Korea’s Art World: Noteworthy Exhibitions This Year
- Irina Radu
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
South Korea has a lively art scene with plenty of exhibitions happening throughout the year. From cutting-edge contemporary pieces to traditional Korean art, there’s always something interesting to see. Whether you’re into modern installations or historic works, exploring these exhibitions is a great way to get a feel for Korea’s creative side. There’s definitely no shortage of inspiring art to discover here. Let’s uncover together some of them.
2026 Korea Art Calendar: Major Exhibitions and Events
The Tino Sehgal exhibition runs from March 3 to June 28, 2026, at Leeum Museum of Art in the M2 lobby area. It features live, ephemeral performances like "Kiss" and "This is," creating interactive "constructed situations" through dance, conversation, and song. No photography or brochures are allowed, encouraging full presence. Sehgal's works unfold simultaneously at the entrance, garden, lobby, and M2, existing only in the moment and never to be replicated. During the exhibition, "This Entry" will be displayed Monday-Wednesday and Sunday in Week 1, and "This Joy" Thursday-Saturday in Week 1, with weekly rotations. Tickets cost 16,000 KRW and are available on the Leeum website. The museum is located at 60-16, Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu.
The Damien Hirst exhibition at MMCA Seoul runs from March 20 to June 28, showcasing the renowned contemporary artist's work that explores themes of life, death, and mortality. The exhibition features a diverse range of his signature styles, including installations, sculptures, and paintings, providing an in-depth look at his innovative approach to contemporary art. It is located at Seoul B1 Gallery on levels 3, 4, and 5, as well as on the 2nd floor of the MMCA Studio in the B1 Seoul Box. Tickets cost 8,000 Won and can be purchased online or at the museum. The MMCA Seoul is situated at 30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
The female chainsaw sculptor Kim Yun Shin’s “Retrospective Two Be One” at Hoam Museum (March 17-June 28) features her innovative chainsaw sculptures exploring identity and culture. Highlight is “Add Two Add One, Divide Two Divide One” (1987-88), 181 cm tall, made from Argentine palo santo wood, now housed in the Guggenheim, will be showed publicly in Korea for the first time. Tickets price is 25,000 won. The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am–6 pm. To visit, take Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station (exit 2 or 3), walk 5-10 min to 38 Everland-ro, Cheoin-gu, Seoul.
The exhibition at Amore Pacific Museum of Art titled Chapter Five is available for the public from April 01 to August 02 in Exhibitions 1 and 7, and it displays international and Korean contemporary art of 40 artists. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (until 8:00 PM on Fridays). The admission fees for the exhibition are approximately 12,000 Korean Won for adults, 6,000 Won for seniors and students, and free for children under 12. Visitors can find more details on the museum’s website or social media, and easily locate the museum via public transportation downtown.
Seoul Museum of Art hosts the Yoo Youngkuk commemorative exhibition for the artists 110th anniversary. The duration of the exhibition is from May 19 until October 25 at 1st floor Exhibition Hall. It shows key creations of harmonized landscapes and other masterpieces that this artist has made during his life. The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Thursday between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. KST with free pass. The museum’s address is 61 Deoksugung-gil (Seosomun-dong), Jung-gu.
The MMCA Seoul holds an exhibition of Do Ho Suh’s works from August 28 to February 09 next year, featuring his iconic sculptures and installations that explore themes like home, relationships between architecture and body, and cultural displacement. The admission to the exhibition is free. The doors open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until 9 p.m. on Fridays. To find the MMCA Seoul, head to Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3. Use Exit 1 or 6, and the museum is a short walk from there, located in central Seoul.
Jonas Wood’s first Asian institutional survey features around 50 paintings and 30 works on paper spanning over two decades. It explores themes of bold, colorful, and psychologically charged work based on personal and found images, highlighting Korean and international visual culture. Hosted by the Amore Pacific Museum from September 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
In September, Kukje Gallery will host the first major retrospective of Park Seo-bo, a pioneer of Korean Dansaekhwa, after his passing. Using all gallery spaces, it will showcase his work from the 1950s Informel era to his 'Ecriture' series, highlighting his influential artistic journey. Visitors can explore his role in elevating Dansaekhwa globally. Visit Kukje Gallery near Anguk or Gyeongbokgung Station or check their website for more details.
Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul will display a major solo exhibition of Koo Jeong A, titled KOO JEONG A (TBC), running from September 5 to December 27, 2026. As the largest presentation of the artist's work in Korea to date, it will feature her multi-sensory installations, scent, and imaginative, site-specific art.
Last but not least, the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) showcases a major retrospective of media artist Lynn Hershman Leeson at its Seosomun Main Branch from October 2026 to February 2027. Spanning over 60 years of work, the exhibition will feature key installations like The Electronic Diaries. Standard SeMA operations include Tuesday-Friday hours from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with closing times of 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekends, and free admission for many exhibits.
The Korea exhibitions in 2026 are going to be an exciting celebration of the country’s rich culture, innovative art, and creative spirit, highlighting Korea’s increasing presence and influence on the global stage.
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