Latest Events in Seoul(May Updated)

Representing the modern art master of the United States, Katherine Bernhard, covering the art world, the world's first and largest exhibition.

Founded in 2017, the Seoul Biennale is a testbed for exploring fresh solutions to some of the most compelling issues facing major global cities today. So far, it has involved nearly 3 million people in four editions over the last seven years. The 5th edition will be curated by Thomas Heatherwick, who was appointed General Director of the 2025 Biennale by Mayor Oh Se-hoon. The 2025 programme will explore how to make buildings and cities radically more joyful and engaging, channeling the city’s ambition for a human-centered, climate-friendly future. This theme will be brought alive through a dramatic new public installation and a programme of events and activities.

2024.12.20 Permanent exhibition "Gustav Klimt: Eternal Beauty" tells the story of the golden painter Klimt's life of pursuing true beauty through his works. Freedom and love shine with golden light, from the mysterious birth of life to the noble death. Klimt's timeless and beautiful story begins here.

The exhibition presents the 60-year painting career and major works of Kang Myung-hee (1947- ). Kang Myung-hee established his own painting realm by capturing the relationship between existence and nature on canvas through long-term and in-depth exploration of the essence of the natural scenery he encountered. The paintings of the artist, who has been active at home and abroad since leaving Korea in 1972, are full of influences from different cultures, as well as colors and emotions that transcend the East and the West. "Visiting" is the exhibition title borrowed from the artist's works, telling the nomadic attitude of the artist who does not settle in one place but constantly moves around to create, and the artistic inspiration he gets from brief encounters. Although this work looks like an abstract painting full of light and color, it originates from very specific elements in nature and is the condensed result of long-term training, meditation and repeated "emptying" behavior. Kang Myung-hee's footprints are all over the world, including the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, Patagonia in South America, Antarctica, India, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, etc., persistently exploring the essence of nature and looking for primitive scenery. Brushstrokes and fragments vibrate, collide and accumulate on the plane, similar to the movement of nature. The painting seems calm and peaceful, but in fact, it is a long and repeated painting, an intense dialogue with the world or nature. In an era when the existence of nature itself is threatened, his paintings contain the history and memory of the land, destruction and death, creation and extinction, and after repeated practice and purification, they bring us into the finished picture. In front of Kang Myung-hee's huge paintings, the audience will encounter nature reinterpreted by the artist, and feel as if walking in boundless nature. In 2007, the artist returned to his homeland and lived in Jeju Island, continuing to create abstract paintings depicting diverse natural scenery. Kang Myung-hee's works, which have entered the mature stage of creation, bring deep thinking about nature and human beings. His works stand on the opposite side of modern civilization and cutting-edge technology, exuding a powerful energy of life and rebirth, and comforting and soothing the pain of the times with the power of art. "Kang Myung-hee - Interview" is not arranged in chronological order, but is roughly divided into three parts according to the author's time and space experience and stream of consciousness. The titles of all sections of this exhibition are derived from the titles of the works, and recent works centered on Jeju Island are presented under the theme of ‘1. Living in Seogwang-dong’ and ‘2. Works centered on works created while working in France and traveling around the world. Visits’ and ‘3. Introducing early works that serve as the starting point for the current works and provide clues for their interpretation. It consists of the ‘Secret Garden’ section.

