Korea Manhwa Museum

A museum tracing the history and present of Korean comics and webtoons — this is Korea Manhwa Museum.

It first opened in October 2001, and after an expansion and relocation in 2009 took its current form, now run by the Korea Manhwa (Cartoon) & Animation Agency.

Bucheon is widely regarded as Korea's hub for the comics and webtoon industry, and in 2017 it became East Asia's first — and the world's 21st — UNESCO City of Literature, recognized for its literary and creative-content infrastructure.

The permanent exhibition traces the arc from early modern manhwa to today's webtoons in chronological order, alongside original artwork and tools from well-known cartoonists. The hands-on experience hall lets visitors try drawing their own comics or take photos with characters, making it a hit with kids too.

Honestly, though, the permanent exhibition itself can feel a bit unfamiliar without background knowledge of Korean comics history, so international visitors may get more out of focusing on the experience hall.

Special exhibitions rotate frequently, so it's worth checking what's currently on display before you go.

There's typically a modest fee for the permanent exhibition (with various discounts; check the current amount before visiting), and it's accessible on foot from Bucheon Stadium Station (Line 7).