Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul will return next month, kicking off a packed week of exhibitions, parties and public programs that will once again turn the Korean capital into an international art hub.
Launching side by side on Sept. 3, Frieze Seoul 2025 will bring together more than 120 galleries from 28 countries, while Kiaf Seoul—the country’s longest-running international art fair—will host 175 galleries from about 20 countries. Frieze will run through Sept. 6 and Kiaf until Sept. 7.
This year’s edition promises everything from blue-chip masterworks and emerging Asian voices to late-night gallery crawls across Seoul’s trendiest neighborhoods.
"Asleep" (2024) by Sin Wai Kin [BLINDSPOT GALLERIES/ FRIEZE SEOUL]
Frieze Seoul 2025 Leading Korean galleries will take center stage. Kukje Gallery is presenting dansaekhwa (Korean monochrome painting) masters Park Seo-bo (1931–2023) and Ha Chong-hyun, alongside pioneering women artists such as sculptor Kim Yun-shin and multimedia artist Ham Kyung-ah. The booth will also feature Korean diaspora figures Byron Kim, Michael Joo, Lotus L. Kang and Gala Porras-Kim.
Global powerhouses return in force. Gagosian is spotlighting Takashi Murakami’s postmodern “Superflat” aesthetic, while Pace Gallery pairs abstraction across eras—Adolph Gottlieb with Korean modernist Yoo Young-kuk—alongside contemporary voices like Elmgreen & Dragset, Alicja Kwade and Lauren Quin.
Frieze debuts include Hong Kong’s Blindspot Gallery, showing Canadian artist Sin Wai Kin and Korean ink painter Yang Yoo-yun, and a joint booth between Shanghai’s Antenna Space and L.A.’s Commonwealth and Council with rising names like Mire Lee and Hanna Hur. Thailand’s Sac Gallery brings politically charged works by filmmaker-artist Prapat Jiwarangsan.
The Frieze Masters section expands its historical scope, with highlights such as Georges Braque’s post-Cubist paintings at Regis Krampf Gallery and Hakgojae Gallery’s “moon jar” showcase featuring Kim Whan-ki, Park Soo-keun and Nam June Paik. Italy’s Mazzoleni will spotlight postwar icons Agostino Bonalumi, Enrico Castellani and Michelangelo Pistoletto.
Focus Asia will highlight 10 solo presentations by emerging Asian artists pushing the boundaries of contemporary practice.
"PK95008" (1995) by Kim Tschang-yeul (1929-2021) [PYO GALLERY/ KIAF]
Kiaf Seoul 2025 Now in its 24th edition, Kiaf is adopting the theme Resonance, signaling an emphasis on sustainable growth and institutional partnerships.
Korean highlights include Kim Tschang-yeul’s signature “water drop” canvases at Pyo Gallery, new abstractions by Kim Taek-sang at Johyun Gallery, installations by Park Seon-ki at 021 Gallery, and Chiharu Shiota’s immersive works at Gana Art. Kukje Gallery will also showcase Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone.
International booths include Hiroshi Senju’s waterfall paintings at Sundaram Tagore, Fernando Botero’s voluminous figures at Art of the World Gallery, and a historical survey from Germany’s Die Galerie stretching from Italian Renaissance painter Palma il Vecchio to surrealist André Masson.
Kiaf Plus focuses on emerging names, among them Taiwan’s Nung-Hsuan Cheng, Korea’s Lee Hee-jo (Forbes Korea “30 Under 30”), and Spanish-Italian painter Viani.
Beyond the fairgrounds, Kiaf will extend into the cityscape. MediaArt Seoul will stage large-scale digital art projects at landmarks from Sept. 1 to 19, while Incheon International Airport will host We Connect, Art & Future (Aug. 22–Sept. 17), featuring 10 Korean galleries and around 50 digital works.
"iebenundzwanzigsterdezemberzweitausendunddreiundzwanzig" (2023) by Ugo Rondinone [KUKJE GALLERY/KIAF]
Nights in the Neighborhoods Both fairs will spill into Seoul’s nightlife with evening programs.
Hannam Night (Sept. 2): Gana Art, Gallery SP and the Leeum Museum of Art will host late-night shows. French fashion brand Lemaire will unveil Wearable Sculptures by Chilean artist Carlos Peñafiel with a cocktail reception. Cheongdam Night (Sept. 3): Galleries will host talks and previews, with Posco Museum of Art staging Posco Culture Night and SongEun Foundation presenting Panorama. Loewe will feature works by Lee In-chin, a Craft Prize 2023 finalist, capped by an official afterparty. Samcheong Night (Sept. 4): The city’s cultural core will see Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, Art Sonje Center and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art stay open late, offering live music, DJ sets, performances and talks.
Together, Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul are expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors, cementing September as the high point of Korea’s cultural calendar.
