Incheon Art Platform: Engage with Interactive Art and Culture

Situated in Haean-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon Art Platform is a complex arts and cultural space which contributes to the modernization of Incheon’s old downtown. It promotes artistic and cultural exchanges by carrying out exhibitions, performances and interactive art to the public. These days, Incheon Art Platform is well-known among the youngsters for its Instagrammable photo zones. Continue reading to explore and learn more about this unique art platform.  

Getting There

Getting to Incheon Art Platform is not as complicated as you think, rather it is super easy! First, take a subway to Incheon Station (Line 1 or Suin Line) and walk out from exit 1. Then, take a 10-minute walk to the art platform.

Address: 3, Jemullyang-ro 218beon-gil (1ga Haean-dong), Jung-gu, Incheon

History

Incheon Art Platform is created by purchasing nearby buildings in the coastal area of Junghae-gu, as part of the revitalization project in the old city. The buildings were constructed in 1930-1940s and have been carefully preserved until today as significant cultural assets. It is highly acknowledged for its historic and architectural value due to their modern and structurally advanced construction. In addition, it is created through the combined efforts of the city’s resolution and its citizens’ desire to promote dynamic and local culture.

Due to its historic and strategic location, Incheon Art Platform is able to engage the pubic in artistic discourse through its education and arts programs. Both Incheon city and Incheon Art Platform continue to cooperate with each other in order to make the dreams of creating a cultural city come true. Moreover, they seek to provide cooperative affiliations with global art organizations.

Attractions and Photo Zones

Incheon Art Platform consists of 13 buildings which have been refurbished into café, culture centers, workspace for artists, operating office, exhibition and performance halls. In between the buildings, there are some distinctive artworks which serve as Instagram-worthy photo spots. Every single piece of artwork have their respective meanings and story behind it. When you arrive at the Incheon Art Platform, the first sculpture you will see is two gold-colored burden carriers. As Jemulpo Port opened up its gate in 1883, Incheon port area turned into an important market for international trades that helped the inflow of western goods and culture. These sculptures reenact how burden carriers shipped goods at Incheon open port.

As you walk into the alley between the red-brick buildings, you will see a very unique and strange sculpture. It is a combination of the head of a Batman, upper body of a Hulk, lower body of a Wonderwoman, legs of an Iron Man and hands of a Spiderman. It is the first time I have seen something like this, but it looks weirdly nice together, isn’t it?

Here are some other artworks that you can appreciate while walking down the alley! I am not a fan of art, but I think they are all exquisitely beautiful in their own way!

I literally take pictures with everything I see in the art platform!

Incheon Art Platform as a Popular K-drama Filming Location

One of my all-time favorite Korean drama, Goblin, filmed some of their fluttering scenes here. It was aired in December 2016, starring Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun. In episode 14, both of them took a stroll here after they met at BookNStory after her radio show. The drama was such a great hit that it gained popularity not only in Korea, but throughout the whole world.

The recent hit drama, It’s Okay Not To Be Okay, featuring Kim Soo-hyun is filmed in this art platform too. In episode 11, Ko Moon-Young (Seo Yea-ji) and Moon Gang-tae (Oh Jung-se) are having some arguments in front of this vibrant door.

On the other hand, Incheon Art Platform is also the filming location of The Beauty Inside, South Korean romantic comedy film which was released in 2015. It is here where the handsome version of Kim Woo-jin (Park Seo-joon) asks Hong Yi-soo (Han Hyo-joo) out for a date after she helped him load a chair into the back of his car.

Final Thoughts

I spent around 1 hour here taking pictures and visiting all the exhibition halls. If you want to appreciate art from a different perspective, this place is definitely worth a quick visit. Check out this one-day trip itinerary in Incheon!