Bonte Museum

The Bonte Museum in Jeju offers a well-balanced mix of art, culture, and architecture that reflects the island’s calm and refined character. Designed by Ando Tadao, the building features his signature minimalist style, with clean lines and a layout that blends naturally into the landscape. Inside, visitors can find an impressive display of Korean craft ware, including Joseon dynasty furniture and traditional accessories. The exhibitions are neatly organised and easy to enjoy, giving a clear look at Korea’s artistic traditions. There is also an interactive installation located in a separate building—a light chamber that provides an engaging and immersive experience, contrasting nicely with the quieter tone of the main galleries. A café that overlooks the pond is located within the museum's main building, which now only serves drinks. It previously offered meals such as Jeju black pork donkatsu, but even with a smaller menu, it remains a comfortable spot for a short rest. Parking is straightforward, and the museum’s slightly elevated location provides nice sea views, though the ocean is some distance away. Overall, the Bonte Museum is a pleasant and well-designed place to visit for anyone interested in Korean craftsmanship, contemporary installations, and modern architecture.

The star of this museum is the architecture. Tadao Ando did an excellent job and the space is inspiring, grand yet intimate at the same time. I came very early so I had most of it to myself. The Yayao room is intriguing but I wouldn’t say it’s the highlight. Art works were few but curated well. And the gardens were beautiful. A definite must if you’re an art lover.

One of my favourite places to go in Jeju island during my trip there. A large art space that has the mixture of both traditional side and mordern aspect. I really spent my time there and enjoyed those pieces. (Shoutout to RM of BTS for suggesting this art museum) However, you should be aware that this place is very far away from the main city, which if you are going to take the bus like I do, it will take at least 4 hours in total (for forth and back) to go from Jeju city. Ticket price was also a bit expensive in my view point, but it’s alright. Overall, if you are planning to travel to Jeju, consider this art museum.

A complete waste of time. We drove 1.5h from the east—we’re art and architecture enthusiasts and were looking forward to this museum. This place was the ultimate letdown. Waste of my time and money. 1. Exhibitions were mid, 5/10 at best. Collection and curation very very very underwhelming. 2. Not worth 30,000 won 3. Staff was extremely rude, subtly roll her eyes, slammed things (lightly but WAD??), showed and attitude and shouted at us 4. After multiple museum runs this trip, I can conclude Jeju is scenic and has great architecture with bad service and not-so-worth-the-trip art

The Bonte Museum is quite small in size. While it offers an interesting experience, in my humble opinion, the entrance fee of 30,000 won is rather steep. The only aspects I genuinely appreciated were the café on-site, the restrooms, and the area near the café, which featured a stunning view of the surrounding nature. If you are looking to spend time in a quiet and cozy place, you may find it pleasant to relax there.

We really enjoyed navigating Bonte Museum. I could see that the architect carefully thought out about jumping one gallery to another, as it felt like we were trying to tap a new place for each gallery. Although the museum is relatively small, I loved each of Mr. Ando Tadao's touch, as I am a huge fan of his. Each gallery has a good range of traditional Korean art and bits of contemporary art and famous Yayoi Kusama. If you missed Inifinity Mirror, this place offers the experience, without any queue. Although the ticket was pricy (₩30,000 for each adult), we enjoyed our time at the quiet, well curated museum.

The Bonte Museum, or 본태박물관, is a captivating cultural institution that offers a rich exploration of art and history. From thought-provoking exhibits to immersive displays, the museum provides a diverse and engaging experience for visitors. The carefully curated collection showcases a blend of traditional and contemporary works, offering a glimpse into the region's cultural evolution. The museum's architecture enhances the overall ambiance, creating a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating. With informative guides and interactive installations, the Bonte Museum stands as a testament to the cultural heritage it preserves, making it a must-visit for those seeking a meaningful and enlightening museum experience.

5 galleries including paintings from Picasso, Andy Warhol, yayos and other artists. Interesting layout and well guided tour. W30-$20US. Recommended time:1.5 hours Short Outdoor walk between galleries