[Edaily Reporter Oh Hee-na ] In the Dosan-daero and Cheongdam-dong areas of Seoul’s Gangnam District—lined with luxury boutiques—"art tours" are emerging as a new tourist attraction as foreign visitors venture deeper into the alleys to explore local galleries. These tours are being reimagined as a single travel experience that goes beyond just gallery spaces, blending Cheongdam’s cutting-edge fashion scene, red-brick alleyway homes, and the people who live there.

This shift was readily apparent at galleries in the Cheongdam area I recently visited. According to gallery staff, there has been a noticeable increase in foreign visitors, including Japanese and Chinese tourists, and inquiries about purchasing artwork have been pouring in.
One gallery representative said, “In the past, we had only about 10 visitors a day, but recently we’ve been seeing around 30,” adding, “Our gallery was featured in a Japanese magazine not long ago, and since then, we’ve seen a surge in Japanese tourists. Some even stop by after visiting nearby luxury stores like Hermès.”
The biggest advantage of the Cheongdam Art Tour is its accessibility. Galleries are densely clustered around Dosan-daero, and some are less than a five-minute walk apart. You can visit four or five galleries on foot within a single block, and nearby galleries are just a 10- to 15-minute walk away.
There’s no need to think of an art tour as something complicated. Since admission to most galleries is free, you can simply pop in with a lighthearted attitude whenever you see an exhibition that catches your eye. The process of viewing the artwork, stepping back out onto the alley, and moving on to the next space is another joy of the Cheongdam Art Tour.

At “Gallery Now,” you can see works by artist Lee Dong-ki, who is regarded as a pioneer of Korean Pop Art. You can see his signature works, such as “Atomouse Eating Noodles” and the “Bubble” series. His iconic character, “Atomouse,” combines Mickey Mouse—a symbol of Western pop culture—with “Atom,” an Eastern-inspired image. This exhibition makes it relatively easy for visitors unfamiliar with art to engage with the works through these recognizable characters.
The “Bubble” series is said to embody the concept of “balance” through images that are inflated like balloons. Just as a bubble bursts the moment the balance on one side is lost, the series conveys the message that we must find a balance between opposing elements—such as what we have and what we lack.

At “Gallery JJ,” visitors can explore the artistic world of Kim Young-heon. The exhibition’s theme, “Proxima,” is derived from the name of the star closest to our solar system. Upon closer inspection, the movement of lines and colors flowing like ripples catches the eye. The artist connects this to the concept of “waves.” He explains that not only water but also sound and light are waves, and that he translates invisible signals and vibrations into a visual language.
The joy of viewing these works lies in “a single stroke.” Drawing inspiration from traditional calligraphic techniques, the artist dips a leather brush into various colors of paint and applies them to the canvas. The tremor of the hand, the speed of the brush, and the thickness of the paint are all faithfully captured on the canvas at the moment the brush passes over it.
Artist Kim Young-heon explained, “In the digital age, I wanted to express the tiny signals and noise that disappear between 0s and 1s,” adding, “I visualized invisible waves—such as light, sound, and music—through lines and colors.” He also noted, “Even a single brushstroke contains a vast amount of information,” adding, “A single stroke vividly captures the color, the thickness of the paint, and even the subtle tremors of my hand.”

At “Hansot Gallery,” artist Lee Sang-won’s “Sea Series” captures the viewer’s attention. These works depict people in colorful swimsuits floating on the water or swimming against the backdrop of a resort beach. In particular, unlike typical two-dimensional paintings, the three-dimensional oil painting technique—which involves building up thick layers of paint—is striking.
The texture created by the thickness of the paint makes the waves and glistening water in the paintings appear to shimmer as if they were real. While the scenes look like serene resort landscapes from a distance, a closer look reveals the physical qualities created by the brushstrokes and the thickness of the paint, adding to the enjoyment of viewing them.
Located in the Cheongdam residential neighborhood, “Lee Yu-jin Gallery” exudes a unique atmosphere as it was created by renovating a private home. The exhibition is arranged to preserve the character of the historic space, making it feel as though the artists’ studios have been transported there. By displaying artist Lee An-ri’s table and drawings, artist Jeong Su-kyung’s plaster molds used in her glasswork, and artist Kyung Hyun-soo’s art toys alongside the finished pieces, visitors can imagine not only the final results but also the creative process itself. Rather than a gallery where works are simply displayed in isolation, it offers an experience that feels like a glimpse into the specific spaces and methods artists use to create their work.

At “SongEun Gallery,” the special exhibition “Unboxing Project: Generative Forms,” commemorating the 25th anniversary of the SongEun Art Award, is currently underway. This project provides artists with materials of the same size and invites them to complete their works in their own unique ways. Each artist was given four 25×25 cm panels, and they expressed their artistic worlds through works on a smaller scale than their usual pieces.
Although they started with the same size and materials, the results are all unique. The key highlight for visitors is how each artist arrived at a different interpretation within the limited specifications. The multidisciplinary art project “Minotaurus,” held daily around 4:00 p.m. through the 12th of next month, also offers a fresh visual experience.

If you’ve found it difficult to visit galleries during the day due to work or other commitments, “Cheongdam Night” is definitely worth checking out. On the 2nd of next month, the Cheongdam area will transform into a giant gallery. To allow more visitors to enjoy the exhibitions, viewing hours will be extended until 10:00 p.m., and various programs will be organized at each gallery. In addition to viewing the artworks, docent-led tours, drinks, ice cream, and other small events will enhance the fun of exploring with a partner or children. The lively music and the nighttime streetscape of downtown Cheongdam are just added bonuses.
The Cheongdam Art Tour is significant in that it leverages the area’s unique characteristics to bundle visits to individual galleries into a single tourist itinerary. On-site, it was common to see foreign tourists visiting nearby luxury boutiques before heading to the galleries. As interest in K-Art grows beyond K-pop and K-dramas, Cheongdam is evolving into a new tourist destination where visitors can experience Korean contemporary art up close—beyond just shopping.
Laurensina Hwarantri Song, the director, said, “As interest in K-Culture grows, the number of foreigners visiting Korea for business or leisure has increased significantly.” She added, “Korea consistently hosts around 500 art exhibitions simultaneously, which is an exceptionally high number even on a global scale. I hope that through this Cheongdam Gallery Tour, more people will come to enjoy K-Art.”