Featured Events in South Korea in May, 2025 (August Updated)

Miffy enters the Magic Mailbox and encounters 70 years of memories again! Take a trip down memory lane to meet Miffy, her family and friends through the Magic Mailbox, reflect on your cherished feelings, and encounter a letter from your long-lost friend Dick Brenner.

Come awaken every sense of yours! MORE TO ENJOY! MORE TO FEEL! A night that belongs only to GIRLS! A wonderful new experience is waiting for you! This night is not only entertainment, but also a time to release yourself. Lights, music, food... every detail is carefully crafted for you, just to let you forget the daily pressure and immerse yourself in unparalleled joy. Relax, laugh, dance with your girlfriends in the exclusive space for girls and experience the excitement that belongs to you!

The exhibition showcases more than 170 works created through a variety of techniques and media, including seven unpublished original paintings that are being made public for the first time in the world. The exhibition specifically reinterprets the ceiling paintings of the Opera Garnier in Paris and the stained glass of the Hadassah Medical Center through media art, providing an immersive art experience that allows light and color to softly surround the space. The exhibition was carefully planned by experts, curators and architects who have conducted in-depth research on European art history. From planning to spatial interpretation, it has been carefully designed to make the works resonate with the exhibition space, allowing the audience to fully experience the color experiments and spatial perception of the objects.

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.

On November 15, the National Museum of Korea opened its first dedicated exhibition room for the Oegyujanggak Uigwe. Located on the second floor of the National Museum of Korea’s permanent exhibition hall, this exhibition room is a space where visitors can only view the Oegyujanggak Uigwe, allowing them to fully experience the Oegyujanggak Uigwe.

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.

Jeon Hyung-pil, a Jiansong scholar, has devoted his life to protecting Korean cultural heritage. These cultural heritages make Koreans proud of their history and culture. When I came into contact with the works exhibited at the Jiansong Art Museum in Daegu, I realized the value of Korean art. I hope this will be a moment of reflection.

The Seoul Museum of Art will hold the first solo exhibition in Korea, "Sararan", by Kawashima Kotori, a Japanese photographer who captures the beauty of existence, at the Seoul Museum of Art M2 from February 26 to October 12. This large exhibition held on two floors of the Seoul Museum of Art M2 will showcase the artist's entire creative world with 309 works, from his first photography series "BABY BABY" to his representative work "Future-chan" that is both artistic and popular, and new works that capture the cityscape of Seoul. The exhibition will also feature C-Print and gelatin silver prints created by the artist himself using analog methods.

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

The Guyin Photography Museum will host its first two-person exhibition "A Tale of Two Cities" in 2025, co-organized by photographer Josef Scholz (b. 1966), who currently lives in Düsseldorf, Germany, and Italian photographer Paolo Ventura (b. 1968). The exhibition captures the common theme of "city and architecture" from different perspectives, exhibiting about 40 photographs and two video works that combine digital technology and painting techniques. The exhibition title "A Tale of Two Cities" is inspired by the title of Charles Dickens' novel of the same name, based on the different descriptions of two cities. Just like the contrasting descriptions of the two cities of London and Paris in the revolutionary whirlwind in the novel, the exhibition also presents the two photographers' interpretation and reinterpretation of the city from different perspectives. Josef Scholz and Paolo Ventura not only record the urban landscape in their own way, but also cut into the two common concepts of "city" and "architecture". It also demonstrates the potential of the photographic medium through experimental methods that combine digital technology and painting techniques, and provides an opportunity to explore the urban space we live in.

What if the whole world was a canvas and we were the protagonists walking on it? With 1.1 million fans, Werner Bronckhorst, a representative contemporary artist, brings you the experience of making everyday life into art. You can enjoy it at the first exhibition in Asia at Ground Seesaw West Village. This exhibition has a new collection of original paintings specially made for Korean audiences and exhibits more than 100 of his representative works. Feel the small special things in everyday life in the vast world. From the dynamic city scenery unfolding on the gray asphalt road, to the leisurely afternoon sunshine strolling on the green grass, to the moment of immersion in the blue waves. When you gaze at the daily slices transferred on the canvas, the days you face every day will become particularly precious. We invite you to join this journey and make this moment as special as the scene in the work.

HUNKY SHOW is a groundbreaking, sensational male dance performance musical, curated exclusively for female audiences who want to make their day special. Experience a new form of live performance that goes beyond mere spectacle, allowing you to directly participate and interact with the captivating performances of Korean fitness models and performance artists who appear in each episode. Also included are customer participation performances, anniversary specials, and even photo time and fan service to provide more than just viewing pleasure.

