Feel Modern Korean Art at Top Galleries in Seoul

Seoul is a hub for art enthusiasts, especially those seeking to immerse themselves in modern Korean art. The city boasts numerous art institutions, museums, and galleries that showcase top-notch collections and exhibitions. These institutions provide a platform for local and global talents to flourish, while also showcasing the significant evolution of the art scene in Korea. Whether you are an art novice or a veteran art lover, here are the top galleries in Seoul that you should visit at least once.

Also Read:

• Top 6 Contemporary Art Museums in Seoul Every Traveler Should Visit
• Best 20 Museums and Art Galleries in Korea
• Feel Modern Korean Art at the Seoul Museum of Art

Arario Gallery Seoul 아라리오갤러리 서울

• 📌 85 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 🕛 11 AM – 6 PM
• 🌐 http://www.arariogallery.com/
• ☎️ +82 2-541-5701

We begin our list with ARARIO GALLERY, one of the must-visit art spaces in Seoul. Following its establishment in 1989, the gallery has expanded its locations within Korea and in other countries, such as China and New York. It has three spaces across Seoul, Cheonan, and Shanghai. Arario Gallery Seoul was initially launched in Sogyeok-dong in 2006 before relocating near the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in 2014.

Since its inception, the art gallery has been a prominent figure in Korea’s contemporary art scene. It has also maintained its presence across Asia and globally through its bold exhibitions and efficient representation system. Arario Gallery Seoul launched its new location in Wonseo-dong in February 2023. Through this initiative, it aims to continually grow and contribute to the growth of the contemporary art scene in Korea.

How To Get There?

• Take the Line 3 to Anguk Station.
• Use Exit 2.
• Walk 180 m to the art gallery.

Highlights

• Free Admission: Arario Gallery offers free admission to all visitors. It is a must-visit destination for budget travelers.
• Represents Diverse Artists: The art gallery showcases works from local and international artists, including Ahn Jisan, Chen Qiang, Tallur L.N., Nalini Malani, Sun Xun, and Yan Heng.
• World-Class Exhibitions: Currently, Arario Gallery Seoul is hosting multiple exhibitions, including Lee Jinhu: Discontinuouscontinuity.
• Art Fairs: The gallery frequently hosts art fairs and themed events, attracting a diverse group of art lovers from across the country.

Discover art experiences in Seoul:

Kukje Gallery 국제갤러리

• 📌 54 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 🕛 Monday-Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM, Sunday & National Holidays: 10 AM – 5 PM
• 🌐 http://www.kukjegallery.com/
• ☎️ +82 2-735-8449

You can never miss the iconic Kukje Gallery on your art expedition. Chairman Hyun-Sook Lee launched it first in Insa-dong before relocating it to its current K1 building in Sogyeok-dong in 1987. The iconic gallery building is renowned for its international exhibits, making it a top destination among art lovers. It has introduced many works by world-famous modern and contemporary artists.

The art gallery aims to educate collectors and institutions worldwide on Korean art history. To establish dialogue with international audiences unfamiliar with Korean art, it has participated in international art fairs, like Art Basel, since 1998. In addition to promoting current artists, Kukje Gallery celebrates postwar Korean artists such as Lee Ufan, Kwon Young-Woo, Ha Chong-Hyun, and Park Seo-Bo. It continuously strives to introduce Korean art and artists to the global art scene.

How To Get There?

• Take the Line 3 to Anguk Station.
• Exit the station and walk towards the Kukje Gallery. It is only a 10-minute journey.
• Alternative: Take the Line 3 to Gwanghwamun Station and enjoy a 14-minute walk to the art gallery.

Highlights

• Free To Enter: Experience free admission to the infamous Kukje Gallery in Seoul.
• Hub for National Talents: Kukje Gallery showcases the works of Korean artists, including Wook-kyung Choi, Ahn Kyuchul, Kim Yong-Ik, and Sungsic Moon.
• Internationally Acclaimed Artists: The art gallery showcases solo exhibitions and works by renowned artists, including Candida Höfer, Jenny Holzer, Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois, and Jean-Michel Othoniel.
• Wellness K: Located in the K1 building, this wellness center offers personalized programs on fitness, mindfulness, and happiness, including yoga, meditation, and strength training.
• Cafe @ The Restaurant: The K1 building features a well-regarded restaurant/cafe with an open terrace offering stunning views of the Gyeongbok Palace. It serves freshly roasted coffee, homemade desserts, salads, pastas, and risottos.

