Who says Busan only has sea view cafes? Come enjoy art and visit a Hanok cafe!

Besides the must-sees of Unhaedae, Gamcheon Culture Village, and Songdo in Busan, I highly recommend the lesser-known Busan Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum's exterior, covered in greenery, looks like a work of art in itself. Even better for budget travelers, there's no admission fee. Yes, you read that correctly, this wonderful museum is free.

Having traveled to many countries, I've found that most museums of modern art (MOMAs) charge admission. For example, a single ticket to the New York MOMA can be as high as USD 30. While there are free hours, they're usually in the evening, and you'll have to wait in long lines and squeeze in with the crowds, depriving you of the opportunity to enjoy the art in a quiet and leisurely manner.

In Busan, however, the Museum of Contemporary Art is free at all times, regardless of opening time, for both Koreans and foreigners.

Don't assume that free admission doesn't guarantee good exhibitions. This time, I focused on seeing the works of the renowned Korean-American avant-garde artist Nam June Paik. Nam June Paik, known as the "Father of Video Art," was born in South Korea and later studied in Japan and Germany before finally settling in New York. His works often combine music, video, and performance art, demonstrating a transcendental mindset within the realm of art. He even collaborated with several engineers to create a robot that wandered the streets of New York City. While robots walking the streets might not be unusual today, they were relatively rare in the 1960s and 1970s, demonstrating his avant-garde thinking at the time. Another notable work, a collaboration with cellist Charlotte Moorman, includes "TV Cello" and "TV Bra for Living Sculpture," both of which can be seen in this exhibition. He also once tied a violin to his back with a rope and paraded it around, much like walking a dog today. He described this performance art as an expression of "Zen." But honestly, as an ordinary person, I find it a bit difficult to understand. After watching the entire exhibition, I'm unsure whether to call him a genius or a lunatic. Only seeing him in person will tell.

🎟️ Admission: Free
🚌 Transportation: From the "Haduan" subway station, take bus 3, 161, or 128-1 to Busan Museum of Contemporary Art.
⏰ Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Closed Mondays)

🚶🏼➡️Side trip: "Tobuk Bakery" This is a "Hanok Café" opened by a famous Busan bakery. It's a popular spot for locals, with fewer foreign tourists. I personally prefer the seating on the first floor and outside. Their signature "Salt Croissant" boasts a rich, buttery aroma and a crispy crust. I personally think it's better than the salt croissants from Yihetang in Taiwan. I highly recommend trying it.

Tobuk Bakery
🚌 Access: Take bus number 161 from the bus stop in front of the museum and get off at Noksan Nonghyup Station. Alternatively, take bus number 161 in front of the Haeundae Subway Station.
⏰ Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Last order 9:40 PM)
🏛️ Address: Tobuk Bakery Cafe, 526-1 Nakdongnam-ro, Gangseo-gu

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