Design Miami Seoul opens its second edition at DDP

Design Miami Seoul opened to the public Tuesday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, kicking off a six-day run that coincides with the city's biggest art week headlined by Frieze Seoul and Kiaf.

Now in its second year, the fair takes place in the Design Lab of the Zaha Hadid-designed landmark under the theme "Resonance," which looks at how objects carry memory and emotion across generations. The event is organized in partnership with the Seoul Design Foundation and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Cho Hye-young serves as curatorial director for the second year in a row.

This year's edition is considerably larger than the 2025 debut, which consisted solely of the In Situ program. The fair's signature showcase of Korean and regional designers returns with more than 30 designers and studios from Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Five finalists of the 2026 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize also join the In Situ lineup, along with Japanese architect-ceramicist Yuki Nara.

Joining the fair for the first time is a gallery program of six international dealers, including Charles Burnand Gallery of London, Side Gallery of Barcelona and Vagujhelyi of New York.

Many works on view draw on traditional Korean craft. Kwon Jung-mo reimagines the hanok window in layered hanji, walnut, brass and LED. Kim Byung-sub pairs red pine with the centuries-old technique of mother-of-pearl lacquer inlay.

"Our first edition in Seoul exceeded every expectation, and we return this September with real momentum," Design Miami CEO Jen Roberts said in a statement.

The fair held an invitation-only VIP preview Monday. Design Talks, a day of panel conversations moderated by Cho and LIVINGSENSE chief editor Shim Hyo-jin, will follow Thursday.

Samsung Electronics joins as a lead partner this year and presents works by 14 Korean artists who reinterpreted its products, displayed on its flagship OLED TVs fitted with custom-designed frames. Korean lifestyle brand Alloso, the other lead partner, presents an installation reworking its own furniture collections with contemporary artists.

Design Miami Seoul runs through Sunday, open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and until 6 p.m. on the final day. Tickets are available through the fair's website.