Around the 2000s, a new focus and tone on archives emerged in the field of documentation and the contemporary art scene in Korea. With the truth-finding movement on the sacrifices and human rights violations in Korea's tortuous modern history of the last century, the value of private records, namely manuscripts, that are not captured by public records, has been re-evaluated. In addition, critical and alternative practices have been carried out on archives that support official history and memory. Contemporary art has also accepted critical theories of archives, and through the generation and reorganization of records, events or objects that are not covered by institutions or mainstream media are socially publicized. Over the past 20 years, manuscript- and archive-based work has formed a common terrain, excavating marginalized and suppressed events and objects and restoring them to social memory. This exhibition is combined with the institutional theme "Action" of the Seoul Museum of Art in 2025, which aims to examine the social value and practical mechanism of records. From today's perspective, the trend of what used to be called archival art, and manuscript history. These two trends continue to update critical discourses on archives while forming counter-memory. Especially today, when the proliferation of digital technology and communication has made instant information production a daily routine, and misinformation and alternative facts are rampant, recent domestic and international conflicts, disputes, disasters, etc. have raised the complex issue of "how to record and interpret the present." In such contemporary issues, beyond reproduction and preservation, we think about the social role of contemporary art and archives as memory institutions to restore social memory and reveal diverse voices. The title of the exhibition "We Keep Penetrating into Different Rivers" draws on the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus (535-475 BC)'s motto "You can't step into the same river twice", emphasizing that records are not permanent, but an ongoing process of encountering current consciousness through reading and perception. The exhibition is composed of "delayed memory", "witness records", and "thrown narratives" based on the meticulous contact and three-dimensional relationship with events or objects. "Delayed Memory" displays works related to the history of modern and contemporary Korean history and the history of suppressed communities, and exhibits related to the records of the Democratization Movement Memorial Foundation and the Korean Queer Archive Queerarch. "Witnessed Records" presents the Jeju April 3 Incident and the issue of "comfort women" of the Japanese military, which have not been revealed for a long time after the incident, through the collection records of the Jeju April 3 Peace Foundation and the Seoul Art Archives, and works that form an emotional space through meticulous documentary records. "Thrown Narratives" presents works that are rooted in real-life issues and archives, but construct new narratives in their missing spaces, liberating areas obscured by social conventions or boundaries and one-sided discourses. "We Keep Infiltrating Different Rivers" aims to recognize the activism of records from multiple perspectives through the process of constantly reconstructing and reinterpreting records of the past and present, arousing our memories, emotions and consciousness, and prompting us to take action for the future.

As part of the "Inside White Cube" initiative, White Cube Seoul will host the first solo exhibition in Asia by American artist Alex Carver (b. 1984, Boise, Idaho) in April 2025. The author explores the inner world of humans wandering in chaos, drawing inspiration from biomedical diagrams, medieval manuscripts, and Botticelli's illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy to depict the nature of human suffering and oppression. The exhibition will feature new works inspired by the opening of Dante's Inferno, the first part of Dante's 14th-century epic poem. "Inside White Cube," a project that showcases works by unaffiliated artists active in the contemporary art world but not exhibited at White Cube, aims to examine the multi-layered nature of contemporary art from various perspectives.

The Seoul Media City Biennale, initiated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is dedicated to innovative exploration of contemporary social conditions, new media developments, and changes in urban structures. Artist and filmmaker Anton Vidokle, curator and art historian Hallie Ayres, and film curator Lukas Brasiskis are co-curators of the 13th Seoul Media City Biennale. All three are affiliated with the publication e-flux founded by Vidokle, where Ayres is assistant director and Brasiskis is assistant curator of film and video.

Around 1467, the Joseon royal family established the official kiln, or royal porcelain kiln, in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, to produce white porcelain for the palace. Geumsa-ri was the kiln that operated from 1734 to 1751. Geumsa-ri is famous for producing milky white, i.e. milky white white purple, and moon jars. By collecting the fragments of the golden relic, you can learn about the white porcelain produced by the golden relic, such as the moon jar.

A permanent exhibition held at the Bank of Korea Gallery on the second floor of the Currency Museum. Masterpieces of modern and contemporary art history are carefully selected and displayed as permanent exhibitions. Compare the painting styles of the East and the West through a variety of works and walk the path of thinking and strolling.

The departure hall of the airport is a place where many people gather with excitement and anticipation. The starting point is the same, but each person's journey unfolds differently. This exhibition is an exhibition that looks back on the past 10 years of Seoul Design Foundation open curating that has provided creative opportunities to creators and supported their journeys at that starting point. What paths have the artists walked, and what meaning do their experiences in their journeys contain? What will the next 10 years look like? So, shall we go together to DDP Gallery Moon? This moment of departure together will be the starting point of new creation!

