Kian84's 'Starry Cheongdam' Painting Listed for 150 Million Won on Second-hand Market

Kian84, a webtoon artist and TV personality, has garnered significant online attention as his painting, 'Starry Cheongdam,' was listed on a second-hand trading platform for 150 million won. This artwork was initially showcased at Kian84's first solo exhibition, 'Full Ownership,' in 2022, where the entire proceeds from sales were donated to the Child Welfare Association, receiving positive public feedback. However, the current high resale price has ignited a debate about "flipping" and the balance between artistic value and a seller's autonomy.

'Starry Cheongdam' explores the theme of modern human desires, particularly the aspiration for real estate, depicted through Cheongdam-dong apartments. Kian84 drew inspiration from Cheongdam Xi apartments during a Han River run and created the piece as a parody of Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night.' The painting is being sold in Seocho-gu, Seoul, with the seller citing relocation as the reason for sale and highlighting its unique iconography and oil painting texture. Kian84 previously explained on his YouTube channel that he perceived real estate as something people strive for, even repaying loans their entire lives, which influenced this artwork.

Bloggers have expressed diverse reactions to this second-hand listing, with some questioning, "Isn't it up to the seller?" Critics argue against the resale of a charity-sold piece for several times its original price, viewing it as problematic. Conversely, others maintain that sellers have the freedom to set their prices, and potential buyers can simply choose not to purchase if they find it too expensive. Some also point out that Kian84's charitable donation was made possible by the initial buyers, suggesting a complex interplay of emotion and logic in the art market.