The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Kwon, R. O. Exhibit. Riverhead Books, 2024.

R. O. Kwon's novel Exhibit is written from the protagonist Jin Han's first person point of view. The novel alternates between past and present and employs a fragmented narrative structure. For the sake of clarity, the following summary relies upon the present tense and a more linear, streamlined mode of explanation.

Not long after emerging photographer Jin Han closes her triptych exhibit in New York, she and her husband Philip Selig relocate to San Francisco, California. Jin has been discouraged with her art since the exhibit, and feels unable to engage in her personal practice. One night, she agrees to attend Philip's friend Irving Noth's house party despite her bad mood. At the party, she meets a ballerina named Lidija Jung, with whom she forms an immediate connection. She and Lidija spend the night drinking, taking pills, swimming, and exchanging stories. Both women are Asian American and artists. Jin hears herself telling Lidija things she has not even told her husband. In particular, Jin opens up to Lidija about her disinterest in having children, her tumult with Philip, her family's belief that she has been cursed by a kisaeng spirit, and her desire to explore kink and BDSM.

A few days after the party, Jin and Lidija reconvene at Lidija's apartment. Lidija is living at her friend and mentor Neil Heyl's loft in town while she takes time off from ballet to recover from an ankle injury. Jin agrees to take new headshots for Lidija, during which time the friends have long, artistic and philosophical conversations. Then one night, Lidija offers to help Jin explore her sexual curiosities. The new friends start spending regular intervals of time together. They engage in safe, sexual play, during which Jin plays the submissive role and Lidija plays the dominant role. Meanwhile, they take photos, drink, eat, share stories, and discuss ideas.

Jin tells herself that Lidija is only a friend on whom she might have a crush. However, she does not tell Philip the extent of their relationship. Meanwhile, she and Philip continue to fight about whether or not to have kids. Philip is set on starting a family, but Jin has no interest in becoming a mother. Her friend Elise Liu's experiences of motherhood particularly underscore Jin's disinterest in adopting this way of life. She particularly notices how Elise has given up her own photography practice in order to care for her children.

After a night with Lidija, Jin returns home to an empty apartment. Philip is away for work. Jin takes photos of her bruises and then gets an idea for a new photography project. She becomes immersed in the work, and does not sleep for days investing in it. Meanwhile, she communicates with her contacts in New York about potentially exhibiting the series once it is completed.

One night, Philip insists that Jin invite Lidija over for dinner. Jin does not want Philip and Lidija to spend time together and gets nervous when the other friends that Philip invited cancel. At the start of the evening, Jin, Philip, and Lidija get along. However, the mood changes when Lidija and Philip start arguing about their names and about race. Lidija leaves upset, and Jin follows her.

Jin and Lidija spend the night together. Lidija professes her feelings for Jin and they have sex. The next day, Jin tries to decide what to tell Philip. A call from her dad in Seoul interrupts her thoughts. Her mom fell during a hiking accident and has been hospitalized for a head injury. Jin races off to Seoul on the first flight she can get. Not long after her arrival, her mother dies from internal bleeding.

After the funeral, Jin returns home and realizes that she must tell Philip the truth. Philip is upset when Jin shows him her new photo series and admits the truth about her and Lidija's relationship. However, he soon tells Jin that he will forgive her if she agrees to have kids with him. Jin decides to end the relationship. She also declines Lidija's offer to move to Milan with her. Instead, Jin relocates back to New York and restarts her life and career.