Harmony between Young and Old Generations: K-culture Trips Transcending the Times

The attraction of K is infinite from K-Pop, K-Food, to K-Beauty. When K is attached, it soon becomes a trend. Here is a course where you can meet attractions that represents Korea and the globally-known K-culture. From traditional cultural experiences where you can feel classic beauty to special experiences where ecstasy unfolds, it is full of fun that encompasses all generations. A dynamic journey across Korea's yesterday, today, and tomorrow begins.

Travel Course

Vivid History Unfolding Before Your Eyes
Gyeongbokgung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony

If you go to Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can witness the Joseon of the past. The Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is an event that reenacts part of the palace life of the Joseon dynasty and is an event that everyone should stop by at least once to see.

The point of view is modern, but the scenery unfolding before you is somewhere in the Joseon dynasty. The archaic scenery of Gyeongbokgung Palace contrasts with the huge forest of buildings outside Gwanghwamun Gate, and the contrast between the procession of the guard changing ceremony dressed in traditional clothes and tourists holding smartphones and taking pictures is all the more interesting.

The Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace is held twice daily at 10:00 and 14:00 except for Tuesdays when the palace is closed. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Even though the event is not short, the audience is busy pressing the camera shutter without taking their eyes off it until it is over. It is easy to find tourists making exclamations at the restrained movements and unfamiliar sounds of traditional musical instruments.

The names of the members of the guard changing ceremony— Palace Royal Guard, Jongsakwan, Gapsa, Jeonrugun, Jeongbyeong, Daejol, Kisu, Chwirachi, and Seoungwan Cadet—are somewhat unfamiliar and difficult. However, if you watch it while listening to the facilitator's commentary, the scene unfolding before you gets even more interesting.

Meet the Dazzling Tomorrow with New Technology Convergence Content Gyeongbokgung Station K-Culture Museum

Just as food tastes better when it is sweet and salty, it is more fun and interesting when we travel to contrasting places. Located at Gyeongbokgung Station, the K-Culture Museum is quite different from the leisurely scenery of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The museum is a newly introduced space of the Seoul Metro Art Center, located within Gyeongbokgung Station, claim to be the media garden in the city. On the screen that fills the wall, various media art contents with the theme of healing and meditation within the city are screened.

There are 12 themes with interesting contents including Deep Space, where you can experience the 3D world; Constellation Utopia, where you can explore the unknown world; and Rebirth, a real-time weather data of Bamseom Island in the Hangang River in the image of space.

In particular, ‘Landscapes of Time’ expressed the philosophy of Korean gardens that pursued harmony with nature for over a thousand years, from the Unified Silla Period to the mid-Joseon dynasty. In addition, media art with various themes that transcend time will be screened: Existing in Nature, Words We Need, Forest, Water Garden, Yesterday's Tomorrow, Gemstone, Imaginary Sea, and The Land of Life.

Feasts of Media Art Drawing Attention of All Generations
Gwanghwamun Plaza K-Culture Screen

If you go to Gwanghwamun Plaza, you can see another new technology convergence content experience space. You can find the K-culture screen installed on the outer wall of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History while resting in a chair in the square, or you can luckily encounter it on the way to the next place.

K-Culture Screen is a public media canvas for creators around the world. Media art of various contents is screened daily from 06:00 to 22:00. The video is repeated hourly, so you can enjoy K-culture media art no matter what time of day you visit.

The media art presented through the K-Culture Screen consists of 16 themes with interesting contents: Adventures of the Black Rabbit, The Kinetic, Gwanghwa Objet, Gwanghwa Chronicles, Gwanghwa Clock Tower, Tiger, Soft Body, Whale, Wave, Eternal Life, Living Monster, Digital Parade, Animal Times, Three Puppies, Hanging Garden, Lightning, etc.

Playground for Everyone: It's Okay Even If You Are Not Millennial or Gen Z HiKR Ground

HiKR Ground is an aggregation of K-content and a highlight of the K-culture course. The Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center has been newly transformed into a Korea tourism publicity center and complex cultural space. From the 1st to the 5th floor, it is full of experience programs that can be touched, seen, heard, and moved. It is a place that Millennial and Generation Z as well as foreign tourists mainly visit, but it is a pleasant space even for the elderly.

Go up to the fifth floor first to the HiKR Lounge with a view of Cheonggyecheon Stream and a popular dessert cafe. After recharging your sugar level with sweet donuts and your energy while looking at the wonderful scenery, the full-fledged HiKR Ground journey begins.

The HiKR Cave on the fourth floor is a multi-experience zone for domestic tourism. You can feel the tourist attractions in Korea with all five senses. The HiKR Atrium on the third floor is also enjoyable. It is a space where various works of domestic artists are displayed. The HiKR Tower, which connects the third and fourth floors, introduces various Korean tourism contents.

The second floor is the highlight course of the HiKR Ground. K-Pop Ground, a realistic exhibition experience zone with a Korean Wave theme, is a playground for all of us, including travelers worldwide who are passionate about K-culture. Anyone entering this place can become a K-pop creator.

After enjoying the HiKR Wall, a large media wall on the first floor, the journey to the HiKR Ground is complete.

Travel Information

Public Transportation Information
[Subway] Start from Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 5

Nearby Restaurants and Cafes
Cheongjinok
Address: 32 Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-735-1690
Main menu: Hanu Haejangguk (Korean beef hangover soup)

Gwanghwamun Mijin
Address: +82-2-730-6198
Inquiries: 19 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Main menu: Memil Guksu (buckwheat noodles) and Bossam (napa wraps with pork)

Gwanghwamun Deodeoksundae
Address: 10 Saemunan-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-725-0054
Main menu: Sundae Guk (sundae soup) and Modeum Sundae (assorted sundae)

Blue Bottle Coffee Gwanghwamun Café
Address: 11 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-1533-6906
Main menu: Drip coffee

Terarosa, Gwanghwamun
Address: 1F, The K-Twin Tower B, 50 Jong-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-33-648-2760
Main menu: Specialty coffee

Daebokjip
Address: 137-9 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-736-8029
Main menu: Gogi Gui (grilled meat) and Doenjang Jjigae (soybean paste soup)

Tosokchon
Address: 5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-737-7444
Main menu: Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup)

The Hanok Smith Likes
Address: 22-7 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-722-7003
Main menu: Clam Pasta

Hwangsaengga Kalguksu
Address: 78 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-739-6334
Main menu: Sagol Kalguksu (noodle soup) and Bossam (napa wraps with pork)

* This column was last updated in May 2023, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to confirm details before visiting.
* Credit & inquiries: KTO Tourism Exhibition Hall Management Team