As the summer heat gives way to cooler days, Seoul is set to transform into a global art hub this September with the return of the highly anticipated Frieze Seoul. Now in its fourth edition, the international art fair will take place from September 3 to 6 at COEX in southern Seoul, featuring more than 120 galleries from over 30 countries.
The fair will be divided into three sections — Galleries, Focus Asia, and Frieze Masters — and will once again highlight both regional innovation and international prestige. Global blue-chip names such as David Zwirner, Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Lisson Gallery, and Spruth Magers will showcase alongside key players from across Asia.
A strong contingent of Korean galleries is returning this year, including Arario Gallery, Gallery Baton, Gallery Hyundai, Jason Haam, Johyun Gallery, Gana Art, Kukje Gallery, Hakgojae Gallery, P21, PKM Gallery, and Whistle. Prominent regional participants include Antenna Space (Shanghai), Kiang Malingue (Hong Kong), STPI (Singapore), Take Ninagawa (Tokyo), and The Drawing Room (Manila).
In a sign of growth, five galleries will graduate from the Focus Asia sector to the main Galleries section: A-Lounge Contemporary, Barakat Contemporary, Cylinder, G Gallery, and SAC Gallery.
The fair is also welcoming a wave of newcomers, including 10 Chancery Lane Gallery (Hong Kong), The Breeder (Athens), Duarte Sequeira (Braga), Kaikai Kiki Gallery (Tokyo), and ThisWeekendRoom (Seoul).
Adding a spotlight on emerging talent, the Frieze Seoul Artist Award will return this year, with the winner set to be announced on June 10. The award offers a platform for rising artists to present a newly commissioned work during the fair.
“Frieze Seoul is the cornerstone of our presence in Asia — a fair that defines our ambitions in the region and plays a vital role in the wider Frieze calendar,” said Kristell Chade, executive director of fairs at Frieze. She also noted that the recent collaboration with Kiaf at EXPO Chicago — which Frieze acquired in 2023 — underscores their commitment to amplifying Asian voices in the global art world.
Beyond the fairgrounds, Seoul Art Week will electrify the city with late-night gallery openings, artist-led activations, and other creative events across neighborhoods like Euljiro, Hannam, Cheongdam, and Samcheong.
Complementing the excitement are major institutional exhibitions, including:
A Lee Bul retrospective at the Leeum Museum of Art
Mark Bradford: Keep Walking at the Amorepacific Museum of Art
A blockbuster Louise Bourgeois show at the Hoam Museum of Art
A Kim Tschang-yeul retrospective at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
An Antony Gormley exhibition at Museum SAN
With its blend of international flair and local creativity, Frieze Seoul 2025 is poised to be the city’s most dynamic and art-filled week of the year.
Sayart / Jason Yim yimjongho1969@gmail.com
