What makes an art scene? There are the artists. There are the gallerists, museum directors and collectors who provide the platforms on which those artists’ work gets shown. There are technicians, shippers, cleaners and security guards, and many more besides. But as well as people there are spaces, spaces where art gets shown, spaces in which ideas get generated, spaces that inspire or spaces that simply… allow you to relax, and not think about art at all. Well, not consciously at least. So if some of the previous sections were about people, this one’s about spaces in Seoul. Although they’re still chosen by people. People who help shape the city’s vibrant art scene.
And if you’re in a rush – or hate advice – there’s a list of galleries too.
Doowon Lee is a self-taught artist based in Seoul. His solo show Doowon and the Golden Fish Submarine Arrive in New York was recently on view at New York’s ACA Galleries in May
ArtReview Where would you go to see something new?
Doowon Lee I travel often, especially to places with vast, untamed landscapes, like the Himalayas. No matter which city I visit, I always make time to explore local flea markets and vintage shops. Wandering through market alleys and connecting with locals often sparks ideas that later find their way into my work.
AR Where would you go to hang out for a drink?
DL I’m not much of a drinker. I prefer spending quiet time at home with a cup of coffee. There’s nothing better than putting on some music and taking time to gather my thoughts – those are the moments I feel most at ease.
AR What’s your favourite place to go to eat?
DL There’s a place called Saerom Tofu in Yeoncheon that I really love. Most of the ingredients come directly from the local area, which makes everything feel fresh and honest. Their aged kimchi tofu stir-fry and braised tofu are especially outstanding. It’s the kind of place I’ll happily take a detour for, no matter how far out of the way it is.
AR Where do you go for inspiration?
DL I love taking off in my camper van without a set destination. There’s something inspiring about moving freely and stumbling upon unexpected landscapes along the way. Things I encounter outside the studio often spark more ideas than I expect.
AR Where’s your favourite place to go to see art?
DL I don’t often seek out museums, as I regularly attend art fairs in Korea and abroad. Being surrounded by contemporary works in real time is already more than enough – it’s direct, immediate and resonant in ways that stay with me.
AR What do you like most about Seoul?
DL What I appreciate most is the comfort of familiarity. In Seoul I can access any art materials I need within 24 hours, and the overall infrastructure allows me to devote myself fully to my work. It’s a city where things move quickly, yet everything feels within reach – quietly supporting the rhythms of my practice.
AR Tell us something about Seoul most people don’t know.
DL There are still small, single-storey houses and narrow alleys that remain untouched. When I walk through these neighbourhoods, I find myself drawn to the quiet traces of life – faded signs, worn-out chairs and the marks left behind on old walls. What stays with me aren’t grand architectural landmarks, but the quiet, often forgotten moments tucked away in these corners.
AR Do you have recommendations for books / music / films about Seoul?
DL I love Patti Kim’s Hymn of Seoul. Unlike most songs today, it captures the old soul of the city in a way that feels deeply nostalgic. Every time I listen to it, I feel a subtle sense of longing. Seoul feels like a strange, unfamiliar city – and yet still very much my home. The song offers a different lens through which to see the city.
AR Can you briefly describe your average day?
DL I wake up late in the morning. The first thing I do is take a walk with my dog, Nollan. Walking with Nollan, I notice small changes in the neighbourhood, and my thoughts often become clearer. When I return home, I drink a cup of coffee and head to my studio. I spend most of the day painting or working with materials. From time to time I take walks or visit the local market and hardware stores if I need something. What seems ordinary reveals its depth through repetition – that’s where the texture of my work begins.
SungHong Min is an installation artist based in Ansan, south of Seoul. His work reassembles found objects and explores people’s emotional experiences during periods of social change. His solo exhibition is on view at gallerychosun through 26 October
ArtReview Where would you go to see something new?
SungHong Min I often go to the area around Sewoon Sangga, near Euljiro Station or Dongdaemun Market. I usually go there to buy materials for my work or installations. But it’s also a place full of memories – I used to visit often in my middle school years to buy radio kits. Every alley and shop holds a part of my past. Now I like browsing new machine parts, beads, fabrics and lace while chatting with shop owners. Those moments often spark ideas for new projects.
