5,000 Years of Daily Life Beside Gyeongbok Palace

At a Glance

The National Folk Museum of Korea sits inside Gyeongbok Palace grounds in Seoul. Founded 1946 and housed in a 1972 traditional-style building, it holds 60,000+ everyday objects charting Korean daily life across 5,000 years. Free entry.

Everyday History

Unlike art-focused museums, it centres farm tools, weddings, funerals and children's toys. A 2031 move to Sejong will triple its footprint.

Highlights

• Hall 1 — prehistoric to modern timeline.
• Hall 2 — year cycle and life cycle.
• Hall 3 — folk beliefs.
• Children's museum with free experiences.
• Outdoor 1960s–70s Seoul street recreation.

Visiting Tips

Gyeongbokgung Station exit 5. Free. 2–2.5 hours. Closed Tuesdays. Free audio guides in English, Chinese, Japanese.