Hong Ra-hee, who resigned from the position of director at the Leeum Museum of Art in 2017, has returned to the art world as an honorary director after eight years. On April 2, the Samsung Foundation of Culture announced this news in conjunction with the opening of the special exhibition 《Gyeomjae Jeong Seon》at the Hoam Museum of Art, celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Since Hong Ra-hee stepped down from her directorial position at Leeum Museum in 2017 following the national political scandal and the subsequent imprisonment of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, the museum has remained without an official director. In the interim, her daughter, Lee Seo-hyun, has been overseeing its operations as the chair of the operating committee. 

Hong Ra-hee first entered the art world in 1995 when she became the director of the Hoam Museum of Art, established by her father-in-law, Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul. She later assumed the directorship of the newly opened Leeum Museum of Art in 2004. Over the years, she has solidified her position as a leading figure in the Korean art scene, being named the "most influential figure in Korean art" and consistently appearing on Artnet’s list of the world's top 200 collectors. 

The news of Hong Ra-hee’s return has sparked discussions in the Korean art industry about its potential impact on the currently stagnant art market. One art industry insider commented, “Although she has been given the title of honorary director, this should be seen as a full-scale return.” Another noted that “the 《Gyeomjae Jeong Seon》special exhibition is also a welcome boost for the struggling antique art market.”

References

• 한경, 홍라희, 리움 명예관장으로 복귀…"희소식" 미술계 들썩, 2025.04.02