After Expo Chicago was acquired by Frieze, Kiaf Seoul, Expo Chicago collaborate for the first time Some 20 home-grown galleries in South Korea will participate in Expo Chicago 2025 next month as part of the partnership between the two fairs, Kiaf Seoul and Expo Chicago. The art fair’s partnership with Kiaf Seoul, run by the Galleries Association of Korea, was established after Expo Chicago was acquired in 2023 by Frieze. The global platform for modern and contemporary art has operated Frieze Seo

Number of titles down 6.7 percent as new releases plunge 14.6 percent across platforms South Korea's once-thriving web comics industry has shown signs of cooling down. New data shows the digital comics market shrank nearly 7 percent last year, with adult content now making up over half of all titles. According to data released by the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency (KOMACON) on Wednesday, the total number of web comics available across domestic platforms dropped to 18,792 in 2024. This marks a 6.7

Free size in South Korean fashion is a label that fits the industry better than the consumer Choi A-ra, 24, entered university with a goal: to fit into "free-size" clothing. "In places like Hongdae or Gangnam Station's underground shopping centers, most of the pretty clothes I wanted to buy only came in 'free-size,'" she said. "Back in high school, I was overweight — 170 centimeters and 65 kilograms — so my goal was to lose 10 kilograms to fit into them." She reached her target weight. But even

Seoul Museum of Art solo show reveals painter's philosophy in art and life Artist Kang Myong-hi never erases any marks from a canvas, even if she does not like them when she returns the next day. Although it is hard to endure marks on a canvas that look like flaws, she chooses to embrace each brushstroke she makes. Kang's artworks, currently on exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art, highlight her unique approach to both art and life. “Some artists would remove those traces, and it is very tempti

Interview: Soprano Seo Sung-young, bass Park Jong-min and tenor Son Ji-hoon to perform Korea's second-ever production of Dvorak’s 1901 opera Antonin Dvorak’s ninth opera, "Rusalka" (1901), is his most successful and most frequently performed opera around the world. Yet, an upcoming production in Seoul will be only the second time it has been staged in South Korea, almost 10 years after its local premiere in 2016. For this one-time performance Thursday at the Seoul Arts Center, three first-prize

National Museum of Korea loaning majority of artifacts on show A six-month exhibition on Korean history from ancient to modern times will run through Aug.10 at Dresden’s Royal Palace, Residenzschloss. “100 Ideas of Happiness: Art Treasures from Korea,” set to open Saturday, will showcase 359 pieces spanning crafts, ceramics and paintings, offering a glimpse into the period from the Three Kingdoms era (57 BC-668 AD) to the Joseon era (1392-1910). The state-run National Museum of Korea has loaned

Restored by experts at Leeum Museum of Art, 19th-century folding screen to return to Peabody Essex Museum following Leeum show A folding screen depicting a banquet hosted by a provincial governor in 1826 during the Joseon era (1392-1910) will be on display for a month at the Leeum Museum of Art, which restored the painting that belongs to the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts. The 16-month restoration effort began in November 2023 when Leeum became the first private museum in Korea to take p

Leading auctioneer's March sale in Seoul will feature Korean contemporary artists Seoul Auction aims to bring in more than a billion won at an upcoming auction in Seoul featuring Korean contemporary art, with some of the works to be shown in Hong Kong before they go under the hammer in Seoul. The auction in Seoul has been timed to coincide with Art Basel Hong Kong in an effort to attract more collectors in the Asian region. The auction house will host the contemporary art sale in Seoul on March

Exhibition brings together works by artists from the 8th Sao Paulo Biennial and Kim Byung-ki, who served as commissioner and jury member Most things do not happen in just a day — they need enough time to mature or ripen. The same can be said of the Korean art scene. The seeds for what is now a vital part of Asia's art scenes were planted decades ago. Not many know that Korean artist Kim Byung-ki was one of the first Korean artists to reach the global art stage. Kim was a jury member for the 8th

As consumers increasingly seek affordable indulgences, luxury cosmetics are proving to be a lasting trend Luxury cosmetics have become increasingly popular, with their sales growth rate surpassing high-end fashion items such as handbags and clothing as the prolonged economic downturn continues to affect consumer spending. According to sales figures from major department stores, luxury cosmetics, including products from brands like Prada, Hermes and Givenchy, saw sales grow significantly. Last ye

Failing to keep up with changing tastes and rising costs, eateries serving home-cooked style meals are shutting down "Baekbanjip," or a restaurant serving home-style meals that include a bowl of rice, soup and a variety of freshly prepared side dishes, are on their way out as consumers gravitate toward something new. Amid the rise of social media culture, many people seek out stylish settings that offer unique dining experiences, ambiance and laid-back enjoyment. Changing tastes, rising costs Ki

Joseon, contemporary moon jars on show through June 8 An exhibition of Korean moon jars is running at the Denver Art Museum through June 8, in collaboration with the National Museum of Korea. “Lunar Phases: Korean Moon Jars” features 21 objects including moon jars dating back to 18th century Joseon, as well as five paintings, two photographs, a video and an installation work. Also on show is an interactive mindfulness zone with a touchable moon jar from master ceramicist Lee Dong-sik. The highli

Exhibition of impressionists, cafe with view and hot dating spot Lasting impression “Frontiers of Impressionism: Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum” is running at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido through May 26. The exhibition features 53 paintings from 39 impressionists, who favored sketching the fleeting over the eternal, everyday life over the grand and indoors over outdoors when recording their view of the 19th century world. Starting with “Water Lilies” by French impressionism pioneer Clau

After sightings of a person suspected to be Chris Hemsworth in the streets of Seoul over the past few days, the Hollywood actor confirmed he was in the city for a shoot. Hemsworth, known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, revealed his recent trip to Seoul through an Instagram post Thursday, writing, “A little behind the scenes from our recent Limitless 2 shoot! South Korea exceeded expectations.” The post includes a series of photos, including some featuring Hemsworth wearing

Cultural initiatives to address regional imbalance, shrinking population, diversity The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Thursday unveiled a long-term plan called "Culture Korea 2035" that lays out guidelines for policies going forward. The comprehensive plan with 30 key initiatives is aimed at responding to the rapidly changing environment, a shrinking and aging population and growing non-Korean demographics, the ministry said. Additionally, the ministry seeks ways to leverage Korean