Jungin Kim | 2025 Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS Semi-Finalists
| [INTERVIEW] 2025 Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS
Jungin Kim
Jungin Kim, ⓒ Laheen gallery
Q1. Since being selected as a semi-finalist for Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS, what has changed the most in your practice?
Being selected as a semi-finalist for Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS was not only a great pleasure in itself, but also a strong motivation for me to continue working steadily. Especially, I believe the meaningful outcomes I gained from encountering numerous audiences at Kiaf SEOUL 2025 were the result of the synergy between the gallery’s careful planning and the HIGHLIGHTS program.
Honestly, I was not very familiar with commercial exhibitions which made me feel a little uneasy on the floor, however, this opportunity really boosted my confidence. The diverse feedback I received while presenting both my existing works and new attempts was extremely impressive. The unfamiliar environment of the fair became an opportunity for me to reassess my work from an objective perspective. This experience awakened different sensibility compared to exhibitions in museums or non-profit spaces, prompting deep contemplation about the potential for expanding my work and exploring multifaceted directions. Ultimately, the participation in Kiaf SEOUL 2025 was a deeply meaningful time that made me reflect on the external conditions and contexts surrounding my work.
Honestly, I was not very familiar with commercial exhibitions which made me feel a little uneasy on the floor, however, this opportunity really boosted my confidence. The diverse feedback I received while presenting both my existing works and new attempts was extremely impressive. The unfamiliar environment of the fair became an opportunity for me to reassess my work from an objective perspective. This experience awakened different sensibility compared to exhibitions in museums or non-profit spaces, prompting deep contemplation about the potential for expanding my work and exploring multifaceted directions. Ultimately, the participation in Kiaf SEOUL 2025 was a deeply meaningful time that made me reflect on the external conditions and contexts surrounding my work.
Jungin Kim Studio
Q2. Are there any recent exhibitions, projects, or collaborations you would like to highlight?
The vitality brought to my work after Kiaf SEOUL 2025 naturally led to the creation of new practices. Thanks to the intense momentum, I was able to fully immerse myself in my work as I welcomed the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.
Fortunately, the year 2026 opened with two joyful announcements: receiving the ‘Seoul Cultural Today Cultural Award’ for young artists and being selected as an artist for the ‘Next Code’ exhibition at the Daejeon Museum of Art. While this brought a delight, it also came with the responsibility, but this tension served as fuel that kept me fervently working at the canvas. I believe that the way to repay the support I’ve received is ultimately to complete good work, and I am embedding this sense of gratitude in my creations.
Fortunately, the year 2026 opened with two joyful announcements: receiving the ‘Seoul Cultural Today Cultural Award’ for young artists and being selected as an artist for the ‘Next Code’ exhibition at the Daejeon Museum of Art. While this brought a delight, it also came with the responsibility, but this tension served as fuel that kept me fervently working at the canvas. I believe that the way to repay the support I’ve received is ultimately to complete good work, and I am embedding this sense of gratitude in my creations.
Jungin Kim, Rewind 2026-3, 97.0×130.3cm, Oil on canvas, 2026
Q3. Do you have any upcoming international exhibitions, fairs, or projects planned?
This year, I initiated the flow of my work with a curated exhibition at the Society of Arts and Media, of which I am a member. Also, I participated in an exhibition-style art fair organized by the Cultural Business Division of the Chosun Ilbo, where it was a fascinating experience to see my work merge with the masterpieces of great artists in one space.
In the second half of the year, I am preparing for the ‘Next Code’ exhibition at the Daejeon Museum of Art, which will run from July to September, and in December, I plan to present a duo exhibition showcasing the intersection of painting and sculpture at the La Heen Gallery. Currently, I am in the progress of quietly and continually expanding my work while catching my breath amidst this series of events.
In the second half of the year, I am preparing for the ‘Next Code’ exhibition at the Daejeon Museum of Art, which will run from July to September, and in December, I plan to present a duo exhibition showcasing the intersection of painting and sculpture at the La Heen Gallery. Currently, I am in the progress of quietly and continually expanding my work while catching my breath amidst this series of events.
Jungin Kim, Revived memories, 72.7 x 90.9cm, Oil on canvas, 2025
Q4. Are there any goals or projects you are currently preparing for or aspiring to in your artistic practice?
I am currently focused on broadening the spectrum of my ‘Rewind’ series, which I began showcasing in 2025. As this is a relatively new form that I have recently started to delve into, I would like to further explore the potential within it.
My immediate goal is to implement an expanded formal composition by juxtaposing meticulously refined brushstrokes with roughly thrown breaths on the canvas. Through this visual exploration as a stepping stone, I am eager to pursue the clues that will lead my work to its next stage.
My immediate goal is to implement an expanded formal composition by juxtaposing meticulously refined brushstrokes with roughly thrown breaths on the canvas. Through this visual exploration as a stepping stone, I am eager to pursue the clues that will lead my work to its next stage.
Jungin Kim, Sparkling memories, 72.7×72.7, Oil on canvas, 2025
Q5. Has being selected as a Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS semi-finalist led to any positive changes in your practice?
Being selected as a semi-finalist for the Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS brought subtle yet clear changes to the overall environment and attitude surrounding my work. Above all, experiencing the vivid feedback from audiences at the fair directly was an invaluable experience that allowed me to reevaluate my work from an external objective perspective.
The sequence of exhibitions, selection of Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS, and awards that followed Kiaf gave me a deep sense of responsibility and healthy tension as an artist. This psychological shift has become as a positive driving force that sustains my work. Ultimately, being a semi-finalist was a decisive turning point that led me to recognize and develop my work in a more multilayered manner, and in that sense, it has great significance by prompting me to pose specific questions to myself about the next steps.
The sequence of exhibitions, selection of Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS, and awards that followed Kiaf gave me a deep sense of responsibility and healthy tension as an artist. This psychological shift has become as a positive driving force that sustains my work. Ultimately, being a semi-finalist was a decisive turning point that led me to recognize and develop my work in a more multilayered manner, and in that sense, it has great significance by prompting me to pose specific questions to myself about the next steps.
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[INTERVIEW] 2025 Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS
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