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Seoul’s Paradise City Is an Unexpected Art Destination

The complex's museum-worthy 3,000-piece collection reflects Paradise Group owner Phillip Chun’s decades-long passion for acquiring art.

(Editor’s note: This article was originally published in September 2024.) Gambling is illegal in South Korea, a country that strives to curb socially dangerous addictions. However, as with most places with such prohibitions, there are exceptions. Here, that exception is Paradise City, a unique complex just outside Seoul near Incheon Airport, where only foreigners can gamble but many South Koreans nonetheless visit to enjoy the mega mall, a 5-star luxury hotel, restaurants and the unique on-site collection of contemporary art.

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That art is seamlessly integrated throughout the complex in a design scheme often described as “art-tainment.” As a testament to the strength of the connection between Paradise City and South Korea’s cultural and artistic scene, the complex has, since Frieze Seoul’s inaugural edition, hosted a mega party, Paradise Art Night, which celebrates the fair and kicks off a week of cultural events. Attendees have included K-celebrities and international stars, who are invited—or in some cases paid—to attend.

Observer explored this unusual “paradise” during Seoul Art Week 2024, taking a tour of the complex and its art collection before the festivities began. This year’s Art Week event was co-hosted by music producer Pharrell Williams, who promoted his latest venture, the auction platform Joopiter, unveiling G-Dragon’s collection, now available for sale. Titled “Nothing but a ‘G’ Thang: The Art & Archive of G-Dragon,” the sale features a selection of........

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