As Hallyu, the Korean Wave, continues to spread and K-culture’s global popularity grows, interest in Hangeul—Korea’s unique writing system—keeps rising. Inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, Hangeul is widely recognized for its cultural significance and stands as a cornerstone of Korean identity. Explore its history and aesthetics, and you’ll discover new facets of K-culture.

The story of King Sejong (Seoul)

The Story of King Sejong is an underground exhibition at Gwanghwamun Plaza that presents the life and achievements of King Sejong the Great, one of Korea’s most revered figures. Highlights include dioramas depicting the creation of Hunminjeongeum, early publications produced in the script, and Hangeul-based media art, making it easy for international visitors to engage with the history of Hangeul. A hands-on area offers activities such as making bokjumeoni (traditional lucky pouches) and writing their names in Hangeul with a brush, adding an extra layer of fun.

Things to know

• Address: Basaement floor, 175 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 세종대로 지하 175)

• Hours: Saturday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. / Closed on Mondays

• Phone: +82-2-399-1177

• Website

* Audio guides available in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish

National Museum of World Writing Systems (Incheon)

With its scroll-inspired exterior, the National Museum of World Writing Systems offers a space to explore Hangeul in the broader history of world writing systems. The museum houses numerous artifacts that showcase the many facets of Hangeul, including the Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon— which explains its origins and principles—and Hunmaengjeongeum, a Hangeul Braille system developed for the visually impaired. It also provides a structured understanding of how writing has shaped human civilization beyond Hangeul itself.

Things to know

• Address: 217 Central-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong) [인천광역시 연수구 센트럴로 217 (송도동)]

• Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. / Closed on Mondays, January 1, Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day), and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)

• Phone: +82-32-290-2000

• Website

* Guided tours available in English, Chinese, and Japanese (online reservation required at least 3 days prior to your visit)

AKing Sejong’s Royal Tomb & King Sejong History and Culture Center (Yeoju)

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this is one of the royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty and the dynasty’s first joint burial (double tomb). At the entrance, the King Sejong History and Culture Center presents the remarkable achievements of King Sejong alongside his royal tomb. Visitors can see the preface to Hunminjeongeum, sculptures inspired by Hangeul consonants, and replicas of 15th-century scientific instruments from King Sejong’s reign (the first half of the 15th century), including the Angbuilgu (sundial), Cheugugi (the world’s first rain gauge), and Honcheonui (armillary sphere).

Things to know

• Address: 901-3 Wangdae-ri, Sejongdaewang-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 여주시 세종대왕면 왕대리 901-3)

• Hours: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. / Closed on Mondays

• Phone:  +82-31-885-3123

• Website

Paju Book City

Paju Book City is a cultural complex home to Korea’s leading publishers, printing houses, cafés, museums, and bookstores. Throughout the district, visitors can find sculptures and benches inspired by Hangeul. At the Forest of Wisdom, a large bookshelf shaped like Hangeul consonants welcomes visitors. Don’t miss the Letterpress Museum, where you can appreciate the beauty of Hangeul and traditional typefaces while enjoying a hands-on rubbing experience.

Paju Book City

• Address: Munbal-dong area, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 문발동 일원)

• Hours: 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.

• Website (Korean only)

Forest of Wisdom

• Address:145 Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 회동길 145)

• Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Phone: +82-507-1335-0144

Letterpress Museum (Forest of Wisdom)

• Address:145 Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 회동길 145)

• Hours: Sat.-Thurs. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Phone: +82-507-1305-9151

• Website (Korean only)

Insadong Cultural Street (Seoul)

Insadong Cultural Street is filled with galleries, craft shops, and teahouses that beautifully blend tradition and modernity. Store signs designed in Hangeul—such as those for “Starbucks” and “GS25”—add to the street’s unique charm. Starting from the “ㅆ” photo spot at Ssamzigil, one of Insa-dong’s most famous attractions, visitors can explore various Hangeul-themed sculptures and lettering photo spots to capture memorable photos.

