Student eats banana from $120,000 artwork in Seoul

A South Korean student ate a banana from a $120,000 artwork that was duct-taped to a wall at Seoul's Leeum Museum of Art because he was "hungry" after skipping breakfast.

According to a video clip that went viral on social media, after eating the fruit, the student, Noh Huyn-soo, put the peel (Chhilka) of the banana back on the wall.

The banana was part of an exhibition called "WE" by artist Maurizio Cattelan.

The artwork called "Comedian" consisted of a ripe banana duct-taped to a wall.

The banana is replaced every two to three days and the museum will not charge the student with any damages. A new banana was placed at the same spot by the museum, local media reported.

The incident, which lasted more than a minute, was recorded by Mr Noh's friend.

In videos posted online, shouts of "Excuse me" can be heard as Mr Noh takes the banana off the wall. He does not respond and starts eating as the room goes quiet. He then tapes the peel to the wall and poses for a moment before walking off.

The Seoul National University student said he was 'hungry'. Social media called him a hero.

"Damaging an artwork could also be seen as an artwork, I thought that would be interesting... Isn't it taped there to be eaten?"

When told about the incident, Mr. Cattelan said, "No problem at all".

This is not the first-time bananas used for Mr. Cattelan's work have been eaten by a visitor.

In 2019, performance artist David Datuna pulled the banana from the wall after the artwork was sold for $120,000 (£91,000) at Art Basel in Miami.

The banana was swiftly replaced and no further action was taken.