The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is one of Seoul’s flagship performance venues. It stands in front of Gwanghwamun at 175 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, about a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 or 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5. You can walk around the building for free. Performances, exhibitions, and other programs are ticketed, and prices vary by program. Opening hours also change from month to month, so check the official website before you go.
What Is the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts?
The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is a cultural institution founded by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It began in 1961 as Unam Hoegwan (우남회관). In 1972 its successor, Simin Hoegwan (시민회관), burned down, and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts opened on the same site on April 14, 1978. Through the 1970s and ’80s it was the main stage for Korean fine arts, and it was also one of the main ways international performing arts reached Korea.
In 1999 it became a foundation. Since then it has renovated the Sejong Grand Theater and added more performance and exhibition spaces. Today, shows and exhibitions take place in these five venues:
| Venue | Type |
|---|---|
| Sejong Grand Theater | Flagship large-scale theater |
| Sejong Chamber Hall | Chamber music hall |
| Sejong M Theater | Mid-sized theater |
| Sejong S Theater | Small theater |
| Sejong Museum of Art | Exhibition space |
When to See the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at Night
The center doesn’t publish a time when the building lights turn on, and it doesn’t recommend any spot for night views. Hours vary by month, so if you plan an evening visit, check that day’s hours on the website or by phone (02-399-1000) first.
If you’d like to see the area from the roof, look into the backstage tour. Media reports said a rooftop observation deck would join the tour route from July 2026. Reports give different tour schedules, though, so confirm the details on the official website.
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Hours and Admission
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 175 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul |
| Opening hours | Vary by month |
| Admission | Paid (varies by program) |
| Information & phone booking | 02-399-1000 (9 a.m.–8 p.m.) |
| Website | https://www.sejongpac.or.kr |
English Backstage Tour for International Visitors
Since April 2026, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts has run a backstage tour for international visitors that is conducted entirely in English. The route covers the Sejong Grand Theater, the backstage corridors, and the rehearsal rooms of the center’s resident arts companies. A free trial ran in April, and after that it became a paid regular tour.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Language | English (for international visitors) |
| Route | Sejong Grand Theater, backstage corridors, resident company rehearsal rooms |
| Price | 35,000 KRW (~$26 USD) per person |
| Days | Reports differ: one says regular tours run Monday and Thursday mornings, another says Korean tours on Tuesdays and English tours on Thursdays from July |
Because reports give different days, check the current schedule on the official website before you book.
Accessibility Discounts and Facilities
When a visitor with a disability attends, one companion gets 50% off admission. To get the discount, buy tickets in person at the box office or info shop, or book by phone, and show the disability welfare card (복지카드) when you collect the tickets. Accessibility features include a tactile braille map, braille guide blocks, a “Happy Call” assistance button, wheelchair lifts, and elevators.
How to Get to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
Subway
| Line | Station & Exit | On foot |
|---|---|---|
| Line 5 | Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 1 or 8 (or Exit 7) | About 200 m toward Gwanghwamun, roughly 3 minutes |
| Line 1 | Jonggak Station, Exit 1 | About 350 m toward Gwanghwamun |
| Line 3 | Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 6 | Toward Sejong-daero |
Bus
| Stop | Routes |
|---|---|
| Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (세종문화회관) | Trunk 401, 406, 700, 703, 704 / Branch 1711, 7016, 7018, 7022 / Express (wide-area) 5000A, 5000B, 5005, 5500-2, 9000, 9000-1, 9200, 9401 / Other Jongno09, Jongno11, 6005 |
| Gwanghwamun (median bus lane) | Trunk 103, 150, 160, 260, 270, 271, 273, 370, 470, 601, 702A, 702B, 705, 707, 720, 721, 741 / Other N26, N37, 6002 |
From Seoul Station or Busan
| From | How | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul Station | Take Subway Line 1 to Jonggak Station, then walk about 350 m from Exit 1 | 1,550 KRW (~$1.20 USD) by transit card, 1,650 KRW (~$1.25 USD) in cash |
| Busan | Take the KTX from Busan Station to Seoul Station, then follow the Seoul Station route above | KTX standard class 54,400 KRW (~$41 USD), from September 1, 2026 |
From Incheon International Airport
Bus 6005 (stops at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts stop) and bus 6002 (stops at the Gwanghwamun median-lane stop) are Incheon Airport limousine routes. We couldn’t confirm official fares or travel times, so check the airport bus information before you travel.
Parking (Sejong-ro Public Parking Lot)
If you drive, use the Sejong-ro Public Parking Lot (세종로 공영주차장). The Seoul Facilities Corporation (서울시설공단) runs it directly, and it is a Tier 1 (top-rate zone) lot.
| Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| April–November | 300 KRW (~$0.23 USD) per 5 minutes |
| December–March (fine-dust season) | 350 KRW (~$0.26 USD) per 5 minutes |
| December–March, Grade 5 emission vehicles | 450 KRW (~$0.34 USD) per 5 minutes |
The fine-dust season rate table lists the period as “January–March,” so check with the Seoul Facilities Corporation whether the higher rate also applies in December. We couldn’t confirm whether parking discounts for performance-goers are still offered.
Tips for Visiting the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
- Check the hours first. They change every month, so you could find the doors closed if you show up in the evening.
- Use public transportation. Exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station are 3 minutes away, and many bus routes stop at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts stop.
- Call during booking hours. The 02-399-1000 line is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Confirm the backstage tour schedule. Reports give different tour days, so check the official website.
- Book the companion discount in person or by phone. It isn’t available any other way, so bring the welfare card when you collect your tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I park at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and how much does it cost?
Park at the Sejong-ro Public Parking Lot. From April to November it costs 300 KRW (~$0.23 USD) per 5 minutes. During the December–March fine-dust season it costs 350 KRW (~$0.26 USD) per 5 minutes, or 450 KRW (~$0.34 USD) per 5 minutes for Grade 5 emission vehicles.
What is the nearest subway station and exit to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts?
Exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5 are the closest. From either exit, walk about 200 m toward Gwanghwamun, which takes about 3 minutes. Exit 1 of Jonggak Station on Line 1 is about 350 m away.
Is there a parking discount for performance-goers?
We couldn’t confirm whether a discount is still offered. Call 02-399-1000 before your visit to ask.
Is there an English backstage tour for international visitors?
Yes, there is an English backstage tour for international visitors. It started in April 2026 and costs 35,000 KRW (~$26 USD) per person. Reports give different tour days, so check the official website.
What is the phone booking number for the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts?
The number is 02-399-1000. Bookings and inquiries are handled from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Are there discounts and facilities for visitors with disabilities?
Yes, one companion gets 50% off admission. Book at the box office, the info shop, or by phone, and show the disability welfare card when you collect your tickets. Facilities include a tactile braille map, braille guide blocks, a “Happy Call” assistance button, wheelchair lifts, and elevators.
How do I get from Seoul Station to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts?
Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Jonggak Station. From Exit 1, walk about 350 m toward Gwanghwamun. The base subway fare is 1,550 KRW (~$1.20 USD) by transit card or 1,650 KRW (~$1.25 USD) in cash.
How much is admission to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts?
Performances, exhibitions, and other programs are paid, and prices vary by program. Check the price for the program you want on the official website (https://www.sejongpac.or.kr).
