Okay, get this: Have you ever imagined the world’s largest Hangeul (Korean alphabet) Walls are actually right here in the heart of New York City? Wild, right?
I recently stumbled upon this incredible spot, the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), located on 32nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. It’s truly a beautiful space for anything Korean, and they welcome visitors with the world’s first giant art walls by renowned installation artist Ik-Joong Kang, right at their entrance. It’s seriously a showstopper!
KCCNY shares that the Hangeul Wall symbolizes the rich cultural heritage of Hangeul and the universal freedom of expression—a testament to our shared human stories. What I love is how they flipped the script: traditionally, walls divide, but this Hangeul Wall represents peace and unity. It’s like a giant canvas connecting us all, rather than separating us.
The best part? This amazing wall is totally open to the public! You can even personalize the color of the letters, and get words translated into Hangeul, and have their created artwork potentially displayed on a screen seamlessly incorporated into the artwork (though the physical tiles were pre-selected from online submissions)right there on-site via their kiosk. How cool is that?!
Beyond the wall, KCCNY is a treasure trove. They also host various art exhibitions by Korean artists for free, have a free library, and offer all sorts of cool programs like cooking classes, tea ceremonies, traditional performances, and even a movie theater−mostly free or relatively at low cost.
So, if you’re curious about Korean culture or just looking for something truly unique to discover while in NYC, definitely pay a visit to the Korean Culture Center: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XNakZUDiJui8nv4d8.
You won’t regret it.
