Meet illustrator from Seoul, NCHO

 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m basically an introvert. Very timid and quiet person.  However, I only do what I want to do! I like dreamy and delicate things. My hobbies are reading and singing. I studied abroad in Melbourne, Australia when I was in middle school, spent my high school in LA (actually La Crescenta), USA, and lived in Korea after I became an adult.

 

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Melbourne and L.A. were similar. Relaxed, warm and quiet. I don’t drive, so I both traveled by public transportation. (or drew drawings at home) and I wanted to go back to Korea every time I took public transportation :’) .

Seoul is convenient, noisy, narrow and fast. I think there’s a little compulsion that has to show results.

In the past, I wanted to come back to Korea as soon as possible because there were all the things I liked. Now it’s been almost 10 years since I came back as an adult, and I want to go back to Melbourne and LA where I had beautiful memories with my schools.

 

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

Melbourne and LA’s worst were just three things.

1. Bugs : are too big.

2. The weather : I thought there are four seasons in one day.

3. Racist.

I think Seoul’s worst will be life is too busy in here.

 

Melbourne’s best things are meat-pie and the nature. I enjoyed staying at the school’s stair after school and watched the sky.

LA’s best things are the hamburger and shopping. I really liked going to Pasadena’s mall (even when I don’t spend any money) and ate a hamburger.

Seoul’s best thing is convenience. Delivering foods are available for 24 hours and karaoke, game rooms are plenty.

 

Seoul’s best thing is convenience. Delivering foods are available for 24 hours and karaoke, game rooms are plenty.

 

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Fun, Rich, Smart

 

How did you start your career in art?

I’ve been drawing since I was young. When I had to come back to Korea (due to visa issues without going to ACCD), I decided to stop drawing as a job. I just drew what I want to draw as a hobby while working.

Then in December 2018, I became very sick and I was hospitalized for 2 months. For the first time I thought ‘If I die now, I would be so sad if I didn’t have anything left. ‘ And after that, I started my drawing.

 

I’ve been drawing since I was young. When I had to come back to Korea (due to visa issues without going to ACCD), I decided to stop drawing as a job. I just drew what I want to draw as a hobby while working. Then in December 2018, I became very sick and I was hospitalized for 2 months. For the first time I thought ‘If I die now, I would be so sad if I didn’t have anything left. ‘ And after that, I started my drawing.

 

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Fortunately, people around me (especially my parents) supported me a lot. Some of my Korean friends’ parents used to tear up their drawing notebooks to study instead of drawing.

 

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I’d like to exhibit my illustration or go to an overseas illustration fair.

 

I’d like to exhibit my illustration or go to an overseas illustration fair.

 

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

I can’t choose one :'(

 

What are the biggest challenges you face in working as a creative?

It’s hard working while protecting my mental and physical health. Whenever I encounter shortcomings, I want to do it in a hurry, so I work poorly to prevent mental breakdown. Or when my wrist or back hurt.

 

These days, all the women around my age do what they want. At my parent’s age, many women gave up their dreams because they have to raise their family. However, every woman I knew are strong and work hard on their every field.

 

How would you describe the women around you?

These days, all the women around my age do what they want. At my parent’s age, many women gave up their dreams because they have to raise their family. However, every woman I knew are strong and work hard on their every field. 🙂

 

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

It has changed a lot now, but it wasn’t there when I was young. Until I was young, Korea was a society that only wanted men.

 

Do not give up what you want to do. You own your life!

 

Do you have any advice for other women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Do not give up what you want to do. You own your life!

 

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What type of music do you like to listen to?

I love emotional soundtracks 🙂 I search them from Youtube.

 

What’s your favorite local food spot?

My favorite Korean food is Kimchi Fried Rice with egg on it.

 

Sungmin Choi asks: What are your ways of managing body and mental health for continuous work?

I try to keep love my self. For body, I walk a lot and do Pilates.

 

Owi Liunic asks: Have you ever experienced creative blocks? What would you do to overcome it?

Yes. I do nothing, and sleep a lot. Or watch other’s works until I feel I want to draw again. Or search some self developement YouTubes, books.

 

What question would you like us to ask the next artist?

What is your favorite time during a day?

 

 

Photos courtesy of NCHO