Chung Yoo-kyung, the President of South Korean retail giant Shinsegae Co.’s department business, made a public appearance, the first in seven years, during an event held on the sidelines of Frieze Seoul 2023, Seoul’s largest art fair that kicked off on Wednesday.

According to retail industry sources on Thursday, Chung attended a party jointly organized by the group and the Frieze art fair at the group’s luxury fashion store, Boontheshop, in southern Seoul on Wednesday evening. The party was attended by over 500 guests, including Shinsegae premium clients as well as representatives from Korean fashion brands and corporate executives.

The event was also attended by executives from various Shinsegae fashion and department branches, as well as Shinsegae President Son Yung-sik. Shinsegae participated in this year’s art fair as an official partner in a first for the retail industry. “Shinsegae’s participation as a partner for the art fair is quite a surprise, and Chung’s appearance at the party for its VIP clients further demonstrates the group’s commitment to the fair,” an industry insider noted. Shinsegae Group Vice Chairman Chung Yong-jin, who is also Chung Yoo-kyung’s brother, also attended the party. He later posted a photo he took with Hollywood actor Jodie Foster during the event on his social media account.

The retailer operates Shinsegae Gallery located in the basement of the Boontheshop store, whose gallery space is being used as an exhibition venue for the Frieze Seoul event. “We have recently opened Shinsegae Gallery in line with Frieze Seoul, where art lovers from all around the world come to visit Seoul,” a Shinsegae official said.

Deep engagement in the arts scene among fashion and luxury retailers is the latest trend aimed at capturing art enthusiasts who often seek to satisfy their cultural interests through consumption. Consumers in their 20s and 30s are showing a growing interest in the arts, and this population overlaps with the core consumer base of the retail industry.

By Hong Sung-yong, Kim Hyo-hye, and Chang Iou-chung

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