Delivering essential Korean contemporary art news every week.
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Biennale_News Irini Papadimitriou Appointed Artistic Director of the 14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale
The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) has appointed Irini Papadimitriou as Artistic Director of the 14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale, scheduled to open in August 2027. Irini Papadimitriou is a contemporary art curator, creative director, and cultural strategist whose work has focused on contemporary art, new media art, and digital culture.
2026.11.03
Museum_News Yoo Youngkuk Retrospective at SeMA Becomes Museum's Most-Visited Exhibition
The Seoul Museum of Art announced the closing of 《Yoo Youngkuk: A Mountain Within Me》, the inaugural exhibition in its 2026 “Korean Modern Masters” series, after attracting a total of 457,082 visitors. The exhibition welcomed an average of 3,242 visitors per day over its 141-day run. Its total attendance marks a record for free exhibitions at the Seoul Museum of Art, surpassing the 2023 exhibition 《Edward Hopper: From City to Coast》 by more than 120,000 visitors.
2026.11.03
Artist_News Artist Hong Jin-hwon Named Winner of ‘Korea Artist Prize 2026’
Artist Hong Jin-hwon has been selected as the recipient of the 《Korea Artist Prize 2026》, co-presented by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and the SBS Foundation. The 《Korea Artist Prize》 is a leading contemporary art support and award program in South Korea, jointly organized by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) and the SBS Foundation since 2012.
Artist_News Artist Hong Jin-hwon Named Winner of ‘Korea Artist Prize 2026’
Artist Hong Jin-hwon has been selected as the recipient of the 《Korea Artist Prize 2026》, co-presented by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and the SBS Foundation. The 《Korea Artist Prize》 is a leading contemporary art support and award program in South Korea, jointly organized by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) and the SBS Foundation since 2012.
2026.11.03
Artist_News Artist Ikjung Cho, Who Explores Violence in Society and the Individual, Wins 17th DOOSAN Yonkang Art Award
On the 13th, the DOOSAN Yonkang Foundation announced artist Ikjung Cho as the recipient of the Visual Arts Award at the 17th DOOSAN Yonkang Art Award ceremony. Established in 2010, the DOOSAN Yonkang Art Award supports promising artists under the age of 40 in the performing and visual arts. As of 2026, a total of 48 artists and groups have received the award across these fields.
2026.10.20
Artist_News Documentary on Kim Yun Shin, One of Korea’s First-Generation Female Sculptors, to Premiere at the Busan International Film Festival
Kim Yun Shin Punches In, a documentary exploring the life and artistic practice of Kim Yun Shin, one of Korea’s first-generation female sculptors, made its world premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival. Directed by Sun-ae Lim, the feature-length documentary Kim Yun Shin Punches In was unveiled as a world premiere at the Wide Angle Documentary Showcase of the Busan International Film Festival, which opened on October 6, ahead of its official theatrical release in 2027.
2026.10.13
Artist_News Media Artist Ayoung Kim Receives the 38th Lee Jung-seop Art Award
Korean contemporary media artist Ayoung Kim has been selected as the recipient of the 38th Lee Jung-seop Art Award. Kim has attracted significant attention in the Korean and international art worlds through her active presentation of works that fuse science-fiction (SF) imagination with media technologies.
2026.09.29
Artist_News Citizens Unite to Save Oh Yoon's Terracotta Relief from Demolition
A terracotta work by Oh Yoon (1946–1986), a pioneering figure of Korean Minjung art, has been discovered after remaining hidden for nearly half a century inside the Woori Bank building in Guui-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. However, the work now faces the threat of being lost due to the building's impending demolition.
Museum_News Yoo Youngkuk Retrospective at SeMA Becomes Museum's Most-Visited Exhibition
The Seoul Museum of Art announced the closing of 《Yoo Youngkuk: A Mountain Within Me》, the inaugural exhibition in its 2026 “Korean Modern Masters” series, after attracting a total of 457,082 visitors. The exhibition welcomed an average of 3,242 visitors per day over its 141-day run. Its total attendance marks a record for free exhibitions at the Seoul Museum of Art, surpassing the 2023 exhibition 《Edward Hopper: From City to Coast》 by more than 120,000 visitors.
2026.11.03
Museum_News National Museum of Korea Director Yoo Hong-jun Announces Resignation
On the 21st, Yoo Hong-jun, director of the National Museum of Korea, announced his resignation, taking responsibility for the controversy surrounding the exhibition of a calligraphy work from his personal collection, Ilbansigukeun.
