Podo Museum Doesn't Have Grapes, But It's One Of The Best Art Museums In Jeju

Last Updated on August 20, 2025

Come to Jeju Island in South Korea and you’ll find a Citrus Museum, a Lemon Museum, and a Podo Museum (포도뮤지엄). Imagine my surprise when I rocked up to the Podo Museum, podo means grape in Korean, and there weren’t any grapes in sight!

Jokes aside, Jeju Island isn’t just about beaches and lava tubes, though those are beautiful and interesting, it’s also home to a growing collection of inspiring art museums. Among them, the Podo Museum has quickly made a name for itself as one of the most thought-provoking cultural spaces on the island. Did I enjoy my visits? I did and I think you will too.

Podo Museum (포도뮤지엄), Jeju Island, Korea; art museum in Jeju

Here’s what to know about Podo Museum in Jeju Island:

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

Basic Info

Address: 788 Sallngnam-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 산록남로 788 포도뮤지엄)

Hours: Wednesday – Monday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm

Admission: Adults: W10,000; Children and Teenagers (ages 3 – 18): W6,000

Website: https://en.podomuseum.com/

Why the Podo Museum Matters

Opened in 2021, the Podo Museum is a relative newcomer to the art in Jeju scene, but it’s already earned a reputation for meaningful, immersive exhibitions. The museum’s mission goes beyond displaying beautiful artwork.

Podo Museum is designed as a multipurpose cultural space that encourages reflection on humanity, the environment, and the voices of marginalized communities. In other words, this isn’t just a place to look at art, it’s a place to feel it, think about it, and carry the conversation with you when you leave.

The building itself has a story too. Designed by late architect Kim Seok Chul, it’s located near the iconic Podo Hotel, created by Jun Itami, a Korean-Japanese architect, blending seamlessly into Jeju’s rolling landscape.

Pro Tip: Don’t expect grapes, but do expect space for curiosity and conversation. Bring a journal, sip a coffee in the café afterward, and let yourself linger, it’s that kind of place.

Annual Exhibitions Create More Time To Be Inspired

Unlike some other museums in Jeju that rotate exhibits quickly, Podo Museum takes its time. Each exhibition runs for a full year, giving visitors plenty of opportunity to absorb the work and its themes.

Past exhibitions have featured international and Korean artists like Zhang Xiaogang, Yoko Ono, and Ugo Rondinone. Topics have ranged from hate speech and diaspora to love, grief, and aging, big themes that encourage visitors to stop scrolling, slow down, and connect with the art in front of them.

The Podo Museum, with its single focused exhibition each year, stands out for its intentionality. Instead of overwhelming visitors, it invites you to spend time with the art, the space, and even yourself.

The first exhibition I visited at the museum was just after my grandmother had been diagnosed with dementia and was shortly before she passed away at the age of 96. To say the exhibition on aging and grief was poignant is an understatement.

That exhibition, “Perhaps Sunny Days”, was not just poignant to me, but as Korea has officially become a super-aged society and the “twilight years” are extending longer than ever, it speaks to the country as a whole and how we as a society grapple with the changes, welcome the changes, and embrace and explore the golden years ahead for all of us.

It Should Be On Your Jeju Itinerary For A Reason

Art museums in Jeju have been gaining attention as more travelers look for cultural experiences to complement hikes and coastal drives. Rainy days in Jeju, of which there can be many depending on the season, make museums the perfect indoor escape. With so many to choose from, it’s important to note which ones are really going to add to your trip. I think an art museum, a good one, always makes for a great addition full of inspiration.

Because the exhibitions are long here, it’s also great for tourists that may only visit Jeju Island once during the year. Tag the museum on your map for your next trip to Jeju. The current exhibition, “We, Such Fragile Beings”, is just as inspiring and fascinating as the last. Don’t miss this art museum in Jeju.