The National Folk Museum of Korea

The National Folk Museum of Korea is on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno, Seoul, and admission is free. Its exhibitions trace Korean daily life from prehistoric times to the modern era, with objects and displays about farming, household routines, clothing and customs. Outside, reconstructed buildings and the Street of Memories offer a change of pace from the indoor galleries; the latter evokes life in the 1970s and 1980s. Families can also visit the Children’s Folk Museum. Allow time for the galleries and outdoor areas, or join a free volunteer tour for added context.

Korean life through the ages

On the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum focuses on how people in Korea lived, worked and observed customs. Its displays cover everyday life from prehistoric times to the modern era, with objects connected to domestic routines and agriculture. Clothing, housing models and spiritual symbols help show different parts of life and belief.

The museum has three permanent exhibition halls, alongside special exhibitions on changing themes. The galleries bring together authentic objects and replicas, with displays designed to explain how daily practices developed over time. The collection also includes material related to farming, handicrafts and the customs associated with Korea’s seasons.

Outdoor displays and the Street of Memories

The museum’s open-air areas extend the visit beyond the exhibition halls. Reconstructed buildings and a historical village setting give a sense of traditional rural life. One outdoor display recreates a street from the 1970s and 1980s, with a distinctly different atmosphere from the older settings in the museum.

The outdoor exhibits are useful to factor into your route through the palace grounds. They add examples of buildings and settings to the objects inside, and give families room to explore at a different pace. The museum also has a Children’s Folk Museum, with hands-on activities and special programmes.