Museums, palaces, folk programs offer free ways to experience Korean culture during extended holiday
With an extended Chuseok holiday approaching, cultural attractions across Seoul are preparing special programs for families and friends looking to spend time together.
This year's Chuseok holiday runs Sept. 24-26, with the break extending through Sunday, Sept. 27. Many cultural sites will close on Chuseok Day, Friday, Sept. 25, but remain open on the other days, offering a range of special programs. Most of the programs are free of charge. Here are some cultural spots where visitors can experience Korean traditions and culture during the holiday.
National Museum of Korea
The National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, central Seoul, will be closed on Chuseok, but will open during the broader holiday on Sept. 24, 26 and 27.
The museum will host "The Art Spot Series" performance concerts on each of the three days, showcasing various music performances centered around Korea's traditional sounds.
Established in 2018, the annual series presents Korea's performing arts to visitors during the Chuseok holidays. All performances are free and open to the public.
Starting with performances by Gyeol Korean Traditional Orchestra and GamulGwangdae on the first day, the performance series invites Sori ON, U-hee Company, Cheer-art and Pansori singer Kim Junsu with Second Moon on stage to perform Korea's traditional arts.
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will be offering free admission throughout the four-day holiday. Its four branches — located in Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province, Seoul, Deoksugung near Seoul City Hall and Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province — will be open, although MMCA Seoul will be closed on the 25th.
The museum is also holding an Instagram event offering merchandise from its ongoing exhibition of Suh Do-ho to 20 selected participants. Visitors may participate by posting photos from their visits with the Korean hashtag specified at the site.
Exhibitions at the four branches, including "MMCA Gwacheon 40th Anniversary: Imaginations in Light" in Gwacheon and "Bang Hai Ja: Sowing Light Across Heaven and Earth" in Cheongju, will be open to the public free of charge.
National Folk Museum of Korea
The National Folk Museum of Korea, located near the main palace Gyeongbokgung in Seoul, will be closed on Chuseok. Though the gates will be open on the other days, guided tours in English will not be available during that time.
The folk museum will host the "All Together for Hangawi" program over the holiday weekend, offering visitors opportunities to experience traditional games and cultural activities.
Programs include ssireum, or Korean wrestling, and folk games such as jegichagi, akin to hacky sack, and gomusin tossing — throwing rubber shoes. Visitors can also join in ganggangsullae, a traditional circle dance.
The museum's Paju, Gyeonggi Province, branch will offer more events for families. Visitors can walk around the site learning about the Chuseok holiday and its customs, play games and watch "The Storyteller and the Dokkaebi."
Palaces
The four ancient palaces in Seoul — Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung — along with the shrine Jongmyo and the Royal Tombs of Joseon will be open throughout the holiday.
Jongmyo, which is usually open only for timed group tours, will be open for general viewings during the Chuseok holiday with free admission.
Korean Folk Village
The Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, will also remain open throughout the holiday.
This year, "Visiting Homes on Chuseok Day" offers visitors a chance to experience the traditional landscapes and seasonal customs associated with holiday.
On Chuseok, the village features a nongak performance of Korean farmers' music.
Walking through the village, visitors can try delicacies, including making their own songpyeon — rice cakes filled with nuts — or visiting the bibimbap buffet at its restaurant Hangukgwan on the 25th and the 26th.
mjcha@heraldcorp.com
