Put the kids away and head somewhere else if you’re at work — this is sex and sexual health at its most… er, interesting.
Lest you think Korea is full of prudes, this museum is here to say otherwise. Founded by Kim Whan Bae (김완배), the museum opened in March of 2006 after an extensive five-year legal battle with the Korean government. The government, apparently, did not take a liking to the sexual nature of the imported pieces, and had them returned to sender. In the end Kim prevailed, carving out an exemption for his XXX-rated exhibits in Korean law.
The outdoor collections show some… interesting wear marks… Much like bronze, concrete seems to wear / color a bit more wherever it’s touched.
What makes it unusual is the variety — everything from silly to historical is presented, almost in a mash-up style. Although the majority of descriptions are in Korean, the visual orientation of the museum doesn’t require much description. If someone in your group can translate, however, you’ll appreciate the educational content more than a few people need to hear.
Go ahead, look with your partner and see how many of these you’ve tried.
Where Loveland is considered more of a tourist attraction, the Museum of Sex and Health is intended to be a more educational and factual experience. Curiously, few of the descriptions feature polls from Koreans, even as people from around the world are asked about their favorite positions and first sexual experiences. Some of the posters seem almost corporate in design, and they tend to enlighten more than titillate.
I definitely appreciate the non-Korean focus, however.
You’ll definitely enjoy the capacity to laugh at everything from a mummy with an erection to a section that sends the men and women in different ways (not pictured)
So… a penis with wings, a penis-shaped tail, and another one in the correct place…? Erm, got it.
There’s something to be said about controlling something that seems to have a mind of its own. Threatening it with a knife…? Not so much.
One reason to go with your partner: ‘ooh, haven’t tried that one in awhile…’
I can imagine a few guys with longer hair looking like this.
It’s not just about sex, of course — there’s a bit of history / mythology here as well.
Love the straightforward look.
Let the record show the museum as a whole is well done, tastefully laid out, and well-lit.
Somehow I doubt the age of this painting, but no worries.
A bit of interactiveness on display! Line up your shot and see if you can make the putt.
Looks like something out of a Bond movie opening.
It might be a bit of a turnoff that the first floor is mostly in Korean, but you probably didn’t come here to read walls of text. Still, it’s a great place to take in if you’re coming to Jeju-do!
Name: Museum of Sex and Health (건강과 성 박물관) / AKA S’Meca
Address: 1736 Gamsan-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, Jeju-do 699–920 (제주도 서귀포시
안덕면 감산리 1736번지) (GPS: 33.254804, 126.346773)
Directions: By bus, look for red bus 780 to make the one-hour trip from Seogwipo City.
By your own vehicle (recommended), input the address into the GPS device, or take route 1132 west out of Seogwipo and ride for about 20 kilometers. Around the 16km mark, take the left fork to stay on route 1132. Look left for the museum.
Hours: 9am-8pm everyday (until 10pm during peak summer season)
Admission: 12,000 won
Phone: 064–792–5700
Website: http://www.sexmuseum.or.kr