2026.10.27
Museum_News Olafur Eliasson’s New Work 'The Unpredictable Orbit' to Debut at MMCA
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) presents the world premiere of The unpredictable orbit, a newly commissioned work by internationally renowned contemporary artist Olafur Eliasson, in the lobby of MMCA Seoul.
Museum_News Busan Metropolitan City Halts Pompidou Center Branch Project
The Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Jeon Jae-soo, has decided to halt the Pompidou Center Busan branch project. The announcement marks the first follow-up measure to a commitment made at a town hall meeting on September 30, where Mayor Jeon stated, “What we hear today will shape Busan’s cultural policy.”
2026.10.20
Museum_News Buk SeMA Presents 'Dancing Family,' Experiencing the Museum Through Movement and Dance
Buk-Seoul Museum of Art (Buk SeMA) will present Poland’s family-oriented dance program ‘Dancing Family’ in Korea for the first time. The Buk SeMA, which has continued to develop a range of programs designed to help children and families become more familiar with museums, offers a new way of experiencing the museum through movement and dance with this program. The program will take place from October 15 to 17.
Nonprofit_News Anthropic Partners with Hanwha Foundation of Culture on Art Commission Project
The Hanwha Foundation of Culture is launching a new art commission project in collaboration with global AI company Anthropic, exploring the intersection of art and technology. This marks the first time Anthropic, which has established partnerships with major art institutions worldwide, has presented a collaborative project with a Korean arts and culture foundation.
2026.10.27
Nonprofit_News 'DOOSAN ART LAB', Emerging Artist Program, Shifts to Biennial Format
DOOSAN Art Center announced that ‘DOOSAN ART LAB Visual Arts’ will adopt a new format beginning with this year’s open call. Since its launch in 2015, DOOSAN ART LAB Visual Arts has identified and supported promising emerging artists in the field of visual arts, providing a foundation for them to advance their practices. To date, 49 artists who have participated in DOOSAN ART LAB have established distinctive artistic practices and continued to actively engage with the contemporary art scene.
2026.09.22
Nonprofit_News VH Award Announces Five Finalists for Its 7th Edition
On September 15, the final selections for the 7th VH Award, a media art competition organized by Hyundai Motor Group, were announced. The VH AWARD is a platform that supports the artistic challenges and experimental practices of next-generation artists who reinterpret Asian cultural, historical, and emotional contexts through the language of contemporary media art.
2026.09.22
Nonprofit_News Hermès Foundation Missulsang Launches Digital Archive Spanning 25 Years
On September 1, the Hermès Foundation unveiled a digital archive commemorating the 20th edition of the Hermès Foundation Missulsang, titled Memories for the Future: 25 Years of Hermès Foundation Missulsang. Since 2000, the Missulsang has sought out and supported new practices and experiments in Korean contemporary art.
2026.09.15
Nonprofit_News ‘Nuhwa Contemporary’ Opens as a New International Cultural Platform Connecting Asia and the Gulf Region
On September 1, Nuhwa Contemporary, a new international cultural platform based in Seoul and Abu Dhabi that connects Asia and the Gulf region, opened its doors in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The name “Nuhwa” combines “Nuha”–refined intellect–and “Hawa”–creative impulse. Bringing ideas together, Nuhwa embraces artistic experimentation as a catalyst for new narratives and exchange.
2026.09.08
Nonprofit_News Samsung Ho-Am Prize Raises Award to KRW 500 Million, Strengthening Its Global Standing
The Ho-Am Foundation (Chairman: Hwang Sik Kim) announced that beginning next year, the prize money awarded to recipients of the Samsung Ho-Am Prize will be substantially increased from the current KRW 300 million to KRW 500 million per recipient. As a result, the total prize money across the six categories will rise from KRW 1.8 billion to KRW 3 billion.
Biennale_News Irini Papadimitriou Appointed Artistic Director of the 14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale
The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) has appointed Irini Papadimitriou as Artistic Director of the 14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale, scheduled to open in August 2027. Irini Papadimitriou is a contemporary art curator, creative director, and cultural strategist whose work has focused on contemporary art, new media art, and digital culture.
Biennale_News 16th Gwangju Biennale Opens, Highlighting the Value of Change and Action through Art
On September 4, the 16th Gwangju Biennale, 《You Must Change Your Life》, officially opened with a ceremony, marking the beginning of its 72-day run. Under the theme “You must change your life,” the 16th Gwangju Biennale examines the meaning of “change” and “action” through the lens of contemporary art, spanning the individual and extending to society, history, and even the universe.
