Introduction

In a stunning saga that has captivated fans and art lovers alike, a buyer has filed a civil lawsuit against a gallery after waiting two long years for a painting by Song Min Ho (known as Mino from the K-pop group WINNER) that they purchased for 25 million KRW (approximately $18,000). The situation has unveiled a web of miscommunication and controversy involving the young artist and the gallery.

Background

On January 24th, JTBC's 'Crime Chief' aired an eye-opening report about the buyer's predicament. The buyer attended Song Min Ho's first solo exhibition, held in December 2022, and promptly purchased a painting titled "I Thought" through a gallery that handles consignment sales. Initially, the painting was supposed to be delivered in February 2023 following the exhibition's conclusion. However, the buyer was met with repeated delays as the gallery cited reasons related to overseas exhibition plans.

Escalation of Events

As the months dragged on with no sign of the painting, the situation escalated. The gallery's curator informed the buyer that the artwork was no longer for sale, stating that due to "issues like overseas exhibitions," they would offer a different piece instead. This led to outrage from the buyer, who retorted, “If the painting wasn't for sale, why was it listed for purchase in the first place?”

Unraveling the Miscommunication

It was later uncovered that the painting was never actually available; a renowned female singer had already reserved it prior to the sale. Mino's team claimed the gallery made the sale without proper consent from the artist, placing the blame squarely on the gallery's shoulders.

Legal Actions

Despite the payment being completed, the buyer remained empty-handed for over two years. Frustrated and disillusioned, the buyer launched a civil lawsuit against the gallery. In a significant turn of events, the first court ruling indicated that “the painting should be delivered to the buyer, and if it cannot be delivered, the paid amount should be refunded.”

Seeking Damages

However, the buyer is not stopping there. They are now seeking an additional 40 million KRW (around $30,000) in damages, which they argue accounts for legal fees and mental distress incurred during this drawn-out ordeal. The buyer’s legal expenses alone reached at least 20 million KRW (approximately $14,000).

Gallery's Defense

The gallery acknowledged that the curator, who was relatively inexperienced, made a mistake. However, they also argued that the buyer was making unreasonable demands in light of the situation. In a twist, the court in the second trial did not approve the buyer's settlement demand, leaving them contemplating an appeal.

Future Implications

As this dramatic case unfolds, it raises questions about the integrity of the art market and the responsibilities of galleries in ensuring transparent transactions. What fate awaits the buyer, and could this incident shake the confidence of art collectors in the future? Stay tuned as we continue to cover this captivating legal battle!