The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) is providing free admission to all four of its locations from September 1 through September 10, 2025, as part of the Korea Art Festival 2025. This special promotion allows visitors to explore exhibitions at MMCA venues in Samcheong-dong and Deoksugung in Seoul, as well as locations in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, and Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, without paying entrance fees.
All museum locations are closed on Mondays, with the exception of the Samcheong-dong venue, which remains open daily. The free admission period coincides with multiple significant exhibitions currently on display across the museum network.
For those interested in Korean modern and contemporary art history, two comprehensive survey exhibitions are currently running at different MMCA locations. The Seoul exhibition at the Samcheong-dong venue focuses specifically on Korean contemporary art developments from the 1950s onward. Meanwhile, the Gwacheon location presents a broader historical perspective, examining how Korean modern art began to flourish in the late 19th century and highlighting pivotal moments in the country's art scene, including the establishment of the state-run MMCA at the royal palace of Gyeongbokgung in 1969.
MMCA Deoksugung, situated within the historic Joseon-period royal palace in downtown Seoul, is currently presenting a special exhibition that reflects on 80 years of modern Korean history. This exhibition commemorates the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule and explores the theme of nostalgia for one's hometown, which has been a recurring motif in modern Korean literature and art. While museum admission is free during the promotion period, visitors should note that entrance to the palace itself costs 1,000 won per person.
Young art enthusiasts will find two exhibitions particularly noteworthy during the free admission period. "The Korea Artist Prize 2025" opens on August 29 at MMCA Seoul, showcasing works by four finalists: Kim Young-eun, Kim Ji-pyeong, artist collective Unmake Lab, and Im Young-zoo. Additionally, the "Young Korean Artists 2025: Here and Now" exhibition at MMCA Gwacheon features works by approximately 20 artists and collectives. This exhibition represents one of the oldest programs at the state-run museum and aims to discover and support talented newcomers in the art field.
Art history enthusiasts can also visit a major retrospective of Korean art master Kim Tschang-yeul, which opens on August 22 at MMCA Seoul. This comprehensive exhibition sheds light on the legacy of the artist who dedicated his entire career to creating luminous water drop paintings, a motif that emerged from his traumatic experiences during the Korean War (1950-1953) in his early twenties.
Media art fans will find the exhibition "Agarmon Encyclopedia: Leaked Edition" particularly intriguing at MMCA Seoul. As part of this year's MMCA LG OLED Series, young media artist Tzusoo explores questions about the meaning of existence through media art and installations featuring a mysterious translucent object called Agarmon 5.
MMCA Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province offers a unique experience with storage rooms that are open to visitors. The location is currently hosting four exhibitions, including a special storage exhibition that displays the museum's contemporary Japanese print collection. According to the museum, Japanese printmaking reached a vibrant peak in the 1970s, heavily influenced by pop art and conceptual art movements of that era.
Families with children can visit MMCA Gwacheon's Children's Museum, which presents "Tomorrow Will Be," an exhibition focused on hands-on and experiential learning opportunities. This family-friendly exhibition was developed in collaboration with the Gallery Children's Biennale at the National Gallery Singapore, offering interactive experiences designed specifically for young visitors.