AR Where would you go to hang out for a drink?
SM There’s a small bar called Nomad tucked into a narrow alley near Anguk Station, on the way to Insadong. They serve traditional tofu dishes and a wide range of makgeolli (Korean traditional rice wine). The place is a remodelled old Korean house, and many of the guests are people from the visual-arts, music, literature or theatre scenes – so it has a special atmosphere you don’t find easily in Seoul.
AR What’s your favourite place to go to eat?
SM I like the ‘gopchang alley’ near Wangsimni Station. I really enjoy gopchang – grilled beef small intestines – and this area has a lot of restaurants with long histories. Each place has its own recipe, so trying different styles is always fun.
AR Where do you go for inspiration?
SM I find inspiration by observing changing surroundings. Sometimes I walk through the city and come across abandoned objects or unexpected scenes and forms that spark something in me. I also like watching the changing cityscapes from subway windows. The time I spend on the subway feels like a passage between my studio and the world – an in-between space. During that time, I sketch ideas or read books that help shape my projects.
AR Where’s your favourite place to go to see art?
SM I like the Sagan-dong area near Gyeongbokgung Palace. It has the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) and many good galleries all within walking distance. You can spend a whole day exploring different shows and end it with a nice meal with friends nearby. It’s one of my favourite spots in the city.
AR What do you like most about Seoul?
SM I don’t drive, so I really appreciate how convenient public transportation is here. You can get anywhere right on time, and I enjoy using that travel time to think or get some personal work done.
AR Tell us something about Seoul most people don’t know.
SM Seoul’s subway map shows Line 2 as a perfect circle. In reality it is not shaped like that at all. For first-time visitors, the real geography of the line can be a surprise.
AR Do you have recommendations for books / music / films about Seoul?
SM A song that comes to mind is Apartment by Soo-il Yoon, released in 1982. It’s about the rise of apartment complexes in Gangnam during Seoul’s rapid redevelopment. That shift in housing really changed how people lived here – and the song still reminds me of that big turning point. Also, apartments are still themes in many artists’ works even today.
AR Can you briefly describe your average day?
SM For me, making art is a meaningful and joyful process. It lets me see the world differently and communicate in ways beyond words. Most days I spend time in my studio. When I can, I go around the neighbourhood collecting objects people leave behind when they move. These objects often become the main materials in my work, so the process of gathering them is one of the important things in preparing my artworks.
Heejoon Lee works with painting and collage to reflect on today’s rapidly changing digital age. He lives and works in Seoul
ArtReview Where would you go to see something new?
Heejoon Lee It comes from everywhere – a walk in the park, visiting museums or exploring the architecture around me. I tend not to set my destination; I prefer to keep an open mind and eyes, and to embrace new experiences. Sometimes I like to escape from my home city. It gives me a fresh perspective that helps me think differently. Even if the destination isn’t new, simply having distance from my everyday life is a way to see things differently and reflect on myself.
AR Where would you go to hang out for a drink?
HL What matters most isn’t the place, but who you’re with. I like spending time with people I trust and feel safe with – relationships that give me space to share deep feelings and dreams. If I had to pick a place, I’d go for the vibe of Hannam-dong or the Seochon area. Some chimaek (chikin, Korean Fried Chicken, paired with maekju, beer) or Korean-Chinese dishes with beer would make it even better.
AR What’s your favourite place to go to eat?
HL When the weather is nice, I like to be outdoors, in parks or at open-air tables. Korean BBQ on an outdoor table, a kebab in the park or raw fish at a seaside table are some of my favorite experiences.
AR Where do you go for inspiration?
HL Recently I spent some time looking at old artefacts in history museums. These archaeological objects hold traces of time and made me think of how they connect to our own era and experiences. I’m curious about how a city preserves memory and time, and how that preservation might guide us to think about the future. It also made me think about the rapid pace of change in our world. What are we losing in this transformation? And how can we find ways to balance ourselves amid such constant change?
AR What do you like most about Seoul?
