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

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

The opening festival will feature a rich and varied program led by artistic director Chung Myung-whun, with participation from the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) and world-class performers. The Asia Philharmonic Orchestra is a festival orchestra composed of top Asian members active in world-class symphony orchestras such as the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Berlin Staatskapelle and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. First, the opening performance on the 21st will be conducted by artistic director Chung Myung-whun, with the orchestra (APO) performing Beethoven's Triple Concerto and Symphony No. 9 "Choral". Violinist Sayaka Shoji, cellist Jian Wang and pianist and conductor Myung-whun Chung will collaborate in the Triple Concerto, while the "Choral" Symphony will be sung by top Korean singers, including soprano Su-mi Hwang, the "2025 Classic Busan Seasonal Chorus" and the Changwon City Chorus. On the 22nd, pianist Seong-Jin Cho will perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, "Emperor," with the orchestra (APO) and artistic director Myung-Whun Chung. Organist Jaehyuk Cho will also perform Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3, "Organ," which will be performed on the grand organ of the Busan Concert Hall. Pianist Seong-Jin Cho and organist Jae-Hyeok Cho were originally scheduled to perform solo concerts, but will now perform with the orchestra (APO). On the 23rd, world-renowned pianist Sun Yu Ye-Kwon will present a high-intensity chamber music performance with members of the orchestra (APO), including piano trios by Beethoven and Brahms. In addition, Myung-Whun Chung will perform on the 25th as a pianist rather than a conductor. The finale on the 27th and 28th will be Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio." The performance was jointly performed by the Busan City Chorus and the National Chorus.

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.

The painting world of Jeong Sun (1676-1759), who is known as a representative painter in the history of Korean painting and a master of true landscape painting, will be presented in a large-scale special exhibition at the Hoam Art Museum. This exhibition displays about 165 representative works of Jeong Sun, covering landscape painting, figure painting, flower and bird feather painting and other themes, fully demonstrating his colorful and diverse artistic style.

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.

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.

A mysterious world millions of years ago! An adventure to explore the world of Cretaceous dinosaurs. The exhibition "DINO Fantasy" to explore the fantasy world of dinosaurs has landed in Daegu! Are you ready to meet the Cretaceous dinosaurs that appeared in Daegu? Here you can see, feel, touch and experience the secret Cretaceous dinosaurs. Inviting "smart dinosaur explorers"! !

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 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.

On March 6, the "Korea-China Art Exhibition: In Rhythms of Rest," co-organized by@ulsanartmuseumand the#CAAArtMuseum, opened at the Ulsan Art Museum in South Korea. Running until June 15, the exhibition features over 50 contemporary artworks from Chinese and Korean artists, spanning painting, sculpture, photography, installation art, and interactive media art. It explores the relationship between humanity and nature, reflecting the pursuit of spiritual freedom and inner peace.Structured into four thematic chapters—"Solitary Landscapes," "Cycle of Life," "Heart-to-Heart," and "Timeless Ease"—the exhibition blends participatory installations with digital interactivity to guide visitors toward inner purification and elevation through free imagination and creativity.Centered on nature as a unifying theme, the exhibition weaves the wisdom and philosophy of contemporary Chinese and Korean artists, creating a cross-border poetic dialogue that offers solace and inspiration to viewers. The exhibition stands as a vivid testament to the cultural resonance between China and South Korea, serving not only as an artistic exchange but also as a bridge of friendship.

Banksy, a mysterious artist, an icon of street art, has a huge influence around the world! What powerful political message and social criticism does he want to convey through his works? What is his art?

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.

The Jeju Food & Wine Festival (JFWF), held since 2016, has become an important milestone in Korea's food culture industry. Held every May, the Jeju Food World Festival has grown over the years into a world-renowned food festival that symbolizes Jeju Island, set against the backdrop of Jeju's beautiful natural scenery. It not only highlights Jeju's diverse fresh ingredients, such as seafood, Jeju black pork, and a variety of citrus fruits, but also incorporates traditional cooking techniques and recipes that have been passed down in modern times, providing food lovers with an experience of exploring and tasting unique flavors. The Jeju Food & Wine Festival (JFWF) is a cultural event that promotes the value of Jeju's agricultural and marine products and the food culture bestowed by Jeju's nature to the world through various food contents based on Jeju's pure ingredients and the creativity of chefs. This year marks its 10th anniversary.

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

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.

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.

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