Seoul Urban Life Museum
Located in Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, where the former Bukbu Legal Complex was located, Seoul Urban Life Museum is a modern cultural facility that preserves historical values as it was built by remodeling the court and prosecutor’s office building as part of an urban renovation project. On various subjects including marriage, childbirth, education, housing, and jobs, the exhibition was designed to provide opportunities to take you back to the old days with a collection of exhibits and interviews that give you a glimpse of our lives back in those days. We hope this will help people from different generations share their ideas and experience.
Small things in life and old memories are precious to us. We appreciate the passion that we didn’t know we had within us. At Seoul Urban Life Museum, we tell stories about the everyday lives of everyday people.
Urban Life Exhibition Hall 1F
1
Seoul, Where I live
It shows the photos and video footages of Seoul from the 1950s, when reconstruction began among the ruins of the Korean War, to the 1960-80s when rapid changes took place.
Urban Life Exhibition Hall 2F
1
Development of Seoul Citizen
It gives you a glimpse of the lives of people who were born in Seoul or came to the city after the Korean War providing information about the population and their identities. You can also learn their stories and how they came to Seoul, and understand how Seoul became a metropolitan city with the expansion of the boundaries and population growth.
2
Birth of Seoul Family
It shows how people met, married and had children, and became a part of Seoul. You can learn about marriage customs and stories from different generations, and understand what starting a family really means to people who live in Seoul.
3
Seoul Natives, Born and Raised
It shows how people met, married and had children, and became a part of Seoul. You can learn about marriage customs and stories from different generations, and understand what starting a family really means to people who live in Seoul.
Urban Life Exhibition Hall 3F
1
The Dream of my house
From the recreated kitchen and living room, you can see how housing and interior space changed over the years. It also shows the microscopic stories about Seoul citizens’ lives through various artifacts that changed their residential culture.
2
Learning and Competing
It shows how education changed after National Liberation focusing on the expansion of elementary education and the fierce competition in the admission system of middle and high schools. It also presents stories of various school events and memories from school days.
3
Working for the Family
Various artifacts and interview footage of hard-working parents and their jobs are on display. Lastly, you can learn about their workplaces and how jobs have changed over the years.
Special Exhibition Hall (Urban Life Exhibition Hall 4F)
1
Special exhibitions on various aspects of people’s lives are held here.
Children’s Zone(1, 2F)
1
Kids can listen to a story about ants, and engage in activities using the five senses while experiencing the changes in the way we approach our daily lives. They can also learn about old local stories and get hands-on experience of various jobs.
Detention Area Exhibition Room
1
Annex Building 1F
A detention area is a place designed to hold unconvicted prisoners in custody before their trials at the Northern District Prosecutors' Office from 1974 to 2010. The facility and its historical representation have been recreated to provide experience for visitors. When you leave the visiting area, you are directed to old alleys and get to experience the modern life of Seoul.
2
The Story of the Detention Area
A Detention Area is a place designed to hold unconvicted prisoners in custody before investigation or trial. Based on the information provided by the correctional center, the detention facility has been created with various articles and footage of prisoners expressing remorse for their crimes.
Exhibition Guide
Exhibition Guide(Classification, Opening Hours(March - October, November – February))
| Classification |
Opening Hours |
| March - October |
November – February |
| Weekdays |
09:00-18:00 |
09:00-18:00 |
| Weekends & Holidays |
09:00-18:00 |
09:00-18:00 |
| Closed Day |
Monday of each week(except holiday), 1st January |
Admission Fee
Free
Address
27, 174gil, Dongil-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01849
Contact
Tel.+82-2-3399-2900
Website
https://museum.seoul.go.kr/sulm/index.do
Transportation
Subway
- Line6Taereung Station Exit #5
- Line7 Taereung Station Exit #6
Bus
- Taereung Station Exit #4 (11103) Stop 105, 146, 1221, 3100, 3500, 3600, 6100
- Taereung Station Exit #7 (11-117) Stop 1132, 1141, 1155, 1156, 1221, 65-1, 73, 75, 82A, 82B
Parking
- It is recommended to use public transportation due to limited parking space.