The Space Program presented in this cultural project is Tom Sachs. One of the representative works is NASA's space exploration program. It consists of about 200 reconstructed large-scale installations and sculptures. He is 21st century space exploration, especially the Apollo program in the 1960s and 1970s. Since I became fascinated by this project, I have been working on the cutting-edge tools and technologies required for space exploration. We have been handcrafting spacecraft and other objects using everyday materials. Tom Sachs, First Moon Voyage (2007, Gagosian Gallery, Starting from Los Angeles, landing on Mars and collecting samples (2012, Park Avenue Armory in New York hosted a multi-event on Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. Exploring Earth (2017, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco) Mining rare minerals from Vesta, the brightest and closest asteroid (2021, The Museum of Modern Art Hamburg has been hosting courses on space exploration. This year’s fifth mission, Space Program: Infinity, is different from previous voyages, and for the first time we’ve changed course, and humanity has not yet encountered alien life and is heading into the infinite universe. It directly explores the risks and rewards you will face. 

Unveiling an exhibition of couture creations by British fashion muse Daphne Guinness. “432Mhz: Harmonics. The World of Daphne Guinness” is an immersive, multimedia exhibition by Ground Seesaw, running from 25 April to 10 August 2025. This groundbreaking exhibition brings to life the creative world of Daphne Guinness, showcasing her original couture pieces, accessories, jewellery, photography, designer illustrations, video installations, digital art, holograms and interactive AI experiences. A beloved muse to fashion legends such as Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, Daphne Guinness curated one of the most prestigious collections in fashion history for over 30 years.

One third of the Earth's surface. A larger ocean than all land combined. That's the Pacific Ocean. In this vast ocean, humans set sail, found islands, and established their roots. The art, culture, and material culture created by humans on the countless islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean are collectively called 'Oceania'. The world created by people who sailed between islands, following the stars, winds, and ocean currents, unfolds unique stories of art and philosophy. The special exhibition 'Mana Moana - Art of the Sacred Sea, Oceania' is an exhibition jointly planned by the National Museum of Korea and the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in France, and introduces traditional and contemporary art from Oceania from the 18th century to the present. You can see exhibits that vividly convey the lives and philosophies of Oceania people, from canoes and sculptures, masks and musical instruments, stone statues and ornaments, to textiles. In Polynesian, ‘mana’ means the sacred power that resides in all beings, and ‘moana’ means the vast ocean. For those who have made the sacred ocean their foundation for life and a space of connection, ‘mana’ is the source of the heart that respects life, nature, and ancestors, and the power that moves the world. This worldview of mana conveys a deep realization that sees all beings, including nature, not as mere objects of use, but as companions of coexistence. Now, we would like to meet the various cultures that humans have created on this island called Earth. We hope that you will have a time filled with empathy and lingering emotions with ‘mana moana’.

With the theme of "Every Day Can Be a Holiday", Elizabeth Langley makes everyone's ordinary day like an exciting holiday. Elizabeth's work stems from her passion to make the world a happier place, which all began with the various leisure activities she experienced in the natural environment of Australia during her childhood. In her works, she constantly captures happy memories of daily life through various activities such as swimming, sunbathing on the beach, skiing, cycling, etc. Elizabeth's work has the power to bring a sense of happiness in a busy moment. This exhibition will evoke a happy day hidden deep in our hearts and become a happy journey to experience "healing" and rest.

Set in a small yet vibrant convenience store in Seoul, 2nd Chance the Musical is a heartwarming musical based on a bestselling novel. This moving musical tells the story of a group of ordinary yet extraordinary people coming together, each with their own struggles, dreams, and moments of healing. With its gripping storyline, relatable characters, and blend of humor and emotion, the musical offers audiences an unforgettable experience that captures the warmth and unexpected connections found in everyday life.

Boramae Park in southern Seoul was transformed into a vibrant garden display as the Seoul International Garden Show kicked off on Thursday. Marking its 10th anniversary this year, the show at the 400,000-square-meter (98-acre) park features 111 gardens, 21 more than last year’s edition at Ttukseom Hangang Park in eastern Seoul. The show will run through Oct. 20.

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.

150 years ago, the Impressionist movement overturned the way people perceived the world. In the 21st century, Jonathan Belten's photographs contain the vividness of 19th century paintings. Look at the same sky every day, walk on the same streets, and meet familiar faces. Then, at a certain moment, the scenery that you are accustomed to suddenly presents itself in a completely new way. Belten calls it "super daily". Here, "seeing", the oldest way of understanding the world, is shaken by super daily experiences. To see things differently is to live differently. Start your first conversation with the scenery that you once passed by silently.

We want to remember many moments in our lives. We engrave those memories in our hearts, and sometimes we leave them in a form that we can hold in our hands. Commemoration begins with the desire not to forget precious moments. Souvenirs are small evidences of those feelings. Among the overflowing commemorations and souvenirs today, aren’t we forgetting the true meaning of commemoration? To ask ourselves the meaning of commemoration again, we look into the object called a souvenir. The desire to leave behind a special moment, The desire to share memories together, The earnest desire to hold the memories of my life in my hands. Let’s look back at the meaning of commemoration contained in a small object. What is a souvenir to you?