2026.09.15
Biennale_News Busan Biennale 2026 Opens, Exploring the Possibilities of Connection and Resistance
The Busan Biennale Organizing Committee announces the opening of Busan Biennale 2026, Dissident Chorus》, which will take place from 29 August to 1 November 2026 across Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Space OneZ and Former Busan Nam High School.
2026.09.08
Biennale_News 5th Jeju Biennale Opens, Reimagining Jeju Through the Art of Metamorphosis
The 5th Jeju Biennale held its opening ceremony on August 24, marking the beginning of an 83-day journey. Organized by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and hosted by the Jeju Museum of Art, the 5th Jeju Biennale, 《Iyahong: The Art of Metamorphosis》, brings together 69 artists and teams from 20 countries. LEE Jong Hoo, Director of the Jeju Museum of Art, serves as the artistic director.
2026.09.01
Biennale_News Gwangju Biennale Restores the Name “Taiwan Pavilion”
The controversy over the change in the name of the “Taiwan Pavilion” ahead of the opening of the 16th Gwangju Biennale has been resolved with the Gwangju Biennale Foundation accepting the Taiwanese side’s request. On August 25, the Gwangju Biennale Foundation announced that, after reviewing an application submitted by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA), it had approved the pavilion name as “Taiwan Pavilion,” replacing the previous designation “NTMoFA.”
Art Market_News South Korea’s MCST Plans to Implement Art Policies for the Continued Growth of the Korean Art Market, Which Exceeded 1 Trillion KRW in 2022
Over the past year, many local experts predicted that the size of the Korean art market would surpass 1 trillion KRW (Korean won) in 2022. This speculation has turned out to be true, as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korea Arts Management Service (KAMS) announced on January 4, 2023, that the size of the art market in 2022 was estimated to be 1.0377 trillion KRW (approximately $1 billion USD).
Gallery_News Hannam Saturdays: A New Initiative Connecting Hannam-dong’s Art Landscape
On June 13, Hannam-dong in Seoul’s Yongsan District was transformed into a vibrant site of artistic exchange. The inaugural edition of ‘Hannam Saturdays,’ a new collaborative program organized by twelve galleries located throughout the neighborhood, made its debut.
2026.06.16
Gallery_News Gladstone Seoul Will Move to a Larger Venue in Seoul’s Hannam-dong in the Summer of 2026
Gladstone has announced the expansion and relocation of its Seoul gallery to a new space in Hannam-dong, one of the city’s leading arts and cultural districts, later this summer. This move is particularly notable as it establishes a new foothold in Hannam-dong, an area densely populated with major institutions such as the Leeum Museum of Art, as well as prominent local and international galleries. With a growing number of global galleries—including Esther Schipper—relocating to the neighborhood, Hannam-dong is rapidly emerging as a key hub in Seoul’s art market. Through this expansion, Gladstone aims to further strengthen its presence in Asia.
Gallery_News Korea’s First Sculpture-Dedicated Gallery ‘Space Tone’ Opens in Hapjeong, Seoul
Korea’s first sculpture- dedicated gallery, Space Tone (S.tone), has opened in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. While most sculpture-dedicated venues in Korea are located on the outskirts of Seoul due to the scale and weight of the works, Space Tone stands out as a space situated in the heart of the city—offering visitors the opportunity to encounter sculpture naturally in their everyday lives.
2025.11.18
Gallery_News Five Young Galleries to Watch in Seoul, Picked by ARTnews
On September 1, ARTnews, the American art magazine, spotlighted five emerging Seoul galleries to watch. Unlike the city’s more traditional galleries, these new spaces stand out for their distinctive sense of place and independent programs. The ARTnews highlighted PS CENTER, WWNN, Shower, Sangheeut, and Xlarge.
Auction_News Seoul Auction to Host ‘Connect Seoul 2024’ During Frieze·Kiaf Seoul Week
Seoul Auctions hosts ‘Connect Seoul 2024,’ a series of exhibitions and events from August 24 to September 13 at its Gangnam Center, to coincide with Frieze-Kiaf Seoul Week. Connect Seoul consists of two special exhibitions highlighting major Korean and international artists of modern and contemporary art, a group exhibition of media art, and a preview of upcoming auctions.
2024.09.03
Auction_News SBI Art Auction to Host Its First Overseas Auction Preview at Art Chosun Space in Seoul
Japan’s SBI Art Auction will present its first overseas auction preview, "Early Highlight Viewing in Seoul," from October 1 to 6 at Art Chosun Space (ACS) in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. The preview is part of the "68th SBI Art Auction | MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART" to be held on October 25 and 26.
