The starting point of the K-Modern Art Course is the Jongno District Park No-soo Museum. The residence of Park No-soo (1927-2013), one of the leading Korean post-liberation painters, was donated and operates as an art museum that exhibits his works. The art museum, built during the Japanese colonial period, has been designated as Seoul City Cultural Heritage Material (Ogin-dong Park No-soo House). Park No-soo's works, rooted in traditional Korean painting yet characterized by vibrant colors and bold strokes, are acclaimed for embodying a modern aesthetic within tradition. In the Park No-soo Museum visitors can appreciate works that bridge Korea's modern cultural heritage and contemporary art.

Passing a plaque inscribed with 朴魯壽 (Park No-soo), visitors enter the museum courtyard and are greeted by a quaint two-story house. The brick porch at the entrance is Western in design, while the exposed rafters of the gable roof have an Eastern architectural style as a “house that bridges cultures” typical of the 1930s. Inside, artworks by Park No-soo are displayed alongside vintage furniture and everyday items. It offers a unique experience as the artworks, artifacts, and space blend together.

If the Jongno District Park No-soo Museum provides insight into the origins of Korean contemporary art, Gallery Simon offers a view into the vistas of 21st-century K-Art. Since its establishment in 1994, Gallery Simon has consistently highlighted the evolving currents of modern art. Today, it presents solo and group exhibitions of leading contemporary artists such as Noh Sang-kyoon, Bae Hyung-kyung, and Kang Ae-ran. Gallery Simon raises the status of Korean contemporary art by actively developing relationships with other Korean museums and renowned international galleries for robust support of talented artists.

Gallery Simon is on a historical site once inhabited by King Yeongjo, the 21st monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, during his years as a prince. The construction of a building dedicated to the gallery led to the discovery of valuable artifacts here.

Located just 20 meters from Gallery Simon, Art Space 3 introduces a variety of modern Korean art through unique and innovative lenses. The number ““3”“ symbolizes the harmony and balance sought among artists, viewers, and the gallery. Art Space 3 was originally located in Insa-dong and relocated to Seochon in 2018, where it hosts a wide array of exhibitions.

The main exhibit space, featuring white and cement walls, is ingeniously designed with 4-meter and 8-meter ceiling heights for versatile exhibitions. A mezzanine that displays living arrangements from the 16th-century Joseon era is connected to the main hall. The gallery also has a dedicated exhibition area that displays residential artifacts and relics from the Joseon period through modern times,. Art Space 3 is a unique fusion of contemporary art and historical and cultural assets.

Daelim Museum, which opened in Seochon in 2002, operates with the motto “Art in Everyday Life.” Rather than focusing solely on traditional fine arts such as painting and sculpture, it mainly hosts exhibitions that redefine the value of everyday objects. As a result, visitors can find a broad spectrum of artworks, from photographs and videos to installations, illustrations, and designs. A distinctive feature of this museum is that visitors can freely take pictures of the exhibited pieces and the space. Additionally, the museum shop has a range of uniquely designed “goods” that have gained popularity.

The museum building, designed by a French architect, harmoniously blends nature with artifice and tradition with modernity. Its façade, inspired by traditional Korean wrapping cloth, boasts eye-catching stained glass. The panoramic views of Inwangsan and Bukhansan mountains from the spacious fourth-floor balcony are truly breathtaking.

Located at the entrance to Bukchon, east of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul is the new epicenter of Korean contemporary art. While it opened its doors some years after the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Gwacheon (1986) and National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Deoksugung (1998) in 2013, it boasts superior accessibility and scale. It was designed as an “open museum,” with an organic connection between its interior and exterior, resulting in high visitor satisfaction.

Historically, this location was where government offices were gathered. It housed institutions such as Sogeukseo, Jongchinbu, Gyujanggak, and Saganwon during the Joseon Dynasty. After Korea’s liberation, institutions such as the Seoul National University Hospital, the Armed Forces Capital Hospital, and the Defense Security Command moved in. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul has incorporated the original Defense Security Command building, transforming a symbol of past oppression into a free space for art. With an array of exhibition halls, digital information rooms, multimedia halls, and theaters, it is a comprehensive art and culture center where visitors can experience not only Korean contemporary art but also contemporary art from around the world.

Art Sonjae Center, a 5-minute walk from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul, is a private art gallery representing Bukchon. The center aims to reflect on our contemporary lives through the lens of art and to pursue perspectives and visions for a better life. Since it opened in 1998, the center has promoted the growth of contemporary art with exhibitions, screenings, performances, and a myriad of educational programs, and has shared the results with the public. The movie theater launched on-site, which shows rarely seen artistic films from around the world, was well-received. It has also continued to provide new exhibitions through collaborations with fields related to art such as music, literature, dance, and fashion.

The art gallery building, which has received awards including the Korean Institute of Architects Award and the Korean Architectural Culture Award, is worth exploring. It comprises a flexible exhibition hall, theater, and hanok in a single space. The quaint hanok, complete with a cozy courtyard, is operated as a café and is a great place to relax after viewing an exhibition.