The fair returns to COEX with a vibrant line-up of global galleries, citywide programming, emerging talent and pioneers from across art history
Frieze Seoul returns to COEX in Gangnam from 3 – 6 September, bringing together 120 leading galleries from more than 30 countries and a strong representation of spaces from throughout the Asian region. In its continuing partnership with Kiaf SEOUL, Frieze reaffirms Seoul as Asia’s vital hub within the global art calendar.
‘We are excited to return to Seoul for the fourth edition of Frieze,’ said Pat Lee, director of Frieze Seoul. ‘The fair has quickly become an essential meeting point for Korean and international audiences, and this year’s programme promises to further deepen those exchanges – not only within COEX but across the entire city.’
Chung Suejin, Observer, 2022. Oil on art board, 31 × 31 cm. Courtesy: Lee Eugean Gallery. Photo: Jeon Byung Cheol
Kristell Chadé, executive director of fairs, added: ‘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. The fair reflects our long-term commitment to Seoul and its cultural community.’
Complementing the central Galleries section, Frieze Masters and Focus Asia return for 2025, demonstrating the fair’s breadth and curatorial rigour. At the fair and across the city, Frieze Seoul’s curated programme includes Frieze Live, the Frieze Seoul Artist Award, Frieze Film, Frieze Music and talks led by cultural leaders from Korea and beyond.
Frieze Live at Frieze Seoul 2024. Courtesy: Frieze and Lets Studio. Photo: Lets Studio
Frieze Seoul 2025 features more than 80 major galleries in its central Galleries section. Returning Korean exhibitors include Arario Gallery, Gallery2, Gallery Baton, Gallery Hyundai, Jason Haam, Johyun Gallery, Kukje Gallery, P21, PKM Gallery, and Whistle. Prominent regional names are Antenna Space (Shanghai), Galerie Quynh (Ho Chi Minh City), Kiang Malingue (Hong Kong), STPI (Singapore), Take Ninagawa (Tokyo), Taka Ishii Gallery (Tokyo), Taro Nasu (Tokyo), The Drawing Room (Manila), and Tomio Koyama (Tokyo). Leading international participants returning to the fair include David Zwirner, Esther Schipper, Gagosian, Gladstone, Hauser & Wirth, Lehmann Maupin, Lisson Gallery, Mai 36, Pace Gallery, Perrotin, Sprüth Magers, Thaddaeus Ropac and White Cube.
Perrotin at Frieze Seoul 2024. Courtesy: Frieze and Lets Studio. Photo: Lets Studio
This year’s edition welcomes many first-time participants, such as 10 Chancery Lane Gallery (Hong Kong), Albertz Benda (New York), Apalazzogallery (Brescia), The Breeder (Athens), Carvalho Park (Brooklyn), de Sarthe (Hong Kong), Dirimart (Istanbul), Duarte Sequeira (Braga), Galería Albarrán Bourdais (Madrid), Hive Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing), Kaikai Kiki Gallery (Tokyo), Kenji Taki Gallery (Nagoya), Lee Eugean Gallery (Seoul), Leo Gallery (Shanghai), Make Room (Los Angeles), Misa Shin Gallery (Tokyo), Ota Fine Arts (Tokyo), Pibi Gallery (Seoul), Takuro Someya Contemporary Art (Tokyo) and ThisWeekendRoom (Seoul).
Several galleries are graduating from Focus Asia into the central Galleries section, including A-Lounge Contemporary, Barakat Contemporary, Cylinder, G Gallery and SAC Gallery, demonstrating the fair’s role in supporting the growth of gallery spaces.
Chu Mirim, Vista, 2023. Loop video installation, four 75-inch TVs, colour, sound, transparent/mirror acrylic pieces, sizes variable, 5 minute loop. Courtesy: Baik Art. Photo: Studio Kenn
A platform dedicated to galleries founded in or after 2012, Focus Asia is advised by Joselina Cruz (Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, Manila) and Hyejung Jang (Doosan Art Center, Seoul). Focus Asia is presented in collaboration with Stone Island, which provides support for participating galleries.
The 2025 edition of Focus Asia features ten solo presentations: Baik Art (Jakarta, Seoul) with Mirim Chu, CON_ (Tokyo) with Taiki Yokote, drawingRoom (Seoul) with Sun Goo Im, Kana Kawanishi Gallery (Tokyo) with Hideo Anze, kohesi Initiatives (Yogyakarta) with Timoteus Anggawan Kusno, Linseed (Shanghai) with Liang Fu, Parcel (Tokyo) with Side Core, Gallery Planet (Seoul) with Seungwon Yang, PTT Space (Taipei) with Christine Tien Wang and sangheeut (Seoul) with Eugene Jung.
Nam June Paik, Nostalgia is Extended Feedback, 1991. Mixed media, 79 × 53 × 165 cm. Courtesy: BhakExploring thousands of years of art history, Frieze Masters spans illuminated manuscripts to significant works from the 20th century. With a particular emphasis on galleries based or operating in Asia, returning participants Gana Art (Seoul), Hakgojae Gallery (Seoul), Les Enluminures (Paris) and Mazzoleni (London), Liang Gallery (Taipei) and Gallery Shilla (Seoul) are joined by new additions such as Kotaro Nukaga Gallery (Tokyo), A Lighthouse Called Kanata (Tokyo) and Spurs Gallery (Beijing).
Main Image: Lehmann Maupin at Frieze Seoul 2024. Courtesy: Frieze and Lets Studio. Photo: Lets Studio
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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