"Is the National Museum of Korea Really This Popular?" Ranks 5th in the World After the Louvre

Sharp Increase in Young and International Visitors
Diversified Exhibitions and Experiences Drive Growth

The number of visitors to the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, has surpassed 5 million this year. This is the first time in the museum’s 80-year history that such a milestone has been reached. Globally, this figure ranks the museum among the top five, following the Louvre in France, the Vatican Museums, the British Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States.

On the sixth day of the Chuseok holiday, visitors lined up to enter the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the museum, a total of 5,016,382 people visited from January 1 to October 15 this year. This represents an increase of nearly 70% compared to the same period last year, marking an unprecedented achievement in the museum’s history. Statistics from the UK-based art publication “The Art Newspaper” show that, in 2024, only four institutions recorded more than 5 million visitors: the Louvre Museum in France (8,737,050), the Vatican Museums (6,825,436), the British Museum (6,479,952), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States (5,727,258). Based on the National Museum of Korea’s monthly attendance trends, the cumulative total could reach 6 million by the end of the year.

The number of international visitors has also risen significantly. As of mid-October, the cumulative number of foreign visitors stood at approximately 186,000, and it is expected to soon break last year’s annual record. In particular, Kim Judit, a visitor from Hungary, shared, “It was moving to experience Korean culture firsthand,” adding that the ‘Room of Contemplation’ in the permanent exhibition hall left a strong impression.

Participants are posing for a commemorative photo in costume at the "2025 National Museum of Korea Makeup Contest" held last month at the National Museum of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

The surge in visitors can be attributed to improvements in the museum’s exhibition environment and diversification of its content. Beginning with the opening of the ‘Room of Contemplation’ centered on the National Treasure Pensive Bodhisattva statue in 2021, the permanent exhibition halls have been extensively renovated, and immersive digital content has also received positive responses. The popularity of the Netflix animation “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has been a key factor in sparking interest in traditional Korean culture.

Cultural events have also contributed to the influx of visitors. Programs such as the youth experience event “Makeup Play,” the traditional performance series “The Art Spot,” and the performing arts festival “Cultural Feast” have attracted a wide range of generations to the museum.

The total number of visitors to all 13 national museums across Korea, including the National Museum of Korea, has exceeded 11 million, a figure comparable to the cumulative attendance of this season’s professional baseball games.

Director Yoo Hongjun stated, “As interest in traditional culture grows among both Koreans and foreigners, the museum is establishing itself as a cultural space in daily life. We will continue to improve our content and facilities so that more people can enjoy culture.”