Themed Tour | Recommended Tour

Busan's modern and contemporary history at a glance! Things to do with children in Nampo-dong

Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum Main Building

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Do you remember the Korean household goods brand Lucky? It was created by LuckyChemical Co., Ltd., the parent company of the global conglomerate LG Group, and has been a major provider of daily essential goods since the liberation of the country. What's even more surprising is that LG's first and much-loved brand, Lucky, began in the backyard of a family home in Busan. Busan's modern and contemporary history is thus intertwined with not only Korea's great events, but also its small ones, which makes it all the more interesting.

The Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum is a space where visitors can explore and experience Busan’s modern and contemporary history. The main building was renovated from the former Bank of Korea Busan Headquarters, a designated cultural property of the city, and opened earlier this year. The annex, which opened last year, is the former Dongyang Colonization Company and the American Cultural Center, both of which were symbols of colonialism during the Japanese occupation. These two historical buildings alone are worth a visit to the Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum.

Vault Art Museum

The main building in particular is notable for its use of the Bank of Korea’s old facilities. For example, the underground space that once housed the bank's vaults has been transformed into the Vault Art Museum. Viewing artworks through thick iron doors and bars designed to withstand a nuclear attack is a unique experience that can only be had at the Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum. What's more, the stylish, ever-changing lighting makes the unlit underground spaces even more secretive and mysterious. The four vaults, which have been off-limits for many years, will host the exhibition “The Original City Center, Colors of Reminiscence,” in which eight artists take a fresh look at Busan's original city center through sculpture, painting, installation, photography, and video.

Vault Art Museum

Address : BF1, Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum Main Building, 112, Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan/li>
Operating Days & Hours : Tuesdays - Sundays 09:00~18:00
Closed Days : Every Monday (the next day if Monday is a public holiday)
Fee : Free
Inquiries : +82-51-607-8000

CASA BUSANO

On the first floor, where the Bank of Korea's customer lounge used to be, a café has been built that retains the original structure. It is an espresso café with an Italian flair, called CASA BUSANO. The ceiling with exposed pipes, the exotic interior, and the hip music attract visitors in. The café also makes full use of the history and story of the space. The signature menu includes “Bank of Korea Original Latte,” “Bank of Korea Original Padova ” “Bank of Korea Original Affogato,” and the “Gold Bar Cake,” a dessert inspired by gold bars.

It is fun to discover that the vaulted room to the left of the café has been transformed into a dessert bar. Painted all yellow, the room is piled high with cakes in the shape of gold bars to delight the eyes and mouths of visitors. It's open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and closed on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. There is no parking, but you can use the nearby Yongdusan Public Parking Lot.

CASA BUSANO

Address : 1F, 112, Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
Operating Days & Hours : Monday - Sunday 09:00~21:00
Closed Days : 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Monday of every month
Homepage : https://www.instagram.com/casabusano/
Inquiries : +82-507-1339-6349

Open Cultural Space

Another vault, to the right of CASA BUSANO, has been converted into the 'Bank of Korea Archive Room'. Here you can learn about the history of the Busan Branch of the Bank of Korea and the history of the Bank of Korea's currency issuance through various historical materials. You can see the paper money issued by the Bank of Korea in the early 1900s and the first Bank of Korea banknotes produced in Japan.
The souvenir shop is located behind the information desk on the first floor. You can buy a variety of products to commemorate your trip to Busan, from simple souvenirs such as stickers, postcards, and stationery, to Busan-themed coffee and alcoholic drinks, and Busan's specialty, Gijang seaweed. Also popular are key chains and mugs featuring characters from the Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum.

In addition, the first floor has a variety of facilities, including a “Citizen's Convenience Facility” where you can take a break or get information about traveling in Busan, as well as a diaper changing room, a nursing room, and lockers. From the floor in front of the information desk, different colored lines indicate the location of each facility so you can follow them.

Open Cultural Space

Address : 1F, Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum Main Building, 112, Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
Operating Days & Hours : Tuesdays - Sundays 09:00~18:00
Closed Days : Every Monday (the next day if Monday is a public holiday)
Fee : Free of charge
Inquiries : +82-51-607-8000

Special Exhibition & Permanent Exhibition Halls

The second floor is a special exhibition hall and the third and fourth floors are permanent exhibition halls. In particular, the permanent exhibition rooms present content that reveals the history of Busan as the first port of call and the identity of Busan as a maritime capital. The first permanent exhibition room, located on the third floor, shows the time and space of Busan as it has changed since the opening of the port, from different perspectives depending on time, place, and events, under the theme of "Modern City of Busan". The modern history of Busan, the opening port city, unfolds like a movie, including the appearance of Busan where trams used to run, various objects reflecting life at that time, the changing history of Busan Port, and Busan's independence movement.

The second permanent exhibition room on the 4th floor is themed 'Modern City Busan' and captures the changes that have taken place in Busan since the liberation of the country. Visitors can experience the modern history of Busan as experienced by our parents' generation, including Busan as a city for refugees, Busan in the era of industrialization symbolized by Madoros, and Busan as a hotbed of pro-democracy movements such as the April 19 Revolution and the Buma Democratic Uprising.

Special Exhibition & Permanent Exhibition Halls

Address : 2F, 3F, 4F, Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum Main Building
Operating Days & Hours : Tuesdays - Sundays 09:00~18:00
Closed Days : Every Monday (the next day if Monday is a public holiday)
Fee : Free of charge
Inquiries : +82-51-607-8000

Children’s Experience Center

The Children's Experience Center, 'Deullaknallak', is located on the M2 floor on the east side of the main building near the Yongdusan Public Parking Lot. It offers a variety of educational and playful content such as reading, hands-on activities and English learning for children aged 5 to 8. In particular, the experience center based on Busan's modern and contemporary history, such as 'Dreaming Busan Port' where children can drive a boat, 'Epi's House' where they can try on old clothes, and 'Market Play' where they can make Gupo noodles and rice soup, provide a unique experience for children and parents alike. The center is open seven days a week from 9.30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for 50 minutes per session and is closed on Mondays. It can only be used by booking in advance through the Busan Metropolitan Government's integrated reservation website.

Children’s Experience Center

Address : M2F, Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum Main Building, 112, Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
Operating Days & Hours : Tuesdays – Sundays 09:30~18:00
Closed Days : Every Monday (the next day if Monday is a public holiday)
Fee : Free of charge
Program Schedule : 09:30~10:20 / 10:30~11:20 / 11:30~12:20 / 14:00~14:50 / 15:00~15:50 / 16:00~16:50 / 17:00~17:50
No. of participants : Up to 30 people per session (children and parents)
*Children are not allowed to enter alone (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Note on Reservation :
Only one session is available per person per day
Same-day online reservation is not possible (online reservation available up to 2 days before the session)
Walk-ins will be accepted only when it’s available (walk-ins may not be available if the sessions are fully booked).
Reservation Required : https://reserve.busan.go.kr/exprn/view?resveGroupSn=43&progrmSn=2347
Inquiries : +82-51-607-8000

Overview

Address
Main Building of Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum, 112, Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
No parking available (Please use a public parking lot)
Inquiry
+82-51-607-8000
Website
https://museum.busan.go.kr/eng/index
Closing Dates
Closed on Every Monday
(The next day if Monday is a public holiday)
Hours
Tuesdays – Sundays 09:00 - 18:00
Traffic Information
Exit 5 of Jungang Station on the Busan Metro Line 1 -> Walk for 6 minutes
No parking