2024.08.13
Auction_News Global Auction House Phillips Appoints Lim Yeon-ah to Lead the Korean office
On the 5th, Phillips, one of the world’s top three auction houses, appointed Lim Yeon-ah as the head of its Korean office.
Since joining Phillips in 2020, she has overseen Phillips exhibitions during the Frieze Seoul art fair over the past two years.
Auction_News Christie’s First Exhibition in South Korea, What Does This Mean for the Local Art Market?
The booming Korean art market attracts many international art galleries and art fairs to Seoul. World-renowned galleries, including König Galerie, Thaddeus Ropac, and Gladstone Gallery, have opened a branch in Seoul, and Frieze has partnered with Kiaf SEOUL to hold art fairs in Seoul for five years from this year.
Art Fair_News Highlights to Watch at ‘Kiaf SEOUL 2025’
From September 3 to 7, Kiaf SEOUL 2025, the largest art fair in Korea, will take place at COEX in Seoul. This year’s edition brings together 175 galleries from over 20 countries.
2025.09.02
Art Fair_News 10 Must-See Artists Selected by ‘Frieze Seoul 2025’
At Frieze Seoul 2025, a wide range of solo presentations will unfold across the Galleries, Focus Asia, and Masters sections. The fair will not only highlight the breadth of historically significant artists’ careers but also spotlight bold new works and large-scale installations by emerging talents.
2025.09.02
Art Fair_News An Open Platform for Artistic Discourse at ‘Kiaf·Frieze Seoul 2025’
At Korea’s largest art fairs, Kiaf·Frieze Seoul 2025, an open platform for artistic discourse, the “Kiaf x KAMS x Frieze Seoul Talk Program”, will take place from September 4 to 6 at Studio 159 on the 2nd floor of COEX, Seoul.
2025.09.02
Art Fair_News How to Enjoy ‘Frieze Seoul 2025’ to the Fullest
The fourth edition of the Frieze Seoul returns to COEX in the city’s Gangnam neighbourhood from 3 – 6 September, and, in keeping with previous editions, will feature an expansive programme of live art and performance, film, talks and artist projects alongside presentations from 120 galleries.
2025.08.26
Art Fair_News ‘Kiaf SEOUL 2025’ to Unfold as a Vibrant Art Festival
Kiaf SEOUL 2025, Korea’s largest art fair, will take place from Wednesday, September 3 to Sunday, September 7 at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. During Kiaf Art Week, Kiaf will collaborate with Frieze Seoul as well as domestic and international art institutions to present a wide range of programs, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with art.
2025.08.26
Art Fair_News Korean Galleries Make Strong Statement at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 Amid Market Slowdown
Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 officially opened on March 26 with a VIP preview at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, drawing attention as Asia’s largest art fair resumes at full scale. Despite a global art market slowdown, Korean galleries are showing remarkable presence and vitality at this year’s event.
Art+_News The Arts Council Korea Plans a Comprehensive Overhaul of 2024 Open-Call Projects
South Korea provides a substantial amount of support programs for artists, more than many other countries. However, there has been widespread consensus in the field that the open-call support system, managed by public institutions, is overly complicated and difficult to navigate. Additionally, critics argue that there is an overemphasis on minor, one-time project grants, making it challenging for sustainable growth.
2023.08.14
Art+_News South Korea's Art Promotion Act Sparks Debate Over Artists' Resale Rights
In June, South Korea’s National Assembly passed the Art Promotion Act, sparking some controversy within the Korean art scene. This dispute stems from differing opinions among members of the art community regarding the specific implementation guidelines for the “droit de suite,” which refers to an artist’s resale royalty rights.
2023.08.14
Art+_News Hyundai FutureNet, Discovering and Supporting Emerging Media Artists...'Media Art Project'
Hyundai FutureNet, an ICT company affiliated with the Hyundai Department Store Group, signed a business agreement with the Korea Mecenat Association and Alternative Space ARTFORUM RHEE on the 27th of last month to revitalize the media art industry. Under the agreement, Hyundai FutureNet and the art organization Alternative Space ARTFORUM RHEE will carry out the ‘Hyundai FutureNet Media Art Project’ as part of the ‘Arts & Business’ collaboration project organized by the Korea Mecenat Association.
2023.03.24
Art+_News Kim Daljin Art Research and Consulting, 128 Exhibition Spaces Newly Opened in South Korea in 2022
Kim Daljin Art Research and Consulting (hereinafter the Institute) has been tracking the number of newly opened exhibition spaces in South Korea every year since 2005. These exhibition spaces include museums, galleries, cultural spaces with exhibition halls, memorial halls, and coffee shops or other corresponding places with gallery spaces.