The modern art in the Leeum Museum of Art covers international art trends from Korean modern and contemporary art to Asian and Western modern art, and is the result of the Samsung Cultural Foundation's long-standing belief and passion for the development of Korean culture and art. In 2025, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Samsung Cultural Foundation, the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, provides a place for people to appreciate its collection of modern art from a new perspective. The focus of this exhibition is not on representative collections of well-known museums, but on works that have never been made public. In addition, new works recently acquired by the museum are introduced to enrich the artistic dialogue that reflects the changing times. The exhibition is not arranged chronologically or thematically, but encourages the audience to discover more relationships between works through visual or conceptual juxtaposition, thus creating a multi-layered, non-linear artistic experience. The opening works of the exhibition include Auguste Rodin's The Burghers of Calais, Alberto Giacometti's Lady Giant III, and Jan Bo's Our Country (Part), echoing the history and identity of the Leeum collection that connects modern and contemporary art. Starting with the wonderful encounter with paintings by Mark Rothko and Zhang Xuzhen, to the major works of modern masters Sol LeWitt, Richard Deacon, Carl Andre, and Robert Rauschenberg, which were made public for the first time since the opening of the Leeum, as well as the recently acquired works of Louise Nevelson, Hannah Darboven, and Lee Bontesseu, they complement each other and further enrich the depth and breadth of the art collection of the Leeum. In addition, the architecturally transformed M2 exhibition space will provide visitors with a special visual experience, allowing them to explore the space and works in a whole new way. Through this exhibition, we hope to examine the evolution and changes of modern art through the collections accumulated by Leeum Art Museum over the past decades, reflect on the contemporary context and artistic significance of the works, and feel the complex levels of art through the multi-level dialogue between the works. - Leeum Art Museum

Our first exhibition planned for 2025 will be a solo exhibition by Pierre Huyghe, a world-renowned artist who explores contemporary social issues from a multidisciplinary perspective, from ecology to technoscience. This is Pierre Huyghe's first solo exhibition in a Korean museum, and includes new works produced in collaboration with the Pinault Collection Punta della Dogana in Venice and the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art. It presents the ecosystems where humans and non-humans coexist through video, sound, sculpture and installation.

A relaxing walk, a purple sky at dawn, A weekend afternoon bike ride, admiring the moon in all its shapes. The city is noisy, but the mind keeps moving forward Perhaps the closest unframed artwork is nature. You haven't noticed yet Introducing a world like a movie. The sky you look up at when leaving the exhibition hall Witness the moment that becomes a special scene face to face.

International Conference on Economics, Management and Social Study South Korea 2023 provides opportunities for the delegates to exchange new ideas and application experiences face to face, to establish business or research relations and to find global partners for future collaboration International Conference on Economics, Management and Social Study South Korea provides opportunities for the delegates to exchange new ideas and application experiences face to face, to establish business or research relations and to find global partners for future collaboration. The idea of the conference is for the scientists, scholars, engineers and students from the Universities all around the world and the industry to present ongoing research activities, and hence to foster research relations between the Universities and the industry. Information Source: International Society for Engineering Research and Development (ISERD) | expotobi

The Seoul Museum of Art has announced the three artistic directors of the 13th Seoul Mediacity Biennale, which will be held from August 26 to November 30 next year. They are artist and filmmaker Anton Vidokle, curator and art historian Hallie Ayres, and film curator Lukas Brasiskis. The three were selected from 66 international open calls for applications. They proposed the concept of "exhibition-as-séance" and aim to "break away from the concept of biennials under contemporary neoliberalism and construct an enhanced experience where awakened life and the intertwined world of the superhuman arena". They point out that "these ideas are related to some important contemporary discourses, from feminism to indigenous struggles, from anti-capitalism to postcolonialism", and they plan to use "the aesthetics of spiritualism and animism to critically intervene in dominant discourses such as capitalism, materialism, postcolonialism and contemporary technology".

