Did you know that a building designed by Tadao Ando, one of the most celebrated architects of our time, exists in Seoul as a performing arts venue?

LG Arts Center Seoul opened in the Magok district in 2022, presenting a wide range of performances across theater, dance, classical music, and jazz. Magok is a neighborhood that feels unlike the rest of the city. Located not far from Incheon Airport and Yeouido, it sits under strict height restrictions that keep tall buildings out of the skyline entirely. In their place: lakes, greenery, and a quietness that catches first-time visitors off guard.

The arts center defines the area. Visiting for a performance, I took my time looking for what Tadao Ando had left in the details. His signature exposed concrete was immediately apparent, as was his approach to drawing light and nature into the built environment, a quality that runs through almost everything he has designed.

The space announces itself before you even reach the main hall. The corridor leading into the arts center is structured as an oval tunnel, its walls and ceiling covered entirely in a rippling wood grain pattern that moves in waves from one end to the other. Natural light enters from the far end and spreads across the surface as you walk through it. By the time you arrive, the building has already given you something to think about.

For those looking to experience a performance in Seoul, or simply to encounter Tadao Ando's architecture in person, this is reason enough to make the trip to Magok.