Tang Contemporary Art

• 📌 6 Apgujeong-ro 75-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 🕛 10:30 AM – 6 PM
• 🌐 http://tangcontemporary.com/
• ☎️ +82 2-3445-8889

If you are in the Gangnam District, stop by the Tang Contemporary Art Seoul. It is one of the international galleries in Seoul that seeks to represent Southeast Asian artists and Chinese contemporary art masters globally. Founder Zheng Lin first launched the gallery in Bangkok in 1997. After a successful run in Beijing and the establishment of two galleries in Hong Kong, Zheng finally decided to expand his vision in South Korea. As a result, Tang Contemporary Art Seoul was opened in SongEun ArtSpace building in Gangnam-gu in March 2022.

The Beijing-based art gallery aims to promote Chinese and Southeast Asian artists who are unfamiliar to Korean collectors and the Korean market. In recent years, it has also shown interest in working with Korean artists. Thanks to its 25+ years of dedication to promoting contemporary art and Chinese artists, Tang Contemporary Art has become one of the most influential galleries in Asia. It even recently opened a new location in Singapore.

How To Get There?

• Take the Suin-bundang Line to Apgujeongrodeo Station.
• Take a ten-minute walk to the SongEun ArtSpace building.
• Tang Contemporary Art Seoul is located in the building.

Highlights

• Internationally recognized art gallery: Thanks to its groundbreaking exhibitions, Tang Contemporary Art has established a stable presence in the contemporary art scene in Asia.
• Promotes Contemporary Art: The art gallery collaborates with local and international artists to produce critical projects and exhibitions, promoting contemporary art regionally and worldwide.
• Space For Dynamic Exchange: Artists and art collectors worldwide can meet, interact, and share ideas and passion for contemporary art through the gallery.
• Art Fairs: Tang Contemporary Art frequently hosts art fairs through its various branches within Korea and abroad.

💡 Tip: Buy Seoul passes to enjoy free admission to most art museums and galleries.

MO J Gallery 모제이갤러리

• 📌 713-6 Hannamdong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 🕛 11 AM – 5 PM
• 🌐 http://www.mo-jgallery.com/
• ☎️ +82 2-797-0417

Feel modern Korean art at Mo J Gallery, one of the top galleries in Seoul. It was first established in 2010 in Busan before opening its second location in Hannam-dong in June 2020. As such, the art gallery has cemented its position among both Seoul and Busan art collectors. It supports artists to develop art and culture in Korea. By featuring a collection of artworks by Korean and international artists, it aims to expand the underlying level of the domestic art market.

MO J Gallery has slowly emerged as a critical figure in the contemporary art scene in Korea. It has an extensive collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Its roster features renowned contemporary painters and sculptors, including J. Young (master of Hanji painting, ‘Moment’ series), Donald Sultan (famous for his large-scale still-life paintings), and Nigel Hall (known for his abstract steel and aluminum sculptures).

How To Get There?

• Mo J Gallery is easily accessible via Seoul’s extensive subway system.
• You can also take the Seoul Metro to the nearby stations and then walk to the gallery’s location.
• Use Google Maps or Naver to locate the art gallery.

Highlights

• Impressive Collection: Mo J Gallery’s collection includes artworks from the early 20th century to the present.
• Internationally Renowned Artists: The art gallery showcases works by world-famous artists, including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Damien Hirst, Sol LeWitt, Park Seo-Bo, Frank Stella, and Oscar Murillo.
• Role as an Intermediary: Mo J Gallery aims to bridge the gap by fostering conversations between the general public and contemporary art.
• Art Fairs: The art gallery hosts an annual art fair in Busan to promote the Korean artists and the gallery itself.

