Seoul residents looking for engaging weekend activities can choose from three distinctive cultural experiences this season. The second annual Humanities and Culture Festival at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a festive Christmas market at Shinsegae Department Store's Gangnam branch, and the world's first specialized MoMA bookstore offer diverse options for art and culture enthusiasts.
The Humanities and Culture Festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, takes place at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on Saturday and Sunday. This year's theme focuses on reconnecting people in an era characterized by isolation and competition. The festival's flagship "Gentle Conversations" program brings together prominent writers, filmmakers, doctors, psychologists, and performers for intimate discussions exploring empathy, everyday resilience, and the connections between individuals and communities.
Festival attendees can participate in various humanities-focused activities throughout the weekend. These include exhibitions examining youth isolation and creative recovery, a unique participatory copying cafe featuring writings by formerly homeless individuals, emotional wellness workshops, and screenings of award-winning video productions. The outdoor programming transforms DDP's lawn area into a vibrant cultural playground featuring traditional Korean performances, percussion ensembles, jazz, ska, and indie music performances, along with a paper airplane contest and book curation booths.
Most festival programs are offered free of charge, though some activities require advance reservations. Complete program information and scheduling details are available on the official festival website and the Inmun360 Instagram account. The venue is located at 281 Eulji-ro in Jung District, Seoul.
Meanwhile, Shinsegae Department Store's Gangnam branch has transformed its B1-level corridor into a festive Christmas market running through December 30. The market occupies the connecting space between House of Shinsegae, the luxury restaurant area, and Sweet Park, the dessert marketplace, creating an immersive holiday shopping experience.
The Christmas market showcases festive merchandise from 13 popular home decor brands, including The Village Shop, Present Moment, and J.Dot Tree. Many products feature Eastern European holiday aesthetics, allowing visitors to create personalized Christmas experiences. Beyond traditional ornaments and decorations, the market offers an extensive selection of gift items ranging from scented candles to handcrafted miniature objects designed to enhance everyday living spaces.
New interactive features have been added to enhance the visitor experience. November saw the introduction of a Mini Toy Gacha Shop offering character merchandise and limited-edition collectibles. December will bring the unveiling of a self-service photo booth where families and couples can capture holiday memories together.
A central DJ booth fills the corridor with continuous Christmas music, creating a festive atmosphere that extends throughout the entire department store. Visitors can browse freely without waiting in lines, and each brand offers limited-edition gift sets available for purchase on-site through first-come, first-served sales. The store is located at 176 Sinbanpo-ro in Seocho District, Seoul.
For art book enthusiasts, the world's first bookstore exclusively dedicated to Museum of Modern Art publications has opened in Seoul's Apgujeong area. This specialized MoMA bookstore, established through a collaboration with Hyundai Card, offers a carefully curated selection of contemporary art and design publications in a comfortable browsing environment.
The bookstore features 1,100 titles covering art, design, and architecture, all personally selected by MoMA curators. Visitors can explore exhibition catalogs from the museum alongside other contemporary art publications, with book covers displayed to facilitate easy browsing. The collaboration builds on the partnership between Hyundai Card and MoMA that began in 2016.
In addition to the extensive book collection, the store offers various museum merchandise for sale. The cozy environment encourages visitors to explore contemporary art and design concepts at their own pace, making it accessible to both serious collectors and casual art enthusiasts. The MoMA Bookstore is located at 18-10 Dosan-daero 45-gil in Gangnam District, Seoul.
