When the night air turns cool and summer changes into fall, there is one big event I always look forward to: Seoul Art Week, featuring Frieze Seoul 2026 and Kiaf. For me, attending Frieze Seoul 2026 always marks the beautiful end of summer and the start of an inspiring new season.
Walking into COEX this week felt so exciting! It was full of incredible modern art from all over the world. Having just spent the day exploring the fair, I am still full of inspiration from all the amazing artwork and energy at Frieze Seoul 2026.
Whether you love art or are just curious about new global trends, here is my story from one of the best cultural events of the season!
What is Frieze? (From Culture Magazine to Global Powerhouse)
To understand why a world-class fair like Frieze Seoul 2026 coming to town is such a big deal, it helps to look at its history.
Founded in London in 1991 by Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover, Frieze actually began as an influential contemporary art magazine. In 2003, the creators launched their first art fair in Regent’s Park, London, revolutionizing how contemporary art was displayed, bought, and experienced.
Today, Frieze is widely recognized alongside Art Basel and TEFAF as one of the world’s “Big Three” mega art fairs. With flagship editions in London, New York, and Los Angeles, Frieze has become a definitive benchmark for cutting-edge contemporary culture.
*Official Website : https://www.frieze.com/
What Made Frieze Seoul 2026 Stand Out?
This year’s Frieze Seoul 2026 brought together 133 galleries from 30 countries, creating an incredible buzz across the COEX halls.
What stood out most this year was the expanded presence of South Korean galleries. A total of 57 local galleries took part—nearly doubling from last year’s 31. Top Korean galleries like Gallery Hyundai, Kukje Gallery, Hakgojae, PKM Gallery, and Johyun Gallery showcased legendary Korean modern and contemporary artists. Crowds gathered closely around iconic works by Kim Tschang-Yeul (Gallery Hyundai), Nam June Paik (Hakgojae), and Lee Ufan / Lee Bae (Johyun Gallery).
At the same time, world-renowned mega-galleries like Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Pace, White Cube, David Zwirner, Gladstone, and Lehman Maupin proved that the art market in Seoul remains red-hot with multi-million dollar sales during Frieze Seoul 2026.
Personal Highlights from My Walkthrough at COEX
Walking through the crowded aisles alongside international collectors and passionate art lovers, a few booths and artworks at Frieze Seoul 2026 truly took my breath away:
- Damien Hirst at Gagosian: Gagosian turned heads with a booth devoted to Damien Hirst. His famous colorful Spot Painting (priced at around $475,000) and iconic butterfly series were surrounded by visitors taking non-stop photos.
- Do Ho Suh at STPI: STPI debuted brand-new thread drawings by Do Ho Suh (who currently has a major exhibition at MMCA). His large-scale piece, Breathing Home, was reported sold early on!
- Philippe Parreno at Gladstone: Gladstone presented a captivating installation by Philippe Parreno featuring melting ice sculptures that slowly changed form—a refreshing and playful highlight for many visitors.
- Major Sales & Masterpieces: White Cube made waves by selling 11 artworks on day one alone, including two pieces by Park Seo-Bo totaling nearly $500,000. Meanwhile, the most expensive masterpiece at Frieze Seoul 2026 was Fernando Botero’s After Cranach (presented by Art of the World Gallery), valued at an impressive $1.9 million.
(Pro tip: Give yourself plenty of time! Between Frieze and Kiaf, the sheer scale of artworks on display requires comfortable shoes and a mind open to endless inspiration.)
The Magic of Neighborhood Nights: My Samcheong Night Tradition
One of the absolute highlights of Art Week in Seoul is the iconic Neighborhood Nights—special late-night events hosted across major art districts like Cheongdam Night, Hannam Night, and Samcheong Night.
During these evenings, galleries keep their doors open late into the night, hosting intimate cocktail parties, DJ, and special viewings. It creates an amazingly relaxed, festive atmosphere where visitors can freely wander between galleries, enjoy a drink, and experience incredible art under the night sky.
Every year, my personal favorite is Samcheong Night. Wandering through the charming alleys of Samcheong-dong as the cool autumn breeze rolls in, popping into illuminated galleries along Samcheong-ro, is a tradition I look forward to every single late summer.
Unforgettable Exhibitions from Samcheong Night
This year’s Samcheong Night was especially magical, thanks to two breathtaking exhibitions presented across Gallery Hyundai and Hyundai Hwarang.
1. Bohie Kim: TOWARDS: There Was Light (at Gallery Hyundai)
Stepping into Gallery Hyundai felt like walking straight into a serene, glowing sanctuary. Bohie Kim’s masterful paintings capture the subtle moments where light breaks through nature with her dog, named Leo. Standing in front of her massive, vivid canvases under the ambient gallery lighting was a deeply soothing and almost spiritual experience.
2. Christine Sun Kim: Moon Mind (at Hyundai Hwarang)
Right nearby at Hyundai Hwarang, Christine Sun Kim’s Moon Mind offered a fresh, brilliant contrast. Known for her clever visual exploration of sound, language, and American Sign Language (ASL), Kim debuted a captivating series of shaped canvas paintings. The way she translates her inner world, emotions, and memories into geometric shapes, colors, and musical notations was nothing short of inspiring.
Seoul’s Moment on the World Stage
Attending Frieze Seoul every year is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting, thrilling, and eagerly anticipated events on my personal calendar. Stepping out of my daily routine and fully immersing myself in the world of art doesn’t just offer a refreshing break—it deeply recharges my spirit and gives me renewed energy to live life to the fullest.
Walking through the magnificent art displays and soaking in the cool night air during Samcheong Night alongside my best friend, who shares this annual tradition with me, created moments and conversations that I know will stay in my heart literally forever.
