1 · The short answer

Frieze Seoul is the Korean edition of Frieze, held since 2022 in early September alongside Kiaf Seoul. The 2026 edition ran at COEX in Gangnam from 2 to 5 September. For 2027 Frieze has announced a move to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the Zaha Hadid building in central Seoul, while COEX is renovated; the 2027 dates are still to be announced, so check Frieze's site before you book.

Ringo Light's South Korea plan covers Seoul and the rest of the country: unlimited data at full speed, delivered by email and installed with one scan. In Korea that matters for a specific reason: the maps and taxi apps that work best are Korean, and they need live data.

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2 · Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Dongdaemun Design Plaza, known as DDP, is a large curved building of aluminium panels in Jung-gu, near the old Dongdaemun gate and the night markets of the Dongdaemun fashion district. It holds exhibition halls, design galleries and a park on its roof, and it is used for Seoul Fashion Week and design events. Frieze will publish the fair layout for DDP closer to the opening.

Kiaf Seoul, the Korean fair that has run alongside Frieze, is due to stay at COEX in 2027, so the two fairs will be in different parts of the city. Plan time for the crossing between central Seoul and Gangnam if you intend to see both.

3 · The apps that work in Korea

  • ✓Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps shows places in Korea but gives limited walking and driving directions; Korean map apps give full directions, transit times and building entrances.
  • ✓Kakao T. The main taxi app, with English menus. It needs live data and your location at pickup.
  • ✓T-money. A rechargeable transport card for the subway, buses and many taxis, sold at convenience stores and stations.
  • ✓Tickets. Keep your Frieze ticket in your phone wallet or saved offline.

4 · Signal and crowds

Korea's mobile networks are among the fastest anywhere, and central Seoul is densely covered, including the subway. Inside a full exhibition hall on preview day, the crowd is what slows uploads, as at any major fair. Send images in batches from the plaza around the building or the rooftop park.

The fair week is also Seoul's busiest art week, with gallery openings in Samcheong-dong, Hannam-dong and Cheongdam-dong on the same nights, so most of your data use will be maps and taxis between neighbourhoods.

5 · Getting there and getting around

Incheon International Airport links to Seoul Station by the AREX airport railway, and airport limousine buses run to the major hotel districts. DDP is beside Dongdaemun History and Culture Park station, served by subway lines 2, 4 and 5.

The subway is clean, fast and signed in English, and a T-money card or a contactless setup pays for it. Taxis are inexpensive compared with other art capitals and are the simplest way between gallery districts late in the evening.

6 · Around Frieze Seoul

Seoul's art week spreads from the palaces in the north to the galleries of Hannam and Gangnam.

Leeum Museum of Art, Hannam-dong, Yongsan
Hannam-dong, YongsanLeeum Museum of ArtKorean art and international contemporary art in buildings by Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel and Rem Koolhaas.✓Hannam's galleries are a short walk away; book museum entry online.Photo: takato marui, CC BY-SA 2.0
MMCA Seoul, Samcheong-ro, Jongno
Samcheong-ro, JongnoMMCA SeoulThe Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, beside the palace.✓Galleries line the streets of Samcheong-dong next door.Photo: jens kuu, CC BY 2.0
Bukchon Hanok Village, Jongno, Seoul
Jongno, SeoulBukchon Hanok VillageTraditional houses on steep lanes between the palaces, a few minutes from MMCA.✓A residential area: visit in daytime and keep your voice down.Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jongno, Seoul
Jongno, SeoulGyeongbokgung PalaceThe main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, at the centre of the museum district.✓Gyeongbokgung station on line 3 is closest.Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0

7 · Frequently asked questions

When is Frieze Seoul 2027?+
Frieze has not yet announced the 2027 dates. The fair has usually run in early September; the 2026 edition ran from 2 to 5 September.
Where is Frieze Seoul in 2027?+
Frieze has announced that the 2027 fair moves to Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul, while COEX is renovated.
Does Google Maps work in Seoul?+
It shows places but gives limited directions in Korea. Naver Map or KakaoMap give full walking, transit and driving directions.
Which plan covers Frieze Seoul?+
Ringo Light's South Korea plan covers Seoul and the rest of Korea, with unlimited data at full speed.
Which subway station is nearest DDP?+
Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, on lines 2, 4 and 5.

8 · Sources

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