HL Seoul is a fascinating city with many faces. When the Korean War ended, the city lay in ruins and had to be rebuilt from the ground up. In less than a century, skyscrapers have risen along the Han River, creating a modern skyline. But then just behind them, there are the old red-brick houses from earlier times. In neighbourhoods like Euljiro and Seongsu, too, the heavy-industry factories have been transformed into trendy cafés. These contrasting layers, past and present, industry and leisure, create the vibrant energy and unique gravity that draw people in and inspire countless stories.
AR Tell us something about Seoul most people don’t know.
HL This may not be a secret, but the sunset in Seoul is beautiful. My favourite view is when you cross the Han River near Seongsu or Cheongdam around 7pm, looking towards Namsan – I think it’s the best sunset spot in the city.
AR Do you have recommendations for books / music / films about Seoul?
HL I recommend The Host (2006) and Parasite (2019) by Bong Joon-ho, as well as KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix, released this year. The Host is about a monster living in the Han River, something I used to imagine whenever I walked along the river, half-expecting something to suddenly emerge from the water. Parasite, on the other hand, brilliantly captures Seoul’s contrasting neighbourhoods and shows how architectural spaces can reflect social divisions. KPop Demon Hunters is fascinating because it blends traditional myths with modern culture, and it’s also interesting to see how the current city is portrayed, even if it’s through animation.
AR Can you briefly describe your average day?
HL I’m the father of a 25-month-old son. My day begins with riding to kindergarten with him before heading to my studio. Once I arrive, I dive straight into work without any warmup or preparation. For lunch I usually have a meal that I bring from home. At 4pm I go to pick up my son, and we spend some time together on the way home before dinner. I like to keep this routine every weekday because I believe that a simple, consistent rhythm, repeated day after day, month after month, year after year, can build meaning over time.
Seung Jin Chung is the founder and director of G Gallery, Seoul, where Hannah Woo’s solo exhibition is on view through 27 September
ArtReview Where would you go to see something new?
Seung Jin Chung Nowadays, there’s so much that’s overwhelmingly new that I find myself drawn to the familiar. I try to discover new experiences within what’s already familiar. Lately, for example, I’ve been spending time with my dog Nora, finding small, fresh moments in our everyday routines.
AR Where would you go to hang out for a drink?
SC ARM in Hannam-dong. I’ve been going there since my twenties. It’s a small, relatively unknown bar run by DJs, so you’ll often run into people from the music scene – and if you’re lucky, even a few big-name celebrities.
AR What’s your favourite place to go to eat?
SC Doyou Table, also in Hannam-dong. It’s tucked away in an alley on a rooftop, so it can be a little tricky to find, but the food is incredible. They specialise in pork, served omakase-style. Some dishes are so good you wouldn’t even realise they’re made from pork.
AR Where do you go for inspiration?
SC As a gallery director, I spend a lot of time researching online. But I think there’s only so much you can experience through a screen, so I like visiting museums and artist-run spaces for inspiration.
AR Where’s your favourite place to go to see art?
SC Yeongdeungpo Art Hall 1 is one of my favourites. It’s located in far west Seoul – definitely not a typical tourist spot – but it offers a spacious exhibition hall that artists use in all sorts of creative ways. One of our artists, Heejae Lim will be opening a solo show there this December, which we’re really excited about.
AR What do you like most about Seoul?
SC Its familiarity. I’ve lived here most of my life, so it feels deeply personal to me. I also love how convenient everything is – whether it’s getting food delivered in the middle of the night or sending fresh flowers or important documents across the city in no time at all.
AR Tell us something about Seoul most people don’t know.
SC In Seoul, efficiency is everything. Within a 500-metre radius, there are always at least two convenience stores, most of them open 24/7. No matter what time you arrive, you can always find somewhere serving warm food – whether it’s a microwavable meal from a convenience store, sundae gukbap (Korean sausage and rice soup) or instant ramen at a pc room. And one thing that always shocks my friends from abroad is how you can get a pair of glasses in just 30 minutes – classic Seoul-speed efficiency.
AR Do you have recommendations for books / music / films about Seoul?
