Painters is a show that tells its story through dance, acting and painting instead of words. Performances run every day at 14:00, 17:00 and 20:00 (2, 5 and 8 PM) at the Painters Gwanghwamun Theater, on the first floor of Kyunghyang Art Hill (경향아트힐) at 3 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul. The show lasts 75 minutes. Seats cost 70,000 KRW (~$50 USD) for VIP, 60,000 KRW (~$43 USD) for R and 50,000 KRW (~$36 USD) for S. There’s no dialogue, so you don’t need any Korean to follow along, and it’s rated for all ages, so you can bring the kids.
The run is listed as November 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026. This guide covers showtimes, seat prices, booking and cancellation rules, getting there by subway or from Incheon International Airport, and tips for international visitors.
What Is Painters? A Nonverbal Show of Dance, Acting and Art
What makes Painters unusual is that it talks to the audience through dance, acting and visual art. The show also uses projection mapping, a newer video technique, to give each scene a strong visual punch.
Since there’s no spoken dialogue, the official website recommends it as a good show to see with friends from abroad. It’s rated for all ages and runs straight through with no intermission.
2026 Painters Schedule and Showtimes
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Run | November 1, 2022 – December 31, 2026 |
| Showtimes | Daily (365 days a year) at 14:00 / 17:00 / 20:00 |
| Running time | 75 minutes (no intermission) |
| Age rating | All ages |
| Venue | Painters Gwanghwamun Theater (338 seats) |
| Address | 1F, Kyunghyang Art Hill, 3 Jeongdong-gil (Jeong-dong), Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 정동길 3 (정동), 경향아트힐 1층) |
| Box office | Opens 1 hour before each show |
| Organizer / Producer | Pentatonic Co., Ltd. (㈜펜타토닉) |
| Inquiries | 02-766-7848 |
| Official website | www.thepainters.co.kr |
| Official Instagram | @painters_official |
The producer may change the schedule, so check the official website before you go. Also note that NOL (Yanolja), one of the ticket sellers, lists the same address as “Kyunghyang Art Hill Hall 5” (경향아트힐 5관). It’s the same venue.
Signature Scenes and Highlights
The program mixes live drawing, K-pop performance and pieces that blend media art with live action. Each scene creates a picture in a different way. These are the main ones:
- Light Carving: art “sculpted” out of light.
- Action Painting: images painted across four canvases at once.
- Dust Drawing: a scene known for its surprise twist.
- Speed Drawing: a picture finished at remarkable speed.
- Marbling: an image that forms on the surface of water.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Drawing: a picture made with light.
Seat Prices and Discounts
| Seat class | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VIP | 70,000 KRW (~$50 USD) | – |
| R | 60,000 KRW (~$43 USD) | – |
| S | 50,000 KRW (~$36 USD) | TimeTicket deal: 35,000 KRW (~$25 USD), 30% off per person |
Full discount details are on the official website. The TimeTicket deal depends on when you buy, and seat prices differ on some dates, so check the price for your date before you book.
How to Book Tickets and Cancellation Fees
You can buy Painters tickets on the official website, NOL (Yanolja) and TimeTicket (타임티켓), among others. The terms differ by seller:
| Seller | What to know |
|---|---|
| Official website | No sign-up needed, choose your own seat, 0 KRW booking fee |
| NOL (Yanolja) | Monday–Saturday shows: book by 17:00 the day before. Sunday shows: book by 11:00 the day before |
| TimeTicket | S-seat deal at 35,000 KRW (~$25 USD), 30% off per person (depends on when you buy) |
If you book through NOL, these cancellation fees apply:
| When you cancel | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| Before midnight on the day of booking | Free |
| Up to 10 days before the show | 4,000 KRW (~$3 USD) per ticket or 10% of the ticket price, whichever is less |
| 9–7 days before the show | 10% of the ticket price |
| 6–3 days before the show | 20% of the ticket price |
| 2 days before the show until the cancellation deadline | 30% of the ticket price |
NOL’s customer center is at 1544-1555 and is open 09:00–18:00. If you bought from the official website or TimeTicket, check that seller’s own cancellation policy.
Getting to the Painters Gwanghwamun Theater: Subway, Airport and Parking
The theater is on the first floor of Kyunghyang Art Hill, 3 Jeongdong-gil (Jeong-dong), Jung-gu, Seoul. Parking at the venue is limited, so the subway or other public transportation is your best bet.
By Subway
| Line and station | Exit | Walking time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 5, Seodaemun Station | Exit 5 | 6 minutes |
| Line 1, City Hall Station | Exit 1 | 13 minutes |
| Line 2, City Hall Station | Exit 12 | 13 minutes |
Seodaemun Station on Line 5 is the closest stop. Don’t confuse it with the similarly named Seodaemun Theater, which is a separate Painters venue. Even when you get off at Seodaemun Station, check which venue is on your ticket.
From Incheon International Airport
From Incheon International Airport, take AREX (the Airport Railroad, 공항철도) to Seoul Station.
| Route | Train | Travel time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incheon Airport Terminal 1 → Seoul Station | AREX Express | 43 minutes | Adults 13,000 KRW (~$9 USD) |
| Incheon Airport Terminal 2 → Seoul Station | AREX Express | 51 minutes | Adults 13,000 KRW (~$9 USD) |
| Incheon Airport Terminal 1 → Seoul Station | AREX All-Stop | 59 minutes | 4,750 KRW (~$3.40 USD) with a transit card |
The Express runs nonstop to Seoul Station roughly every 40 minutes. Fares can change, so check the AREX official website before you ride. From Seoul Station, search a map app for a route toward Seodaemun or City Hall Station.
