August In Seoul: Must-See Cultural Events & Museum Exhibitions

Curious about the special exhibitions and must-visit events in Seoul this August? You’re in luck! We’re here to help you discover all the exciting happenings in the capital city that you can have right at your fingertips!

Summer in Korea is a mixture of blazing heat and occasional rainfall. Sometimes, you cannot predict what you’re going to get, so it may be best to spend the day inside one of Seoul’s numerous museums and galleries. Offering a wide range of exhibitions, they give glimpses into Korean culture through pieces of art. They range from permanent to temporary exhibitions that are only around for a limited amount of time. So seize the opportunity while they’re still here, or else you might never get the chance again!

Here are the events we suggest checking out heading into August. Whether you’re up against the summer heat or the rainfall from monsoon season, escaping into an AC-filled space of art sounds like the perfect activity.

1. Souvenirs

Duration of the exhibition: May 27th, 2025 ~ September 14th, 2025
Location: National Folk Museum of Korea
Location tip: Located by Gyeongbokgung palace
Price: Free
Learn more here

This exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the meaning of commemoration and the role of souvenirs in preserving memories. As we navigate life’s meaningful moments, we often seek to remember them through tangible objects. Souvenirs become tokens of our desire to hold on to what is precious. Surrounded by these mementos, the exhibition encourages a reconsideration of why we commemorate and what truly makes something a “souvenir.” It prompts a personal reflection on how small artifacts can carry deep emotional and commemorative significance.

2. Monet To Warhol

Duration of the exhibition: May 16th, 2025 ~ August 31st, 2025
Location: Sejong Center
Location tip: Near Gwanghwamun Station
Price: Adults – 20,000 won, Teenagers – 16,000 won, Children – 12,000 won
Learn more here

Spanning Western art history from the 17th to the 21st century, the exhibition includes 143 masterpieces by 89 artists—featuring Impressionist icons like Monet and Boudin, Pointillists such as Signac and Cazin, as well as renowned figures like Matisse, Picasso, and Andy Warhol.

3. Agarmon Encyclopedia: Leaked Edition

Duration of the exhibition: August 1st, 2025 ~ February 1st, 2026
Location: National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art
Location tip: Located close to Gyeonbokgung palace
Price: Free
Learn more here

For the debut of the MMCA×LG OLED Series, artist TZUSOO presents “Agarmon Encyclopedia: Leaked Edition,” a multimedia installation featuring the sculpture Agarmon and a two-channel video titled The Eight Spirits of Flesh. Known for exploring gender, identity, and digital-native culture, TZUSOO combines organic and digital elements to explore themes of life and desire.

4. Embroidery in Bloom

Duration of the exhibition: July 16th, 2024 ~ December 31th, 2025.
Location: Seoul Museum of Craft Art
Location tip: Located in Insadong
Price: Free
Learn more here

Delve into the delicate artistry of Korean embroidery with this exhibition hosted by the Seoul Museum of Craft Art. “Embroidery in Bloom” features a curated selection of works from the collections of Huh DongHwa and Park YoungSook. The exhibition explores how embroidery can be viewed through the lens of painting, offering insight into the significance of the patterns and the techniques used in the art of embroidery. Visitors can admire the intricate craftsmanship and explore the cultural symbolism behind each piece.

5. Bojagi, Embracing Daily Life

Duration of the exhibition: July 16th, 2021 ~ December 31th, 2025
Location: Seoul Museum of Craft Art
Location tip: Located in Insadong
Price: Free
Learn more here

The “Bojagi, Embracing Daily Life“ exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) explores the traditional Korean art of bojagi, or wrapping cloths, used in various aspects of Korean life. This exhibit presents bojagi not only as utilitarian items but also as intricate works of art, reflecting the historical and cultural significance of Korean textile arts. Traditional bojagi are typically made from fabrics such as silk or cotton, often hand-dyed and embroidered, symbolizing values like care and respect in everyday exchanges. The exhibit illustrates how these cloths served multifunctional purposes, such as gift-wrapping, carrying items, and even decorating living spaces.

6. From Lacquer Tree To Lacquerware

Duration of the exhibition: June 27th, 2025 ~ TBD
Location: Seoul Museum Of Craft Art
Location tip: Located in Insadong
Price: Free
Learn more here

Focusing on lacquer, a material and technique used by humanity for over 3,000 years, the exhibition traces its origins and evolution—highlighting Korea’s earliest evidence of lacquer found on a Bronze Age sword from Yeosu.

7. Sensing Existence

Duration of the exhibition: July 25th, 2025 ~ August 16th, 2025
Location: Gallery FM
Location tip: Located by Anguk Station Exit 2
Price: Free
Learn more here

The exhibition explores how our ability to sense—sight, warmth, emotion—stems from the fundamental act of existing. Each artist visualizes traces of existence through their unique mediums and perspectives, delving into themes like emotion, memory, time, and recovery.

8. Own Way Own Rhythm

Duration of the exhibition: August 13th, 2025 ~ August 31st, 2025
Location: Insa 1010 Gallery
Location tip: Located near Anguk Station
Price: Free
Learn more here

TAP1010 is an experiential art project held at 10 Insadong 10-gil, where tradition meets modernity. The name “TAP” symbolizes gently striking or keeping rhythm, reflecting how each artwork sparks curiosity and personal interpretation. Through questioning, discovering, and sharing, participants are invited to engage with Korean art in a unique, interactive way—at their own pace and perspective.

9. Mountain Light

Duration of the exhibition: July 4th, 2025 ~ March 29th, 2026
Location: Ra Cafe Gallery
Location tip: Located by Gyeongbokgung palace
Price: Free
Learn more here

The exhibition highlights the quiet strength of mountains and the resilient lives of people who dwell within them. Through the stillness of the mountains, Park offers timeless comfort and invites viewers to reflect and discover a deeper version of themselves. The show runs until March 29, 2026, and is free to the public.

10. Nation of the Bow: The Rebirth and Beginning Of Modern Archery

Duration of the exhibition: May 27th, 2025 ~ September 14th, 2025
Location: Hwanghakjeong Korean Archery Gallery
Location tip: Located by Baehwa Women’s University
Price: Free
Learn more here

Its newly updated permanent exhibition highlights 120 years of archery culture, from Hwanghakjeong’s founding to the present day. Visitors can explore various historical artifacts that showcase the excellence and heritage of Korean archery.