SC One of my favourite recent tracks is Seoul Disco Night (2025) by Lewis OfMan. Hannah Woo, one of our artists who will have a solo exhibition at the gallery starting August 27, recommended it to me. It’s super cute, and I love that he included lyrics in Korean – ‘춤, 친구, 사랑, 멋
(chum, chingu, salang, meos)’ – which can be translated as ‘dance, friend, love, swag’.
AR Can you briefly describe your average day?
SC My day usually starts with getting ready for work and dropping Nora off at doggy daycare near the gallery. On some days she comes along to the gallery instead, which is always a treat for my team – they adore her. I spend most of the day at the gallery, and if I don’t have a dinner meeting scheduled, I love heading home early to relax with Nora. She’s extremely energetic, so our evenings often end with a game of fetch, which she never seems to get tired of.
Cho Jieun, along with Ko Gyeol and Kim Jungwon, is a member of ikkibawiKrrr, a visual research band founded in 2021 that explores multifaceted links between plants and humanity, civilisation and natural phenomena, and colonialism and ecology
ArtReview Where would you go to see something new?
Cho Jieun I would say Cheonggyecheon and Dongdaemun. Cheonggyecheon has many small factories for all kinds of tools, materials and processing. The area is under redevelopment, which is very sad, but there are still small shops in Euljiro and Chungmuro nearby. In Euljiro there are shops that sells various items such as lamps, tiles and packaging. Chungmuro is full of shops related to the printing business. Walking around the small alleys of Cheonggyecheon, Euljiro and Chungmuro, you’ll find really interesting things. You should check out the area!
AR Where would you go to hang out?
CJ I have lived in the hilly northwestern part of Seoul since I was a child, so I like to go to the mountains behind my house, such as Bukhansan. However, if you don’t have much time to travel outside the city, I recommend Inwangsan at Gyeongbokgung Station or Buam-dong, where you can just take a walk rather than commit to a day of hiking. If you go up to the Suseong-dong Valley, which connects to the alley of Seochon, you can also feel a sense of history of Seoul.
AR What’s your favourite place to go to eat?
CJ I love Mangwon Market very much. It’s an old-fashioned market in Seoul, but unlike other old markets, Mangwon is very lively. The place has a lot of street food – and it’s so cheap that we often call it ‘Mangwon Heaven’. Just walk through the market and you can try all your favourites. The vegan restaurants nearby are also great. When you are too full, you can walk all the way to the Han River. Then you will digest quickly.
AR Where do you go for inspiration?
CJ I go to old temples when I want quiet stimulation. Jogyesa Temple downtown is a great place. It has a nice front gate and a small, cozy park at the back. Gilsangsa Temple in Seongbuk-gu is also a good place. Gilsangsa Temple used to be a luxury restaurant and bar in the past, and was turned into a temple with the donation of a former gisaeng (female entertainer and courtesan). The temple is within easy reach if you’re taking a walk through Hyehwa-dong alley. Around the corner there are also the Korean Stone Art Museum and the Korea Furniture Museum, which specialises in stone artefacts, and you can make the visits in one go.
AR Where’s your favourite place to go to see art?
CJ I like the National Theater of Korea, which is housed in a building typical of the 1970s and is connected to Namsan Mountain, so it feels quiet and calm. I like the mmca Gwacheon, too, where you can relax in the large park surrounding it.
AR What do you like most about Seoul?
CJ The small alleys are the best. Many are disappearing because of development, but some are still there in Seochon, Hyehwa-dong and Bulgwang-dong. You can organise your thoughts by walking down the alleys where the old houses are gathered.
AR Do you have recommendations for books / music / films about Seoul?
CJ If you read novelist Park Wan-suh’s The Naked Tree (1970), you will find Seoul in the 1950s. The book, which is an autobiographical novel, features the lonely scenery of Seoul after the Korean War and the story of self-taught painter Park Su-geun. The author actually met Park Su-geun, who was then making a living by painting portraits for American soldiers while working for the PX of the US Army stationed in Seoul. It gives a very detailed psychological description of Seoul back then.
Yae-Inn Juen is the founder and director of oaoa, where Jimin Lim: Fly Away Like a Bird is on view through 4 October
ArtReview Where would you go to see something new?
