Kyongho Kim is a relatively recent convert to the world of contemporary art. But with around 250 works in his collection, you would never guess he bought his first painting only six years ago. As a dentist with a private practice in Seoul for nearly three decades, Kim approaches art collecting as “a way to balance out the fast pace of everyday life and connect with something more lasting”. He is attracted to works that “feel honest or a little offbeat”, a taste evidenced by his holdings of works by Hernan Bas, Genieve Figgis and Scott Kahn.
THE ART NEWSPAPER: What first turned you on to art?
Kyongho Kim:In 2019 I moved into a new place in the suburbs with big white walls, completely bare. I hung a couple of artworks just to fill the space, but they turned out to be unexpectedly stunning. That quiet spark of beauty is what pulled me in. And that’s where my whole collecting journey began.
What was the first work you bought?
A painting by Korean artist Byung-Rock Yoon. Scent of Autumn (2008) is a beautiful and vibrant hyper-realistic representation of apples packed in a box. I’m amazed by how much vitality is brought to life by a single piece of art on my bedroom wall. Just seeing those red, ripe apples first thing in the morning refreshes my whole day.
What was the last work you bought?
Dark Face Painting: Look Into My Eyes (2025) by Jack Kabangu. I love how it feels raw and bold, upfront and immediate.
What do you regret not buying when you had the chance?
I was offered a major George Condo piece. Well, I missed the boat—a large boat, that is!
Kim bought Marina Perez Simão’s Untitled (2023) after visiting Mendes Wood’s stand at Frieze Seoul two years ago
Courtesy of Kyongho Kim
What is your collecting philosophy?
I believe in supporting artists and being part of their journey. To me, collecting isn’t about ownership, it’s about stewardship. I strive to be a temporary custodian of the artist’s ideas and energy until they mature and bloom to their fullest. I try to collect with intention, and by thinking about the role art plays in a wider cultural ecosystem.
If you could have any work from any museum in the world, what would it be?
A Basquiat. I saw his work at Lotte Museum of Art in Seoul a few years ago, and it was electric—raw, honest and full of emotion. That exhibition really stuck with me. What I deeply admire about Basquiat was his ability to boldly display fragmented ideas and symbols in such a disruptive and chaotic manner, while also finding a way to intricately merge them together, forming something that is out of this world. I’d love to live with one of his pieces and keep discovering new layers over time.
What’s your least favourite thing about art fairs?
Maybe that it can get too crowded sometimes? But I love art fairs. One of my favourite memories was at Frieze Seoul 2023, when I struck up a conversation with the manager at Mendes Wood gallery and ended up making a genuine friend—and even acquiring a beautiful work by Marina Perez Simão, Untitled (2023). Moments like that, where connection and discovery happen side by side, are what keep me coming back.
What tip would you give to someone visiting Seoul for the first time?
To get to different places in Seoul, it’s essential to make the most out of public transportation. Get a T-money card ASAP. It works on all subways, buses and even in taxis and convenience stores.
Kim recommends a visit to Ikseon-dong, a historic residential district of Seoul
Photo: Aflo Co Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo
Can you recommend any hidden gems in Seoul that might change visitors’ perceptions of the city?
There is more to the city than just flashy lights, K-pop or shopping in Myeongdong. I recommend places like D Museum in Seongsu-dong, cafés in Ikseon-dong, and traditional architecture in Bukchon, just to name a few.
Where do you go in Seoul to get away from it all?
The Piano is a great place to escape the buzz of the city. It’s a cafe located at the very top of Pyeongchang-dong in Jongno District, tucked in right next to Mount Bukhansan, so you can get quiet forest vibes without leaving the city.