Things to know

• Address: Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 인사동)       

• Hours: Open year-round

• Phone: North Insadong Tourist Information Center +82-2-734-0222 / South Insadong Tourist Information Center +82-2-737-7885

Jochiwon 1927 Art Center (Sejong)

Jochiwon 1927 Art Center is a cultural complex created by converting a former factory. Serving as a cultural hub for the old downtown urban regeneration project, it offers high-quality exhibitions and cultural experiences. This year, the center served as the main venue of the Hangeul International Pre-Biennale, featuring a large Hangeul mural titled “HANGOODLE” by graffiti artist Mr. Doodle, whose live drawing performance and artwork have become a popular photo spot.

Things to know

• Address: 17 Saenae 4-gil, Jochiwon-eup, Sejong-si (세종특별시 조치원읍 새내4길 17)

• Hours: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. / Closed on Mondays

• Phone: +82-44-862-1927

• Website (Korea only)

Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeonju Hanok Village is Korea’s largest traditional village, home to more than 700 hanok (traditional Korean houses). It offers a wealth of attractions, from cultural landmarks such as Gyeonggijeon Shrine and Jeonjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School to local delicacies like coin-shaped bread, Jeonju bibimbap, and tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties). The village also features the Craft Masterpiece Street, where visitors can join Hangeul-inspired craft programs such as calligraphy, making personalized Hangeul stamps, and creating bookmarks.

Things to know

• Address: 99 Girin-daero, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do (전북특별자치도 전주시 완산구 기린대로99)

• Phone: +82-63-282-1330

• Website

Hangeul Calligraphy

Taking part in Hangeul calligraphy classes helps deepen your appreciation of Korean culture through writing Hangeul. After a brief introduction to the history and consonant-vowel system of Hangeul, you can practice writing each character and observe its distinctive aesthetic beauty. Carefully inscribing a meaningful word or phrase on a hanging scroll or postcard creates a cherished keepsake written in Hangeul.

Venues for Hangeul Calligraphy Workshops

Harangbang Calligraphy

• Address: 2F, Unit 202, 16 Songpa-daero 42-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 송파대로42길 16 2층 202호)

• Hours: 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. / Closed on Sundays

• Phone: +82-507-1305-6773

Feelsgood Calli

• Address: 55-1 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 인사동길 55-1)

• Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Phone: +82-507-1302-0929

Hangeul Hand-carved Seal

A dojang (stamp seal) is a traditional signature tool widely used in Korea and still utilized today for official documents and artworks. Designing and engraving your own dojang with Hangeul characters makes a beautiful and meaningful keepsake or gift. Write your name in Hangeul and create a one-of-a-kind stamp seal that’s uniquely yours.

Venues for Hangeul Hand-carved Seal Workshops

Yhlayuen Jeongak Academy

• Address: 2F, Unit 202, 34 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 인사동길 34 2층 202호)

• Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. / Closed on Sundays

• Phone: +82-2-722-8415

Sujegak

• Address: 105 Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do (전북특별자치도 전주시 완산구 향교길 105)

• Hours: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

• Phone: +82-507-1409-1311

Hangeul Accessories

Hangeul itself can become a beautiful accessory. Combine Hangeul consonants and vowels to create silver accessories with special meaning. Mother-of-pearl crafts, which use the iridescent beauty of seashells, further highlight Hangeul’s elegance.

Venues for Hangeul Accessory Workshops

Lettering Jewelry Lab

• Address: Saeteuk 4-5, City Star Mall, Seoul Plaza Underground Shopping Center, 12 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 을지로 12 서울광장 지하쇼핑센타 시티스타몰 새특 4-5)

• Hours: 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

• Website

Seoul Culture Lounge

• Address: 11F, Samil Building (Gwancheol-dong), 85 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 청계천로 85 (관철동,삼일빌딩) 11층)

• Hours: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. / Closed on Sundays and Mondays

• Phone: +82-2-3788-0852

• Website

TIP: Let’s learn 24 basic letters of the Korean alphabet

Most Korean letters can be pronounced in Romanization, making learning Hangul easy. However, a few English letters—F, R, V, and Z—have no direct equivalents in Korean pronunciation. These letters adopt similar Romanized sounds as follows: F=ㅍ(p) / R=ㄹ(l) / V=ㅂ(b) / Z=ㅈ(j).

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