Cover Jun-sub Shim with ‘Out to Sea’ (1978) by Herman Bas
Jun-sub Shim with ‘Out to Sea’ (1978) by Herman Bas
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In The Collector’s Gaze series, Tatler meets six art collectors around the region, who share their thoughts on how, through their pieces, they preserve cultural narratives and push artistic boundaries. Here, Korean art collector Jun-sub Shim shares his story
South Korean collector Jun-sub Shim is the founder of OPNNG (meaning “the opening up of new taste vistas through gastronomy and wine”) and a former executive at Musinsa, South Korea’s largest fashion e-commerce platform. Part-wine bar and restaurant, part-private art gallery, OPNNG exhibits Shim’s collection of pieces by major figures in Korean modern and contemporary art.
The collection includes works by South Korean artists known for their monochrome aesthetics, including those in the dansaekhwa (“monochrome painting”) artistic movement. These include the sculptor and painter Lee Ufan, plus painters Chung Sang-hwa and Park Seo-bo; as well as avant-garde pioneers, like the multidisciplinary artists Lee Kun-Yong and Kim Kulim. In search of fresh perspectives, Shim also collects pieces from emerging artists, like the contemporary painter Ok Seungcheol (aka Aokizy) and Grafflex, who is known for his paintings, public art and sculptures alike. Beyond Korean names, Shim also has works by internationally renowned artists like Yayoi Kusama, Hernan Bas, Andy Denzler and Joel Shapiro.
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Above Shim with ‘With Wind’ (1988) by Lee Ufan
Above ‘Liquid Yellows’ (1994) by Harm Gerdes
Shim with ‘With Wind’ (1988) by Lee Ufan
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On his art-collecting journey
My journey as a collector started in 2018 with a painting by Ok. His work, which deals with post-digital art, resonated with me deeply. At the time, I didn’t consider myself a collector—I simply wanted to support an artist I admired. My mother was a painter, so I understood the struggles of artists, and this purchase felt like a meaningful way to contribute [to Ok’s career]. Everything changed when I acquired a small red painting by Park Seo-bo, one of Korea’s most significant modern artists. That was the moment I realised I was taking collecting seriously. Later that year, I attended the Korea International Art Fair and was captivated by a black-and-white work by [the South Korean visual artist] Lee Bae. His abstract lines and bold energy stayed with me long after I left the fair, and I knew I had to have it. That was when I truly understood that collecting isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about emotion.
By 2020, my collecting had taken a more structured approach. To mark a new chapter in my life, I decided to participate in an auction at K-Auction [a leading South Korean auction house]. Initially, I had my eye on a piece by Lee but instead, I found myself drawn to a Park painting from the early 2000s. The energy of the piece was undeniable and I was fascinated by how an artist in his eighties could produce something so fresh and dynamic. Acquiring that work solidified my philosophy as a collector—I wasn’t just buying art; I was building a meaningful dialogue with it.
On art, lifestyle and his venture
Before art took over my life, I contributed, for over a decade, towards helping Musinsa grow into Korea’s most successful fashion e-commerce platform. I’ve always believed fashion and art are deeply connected. Both are about aesthetics, storytelling—and a way of seeing the world.
When I left Musinsa, I wanted to create a space where people could experience art in a more intimate and personal way. That’s how OPNNG was born. It’s not just a restaurant—it’s a living gallery. The artworks rotate every few months, keeping the space dynamic and fresh. However, one piece never moves: a ceramic plate by Lee Ufan made in collaboration with ceramist Park Young Sook, upon which Lee painted a single red dot. To me, that red dot represents the colour of wine, the essence of OPNNG— making it the perfect symbol for the space.
Above ‘The Method of Drawing’ (2011) and ‘Bodyscape’, both by Lee Kun- Yong
‘The Method of Drawing’ (2011) and ‘Bodyscape’, both by Lee Kun- Yong
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On guilty pleasures as an art collector
[I love] champagne breakfasts at art events. During Art Basel Hong Kong, I attended a morning gathering hosted by [Mexico City’s] Kurimanzutto gallery, where I reconnected with friends from around the world. These moments—where art, conversation and good wine come together—are some of my favourite memories.
On the road ahead
Collecting has changed my life in ways I never expected. It has introduced me to incredible artists, shaped my understanding of aesthetics and even redefined how I view my own lifestyle. But more importantly, it has given me a purpose beyond just acquiring objects.
Through OPNNG, I hope to continue making art more accessible—not in a way that dilutes its meaning but in a way that integrates it into everyday life. Whether it’s through supporting emerging artists, curating exhibitions or simply sharing my passion with others, my goal is to build a collection that isn’t just valuable but meaningful. After all, the true joy of collecting isn’t in ownership—it’s in the experience.
This is part of a series created in collaboration with Art Basel Hong Kong
