Seonhyewon has been a hot topic on social media since last year,

and I finally got to visit!

It's a place that opens only once a year!

Since it's a limited-time, free exhibition, there are many visitors,

and it operates on a 100% pre-reservation system.

Still, since I succeeded in the fierce ticketing (?), I'll summarize everything from how to reserve Seonhyewon to the visit review,

and even parking, all in one go!

1. A Must-Visit Spot in Samcheongdong, SK Seonhyewon

Seonhyewon is a cultural space that has opened up the private residence where the founder of SK Group actually lived, a place that was usually difficult to enter. Here, you can enjoy a contemporary art exhibition for free within a well-preserved hanok!

The hanok itself was truly magnificent, and with modern exhibition spaces connected amidst the traditional architecture, the atmosphere was completely different from a typical art museum where you just view exhibits.

Most importantly, once I actually went inside, I found so many great spots for taking photos.

The sight of the wooden buildings bathed in sunlight, harmonizing with the lush green lawn, was beautiful, and the scenery seen through the hanok windows was like a painting.

It's also known as a filming location for BTS live videos, so fans will be even more thrilled to visit! :)

Plus, actor Byeon Woo-seok (변우석) visited this year, haha.

However, please note that if you go without a reservation, entry is not possible, so be sure to check the reservation method below!

2. How to Reserve Seonhyewon and Parking Information

Reservations for Seonhyewon open every Monday at 10 AM

for the upcoming week.

You can select in 1-hour increments from 10 AM to 5 PM,

and each person can reserve a maximum of 4 tickets.

My recommended reservation tip is to decide on your top 1-3 preferred dates and times in advance!

I also logged in exactly at 10 AM, but my waiting number was already 394.

If you have a desired time, it's better to select it immediately when the reservation window opens rather than hesitating.

If you happen to fail, keep refreshing periodically, as sometimes canceled tickets become available, so try refreshing endlessly...ㅠㅠ

I reserved for 2 PM, and I was able to enter when I arrived around 1:30 PM.

At the entrance, they checked my name, the last few digits of my phone number, and the number of people in my reservation before I went in.

Parking is not available inside Seonhyewon (선혜원).

The closest option is the

Samcheong Public Parking Lot (삼청공영주차장), about a 3-minute walk away.

The rates I checked were ₩3,600 (~$3) for 30 minutes,

and ₩7,200 (~$5) for 1 hour.

Also, please note that pets and outside food are not allowed

inside Seonhyewon!

3. Review of the 'Greetings from Things That Waver' Exhibition

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1st Floor Gyeongheunggak (경흥각) - Mona Hatoum

This was the most memorable artwork for me!

Installed in Gyeongheunggak, which even appeared in a BTS live clip,

seeing it within the traditional hanok space felt truly special.

You can also look down at it from the 2nd floor!

1st Floor Lobby - Choi Sung-im, <Golden Blanket>

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2nd Floor Harindang (하린당) - Kim Yoon-su, <Wind>

Seonhyewon has two elevators, and I was also impressed by how

one represents the sun and the other the moon.

(Oh, and definitely check out the restroom on the B1 level!)

There's also a media screening, approximately 10 minutes long, that shares

the history of SK and the architectural story of Seonhyewon.

Since screenings start at the top of every hour and at the 30-minute mark,

if your timing is a bit off, I recommend exploring other areas first

and then returning for a screening.

And for photos, make sure to get a "life shot" (a perfect photo)

from this angle in front of Harindang on the 2nd floor!

Gyeongheunggak is visible in the background, making for a truly beautiful scene.

If you want to take a break while walking, head to Dongyeoru (동여루)

Bottled water is provided, and you can sit and rest.

The sunlight streaming through the window was so lovely that

this spot also stayed with me.

It would have been perfect if there was a cafe too... haha

But to maintain and preserve a hanok (한옥), that wouldn't be possible, right?

And even if you're not very familiar with the exhibition pieces,

there's an audio guide available,

which made it really easy to understand!

You can find the audio guide QR code on the back of the information booklet.

I thought it might be a simple experience since it's a free exhibition,

but being able to see hanok (한옥) architecture, contemporary art, and a garden all in one go

was actually much better than I expected.

Instead of just quickly viewing the exhibition pieces,

I highly recommend taking your time to sit in various spots and admire the hanok's windows and courtyard,

as well as how the light streams in.

If you're looking for a must-visit spot in Jongno (종로) while on a date in Samcheong-dong (삼청동) or exploring Bukchon (북촌),

it was definitely worth the effort to snag a reservation! :)