Yae-Inn Juen Gwanghwamun Kyobo Book Centre. Browsing the new arrivals is a quick way to see what’s on people’s minds right now. The in-house exhibitions change regularly, and I like how books and art are presented side by side in the same space.
AR Where would you go to hang out for a drink?
YJ The riverside path along Yangjaecheon. In the early evening, small wine bars, beer pubs, galleries and restaurants open along the bank. The air off the water and the open view make it an easy place to slow down.
AR What’s your favourite place to go to eat?
YJ Piyangkong Halmani, a restaurant specialising in traditional soybean-based dishes. The food is simple and understated, and it’s a place I can take anyone – locals or visitors from abroad, young or old.
AR Where do you go for inspiration?
YJ The walk from Seochon to Buam-dong. I take my time, stopping at small galleries along the way. After leaving an exhibition, I pass markets, cafés, old hanok houses and the birthplaces of historical figures – layers of different lives in a single route. That overlap is always refreshing.
AR Where’s your favourite place to go to see art?
YJ MMCA Gwacheon. Set among mountains and a pond, the museum offers views that rest the eyes between works. The newly renovated art library is worth a visit on its own. It’s rarely crowded, so you can spend time with a single piece without interruption.
AR What do you like most about Seoul?
YJ The markets. I like the mix of seasonal produce and daily trade, and the energy it creates. Near the gallery there’s a small one called Dogok Market – I often walk through and pick up a snack.
AR Tell us something about Seoul most people don’t know.
YJ Seoul’s spring and autumn are strikingly beautiful – and surprisingly short. They’re over so quickly that I try to remember them in detail when they arrive.
AR Do you have recommendations for books / music / films about Seoul?
YJ Our Unwritten Seoul – a recent Netflix series that weaves together relationships and identity within the city. I was drawn to how it follows characters as they step out of their own frames, a process not unlike what I hope to see in the artists I work with.
AR Can you briefly describe your average day?
YJ I start with coffee, play tennis and spend the day at the gallery. After meeting with artists, I have dinner and end the evening with my children.
Wonjoon Lee is the founder and owner of Vohm Gallery, Seoul. He graduated from the Korea National University of Arts and specialises in Asian contemporary art. Hana Kim: Mount Jirisan is on view at the gallery through 12 October
ArtReview Where would you go to see something new?
Wonjoon Lee Seongsu-dong – though I must admit, I somewhat dislike it.
AR Where would you go to hang out for a drink?
WL Mostly at home. On occasion, however, I sometimes venture out with friends to charming little bars tucked away near the Changdeokgung Palace.
AR What’s your favourite place to go to eat?
WL Lately, I have been exploring intriguing restaurants near Sookmyung Women’s University Station in Namyeong-dong, where a number of talented young chefs are striving to establish their own culinary havens. I am also especially fond of the dining spots in Haebangchon and along Gyeongnidan-gil, both conveniently close to Namyeong-dong.
AR Where do you go for inspiration?
WL The Han River. Its broad, tranquil expanse offers a rare calm, creating the perfect setting for fresh thoughts to take shape. You needn’t do anything at all – stand still before the water and you’ll feel its quiet power.
AR Where’s your favourite place to go to see art?
WL The area surrounding the Gyeongbokgung Palace, including Samcheong-dong. I don’t just mean the major galleries or the MMCA; there are still hidden treasures too – obscure galleries and little-known exhibition spaces offering unexpected delights. Project space SARUBIA in Changseong-dong (right next to the Gyeongbokgung Palace) and gallerychosun in Sogyeok-dong are two of my favourite spots.
AR What do you like most about Seoul?
WL The city moves swiftly, yet amid its soaring skyscrapers you can still stumble upon ancient beauty in the form of historic palaces and centuries-old fortifications.
AR Tell us something about Seoul most people don’t know.
WL The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is, in fact, rather good.
AR Do you have recommendations for books / music / films about Seoul?
WL I’m afraid I don’t.
AR Can you briefly describe your average day?
WL Smartphone, subway, email, internet and dinner with family.
This features in the ArtReview Korea Supplement, a special publication celebrating contemporary Korean art, supported by Korea Arts Management Service and available with the September 2025 issue of ArtReview
