The fourth edition of Frieze Seoul (3-6 September) took place alongside the Korea International Art Fair (Kiaf) at the Coex convention centre in Gangnam, amid economic concerns and a slower art market. Despite a modest 0.8% expected growth in South Korea's economy and fewer Western exhibitors, the fair saw strong institutional attendance, including curators from M+, the Museum of Modern Art, and the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, as well as celebrity visitors like BTS members and Blackpink's Lisa. Galleries reported cautious but steady sales, with a notable presence of Asian collectors, particularly from Japan, and a Stand Prize awarded to Kohesi Initiatives for a politically charged booth by Timoteus Anggawan Kusno.
This edition matters because it demonstrates the resilience and evolving character of Frieze Seoul as a key hub for the Asian art market, even during economic headwinds and political uncertainty. The fair's growing focus on Asian galleries and collectors, alongside institutional engagement from major museums, signals a shift in the global art fair landscape toward regional strength. The integration with Seoul Art Week and Design Miami.In Situ also highlights the city's ambition to become a cultural destination, while the award for a politically engaged artwork underscores the fair's role in supporting critical contemporary art.