Paik Nam-june was born in 1932. His family were wealthy textile merchants, and he lived in easy circumstances. Therefore, he could do what he wanted. He had a lot of chances to learn various fields like music and art. He was also interested in piano and composition.


Meeting the composer Lee Gun-woo had important significance. After this time, Paik Nam-june wanted to become an artist. Including Lee Gun-woo, Paik Nam-june had many supporters like John Cage, Joseph Beuys, Charlotte Moorman, and his wife Kubota Sigeko. They were an important part of his life. Someone asked John Cage, “Mr. Cage, if you died tomorrow, what would you miss the most?” John Cage answered with no hesitation, “I think Paik Nam-june’s wit.”

Paik Nam-june was a fluxus artist. “Fluxus” means flowing in Latin. Fluxus art is famous for various and shocking performances and works. It isn’t limited to one genre, and it is different from common performances.


Paik Nam-june is famous for unique thinking and behavior. Therefore, there are many interesting episodes related to his works. One day in 1965, he planned to perform with his partner Charlotte Moorman at Gallery Parnass. She was too nervous to perform. Therefore, someone gave medicine to her. However, that medicine was a sleeping drug. Paik Nam-june didn’t know this fact. As soon as the “24-Hours Happening” performance started, Charlotte began to fall asleep. Paik called her, but she didn’t wake up. Therefore, he also lay down beside her and pretended to sleep. The audience thought it was a kind of performance.

Paik Nam-june was a pioneer of video art. His famous works are “Opera Sextronique,” (1967) "Good morning, Mr. Orwell” (1984), and “Bye Bye Kipling” (1986). He attracted public attention because he expressed his mind in unique ways. In 1993, he became a Gold Lion Winner in the Venice Biennale by mixing modern art and video. Paik Nam-june died of a stroke in 2006.

An exhibition, "Memories of Wuppertal," which looked back upon the memory of Paik Nam-june, was held at the National Museum of Modern Art from March 23 to May 6 this year. To Paik Nam-june, Wuppertal was a very important city because his first exhibition was held in Wuppertal, a city in Germany.

The Paik Nam-june Museum will be built in the second half of this year. Many people look forward to this museum. They want to admire the spirit of Paik Nam-june and instill his spirit in would-be artists. Taking this opportunity, his spirit and passion will remain forever.