Design Miami Seoul is holding its second edition at the Design Lab 1F in the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, where it will remain open to the public until 6 September. Organised in collaboration with the Seoul Design Foundation and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, this year’s fair expands its scope with the introduction, for the first time, of a Gallery Programme comprising six international galleries, alongside a prominent line-up of designers and creators from Korea and other countries in the region.
Under the curatorial direction of Hyeyoung Cho, the 2026 edition is structured around ‘Resonance’, a concept that explores how design conveys memory, knowledge and emotions across time and space. The exhibition fosters a direct dialogue between Korean design and the international scene, moving away from a one-way interpretation and encouraging exchange amongst creators, galleries and collectors.
Among the participating galleries, Charles Burnand Gallery presents Primitive Excavations by Jan Waterston, a series in bronze and stone featuring eroded surfaces that ties in with this year’s central theme. SIDE GALLERY, for its part, is bringing Gyuhan Lee’s Seoul Signs – Itaewon to Seoul – a light sculpture inspired by the city’s commercial signage and accompanied by a selection of works by contemporary South Korean and Japanese designers.
The reinterpretation of Korean architectural heritage is another of the fair’s central themes. Jungmo Kwon reimagines the traditional hanok window using layers of hanji, walnut, brass and LEDs, whilst Hwan Tae Kim translates the ornamentation of his roofs into a piece with minimalist lines. Teo Yang Studio rounds off this exploration with a reflection on the Korean house and its adaptation to contemporary uses.
The relationship between craftsmanship and new technologies also takes centre stage. Hyunhee Kim revives traditional material languages through digital manufacturing techniques applied to aluminium and acrylic, whilst LEJE combines a 3D-printed base with hand-crafted mother-of-pearl inlays and natural lacquer. The piece, which required over 300 hours of finishing work, exemplifies the coexistence of contemporary processes and artisanal expertise.
Adding to this dialogue is the presence of the five Korean finalists for the LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize featured at the fair: Coco Sung, Jieun Park, Jongin Lee, Somyeong Lee and Soohyun Cho. Their works reinforce the presence of craftsmanship within an international scene where traditional techniques are increasingly coexisting with new tools and production methods.
The programme is rounded off with events and collaborations linked to design, including ‘Resonance, Design in Dialogue’, a day of talks bringing together designers, curators and industry professionals. Samsung and Alloso are participating as main partners for this edition, alongside Dansk, Teo Yang Studio, LIVINGSENSE, Ayantu, the Loewe Foundation and Range Rover.
Now in its second year, Design Miami Seoul is consolidating a concept that combines international reach with a local context. The result is a fair in which Korean design gains visibility through a contemporary interpretation of its heritage, materials and processes, whilst engaging in dialogue with galleries and creators from other markets.
