Frieze Seoul has announced details of its curated program for the 2025 edition, set to take place from September 3–6 at COEX in the Gangnam district. Now in its fourth year, the fair will feature presentations from 120 galleries alongside an extensive lineup of live art, performances, film screenings, artist talks, and special projects.
Patrick Lee, director of Frieze Seoul, said, “This year’s program speaks to the extraordinary depth and breadth of Korea’s contemporary art landscape. From intimate performances to ambitious filmic narratives and critical debate, it offers a compelling snapshot of artistic practice across the Asian region and beyond.”
Frieze LIVE
The live art and performance platform will this year collaborate with Seoul’s Art Sonje Center to present off-site 2: Eleven Episodes from August 26 to October 26. The series focuses on emerging Korean artists, particularly female and genderqueer practitioners, including Yagwang, Younghae Chang, Jimin Hah, Sojin Kwak and Ru Kim.
Site-specific performances will take place throughout Frieze Week at COEX, Kukje Gallery K2, (TOGETHER)(TOGETHER) and Dosan Park. Highlights include Yagwang’s Raw Proof: Echo (3 September, Dosan Park), Younghae Chang’s climb, fronthook, angel, invert, daphne, figure head, scorpion, fall, gemini, princess, chopstick (4 September, Kukje Gallery K2), Ru Kim’s a fist is a fist is a fist – Ignition (5 September, Kukje Gallery K2) and Jimin Hah’s Nico’s Crossword Play (6 September, (TOGETHER)(TOGETHER)).
Frieze Film
The 2025 Frieze Film program will be co-curated with the 13th Seoul Mediacity Biennale, featuring rooftop screenings and talks at the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA). The selection brings together international artists whose time-based works explore occult, mystical and spiritual traditions. Co-curators Anton Vidokle, Hallie Ayres and Lukas Brasiskis will present works by Amit Dutta, Jane Jin Kaisen, and Hsu Chia-Wei.
Frieze Talks
Presented in partnership with Kiaf SEOUL and the Korea Arts Management Service (KAMS), Frieze Talks will host public conversations at COEX’s Studio 159. Topics include the role of foundations in supporting the arts, intersections of queer Asian identity and digital memory, challenges for emerging galleries, the influence of Korean artists and the market, and AI-driven creativity.
Speakers include Gabriel Ritter (UCSB Art, Design & Architecture Museum), Zoe Butt (in-tangible institute), CHE Onejoon (AfroAsia Collective), Gyeol Ko (ikkibawiKrrr), Yoon Juli (Ilmin Museum of Art), Jiseon Lee Isbara (School of the Art Institute of Chicago), Mami Kataoka (Mori Art Museum), Purat (Chang) Osathanugrah (Dib Bangkok), Jae Seok Kim (Xlarge gallery) and Sohl Lee (Stony Brook University).
Special Projects
Artist duo Moon Kyungwon & Jeon Joonho will present a new project unfolding over the fair’s duration, while Liam Gillick will debut a site-specific installation of elevated Plexiglas platforms and benches.
The Frieze x Print Bakery initiative will support UNICEF through sales of limited-edition ceramics and moon jars, with a special event at Print Bakery’s Hannam Flagship on September 2 during “Hannam Night.”
Neighbourhood Nights
From September 1–4, Neighbourhood Nights will animate Seoul’s art districts with late openings and events:Euljiro Night (Sept. 1): Featuring non-profit and artist-run spaces including Studio Haegue Yang.
Hannam Night (Sept. 2): Participating galleries include Lehmann Maupin, Esther Schipper, Gallery Baton, and more.
Cheongdam Night (Sept. 3): Highlights include Gladstone Gallery, White Cube, Perrotin, and SONGEUN.
Samcheong Night (Sept. 4): Participants include Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, Hakgojae Gallery, PKM Gallery, and multiple museums.
Tickets for Frieze Seoul 2025 are now available at frieze.com, with the online Viewing Room opening a week before the fair.
Sayart / Maria Kim sayart2022@gmail.com
