Unusual museums in South Korea to surprise even skeptics

South Korea is a country that has rapidly become one of the world's tourist centres. For some, it is associated with K-pop, fashion and cosmetics, while for others it is associated with high technology and economic growth. But few people realise that there is a whole culture of unusual museums here, each of which turns a tour into a little adventure. Unlike the galleries and archives we are used to, where it is important to behave quietly, stand at the display case and listen to the guide, Korean museums are often built on a different philosophy: the viewer becomes a participant. Here you can take photos, laugh, try things out with your hands and even take part in the strangest interactive activities.

This approach to museum culture is no accident. Korea is known for its desire to combine tradition and innovation, seriousness and irony, and it is in museums that this feature is particularly evident. All this becomes apparent from the moment you set foot in the country's capital - just choose a flight with Centrum Air to experience Korea's lively and ironic culture.

Trick Eye Museum (Museum of illusions)

Seoul has long been the capital of digital technology and entertainment, so it is no surprise that one of the most popular illusion museums has appeared here. The Trick Eye Museum is a space where the traditional concept of a ‘painting’ ceases to function. The halls are filled with optical illusions, and every visitor can become part of the canvas. Tourists take photos as if they are escaping a tsunami, taming a lion or balancing on the roof of a skyscraper. The illusion is so convincing that the photos then cause genuine surprise even among those who know about the tricks of photography.

But it's not just about entertainment. The Museum of Illusions has become a symbol of South Korea's new museum culture, where the emphasis is on interaction rather than passive contemplation. In essence, it is a step towards the ‘democratisation of art’: the gallery is transformed into a game in which the viewer is the main character. You don't need to be an art expert to feel at home here. All you need is curiosity and a desire to try on the role of a character from a fantasy world.

Another feature of the museum is the use of augmented reality. Visitors can download a special app that brings the exhibits to life right on their smartphone screen. This turns an ordinary painting into a mini-animation and makes a photograph even more impressive. Thanks to this, the museum has become popular not only with tourists but also with locals, who come here with their whole families to spend time in an atmosphere of fun and creativity. Similar trends can be seen in Dubai, where modern museums and cultural spaces focus on interactivity and technology, turning a visit into an exciting experience.

Museum Kimchikan (Kimchi Museum)

Tourists visiting Seoul quickly notice that kimchi is not just food here, but part of the national identity. It is no surprise that an entire museum has been dedicated to it. The Kimchikan Museum is located in the centre of the capital and tells the story of this dish, which has become a symbol of the country. Here you can learn about the hundreds of varieties of kimchi that exist, why it is so important for health and how it is linked to the Korean philosophy of nutrition.

A special part of the exhibition is devoted to seasonal traditions. In Korea, there is even a special term, ‘kimjang,’ for the process of collective kimchi preparation, when families gather together to prepare it for the winter. In the museum, you can see ancient clay storage vessels, rare recipes, and even take a master class and prepare a portion of kimchi yourself. For tourists, this is a unique chance to experience that there is not only taste behind the product, but also a whole cultural universe.

However, the museum surprises not only with its exhibition, but also with its approach to presenting information. It uses multimedia technologies: interactive panels, touch screens, and videos about fermentation. And for children, there are play areas where they can collect ingredients or ‘play chef.’ This format helps every visitor, from schoolchildren to food critics, to understand the significance of kimchi in Korean culture. It is no coincidence that the Kimchi Museum is on the list of must-see attractions for those who want to understand the soul of Korea.

Love Museum

In the same part of Seoul where the Trick Eye Museum is located, tourists often visit the Love Museum. This is a space for adults, featuring sculptures and paintings on erotic themes. However, the exhibition is presented with humour, so the atmosphere is more comical than provocative.

The museum is designed as a place where you can openly laugh at what is usually considered ‘too personal.’ Visitors take photos with the exhibits, make jokes, and share their impressions. As a result, the Love Museum is not so much a place for ‘shock content’ as an example of how culture can be playful and ironic.

In addition, the museum also has an educational element. Some rooms show how different cultures have treated eroticism and how this has been reflected in art. In this way, the Love Museum both entertains and broadens horizons, reminding us that even the most delicate of topics can be part of cultural heritage.

Teddy Bear Museum

On Jeju Island and in Seoul, you can find museums that at first glance seem childish. The Teddy Bear Museum is a whole country of teddy bears. But when tourists go inside, they realise that the exhibition is not only for children. Here, bears recreate scenes from world history, from ancient Egypt to the moon landing. They are dressed in designer clothes, portray celebrities and even dance to K-pop.

This museum is not just a collection of toys. It symbolises the universality of the teddy bear, which is equally dear to Korean children, adults and foreign tourists. Each room evokes nostalgia for childhood and the joy of encountering something simple and kind.

Some collections are so rare that they are museum pieces in their own right. There are bears produced in limited editions or handmade by craftsmen. That is why the Teddy Bear Museum has become a magnet not only for families but also for collectors from all over the world.

Alive Museum (Living Museum)

Jeju Island is home to another unusual museum - the Alive Museum. Here, art literally comes to life, and the viewer becomes the main character. You can touch the sculptures with your hands, take photos of the paintings as if they were reacting to you, and the multimedia rooms completely immerse you in an atmosphere of fantasy.

The Alive Museum is unique in that it combines traditional art forms with modern technology. Interactive screens, lighting effects, and audio accompaniment create a complete sense of participation. Tourists leave here not just with photographs, but with the feeling that they themselves have become part of the artistic process.

The 3D illusion rooms are especially popular, where you can stand in front of a camera as if you are being swallowed by a dinosaur or riding a dolphin. This museum has become a real hit with young people and couples who want to take unusual photos as a souvenir.

Mr. Toilet House (Toilet house)

There is a museum in Suwon that is difficult to confuse with any other. The building is shaped like a giant toilet, and this is no accident. Mr. Toilet House is dedicated to the history of toilets, the development of sanitation and the role of hygiene in society.

The idea belonged to the former mayor of the city, Sim Che-deok, who was nicknamed ‘Mr. Toilet’ for his active campaign to improve sanitation conditions. The museum's exhibition combines humour with a serious educational approach. It reminds us that cleanliness and hygiene are not just everyday habits, but an important element of public health.

Visitors are attracted by both the exterior of the building and the interactive rooms inside. Here you can see collections of toilets from different eras, learn about the history of sewage systems, and even laugh at some curious exhibits. Thanks to this, Mr. Toilet House has become a tourist attraction that perfectly demonstrates the Korean love of the unusual and self-deprecating.

Why visit these museums?

South Korea has managed to create a unique museum culture where there is no room for boredom. Here, museums are places for emotions and discoveries. They allow you to understand the country more deeply, as they tell its story through the most unexpected objects: from kimchi to teddy bears, from illusions to sanitation. Visiting such museums breaks down stereotypes that culture must be serious and formal. On the contrary, it is through play and humour that South Korea shows its true colours: open, lively and ready for dialogue. Even sceptics, confident that nothing can surprise them, leave here with a smile and dozens of photos as souvenirs.

In this respect, Korea is remarkably similar to other cities. In Istanbul, for example, you only need to walk from Hagia Sophia to the Museum of Modern Art to experience the same effect - a sharp transition from antiquity to the present day that leaves a vivid impression. It is precisely these contrasts that make travelling special: museums have become not just attractions, but keys to understanding the city and its character.