Where to Go for the First Exhibition of the New Year? 5 Recommended January Exhibitions to Fill You with Luck and Positivity (Seoul/Free/Experience)

As the new year dawns, there is a sense of anticipation for new beginnings. During this special time, exhibitions that will warm our hearts in the world of art and creativity are held. Each exhibition, containing different themes and messages, will enrich your year even more. Now, let’s take a look at them one by one below.

Have you heard the saying that the song you listen to on the first day of the year determines your fortune for that year? The same goes for exhibitions. Depending on which artworks you encounter in January, your mindset can change.

So, we have prepared exhibitions that contain keywords like ‘dream’, ‘light’, and ‘possibility’, which make you feel good just by hearing them. From a special exhibition celebrating the Year of the Horse in 2026 to a webtoon experience where you can be the main character. Here are 5 new year tailored exhibitions that will support your year.

1. Receiving the Energetic Spirit of the Year of the Horse: 〈There Are Many Horses〉

When it comes to the new year, one cannot overlook the story of the ‘zodiac’. This is a special exhibition prepared by the National Folk Museum to celebrate the Year of the Horse in 2026. It goes beyond simply displaying old items and conveys the messages of ‘freedom’ and ‘challenge’ symbolized by horses.

• Viewing Point: It encompasses horse cultures from around the world and reexamines horses as mystical beings connecting gods and humans. Especially, the ‘Fortune Telling Happy Message’ prepared at the end of the exhibition will linger in your heart like a new year blessing. Feel free to drop by for free and receive energetic vibes.

• Duration: 2025.12.16 – 2026.03.02

• Location: National Folk Museum Exhibition Hall 2

 

2. The Comfort of Light Delivered by 24K Gold: 〈Golden: Flow of Light〉

If you want to start the year with a shining golden hue, head to Cheongdam-dong. Artist Seo Suk-yang expresses ‘light’ through a process akin to a ritual, layering and scraping 24K gold onto the canvas.

• Viewing Point: Experience the overwhelming aura that real gold provides. Depending on your viewing position, the light seems to flow or explode, changing in wondrous ways. As the artist says, “Light is the beginning of life,” this exhibition will be the most elegant support for those facing new beginnings.

• Duration: 2025.12.13 – 2026.01.23

• Location: Bozar Gallery (Cheongdam)

 

3. A Utopia Encountered Through Text: 〈Nathan Coley: ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS〉

“All Possible Worlds.” This hopeful exhibition, starting from its title, is a solo exhibition by British installation artist Nathan Coley. Through luminous text lighting, he poses questions about the utopia we dream of, ‘Eldorado’.

• Viewing Points: Discover the deep philosophy hidden behind the dazzling illuminated phrases. In particular, works that combine text over 19th-century luxury wallpaper (Jubilee) or reinterpret landscapes with AI provide a dreamlike experience that feels like walking between reality and fantasy. It’s a sensory space that is also perfect for photo zones.

• Duration: 2025.11.20 – 2026.01.30

• Location: The Page Gallery (near Seongsu/Seoul Forest)

 

4. An Experience of ‘Leveling Up’ Myself: 〈Solo Leveling Exhibition〉

This is an opportunity to become Sung Jin-Woo, the protagonist of the webtoon ‘Solo Leveling’ that swept the world. It’s not just an exhibition to look at; it’s an immersive experience exhibition where visitors become ‘hunters’ and complete missions.

• Viewing Points: It’s okay if you don’t know the original work. The lighting and sound design make you feel like you’ve stepped into a game, quickening your heartbeat. It’s highly recommended for those who prefer activities enjoyed with the body rather than static appreciation, or for those who want to solidify their will for ‘growth’ and ‘leveling up’ from the New Year.

• Duration: 2025.12.13 – 2026.03.01

• Location: DUEX Hongdae Hall 1

 

5. The Enchanting Romance of Art Nouveau: 〈Alphonse Mucha: Light and Dreams〉

Beautiful curves and pastel tones. This large-scale retrospective showcases the essence of the ‘Mucha style’. In celebration of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Czech Republic, 11 national treasure-level works from the Czech Republic that have been hard to see until now have come to Seoul.

• Viewing Points: In addition to the glamorous posters we commonly know, you can also encounter the grand historical paintings and oil paintings that Muha created for his homeland. The composition that starts with ‘light’ and ends with a colossal ‘dream’, as the exhibition title suggests, leaves a lasting impression. It is an excellent choice for a winter indoor date course.

• Period: 2025.11.08 – 2026.03.04

• Location: The Hyundai Seoul ALT.1