On September 3 in Seoul, the vivacious Gangnam district will be set aglow with the fourth edition of Frieze Seoul, unfolding at COEX through September 6. Uniting more than 120 premier galleries within Asia and throughout the globe, the Galleries Association of Korea invites art lovers, collectors, and aficionados of all ages to discover the art industry’s leading-edge voices.
“Now in its fourth year, Frieze Seoul continues to affirm the city’s role as a cultural cornerstone within Asia and the global art world,” said Patrick Lee, Director of Frieze Seoul. “This year’s edition reflects the fair’s deepening roots in the region, with a majority of participating galleries operating spaces across Asia, while maintaining its international spirit.”
“Frieze Seoul continues to affirm the city’s role as a cultural cornerstone within Asia and the global art world,”
Patrick Lee
“It’s a moment to celebrate both the strength of Korea’s creative community and the meaningful cross-regional and global dialogues that continue to flourish here. We are especially looking forward to marking this moment with the launch of Frieze House Seoul, our new permanent gallery space, beginning with the inaugural exhibition ‘UnHouse’ curated by Jae Seok Kim, exploring queer perspectives of home and identity.”
A Must-See Parade of Solo, Curated, and Themed Presentations
朴栖甫 Park Seo-Bo,
描法 No.081130 / Ecriture No.081130,
2008,
ミクストメディア、韓紙、キャンバス,
Mixed media with Korean hanji paper on canvas,
130 × 195 cm; courtesy of the artist and Tokyo Gallery + BTAP.
Visitors will not want to miss the pivotal, cross-cultural conversations sparked at Frieze Seoul 2025. Kukje Gallery brings female visionaries Kim Yun Shin, Kyungah Ham, Haegue Yang and Jang Pa, as well as masters across the Korean diaspora such as Byron Kim, Michael Joo, Lotus L. Kang and Gala Porras-Kim.
This year, Frieze Masters brings new gems which soar across eras and newly break boundaries for contemporary audiences. Tokyo Gallery + BTAP honors pioneering creatives of the 1960s such as Koji Enokura, Park Seo-Bo and Kumi Sugai, while Sun Gallery focuses on Chungji Lee’s singular, monochromatic paintings.
Under the wise advisory of Hyejung Jang and Joselina Cruz, Focus Asia shines with emerging creatives from across the region. Baik Art brings the forward-thinking artistry of Chu Mirim with a bespoke, analog and digital installation. Meanwhile, sangheeut acquaints audiences with Eugene Jung’s riveting, post-apolocalyptic investigations.
A Beguiling Program of Film, LIVE, Artist Projects, Talks, and More
Ru Kim, “a fist is a fist is a fist – Ignition,” 2024. Performance. Courtesy of the artist. ⓒ Ru Kim.
“This year’s program at Frieze Seoul speaks to the extraordinary depth and breadth of Korea’s contemporary art landscape, while also welcoming global perspectives that challenge and expand our ways of seeing,” explained Lee. “From intimate performances to ambitious filmic narratives and critical debate, Frieze Seoul 2025 promises to offer a compelling snapshot of artistic practice today from across the Asian region and beyond.”
“This year’s program at Frieze Seoul speaks to the extraordinary depth and breadth of Korea’s contemporary art landscape,”
Patrick Lee
Compelling highlights include Frieze LIVE in collaboration with Art Sonje Center, which unites 11 next generation Korean artists delving into vital queer narratives. Frieze Film and Seoul Museum of Art shine light on 12 international visionaries, while the Frieze x Print Bakery Limited-Edition Ceramics endeavor lends ardent support to UNICEF alongside trailblazing artists.
The 2025 Frieze Seoul Artist Award Recipient and Partner Activations
IM Youngzoo, “Calming Signal(이탤릭),” 2023/2025, Three-channel video installation. Concept image. Courtesy of the artist and Frieze Seoul.
The 2025 Frieze Seoul Artist Award is bestowed upon Im Youngzoo this year, a Korea-based artist who will unveil a rapturous commission at the world renowned fair.
“We are thrilled to present Im Youngzoo as this year’s Frieze Seoul Artist Award recipient,” remarked Lee. “Her work, Calming Signal, offers a profound exploration of collective behavior and societal rhythms, resonating deeply with our 2025 theme, Future Commons. Im’s innovative approach and compelling narrative exemplify the dynamic talent emerging from Korea’s contemporary art scene. We eagerly anticipate sharing her vision with audiences at COEX this September.”
“Calming Signal offers a profound exploration of collective behavior and societal rhythms,”
Patrick Lee
Fairgoers will want to make time to explore the LG OLED Lounge, where groundbreaking Korean Dansaekhwa artist Park Seo-Bo gifts Colors Drawn from Nature, an immersive voyage blending iconic artworks, a soulful ode to Mother Nature, and a creative fusion with the latest technologies. Further, Ruinart continues to evolve its meaningful Conversations with Nature series, unveiling mesmeric photolithographs by Julian Charrière.
Frieze Seoul 2025 emerges as a kaleidoscopic crossroads of imagination and exchange, where Korea’s creative heartbeat intertwines with global voices, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s ever-expanding cultural horizon.
한솔. 사진 성재윤. 작가 제공. Han sol. Photo Sung Jaeyun. Courtesy of the artist.
