Korean Artists Dominate Sales at Frieze Seoul and Kiaf 2026
In early September, the 2026 Seoul Art Week highlighted a robust interest in Korean artists at Kiaf and Frieze Seoul, marking their 25th and 5th anniversaries, respectively. Yoo Youngkuk (1916-2002) saw his works sell for millions, with Kukje auctioning a 1971 painting for €1.4–1.6 million, setting a record at Frieze Seoul. At Kiaf, Lee Ungno (1904-1989) had 14 pieces sold, including one acquired by a museum. Hyundai sold five works by Kim Tschang-Yeul (1929-2021) for between €155,000 and €960,000. The Park Seo-Bo Museum opened in August, and the National Museum of Korea attracted 6.5 million visitors in 2025. Frieze Seoul unveiled new sections, while Design Miami Seoul focused on local designers. The Korean art market reached 638.2 billion won in 2025, reflecting a 3.8% increase from the previous year.
Key facts
- Seoul Art Week 2026 took place in early September, with Kiaf celebrating its 25th anniversary and Frieze Seoul its 5th.
- Yoo Youngkuk's 1971 canvas sold for €1.4–1.6 million (2.2–2.5 billion won) via Kukje, a record for a Korean artist at Frieze Seoul.
- Vazieux sold 14 works by Lee Ungno at Kiaf, including one to a museum.
- Hyundai sold five Kim Tschang-Yeul works for €155,000–960,000; Almine Rech sold a Lee Ufan for €1.1–1.3 million; White Cube sold two Park Seo-Bo works for about €165,000 and €260,000.
- The National Museum of Korea was the third most-visited museum globally in 2025 with 6.5 million visitors.
- SeMA's Yoo Youngkuk exhibition attracted over 300,000 visitors and runs through late October.
- The Korean art market reached 638.2 billion won (about €430 million) in 2025, up 3.8% year-on-year but 20.9% below its 2022 peak and nearly eight times smaller than the French market.
- New government measures effective July 2026 aim to improve transaction registration and data collection.
Entities
Artists
- Yoo Youngkuk
- Lee Ungno
- Ha Chong-Hyun
- Kim Tschang-Yeul
- Lee Ufan
- Park Seo-Bo
- Do-ho Suh
- George Condo
- Adrian Ghenie
- Rashid Johnson
- Cyprien Gaillard
- Marcel Duchamp
- Jean-Michel Othoniel
- Lee Bae
- Christian Marclay
- David Nash
- Georges De Jonckheere
Institutions
- Frieze Seoul
- Kiaf
- Kukje Gallery
- Vazieux
- Hyundai
- Almine Rech
- White Cube
- Musée Park Seo-Bo
- National Museum of Korea
- Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA)
- Tate Modern
- Busan Biennale
- Gwangju Biennale
- Frieze Masters
- Frieze House Seoul
- Design Miami Seoul
- Seoul Design Foundation
- Dongdaemun Design Plaza
- Pavilion Seoul
- Ropac
- Hauser & Wirth
- Sprüth Magers
- Meyer Riegger Wolff
- Meyer Riegger
- Johyun Gallery
- Musée SAN
- Mennour
- Lelong
- MAAT
- Perrotin
- Bridge
- Marguo
- Mark Hachem
- Opera
- Galerie Lelong
- Le Journal des Arts
Locations
- Seoul
- South Korea
- Busan
- Gwangju
- New York
- Hong Kong
- China
- Taipei
- Taiwan
- Paris
- France
- Dongdaemun Design Plaza