Around 1467, the Joseon royal family established a royal porcelain kiln in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, to produce white porcelain for the palace. Geumsari was in operation from 1734 to 1751. Geumsari is famous for producing milky white porcelain and moon jars. Through the fragments collected from Geumsari, we can see white porcelains made in Geumsari, such as moon jars.

This exhibition features 27 works by 19 artists. It exhibits works by a number of contemporary artists, including Takashi Murakami, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Othonier and Julien Opie. It focuses on real-life issues and illuminates topics involving social dilemmas through various forms of contemporary art such as painting, sculpture, and installation. The goal is to explore various issues from the perspective of the writer and to spark new conversations, rather than one correct answer. The title of this exhibition, "Ditto and Veto," is a combination of two seemingly contradictory words, combining "Ditto" (same) with "Veto" (Latin, prohibition). As the title suggests, the exhibition aims to explore the nature of social conflict through the messages conveyed by artists in the positive and negative oppositional structures that exist in modern society, and to present a more complex perspective that transcends the boundaries of the dichotomy.

As the sun sets over Jeju's Old Town, the ancient venues of Jeju Muwana come alive with light, sound and cultural energy. The Jeju Muwana Night Tour, also known as "Gyullim Yahaeng" (귤림야행), invites visitors to travel through centuries of Joseon history illuminated by citrus-colored lights. Held on select evenings between May and October, this immersive experience blends traditional storytelling, live traditional performances and contemporary styles in a setting that was once the heart of Jeju's governance.

Manor Blanc is a botanical garden/arboretum in Seogwipo City with beautiful gardens. This place is celebrating the European Hydrangea Festival this year and last year. The festival period is from May to August. It is located at the southernmost tip of Korea, so the open-field hydrangea is the fastest blooming in Korea. About 7,000 hydrangeas of 30 varieties from around the world, including Jeju hydrangeas, can only be found at Manor Blanc. Compared to last year, the variety of hydrangeas has increased, and various hydrangeas cultivated with love and care can be seen all over Manorblanc. In addition, the wonderful view of the sea in all four seasons between Brother Island and Sambangsan and Songaksan can only be found at Manor Blanc.

1,000 square meters of the world's largest immersive exhibition! This is a special exhibition that allows you to vividly experience popular characters and movies by recreating Pixar scenes in life-size scenes. Just like the scenes in the movie, you become the protagonist of Pixar. Pixar, embark on an adventure into the world of imagination!

Kukje Gallery is pleased to present Ha Chong-Hyun, a solo exhibition of the pioneering Korean modernist, from March 20 to May 11, 2025, at K1 and Hanok. Marking Ha Chong-Hyun’s fourth solo exhibition at the gallery—his first in three years following shows in 2015, 2019, and 2022, this exhibition examines the artist’s continuous experimentation with oil paint and his commitment to exploring the materiality of painting over the past half-century. The foundation for this rigorous commitment is Ha’s ongoing inquiry into the fundamental question: "What is painting?" Through a selection of approximately 30 works created between 2009 and the present, the exhibition includes various iterations of his renowned Conjunction series—from his original monochromatic works to more recent works characterized by colorful adaptations, vibrant gestures, and naturalism. It also features major works from his Post-Conjunction series, initiated in 2009, bringing together two continuously evolving and expanding pillars of Ha’s storied artistic practice.

Mueck is renowned for his surrealist sculptures that raise fundamental questions about human existence, life and death. His works are so detailed that they are indistinguishable from real people, exploring all aspects of life through the human figure. The exhibition’s signature work, Mass, consists of giant human skulls that resemble a tower of death, and asks one to ponder the fundamental concepts of human existence both physically and mentally. The title alone gives one a sense of the ambiguity of the work. The word “mass” can refer to both a large amount and a huge amount, and each viewer has a different interpretation. In addition to this work, you can also see Ron Mueck’s signature work Woman, which depicts a pregnant woman. In addition, the exhibition will feature photographs and documentaries shot by Gautier de Blonde that document the creative process of Ron Mueck’s works. Through this, viewers will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the world of Ron Mueck’s work and get a glimpse into his artistic inspirations and philosophy.

PKM Gallery will hold a solo exhibition "LAZY" from April 12 to May 17 by pop artist SAMBY PEN, who reinterprets contemporary pop culture with humor and satire. This special exhibition, held to commemorate the artist's 10th anniversary of his debut, will feature about 20 new paintings on the theme of modern people's "troubles", as well as merchandise made using the icons of his works and music by young musicians inspired by his works.