Ghenie sells for 1.74 billion won

Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul opened at Coex in Seoul on Wednesday with early sales that included a work by Adrian Ghenie for 1.74 billion won and a work by Antony Gormley for 1.38 billion won, according to The Asia Business Daily. The same report said 10 Keith Haring works sold for a combined $2.5 million on opening day. The fairs opened as Seoul’s annual September art week expanded into late-night gallery openings, museum exhibitions and citywide programs, with a combined 308 galleries participating. ### Which sales stood out on the first day? The Asia Business Daily reported that the Ghenie sale at 1.74 billion won was the largest disclosed opening-day transaction cited in its account, followed by the Gormley sale at 1.38 billion won. It also reported that 10 Keith Haring works changed hands for a total of $2.5 million. Those figures gave an early measure of demand across both blue-chip contemporary names and more broadly traded market staples. (koreatimes.co.kr) Maeil Business Newspaper separately reported an opening-day rush for works priced in the hundreds of millions of won, also highlighting demand for Do Ho Suh and Yoo Youngkuk. The Korea Times said Lehmann Maupin and STPI were presenting works by Do Ho Suh, while Pace Gallery was showing Yoo Youngkuk’s 1989 painting “Work.” (asiae.co.kr) ### Which artists were drawing buyer attention beyond the headline prices? The Asia Business Daily said buyers showed strong interest in Do Ho Suh and Yoo Youngkuk, and that new works by Korean artists including Heemin Jung sold out. That points to a fair week in which Korean artists were drawing attention alongside the international names that usually anchor Frieze’s top-price chatter. (koreatimes.co.kr) The Korea Times reported that galleries were using the fairs to connect booth presentations with museum and institutional attention around Seoul. Its opening-day roundup listed presentations tied to Korean artists including Do Ho Suh, Koo Jeong-a, Lee Bae and Yoo Youngkuk. (asiae.co.kr) ### How big are the two fairs this year? Frieze Seoul’s fifth edition and Kiaf Seoul’s 25th edition opened simultaneously at Coex on Sept. 2. The Korea Times reported that Frieze Seoul brought together 133 galleries from 30 countries and regions, while Kiaf Seoul included 175 galleries, for a combined 308 participants. (koreatimes.co.kr) Yonhap, as cited by The Korea Times earlier in June, said Frieze Seoul runs from Sept. 2 to Sept. 5 and Kiaf Seoul from Sept. 2 to Sept. 6. Kiaf this year adopted the theme “Coexistence,” according to The Korea Times. ### Why was Seoul’s mayor at the opening events? (koreatimes.co.kr) Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended opening events around the fairs, according to The Asia Business Daily and Maeil Business Newspaper. The Asia Business Daily quoted him describing Seoul as a “roofless museum of art,” a line used as the city promoted art-week programming beyond the convention halls. (koreatimes.co.kr) The Korea Times reported that the fairs were being amplified by late-night gallery openings, museum shows and programs across the city. That broader schedule has become part of how organizers and city officials present Seoul’s September art week to collectors and visitors. (asiae.co.kr) ### What comes next after this year’s edition? The Korea Times reported that 2026 is the final year Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul will be held in the same Coex building. Starting next year, Frieze Seoul is set to move to Dongdaemun Design Plaza while Kiaf remains at Coex during the convention center’s renovation, though the two events have extended their partnership through 2031. Frieze Seoul continues through Sept. 5 and Kiaf Seoul through Sept. 6. (koreatimes.co.kr)