Lehmann Maupin 리만머핀

• 📌 213 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 🕛 11 AM – 7 PM
• 🌐 https://www.lehmannmaupin.com/
• ☎️ +82 2-725-0094

Lehmann Maupin is likely not a new name among veteran art collectors. Since its inception in 1996, it has been a leading figure in the contemporary art scene with locations in the U.S.A., Asia, and Europe. What started as a co-owned art gallery by Rachel Lehmann and David Maupin in New York has expanded into launching permanent locations in Seoul and London. It also has seasonal spaces in Palm Beach, Beijing, Taipei, and Aspen.

The art gallery opened its viewing office in the Sogyeokdong neighborhood of Seoul in 2017. Located between the Gyeongbok Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village, it became one of the first international galleries to establish a permanent space in Korea. Soon after, Lehmann Maupin Seoul opened its new gallery in the Hannam-dong neighborhood in 2022. It occupies 2,600 square feet of space and features an outdoor terrace showcasing sculptures. If you want to admire contemporary and modern art in Seoul, this gallery is your destination.

How To Get There?

• Take the subway or bus to reach the gallery’s location in the Hannam-dong neighborhood.
• Buy a public transportation card to use the bus or the subway.
• Taxis are convenient but cost more than public transportation.

Also, check out these Seoul passes:

Highlights

• Exhibitions by Korean Artists: Lehmann Maupin Seoul has collaborated with several historically significant Korean artists, including Lee Bul, Suh Se Ok, and Do Ho Suh.
• Strong presence in Seoul: Lehmann Maupin is one of the must-visit international art galleries in Seoul, having been instrumental in introducing international artists to Korean audiences and fostering long-lasting curatorial relationships.
• A dedicated art space: The gallery in the Hannam-dong location occupies two floors dedicated to exhibitions. They are designed to place artists in dialogue and program shows simultaneously, opening up juxtapositions and new curatorial conversations.
• Art Fairs: The art gallery hosts art fairs to showcase contemporary art and support local artists. It has an upcoming art fair, Frieze Seoul, from September 3 to 6, 2025.

PKM Gallery 갤러리

• 📌 40 Samcheong-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 🕛 10 AM – 6 PM
• 🌐 http://www.pkmgallery.com/
• ☎️ +82 2-734-9467

Enjoy an art retreat inside the PKM Gallery. It was launched in Hwa-dong, Jongno-gu in 2001. Since its inception, the art gallery has consistently showcased exhibitions of Korean and international artists whose artworks keenly reflect the trends of contemporary art. It aims to introduce these art figures to global collectors and contribute to the global recognition of Korean art.

The PKM Gallery is the first Korean gallery to participate in the Frieze Art Fair in 2004. It was one of its many steps to promote Korean contemporary art to the global art market. This cozy gallery strives to reflect current trends in contemporary works across different media. Through its various exhibitions and participation in art fairs, it tries to introduce multiple facets of contemporary art to a broader audience.

How To Get There?

• Take the Line 3 to Anguk Station.
• Use Exit 1.
• Enjoy a 15-minute walk to the art gallery.

Highlights

• Cozy Gallery Building: The PKM Gallery relocated to Samcheong-dong in 2014. The gallery building is easily recognizable thanks to its spectacular architecture. Expect a cozy vibe and impressive exhibitions.
• Represents Korean Artists: The art gallery showcases works by leading Korean contemporary artists, including Koo Jeong A, Yoo Youngkuk, Cody Choi, Kwon Jin Kyu, and Sang Nam Lee.
• Introduces International Artists: The PKM Gallery has also collaborated with foreign artists, including John Baldessari, Dan Flavin, Olafur Eliasson, Carsten Holler, and Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen.
• International Art Fairs: PKM is a familiar presence at global art fairs, including Art Basel, Expo Chicago, FIAC, and the Armory Show.

Our list of top galleries in Seoul could be considered representatives of the city’s art scene. These art spaces are dedicated to promoting Korean art globally and introducing foreign artworks to Korean audiences. In addition to galleries, Seoul is home to many art museums, where you can learn more about the history and evolution of the Korean art scene. Art fairs and street art further showcase the locals’ interest and passion towards the arts. Visiting any of these art galleries won’t be a waste of time. So, have you decided to add any of them to your Seoul Itinerary yet?