SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's two biggest art fairs, Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul, were set to open in Seoul on Wednesday, bringing together over a hundred galleries from around the world for a week of art events across the capital.
After a day of VIP previews, the two annual events will officially run side by side from Thursday to Saturday at the COEX exhibition center in southern Seoul. Kiaf will remain open one day longer until Sunday.
Marking its fifth edition, Frieze Seoul features 133 galleries from 30 countries and regions. International heavyweights, including Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, David Zwirner, Pace, White Cube, Lehmann Maupin and Thaddaeus Ropac, have joined leading Korean galleries, such as Gallery Hyundai, Kukje Gallery, Gana Art, Hakgojae Gallery and Johyun Gallery.
This Sept. 3, 2025, file photo shows Kiaf Seoul taking place at the COEX convention center in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)
The fair presents works by a wide range of Korean and international artists, including Damien Hirst, Yoo Young-kuk, Park Seo-bo, Kim Tschang-yeul, Paik Nam-june, Do Ho Suh and Lee Kang-so.
This year's Frieze Seoul will introduce three curated sections; Spotlight that reconsiders 20th-century artists who have received relatively little attention in art history; Material Practices, which explores materiality at the boundary of art and design; and the Focus section that spotlights next-generation galleries.
Kiaf Seoul, hosted by the Galleries Association of Korea, brings together 175 galleries from 18 countries, including 127 Korean exhibitors.
The fair's satellite program, Kiaf Plus, is dedicated to emerging galleries and artists, while Kiaf Highlights supports artists selected by participating galleries. Kiaf will also screen Kiaf Portrait, a documentary video program examining the artistic worlds of Park Seo-bo and Kim Tschang-yeul.
Under its theme of "Coexistence," Kiaf will present a special exhibition, "Humal," and its augmented-reality extension, "Virtual Vital." Curated by Kiaf creative director Jung Ku-ho, the exhibitions explore the relationship between humans and animals, as well as between humans and technology.
The events are expected to extend beyond the COEX venue through "Frieze Week," gallery programs and media-art projects taking place across Seoul. Kiaf will host a classical music performance featuring internationally acclaimed South Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin on Thursday.
"Neighborhood Night" programs will also be held in various gallery districts in Seoul, connecting local and international visitors with galleries, artists and cultural industry figures.
Kiaf and Frieze began their five-year collaboration in 2022 when Frieze launched its first Asian fair in Seoul, its fourth global location after London, New York and Los Angeles.