Hyundai Department Store sponsors Kiaf for 5th consecutive year

VIP lounge at COEX, 10-artist show among cultural events planned

A VIP lounge exclusively for premium customers at "Kiaf Seoul 2026" [Hyundai Department Store]

Hyundai Department Store announced Tuesday it will serve as an official sponsor of Kiaf (Korea International Art Fair), the country's largest art fair, for the fifth consecutive year.

The retailer signed an MOU with the Korea Gallery Association in August 2022 to help develop the domestic art market and has participated as an official sponsor of Kiaf Seoul every year since. From Wednesday through Sunday, it will operate a VIP lounge exclusively for premium customers at the Kiaf Seoul 2026 venue at COEX, featuring works by ceramicist Kang Seok-young and textile and installation artist Jeong So-yun.

On the opening evening, the Trade Center branch will host "Art Evening: The Aesthetics of 6 Minutes and 40 Seconds," an event for Kiaf VIPs and premium customers featuring artist speed presentations and a reception. Through Sept. 20, Kiaf preview lectures under the "Highest Class" series will be held at the Apgujeong Main, Trade Center, Pangyo and The Hyundai Seoul cultural centers.

Through the end of next month, major stores nationwide will also host a large-scale art-themed event, "2026 The Hyundai Art Stage."

The Apgujeong Main branch will run "Night Built of Paper," an exhibition featuring artists Kim Min-jeong, Kim Hyun-ju, Jeong Yu-mi and Moon Min, through Sept. 10. The Mokdong branch will host "Geometry of Nature," a contemporary crafts exhibition featuring artists Lee Sang-hyeop, Baek Hyeon, Kim Yun-bae, Seo Gi-yeol, An Eun-seon and Eun Seong-min, through Sept. 13. Select works will also be available for purchase through the official online mall, The Hyundai Hi.

Across 10 stores nationwide, including The Hyundai Seoul, 12 exhibitions and performances and more than 70 art classes will be offered. The Hyundai Children's Book Art Museum at the Pangyo branch will host the photography exhibition "Photo World" through Nov. 1, while the ALT.1 cultural complex at The Hyundai Seoul will present exhibitions featuring Banksy and Still Here through Nov. 3. The Kintex branch's cultural hall and rooftop garden will host performances by the Seoul Ballet and Goyang City Ballet on Saturday and Sunday.

"We plan to offer differentiated cultural experiences that add artistic inspiration to customers' everyday lives, going beyond a shopping space," a Hyundai Department Store official said. "We will continue to support leading artists and pursue collaborative arts patronage to help build a healthy art ecosystem and broaden public access to the arts."

Meanwhile, Hyundai Department Store is supporting the creative work of artist Lee Hae-min-seon, a candidate for the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art's "Artist of the Year" award, through the Korea Mecenat Association's "One Company, One Artist" support project. The retailer also plans to continue collaborating with the Daegu Gallery Association (Diaf) and the Goyang Cultural Foundation, and will hold a children's drawing competition open to around 6,000 participants from kindergarten and elementary school.

andy@heraldcorp.com