Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
September is for art in Korea
Kwon Mee-yoo
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Just a decade ago, the idea of Seoul hosting a premium international art fair such as Frieze would have seemed absurd. Back then, Korean art, while respected, struggled to gain international recognition beyond a few prominent names.
Yet today, Seoul is a magnet for the global art community every autumn, with collectors, curators and art lovers flocking to the city for an array of events, headlined by Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul. This September alone, over 80,000 visitors from around the world attended these events, despite the global economic downturn, which speaks to the strong pull of Korea’s burgeoning art scene.
Frieze Seoul, in its third year, ran alongside Kiaf, attracting patrons from around the world, including art institutions from over 40 countries in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The simultaneous opening of the Gwangju Biennale and Busan Biennale further enriched Korea's artistic appeal, creating a robust cultural itinerary that positioned the country at the heart of Asia’s art world.
What’s particularly notable this year is the shift in focus from high-priced masterpieces to more accessible mid-range works with an emphasis on Korean art. While previous editions often highlighted exorbitantly priced pieces that could be considered "textbook classics," this year's fair catered to a broader range of collectors, presenting more affordable works from both emerging and established artists.
Among the standout sales was a painting by Korea’s first-generation modernist Yoo Young-kuk, sold by PKM Gallery for approximately 20 billion won, marking it as the highest-priced work by a Korean artist at the event. Additionally, Pace Gallery sold a painting by Lee Ufan for 16 billion won, while Thaddaeus Ropac successfully placed works by Lee Bul and Lee Kangso. Kukje Gallery also saw success promoting and selling works by Kim Yun-shin and Gallery Hyundai showcased and sold pieces by Jeon Joon-ho. Johyun Gallery recorded strong sales as well, particularly with pieces from "charcoal artist" Lee Bae.
What has truly solidified Seoul’s role as a major art hub, however, is not just the presence of international galleries but the thriving local art ecosystem. Seoul’s art infrastructure — spanning museums, galleries and public institutions — has expanded rapidly in recent years. This year’s edition of Frieze Seoul coincided with multiple local events, including exhibitions by top-notch artists including Mark Rothko and Lee Ufan, Do Ho Suh and Anicka Yi. The Gwangju Biennale’s influence was palpable as well, with curators and collectors attending both the fair and the biennale together, reinforcing the idea of Korea as a cultural hub in Asia.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and institutions such as the Korea Arts Management Service have further boosted the local scene, supporting everything from emerging artists to large-scale international collaborations. Government-backed events such as the Korea Art Festival and LG Electronics-sponsored cultural programs have provided platforms for artists, gallerists and collectors to engage.
Seoul’s rise in the art world is further bolstered by the decline of Hong Kong as an Asian cultural capital, due largely to political uncertainties. As a result, Seoul has emerged as a more stable and artist-friendly alternative, attracting a growing number of international galleries for key exhibitions.
As Korea continues to invest in its art infrastructure, hosting world-class events such as Frieze Seoul, the city’s influence in the global art market is set to expand even further. The growing momentum behind Seoul's art scene positions it as a key player on the international stage, making the city an essential destination for art connoisseurs, collectors and curators. With September now marked as a highlight on the cultural calendar, Seoul is poised to cement its status as a dynamic hub for contemporary art.
The writer is culture desk editor at The Korea Times.