Come here to admire the works of 12 masters who led major movements in the history of modern Korean art. From experimental art in the 1970s to contemporary emotional paintings in the 21st century, we trace their artistic journeys through masterpieces that represent each era.

DDP’s design theme park to host a variety of events from celebrations to media exhibitions from May 1 to 31 Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) will transform into a vibrant design theme park during the month of May in celebration of Family Month, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced. The Seoul Design Foundation (SDF) will present a variety of spring events in DDP’s indoor and outdoor spaces, inviting families, children and teenagers to experience a variety of exciting activities. The festival will also showcase trendsetting design brands at stalls in the Design Market, and sell food and beverages at stalls in the Food Street. From the opening day to Children's Day, Grass Hill will be bustling with live pop music concerts every night.

A creative exhibition that goes beyond imagination and awakens your inner artistic perception.

Yuuri, Japan's leading singer-songwriter, has confirmed that he will perform at KSPO DOME on May 3-4, 2025. This is their second solo concert in Korea after "Yuuri Live in Seoul 2024". This is the first time a Japanese solo singer has entered KSPO DOME in 21 years since Namie Amuro. Yuuri has been praised for rewriting the history of J-pop since his debut in 2016. In the first half of this year, he topped the "Japanese Songs" category of Billboard Japan with his representative song "Betelgeuse", and on the 10th, they appeared as the headliners at Korea's largest J-pop festival "WONDERLIVET 2024", which received a warm response from domestic audiences.

Special exhibition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the debut of K-POP legend Super Junior! An experiential media exhibition space centered around the story of "Super Junior becoming a secret agent." The large 350-ping exhibition hall features mission-oriented content, a photo booth, and MD! Enjoy Super Junior's wonderful journey together.

In March 2023, the "Anime "Jujutsu Kaisen" Exhibition 'Theatrical Version Jujutsu Kaisen 0'", which started in Tokyo and toured 9 major cities in Japan including Osaka, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, and Ishikawa Prefecture, and received high praise, has been upgraded during the continuous tour, and will be held in Korea for the first time on November 23, 2024 (Saturday) with a large amount of information! This exhibition is centered on "Theatrical Version Jujutsu Kaisen 0", covering the content of the 17th and 27th seasons of the animation, presenting a rich and colorful exhibition for everyone! The exhibition is based on the concept of "experiencing the theatrical version and TV series "Jujutsu Kaisen" on site", and displays a large amount of information such as scene graphic decorations, original paintings and storyboards in the work.

After the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, it has landed in Korea first in Asia! The story of 100 years of Disney, where every moment is magical, has begun! The Walt Disney Archives opens its treasure trove to showcase hundreds of extraordinary items, including many of Disney’s “crown jewels” - more than 250 rare artifacts and artworks, costumes and props, and incredible memorabilia. Nine imaginative themed galleries showcase famous classics from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) to Tangled (2021), including the newest members of the Disney family - Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel! This is an opportunity for families, children, and loved ones to celebrate their love of Disney’s most timeless stories!

WILD WILD Awaken your instincts. Go wild! "Break the limits. Awaken the wild! Bolder. Stronger. Welcome to the new WILD." WILDER and STRONGER than ever—WILD WILD is back! The one and only original 19+ show musical that will shake your night. This stage is provocative. Daring. And... not a single moment can be missed. With sensory visuals, a more powerful cast, fearless performances, and explosive energy— it's 75 minutes you’ll never forget. HOT. WET. SWEAT. Every second bursts, overflows, and drips with heat. From the movements to the stares, even the breath of the performers— you can only experience it here, at WILD WILD. Beyond anything you ever imagined—now, awaken wildly. 

Hello, aspiring adventurers! For those who hesitate to take on new challenges, we have created an opportunity for you to escape from your daily life and go on adventures around the world. Are you ready to face unexpected moments and make unusual choices in unfamiliar landscapes?