If you're trying to understand Seoul not just as a city but as a story — one shaped by kings, colonizers, war, and waves of reinvention — there’s no better place to start than the Seoul Museum of History. This museum is a beautifully curated time capsule that traces the city’s transformation from the royal capital of Joseon to the bustling, global metropolis it is today.
Here’s your ultimate guide to navigating the museum’s key exhibitions and what you’ll discover in each one.
Where Is the Seoul Museum of History?
1. Hanyang: The Joseon Capital
Seoul’s story begins as Hanyang, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty, founded in 1394 by King Taejo. Built on Confucian ideals and geomantic principles, it became home to royal palaces, shrines, and ministries. Exhibits in this section explore how Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and the Sajik Altar established the spiritual and political heart of the new kingdom.
After Joseon was founded, in 1394, King Taejo designated Hanyang as the capital, and the new capital was planned and constructed according to the tradition of geomancy and Confucianism.
In the past, Hanyang was surrounded by a wall, and it was possible to enter and exit Hanyang through a gate located between the walls. In addition to the four gates of Seoul, which we are familiar with, there are four more gates to enter and exit Hanyang in the past.
Unlike Seoul, Hanyang was located north of the Han River around Cheonggyecheon Stream, and at that time, the Han River was surrounding Hanyang.
2. Survival and Revival: Late Joseon through War
Joseon was designed around Gyeongbokgung Palace, the palace where the king stayed as a dynasty, and major government offices, such as Uijeongbu and six government offices, were built on the left and right sides in front of Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. This is called Yukjogeori, or "Yukjogeori," which refers to the current Sejong-ro. Yukjogeori was said to be the most central street of Joseon at the time.
The model of Yukjogeori is quite large and detailed, and looking at the model of Yukjogeori, I can imagine the atmosphere of Hanyang during the Joseon Dynasty and the people of that time.
During the Joseon Dynasty, Hanyang was divided into five regions: eastern, western, southern, northern, and central regions under the administrative organization of Hanseongbu (now Seoul City Hall). Apart from this, the city was divided into Bukchon, Namchon, Jungchon, Dongchon, and Seochon, focusing on the topography of the land and the boundary through which water flows.
In addition, the images of merchants and market people of the Joseon Dynasty and the contents of life at that time are vividly displayed well.
The 16th and 17th centuries brought two major invasions: the Imjin War (1592) and the Second Manchu Invasion (1636), both of which ravaged the city. This part of the museum reveals how the royal court and the public worked to rebuild a shattered capital, restoring palaces and reestablishing order.
Don’t miss: Artifacts and records from the reconstruction period and stories of Crown Prince Sohyeon and others taken hostage during the Manchu occupation.
3. Commerce and Change: Late Joseon to Pre-Modern Era
As the Joseon Dynasty stabilized, Hanyang evolved into a commercial powerhouse. The development of ports like Mapo and Yongsan, along with currency circulation and a thriving crafts industry, transformed the capital into a dense, urban society.
Don’t miss: Beautiful examples of traditional crafts and merchant records that show how trade flourished — even without the internet.
4. The Korean Empire: A Modernizing Monarchy
The late 19th century saw Hanyang renamed Seoul, and the city stepped into the age of modernity under the Korean Empire (Daehanjaeguk). This era saw railways, electric streetlights, and foreign legations rise alongside Confucian altars. Neighborhoods like Jeong-dong became hotbeds of reform, filled with Western schools and churches.
Opening in the world powers, including Japan, from the mid-19th century, Seoul changed from the traditional capital to a modern city. Western-style buildings and roads were constructed, tramways were built, and new culture was introduced.
Meanwhile, with the Korean Empire proclaimed in 1897 as part of an independent reform, Gyeongwoon Palace (Deoksu Palace) became an imperial palace and the Hwanchubang, the symbol of the empire, was built, and Seoul gradually transformed into a city where Eastern and Western modernity coexist.
Don’t miss: Artifacts from Seoul’s first electric tram, telegram machines, and maps showing the fusion of Eastern traditions with Western modernity.
5. Seoul Under Japanese Rule (1910–1945)
This section dives into the darkest chapter of the city’s history. During the Japanese occupation, Seoul — renamed Gyeongseong — was modernized under colonial terms. Koreans were marginalized while Japanese settlers enjoyed prosperity. Yet, Gyeongseong also became the center of resistance movements like the March 1st Movement of 1919.
After the Korean Empire was forcibly annexed by Japan in 1910, Seoul was downgraded to Gyeongseong, a province of Gyeonggi.
In Seoul, major institutions for colonial rule were built, and in 1926, the Japanese Government-General of Korea was built inside Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Seoul on Japanese colonial era was rapidly modernized, still serving as the capital city, but discrimination against Koreans became commonplace, with administration mainly in Japan and economy and culture concentrated in the Japanese enclave of Namchon.
Don’t miss: Documents from independence activists, propaganda posters, and blueprints of Japanese urban planning that reshaped the city.
6. Seoul Rises Again: Post-Liberation to the Modern Era
After Korea’s liberation in 1945 and the devastating Korean War (1950–1953), Seoul slowly rebuilt itself. The exhibit shows how the city transformed in the following decades, especially the construction boom in Gangnam, the rise of apartment living, and its preparation for the 1988 Olympics.
Due to its explosive population growth, Seoul's territory was greatly expanded south of the Han River, and urban infrastructure was continuously laid throughout the city.
In the 1970s, Yeongdong (now Gangnam), which was incorporated into Seoul in 1963, was newly developed in the wake of the construction of the Gyeongbu Expressway in 1970, moved its population due to speculative real estate fever, and Gangnam was recognized as a land of new opportunities.
Seoul achieved rapid growth of the Korean economy with the sweat and blood that countless people shed due to the desire and frustration caused by the newcomers who came to Seoul and were newly rooted in unfamiliar lands. International urbanization in the 1980s and the miracle of the Han River, successful hosting of the 1988 Olympics. As an advanced city, the city has become a megacity by comprehensive development of the Han River, urban redevelopment, and housing development.
Unfortunately, however, a dark side has also been highlighted behind the rapid growth. In the 1990s - With skepticism about development-oriented development, citizens' demands for history, culture, environment, and quality of life gradually increased
Seoul, which has grown into a new metropolitan city and a mega city, is reborn as a modern city with rich culture and high-tech industries.
Don’t miss: Aerial photos showing Seoul’s growth, models of early Gangnam apartments, and a mini-theater screening TV commercials and pop culture clips from the 70s and 80s.
7. Seoul Now — And What’s Next?
The final gallery looks ahead. In the City Model Image Hall, visitors can view a 3D map of Seoul that’s used for urban planning simulations. This space is also where lectures and seminars are held to imagine Seoul’s future — as a smart, green, and globally engaged city.
Don’t miss: The massive city model of Seoul, updated regularly to reflect real-time urban development, and interactive displays that show environmental and infrastructure improvements.
Final Thoughts
The Seoul Museum of History isn’t just about dusty artifacts — it’s a powerful walkthrough of how a capital city shapes, suffers, and ultimately thrives. Whether you're a history buff, a student of urban design, or a curious traveler, this museum connects Seoul’s storied past to its dynamic present and ambitious future.
Tip:
After your visit, stroll over to nearby Gyeonghuigung Palace or Jeong-dong to see the living remnants of the stories you’ve just explored.
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