Seoul Museum of History extends evening hours through November

The Seoul Museum of History announced Sunday that it has expanded its evening hours since Sept. 15, allowing visitors to view exhibitions and artworks while reflecting on their daily lives. A range of nighttime programs — including exhibition talks, hands-on activities and performances — will accompany the extended hours.

The extended evening hours run through Nov. 30. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the museum's permanent exhibition hall, special exhibition hall, city model video room and Seoul historical archives will remain open until 9 p.m.

The nighttime lineup is designed to bring together citizens of different generations and backgrounds, giving them a shared space to connect through common interests. Programs span a traditional market, curator-led exhibition talks, family education sessions, craft workshops for workers and young adults, and live performances.

The traditional market "Seoyeokbak Jeotgeolli," which ran until 6 p.m. during the first half of the year, will extend its hours to match the new evening schedule. On Thursday and Saturday it runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., set up in the museum's front courtyard and inner-deck area. The market evokes the atmosphere of a Joseon-era bazaar — with spaces modeled on the "yukuijeon" licensed merchant district, the "sijeon-nanjeon" open stalls and a traditional tavern — offering traditional cultural products, food and hands-on experiences all in one place.

"Jeonsiyahwa" is an evening exhibition talk program in which the curator who conceived a given exhibition introduces the intent behind it and highlights key artifacts, then engages visitors in conversation about the works on display. Sessions are scheduled for Oct. 14, Oct. 23, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., offering a deeper look at the special exhibitions "Yeominggongsu" and "Seoul Urban Planning Grand Tour."

The museum has also prepared evening craft workshops that reinterpret traditional colors and patterns in a contemporary style, letting participants create their own handmade pieces. "Night at Gyeonghuigung — Finding My Color," aimed at young adults, runs Oct. 23 and Oct. 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. "Museum on the Way Home — Rest at Your Fingertips," designed for office workers, takes place Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

"Midnight History Journey," a program for families, continues into next month. Combining exhibition viewing, education and hands-on activities during evening hours, it guides families through Seoul's history and culture from the Joseon era to modern times. The program runs every Friday from Nov. 6 to Nov. 27, from 7 to 8:40 p.m., for a total of four sessions.

Evening programs are also available at the Seoul Woori Soori Museum, a branch of the main museum located just in front of Changdeokgung Palace. "Woori Soori Talk Concert" will be held on Oct. 30 and Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Numaru hall of the Seoul Woori Soori Museum. The interactive talk concert pairs performances by young traditional artists with conversation, offering audiences a more accessible introduction to Korean traditional music.

The Seoul Museum of History, which opened in 2002, offers a comprehensive look at the city's history. All nighttime programs are free of charge, and detailed schedules and registration information for each program are available on the museum's website.

"In line with the expanded evening hours, we have prepared a variety of programs — including exhibition talks, hands-on activities and performances — so that citizens can enjoy the museum more fully in the evening," said Kim Su-jeong, head of the museum's curatorial research division. "We hope the museum will establish itself as a cultural space that people can comfortably visit after work and on weekend evenings."