Sayart / Maria Kim sayart2022@gmail.com
Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul will return next month, kicking off a packed week of exhibitions, parties and public programs that will once again turn the Korean capital into an international art hub.
Launching side by side on Sept. 3, Frieze Seoul 2025 will bring together more than 120 galleries from 28 countries, while Kiaf Seoul—the country’s longest-running international art fair—will host 175 galleries from about 20 countries. Frieze will run through Sept. 6 and Kiaf until Sept. 7.
This year’s edition promises everything from blue-chip masterworks and emerging Asian voices to late-night gallery crawls across Seoul’s trendiest neighborhoods.
"Asleep" (2024) by Sin Wai Kin [BLINDSPOT GALLERIES/ FRIEZE SEOUL]
Frieze Seoul 2025 Leading Korean galleries will take center stage. Kukje Gallery is presenting dansaekhwa (Korean monochrome painting) masters Park Seo-bo (1931–2023) and Ha Chong-hyun, alongside pioneering women artists such as sculptor Kim Yun-shin and multimedia artist Ham Kyung-ah. The booth will also feature Korean diaspora figures Byron Kim, Michael Joo, Lotus L. Kang and Gala Porras-Kim.
Global powerhouses return in force. Gagosian is spotlighting Takashi Murakami’s postmodern “Superflat” aesthetic, while Pace Gallery pairs abstraction across eras—Adolph Gottlieb with Korean modernist Yoo Young-kuk—alongside contemporary voices like Elmgreen & Dragset, Alicja Kwade and Lauren Quin.
Frieze debuts include Hong Kong’s Blindspot Gallery, showing Canadian artist Sin Wai Kin and Korean ink painter Yang Yoo-yun, and a joint booth between Shanghai’s Antenna Space and L.A.’s Commonwealth and Council with rising names like Mire Lee and Hanna Hur. Thailand’s Sac Gallery brings politically charged works by filmmaker-artist Prapat Jiwarangsan.
The Frieze Masters section expands its historical scope, with highlights such as Georges Braque’s post-Cubist paintings at Regis Krampf Gallery and Hakgojae Gallery’s “moon jar” showcase featuring Kim Whan-ki, Park Soo-keun and Nam June Paik. Italy’s Mazzoleni will spotlight postwar icons Agostino Bonalumi, Enrico Castellani and Michelangelo Pistoletto.
Focus Asia will highlight 10 solo presentations by emerging Asian artists pushing the boundaries of contemporary practice.
"PK95008" (1995) by Kim Tschang-yeul (1929-2021) [PYO GALLERY/ KIAF]
Kiaf Seoul 2025 Now in its 24th edition, Kiaf is adopting the theme Resonance, signaling an emphasis on sustainable growth and institutional partnerships.
Korean highlights include Kim Tschang-yeul’s signature “water drop” canvases at Pyo Gallery, new abstractions by Kim Taek-sang at Johyun Gallery, installations by Park Seon-ki at 021 Gallery, and Chiharu Shiota’s immersive works at Gana Art. Kukje Gallery will also showcase Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone.
International booths include Hiroshi Senju’s waterfall paintings at Sundaram Tagore, Fernando Botero’s voluminous figures at Art of the World Gallery, and a historical survey from Germany’s Die Galerie stretching from Italian Renaissance painter Palma il Vecchio to surrealist André Masson.
Kiaf Plus focuses on emerging names, among them Taiwan’s Nung-Hsuan Cheng, Korea’s Lee Hee-jo (Forbes Korea “30 Under 30”), and Spanish-Italian painter Viani.
Beyond the fairgrounds, Kiaf will extend into the cityscape. MediaArt Seoul will stage large-scale digital art projects at landmarks from Sept. 1 to 19, while Incheon International Airport will host We Connect, Art & Future (Aug. 22–Sept. 17), featuring 10 Korean galleries and around 50 digital works.
"iebenundzwanzigsterdezemberzweitausendunddreiundzwanzig" (2023) by Ugo Rondinone [KUKJE GALLERY/KIAF]
Nights in the Neighborhoods Both fairs will spill into Seoul’s nightlife with evening programs.
Hannam Night (Sept. 2): Gana Art, Gallery SP and the Leeum Museum of Art will host late-night shows. French fashion brand Lemaire will unveil Wearable Sculptures by Chilean artist Carlos Peñafiel with a cocktail reception. Cheongdam Night (Sept. 3): Galleries will host talks and previews, with Posco Museum of Art staging Posco Culture Night and SongEun Foundation presenting Panorama. Loewe will feature works by Lee In-chin, a Craft Prize 2023 finalist, capped by an official afterparty. Samcheong Night (Sept. 4): The city’s cultural core will see Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, Art Sonje Center and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art stay open late, offering live music, DJ sets, performances and talks.
Together, Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul are expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors, cementing September as the high point of Korea’s cultural calendar.
