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| ▲ 11-A Sound System, 1930, Western Electric ⓒ Audeum |
The newly opened Audeum in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, is garnering significant attention among audio enthusiasts. Established by the Seojeon Cultural Foundation under KCC Group, this museum, the first of its kind in Korea, was designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma and decorated by graphic designer Kenya Hara.
The museum houses the Western Electric collection, amassed over 40 years by KCC Chairman Chung Mong-jin and the late audio expert Choi Bong-sik. This collection is accessible for free through an online reservation system. Since its opening on the 5th of last month, reservations have filled up quickly.
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| ▲ 11-A Sound System, 1924, Western Electric ⓒ Audeum |
The opening exhibition, titled “Jungeum: A Journey of Sound,” is conducted as a docent tour, allowing visitors to experience the soundscapes. The tour begins on the 3rd floor and concludes in the lounge on the basement level 2. It starts in reverse chronological order, beginning with speakers from the 1950s-60s used in homes. The 2nd floor features vintage audio systems from the 1920s-30s, while the special gallery on the 1st floor displays music boxes from the 18th-19th centuries. Across its four floors, Audeum showcases a rich collection spanning over a century, including music boxes, phonographs, and vintage audio systems.
There are two listening halls for high-quality audio enjoyment. The 3rd floor comprises exhibition rooms 1-4, with listening spaces in rooms 2 and 4. The 2nd floor exhibition hall features a cylindrical phonograph invented by Thomas Alva Edison in the 19th century. Exhibition rooms 5-7 on the 2nd floor are primarily dedicated to Western Electric’s sound systems, offering listening experiences through various horn speakers.
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| ▲ 11-A Sound System, 1937, Western Electric ⓒ Audeum |
The 1st floor houses special exhibition rooms 1 and 2 and the exit gallery. The special exhibition rooms present archival displays, including photographs by Daiki Fukao documenting the collection (special exhibition room 1) and interview videos about the establishment of Audeum (special exhibition room 2). The exit gallery features music boxes from the pre-phonograph era, allowing visitors to experience the sounds of 19th-century music boxes.
On the 2nd and 3rd floors, visitors can experience grand sounds through audio systems, and the lounge displays approximately 100,000 rare LPs for a delightful auditory and visual experience. Additional cultural spaces include a gift shop, an auditorium, and educational rooms. Audeum plans to offer various cultural and artistic programs in the future.
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| ▲ 11-A Sound System, 1927, Western Electric ⓒ Audeum |
Audeum is open from Thursday to Saturday, while it remains closed from Sunday to Wednesday for exhibition maintenance. Due to the vintage nature of the collection, the museum limits its operating hours to ensure the optimal preservation of the exhibits. Visitors must make reservations through the website to join the timed tours, where expert docents provide fascinating and diverse information about the history and world of audio.
An Audeum representative stated, “As the largest audio museum in Korea, Audeum offers not only audiophiles but also the general public the opportunity to rediscover their sound through vintage audio systems. We aim to contribute to the expansion of culture and arts and create a space where many citizens can enjoy together.”
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| ▲ The poster of the exhibition ⓒ Audeum |
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
