Kian84’s Artwork Listed for 150 Million Won on Secondhand Market? Controversy Over "Starry Cheongdam" Sale

Work from 2022 Solo Exhibition “Full Ownership”


Listing Deleted After Controversy Over Sale


Online Debate Erupts Over Asking Price

An original artwork by Kian84, a webtoon artist and television personality, was recently listed for sale on a secondhand trading platform at a price of 150 million won, sparking controversy online. A post appeared on Danggeun Market, a secondhand trading app, advertising the sale of Kian84’s work, “Starry Cheongdam.” The listing’s location was Seocho District, Seoul, and the asking price was set at 150 million won.

'Starry Cheongdam' is known to be a work inspired by the apartments around Cheongdam viewed during a running session along the Han River. Kian84 felt the apartments in Cheongdam like a kind of 'treasure' and reinterpreted them in a way that evokes Vincent van Gogh's 'Starry Night'. The YouTube channel 'Life84'

In the post, the seller explained, “I am selling due to relocation,” and added, “The iconography and oil painting technique are more unique than other works. Only those who are genuinely interested should make an offer.” The listing has since been deleted after attracting widespread attention online. “Starry Cheongdam” was first unveiled at Kian84’s solo exhibition “Full Ownership,” which ran from March 25 to April 5, 2022. At the time, Kian84 personally shared the background of the work’s creation through his YouTube channel “Life84” as well as on the MBC entertainment show “I Live Alone.”

Kian84 cited “desire” as the main theme of his first solo exhibition. He said, “I thought about what I want most, and what people want most,” and added, “I believe that in Korea, the thing people laugh and cry over—something for which they pay off loans over a lifetime—is real estate.” He explained that this was why he chose real estate as the central subject for his work.

“Starry Cheongdam” is known to be a work inspired by the apartments around Cheongdam viewed during a run along the Han River. Kian84 felt the apartments in Cheongdam as a kind of “treasure” and reinterpreted them in a way that evokes Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” Afterwards, he continued to explore the themes of real estate and desire through a series that included “Starry Apgujeong,” “Starry Seongsu,” and “Starry Jamsil.”

The listing prompted mixed reactions online. Some internet users criticized it, saying, “The resale price is excessive,” “Considering that the total profit from the exhibition was 87 million won, isn’t 150 million won too much?” and “It’s an unreasonable price.” On the other hand, others argued, “The price of artwork is decided by the market,” “Given the artist’s reputation and the rarity of the work, the seller is entitled to set their asking price,” and “Whether an actual transaction occurs is what truly matters.”

As a result, the controversy surrounding this secondhand listing has gone beyond the issue of high prices, with attention also focused on the artist’s charitable activities and the resale value of his works.

This is not the first time Kian84’s works have appeared on a secondhand trading platform. In 2024, another piece titled “Life Adjustment Time 4” was listed for 30 million won in the Gangnam area of Seoul, and the price was later reduced to 21 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.