Yoo Young-kuk Exhibition 2026: Free Art at Seoul Museum of Art
Immerse yourself in Korean abstract art at the free Yoo Young-kuk exhibition at Seoul Museum of Art, running until October 25, 2026. Explore masterpieces and the art shop.
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Immerse yourself in Korean abstract art at the free Yoo Young-kuk exhibition at Seoul Museum of Art, running until October 25, 2026. Explore masterpieces and the art shop.
I recently visited the Seoul Museum of Art, located in front of City Hall Station, for a free exhibition: the Yu Youngkuk Retrospective.
It was an exhibition where you could immerse yourself in over 170 works by Yu Youngkuk, a **master of Korean abstract art** :)
The path to the Seosomun Main Building of the Seoul Museum of Art is a wonderfully pleasant one from the very start.
I highly recommend exiting through **City Hall Station Exit 12** and walking along the **Deoksugung Stone Wall Road**!
📍 Seoul Museum of Art
61 Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
The antiquated yet charming exterior of the Seoul Museum of Art
It's a building constructed in 1928 by the Japanese colonial government as the Gyeongseong District Court, on the very site where Pyeongniwon, Korea's first modern court, once stood.
After Korea's liberation, it served as the Supreme Court. Then, following the Supreme Court's relocation, it has proudly housed the Seoul Museum of Art since 2002.
Please note that it is **closed on Mondays**,
and operating hours vary by season for weekdays and weekends, so please check in advance.
Every Friday is a **Cultural Night**, and you can explore until 9 PM!
There are even umbrella stands at the entrance, which is super convenient.
The Yu Youngkuk exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art
even though it's a free exhibition, offers the wonderful chance to enjoy a docent's commentary.
Every day at **11 AM, a docent tour is offered on the 1st floor for the first 20 people**, so be sure to arrive early!
If joining the docent tour isn't possible, there's also the option of a **paid audio guide**.
The price for both the audio guide and mobile guide is the same, at **~$3**. (Available in English and Korean)
With plenty of lockers available, you can check large bags or backpacks and comfortably enjoy the exhibition.
In addition to this, **various workshops and events** related to Yu Youngkuk's artistic world are also held.
The title of this exhibition is '**Mountains are within me**'.
It struck me as a single phrase that perfectly encapsulates Yu Youngkuk's artistic world.
This exhibition runs **until October 25th**!
The exhibition begins with works from 1964, the year Yu Youngkuk held his **first solo exhibition**.
It is said that Yu Youngkuk, starting from that solo exhibition, declared he would only showcase his works through **solo exhibitions held once every two years**, rather than group shows.
While many artists active at the time left Korea in search of more opportunities abroad,
he chose to remain in Korea, resolving to focus on developing his unique artistic language in his studio.
The exhibition continues, taking us back to Lee Ungno's early period.
It's said that Lee Ungno studied art in Tokyo during the 1930s, a period under Japanese colonial rule. There, he absorbed various modern art movements like Cubism, Futurism, and Surrealism, which first introduced him to the captivating world of abstract art.
It felt like his attempts to experiment with diverse styles and forge his own path among various art movements were also reflected in the **exhibition's interior design**!
Moving forward to the period after the 60s, you can admire works from the 1960s to 70s, considered the **pinnacle of Lee Ungno's abstract art**.
While he initially experimented with a relatively wider range of colors, textures, and detailed expressions,
during this period, his forms gradually became simpler, and his works felt like they were being refined with a **cleaner, more understated aesthetic**.
From this point on, you'll see paintings where you can instantly recognize, "Ah, **this is definitely Lee Ungno**!"
Personally, I really enjoy retrospective exhibitions like this, where you can reflect on an artist's entire life through their works.
It's wonderful to see clearly how many years and how much contemplation it took for **an artist's unique style** to truly take shape.
"Until 60, I will focus on foundational studies,
and after that,
I will return more gently to nature."
At 60, he would have already achieved significant recognition as an artist, with many of his works well-known,
yet he referred to all his work up to that point as mere 'foundational studies'..! Truly remarkable!
This was a part where I felt I could learn not only about art but also about his **approach to life itself**.
Beyond mountains, you could also admire works inspired by various other elements of nature.
Among them, there was one particular piece that I especially loved.
Sand and sea – such a simple image, yet how can it resonate so vividly?
My friend looked at the detailed shapes in the sand and said they looked like croissants, which was adorable, haha!
There were also exhibits that showed the passage of time, such as the chairs and canvas stands he actually used in his studio!
One of his final works, created at the advanced age of over 80.
What was particularly astonishing was the sheer, overwhelming scale of the piece!
It felt truly immense to witness the **artistic spirit that pursued and attempted new artistic realms** right until the very end of his life.
Leaving a lingering impression from the final artwork,
the exhibition concludes powerfully with a documentary video about artist Lee Ungno :)
As this is such a popular free exhibition in Seoul these days,
the art shop selling Lee Ungno exhibition merchandise was absolutely bustling with people!
Overall, the prices weren't overly expensive and felt quite reasonable.
And get this – some of the acrylic magnets are actually from BTS RM's personal collection!
Lastly, let's talk about some truly brilliant merchandise ideas!
They had **memo pads** that looked like direct transfers of the artworks, and even **limited edition art cosmetics** inspired by the pieces!
Exploring the art shop was just as delightful, making the **Yu Young-kuk exhibition** an absolute treat.
Since it runs until October 25th, I highly recommend visiting on a slightly cooler autumn day.
I highly recommend visiting the **Seoul Museum of Art** to **stroll along Deoksugung Stone Wall Road** and enjoy this **free exhibition**!
If you're feeling hungry and craving some authentic Korean food afterward, I recommend this fantastic restaurant right in front of Deoksugung Palace!
An exhibition offering a captivating glimpse into the life of a master of Korean abstract art, intimately tied to the mountains.
Pre-trip (Expectation): ★★★★
Mid-trip (Experience): ★★★★
Post-trip (Memory): ★★★★
The Yoo Youngkuk exhibition runs until October 25th. This retrospective features approximately 170 works by Yoo Youngkuk, a master of Korean abstract art, and can be enjoyed free of charge.
The docent tour for the Yoo Youngkuk exhibition takes place daily at 11 AM on the 1st floor, and participation is limited to the first 20 people. If you cannot join the docent tour, a paid audio guide is also available.
The Seoul Museum of Art is closed on Mondays. Weekday and weekend operating hours vary by season. Every Friday is 'Culture Night,' allowing visitors to view the exhibition until 9 PM.
The paid audio guide for the Yoo Youngkuk exhibition costs ~$3, which is the same price as the mobile guide. The audio guide supports both Korean and English.
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