Run Away With Me to . . . The DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza - 동대문디자인플라자)

Do you like art, museums, innovative exhibitions, light shows, shopping, and/or fashion?

If you said yes to any of those things, then Dongdaemun (동대문) and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (the DDP!) should be on your list of cool places to check out in Seoul, South Korea.

Dongdaemun-gu is the largest shopping region in a city already bursting with shopping options, so you can -- quite literally -- shop until you drop. From wholesale goods to boutique shops, there are tens of thousands of options ranging from cheaper than your coffee to high-end fashion. But if that sounds exhausting, take a break and visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza. There are even plentiful lockers to store your belongings so you can explore the DDP baggage-free.

The DDP is one of the most recognizable landmarks in modern Korea, and it's the world's largest 3D atypical building. An undulating, curving shape that looks more like a sculpture than a building, the DDP was designed by Zaha Hadid, the first female architect to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

The building houses five distinct facilities and fifteen spaces, and the outside/park area is open 24 hours. Its shape and silver surface make it particularly suited to light shows, which are a regular occurrence throughout the year. The current light show, "Future Log" features the art of Suhwa Kim Whanki, and will finish its run on September 8th. Both the DDP website and Seoul's tourism website (visitseoul.net) provide lists of upcoming and current programs (available in both English and Korean).

The exhibition I attended was in the 2nd Floor museum space. The exhibition, titled "When the clouds clear, the moon shines, the wind blows, and the stars shine″ (구름이 걷히니, 달이 비치고 바람부니 별이 빛나다), was put on by the Kansong Art Museum, and provided immersive and inventive displays of 99 different historical pieces of Korean calligraphy and art, digitalized and reimagined for new audiences.

Through music, lights, interactive motion sensors, sound effects, silk screens, perfumes, and differently-textured surfaces, historical art pieces come to life in different ways and make the show a true pleasure for the senses.

Light and art are common combinations in Korea (and always done well), but both the exhibitions I mentioned highlight Korean art and tradition. From the landscape paintings of Mount Geumgang to Najeonchilgi (나전칠기-traditional mother-of-pearl art), the beauty of the traditional art was celebrated and even enhanced.

Highlights for me included the impressive use of light and space, and the sheer beauty of the imagery. In particular, the final film room -- a giant space with three screen walls -- was like walking into a fantasy world. The simple darkness of the room gave way to an explosive light and sound show that morphed from one phase to another in a way that old PC screensavers could never. The light effects extended to the floor, as you can see in my video.

"When the clouds clear, the moon shines, the wind blows, and the stars shine″ is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day until April 30, 2025. Tickets are available on the Korean-only Interpark site, or just outside the exhibition hall on the museum's 2nd floor.

Ticket Prices:

Adults: 20,000₩ (ages 19-64)

Youth: 15,000₩ (ages 13-18)

Children: 10,000₩ (ages 7-12)

Other discounts available for military, those over the age of 65, persons with disabilities, and groups.

*Children under 36months can enter for free with a ticket - available at the desk

Location:

Dongdaemun Digital Plaza, 281, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04566

Korean Address (서울 중구 을지로 281 동대문디자인플라자(DDP) 뮤지엄전시 2관)

Located just outside the Dongdaemun Park and Culture Plaza stop on Subway Line 2, exit 1 (green line)

DDP Hours:

Every day - 10:00 - 20:00 (Closed for Chuseok and both Lunar/Solar New Year's Day)

More Info:

DDP Instagram

>Press Release (Eng) from Korea Joongang Daily (more specific info and pictures)

Some Other Area Recommendations:

• Multiple exhibits, coffee shops, restaurants, and installations are in and around the park complex

• If you walk north toward Dongdaemun Station (동대문역), there are more shops, international marts, and multiple affordable food options. (Lines 1 and 4)

  • Specifically, there are more vegetarian and halal food options in this direction (Dongdaemun Station Exits 3, 4)

  • You can also walk part of the Seoul City Wall in this area via Heunginjimun Park (흥인지문공원 興仁之門公園)

• If you head northwest for about 1 km [toward Jongro 5 Ga Station (종로5가역, Line 1 - exits 7,8)], you will end up in the famous and bustling Gwangjang Market (광장시장), where you can try many different types of traditional foods and snacks.

Here are a few more photos to give you some idea of how they used the space. Also, if you'd love to see a light show but don't think you'll make it to Seoul anytime soon, check out this video by one of my favorite YouTubers: The Seoul Walker. You can see the current DDP lightshow in much better camera quality than I have!