Parking
Parking at the venue is tight, and visitors are advised to use nearby paid public parking lots. The official website has no parking information, so if you plan to drive, call 02-766-7848 before your visit.
Gwanghwamun Theater vs. Seodaemun Theater
Besides the Gwanghwamun Theater, Painters also plays at a Seodaemun Theater and a venue in Gimhae. Addresses and showtimes differ at each one, so double-check the venue name when you book.
| Venue | Address | Showtimes | Running time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwanghwamun Theater | 1F, Kyunghyang Art Hill, 3 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul | Daily 14:00 / 17:00 / 20:00 | 75 minutes |
| Seodaemun Theater | B2, Nonghyup Central Office New Building (농협중앙회 신관), 120 Tongil-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul | Daily 17:00 / 20:00 | – |
| Gimhae venue | 161 Gayatema-gil (가야테마길) | 14:00 / 16:30 (closed Mondays) | 60 minutes |
Tips for International Visitors: Language, Payment and Luggage
- Language: There’s no dialogue, so you can enjoy the show without knowing Korean. We couldn’t confirm whether English subtitles or English guidance are offered, so keep a translation app handy for the box office.
- Payment: The payment methods accepted at the on-site box office aren’t officially listed. Booking online in advance is the simplest option. If you need to pay on site, call 02-766-7848 to ask which methods are accepted. The AREX All-Stop train accepts transit cards.
- Luggage: We couldn’t confirm whether the venue stores bags. If you’re carrying a suitcase or other large luggage, contact the venue before you visit.
Tips for Enjoying the Show
- Arrive early. The box office opens an hour before each show, so come early if you have questions to sort out on site.
- Book on the official website to skip fees. You don’t need to sign up, you can choose your own seat, and the booking fee is 0 KRW.
- Use the restroom before you go in. The show runs 75 minutes with no intermission.
- Eat before or after. Visitors are told that food can’t be brought into the theater.
- Check the venue name on your ticket. Seodaemun Station is the closest stop to the Gwanghwamun Theater, but the Seodaemun Theater is a different venue.
Showtimes and prices can change, so check the official website or call 02-766-7848 for the latest details before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Painters showtimes?
There are three shows a day at the Painters Gwanghwamun Theater, at 14:00, 17:00 and 20:00. The show runs 75 minutes with no intermission. The producer may change the schedule, so check the official website before you book.
How much are Painters tickets, and are there discounts?
Seats cost 70,000 KRW (~$50 USD) for VIP, 60,000 KRW (~$43 USD) for R and 50,000 KRW (~$36 USD) for S. Full discount details are on the official website, and TimeTicket has an S-seat deal at 35,000 KRW (~$25 USD), 30% off per person. Discount deals and prices on some dates can change, so check again when you book.
Where can I buy Painters tickets?
You can buy them on the official website, NOL (Yanolja) and TimeTicket, among others. On the official website you don’t need to sign up, you can choose your own seat, and the booking fee is 0 KRW. On NOL, book Monday–Saturday shows by 17:00 the day before and Sunday shows by 11:00 the day before.
What’s the closest subway station to the Painters Gwanghwamun Theater?
The closest station is Seodaemun Station on Line 5, a 6-minute walk from Exit 5. It’s a 13-minute walk from City Hall Station, Exit 1 on Line 1 or Exit 12 on Line 2.
How do I get from Incheon International Airport to the Painters theater?
Take AREX (the Airport Railroad) to Seoul Station, then head toward Seodaemun or City Hall Station, both near the theater. The AREX Express takes 43 minutes from Incheon Airport Terminal 1 to Seoul Station and 51 minutes from Terminal 2, and the listed adult fare is 13,000 KRW (~$9 USD). The All-Stop train takes 59 minutes from Terminal 1 to Seoul Station and costs 4,750 KRW (~$3.40 USD) with a transit card.
Is there parking at the Painters theater?
Parking at the venue is tight, so public transportation is the better choice. Visitors are advised to use nearby paid public parking lots. The official website has no parking information, so if you’re driving, call 02-766-7848 ahead of time.
Can international visitors and children watch Painters?
Yes. The show has no dialogue and is rated for all ages, so international visitors and children can both enjoy it. The official website also recommends it as a good show to see with friends from abroad. However, we couldn’t confirm whether English subtitles or English guidance are provided.
What’s the difference between the Gwanghwamun Theater and the Seodaemun Theater?
Both stage the same Painters show, but the locations and showtimes differ. The Gwanghwamun Theater is on the first floor of Kyunghyang Art Hill, 3 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, with shows daily at 14:00, 17:00 and 20:00. The Seodaemun Theater is on B2 of the Nonghyup Central Office New Building, 120 Tongil-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, with shows daily at 17:00 and 20:00. Check the venue name carefully when you book.
Is there a fee to cancel my booking?
If you booked through NOL, cancelling before midnight on the day you booked is free. After that, the fee depends on how close the show is. It starts at 4,000 KRW (~$3 USD) per ticket or 10% of the ticket price, whichever is less, and goes up to 30% of the ticket price. If you booked elsewhere, check that seller’s cancellation policy.
