Meet artist and illustrator from Seoul, Yoojin Ahn

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I draw cartoons and illustrations.

I usually worked on cartoons inspired by walking and traveling.

 

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

I currently live on the outskirts of Seoul and commute to and from the studio by subway. It takes about 45 minutes from home to the studio. Seoul is a mix of the new and the old, light and shade. There is polarization, but each has its own charm, so it coexists in various ways. I take a walk here and there and find something interesting in my daily life. The apartment I live in is on a hill, so it’s uncomfortable and has old facilities, but there’s a mountain right behind it, so the scenery outside the window is beautiful and it’s good to take a walk. The studio is near Yongsan, and this area is very attractive. It is always a busy impression with large buildings, many electronic shops, attractive small shops, old mansions, overpasses and underpasses. I get a kick out of that look. So I go out for a walk whenever I feel stuffy in the studio.

 

Seoul is a mix of the new and the old, light and shade. There is polarization, but each has its own charm, so it coexists in various ways.

 

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

The good thing is that I’m not bored. The land of Seoul is small and there are many people, so it’s nice to observe the daily lives of various people. A small adventure is possible if you want. It’s easy to go around various types of spaces through public transportation. The bad thing is that we don’t have much space in common, such as parks and centers. I think that’s why there are so many cafes in Seoul. There are people who need space, such as people who want to rest for a while, people who work, people who talk, and people who feel stuffy in small rooms. And there are a lot of people in Seoul, so you have to build a lot of apartments, and the old buildings and old streets disappear.

 

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

Complexity, Curiosity of daily life, Walking

 

How did you start your career in art?

I spent my childhood loving animation, games, and fashion magazines.

During high school and college, I wanted to express stories and images in my own way by studying cartoons, illustrations, and animations.

 

I spent my childhood loving animation, games, and fashion magazines. During high school and college, I wanted to express stories and images in my own way by studying cartoons, illustrations, and animations.

 

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

At first, my parents wanted me to choose a stable life. However, they began to understand, cheer, and encourage my passion.

And most of my friends have always been potential competitors because they are in the same field as me. They are always motivating to me. And we talk about each other’s work and seek help.

 

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

I want to expand from the work that only I understand and like to do, to the work that various people can relate to.

Also want to do formative work as well as planar image work. Recently, I got really into making candles.

 

I want to expand from the work that only I understand and like to do, to the work that various people can relate to. Also want to do formative work as well as planar image work. Recently, I got really into making candles.

 

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

Various. I want to meet people who work in travel content, stage design, text and fashion. I think I can take on a new challenge through this.

 

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

Knowing that you have a lot of things you want to do but you don’t have time to do everything. Respect and responsibility for the chosen work.

 

Knowing that you have a lot of things you want to do but you don’t have time to do everything. Respect and responsibility for the chosen work.

 

How would you describe the women around you?

I think I’m really lucky, there are a lot of friends who have been working steadily.

I’m encouraged to see them tell their stories in various ways. They influence each other.

 

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

In high school, my teacher was an illustrator. Thanks to her activities and teaching, she was freed from prejudice against painting.

 

The attitude of facing one’s tastes and desires and expressing them steadily. Sometimes there will be people who shake me. I think it’s important to endure it without worrying.

 

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

The attitude of facing one’s tastes and desires and expressing them steadily.

Sometimes there will be people who shake me.

I think it’s important to endure it without worrying.

 

---

What type of music do you like to listen to?

I like music that can imagine images or stories.

1. When I work : Vintage or forward-looking music, film or drama tracks

2. When I am planning work : Bossanova, Japanese music from the 70s and 80s.

3. When I don’t have energy with my deadline : K-pop idol music.

 

What’s your favorite local food spot?

<Yeongdong Gamjatang>. It’s a Korean stew restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and it serves spicy pork potato stew. It’s more savory and soft because there is more soy than anywhere else. There are mild, original, and spicy flavors, and I recommend mild flavors.

 

Jeannie Phan asks: How has your personal life influenced your creative work?

My experience seems to have affected my work. I try to reflect the light and shadow of my life in my cartoons and paintings.

Glittering moments, fragments of depressing memories, palpitations, and weakness in human relations are vaguely mixed.

However, I would like to share more positive aspects overall. So I’m going to convey soft and warm feelings by painting.

 

Yehwan Song asks: Where do you usually get inspiration from?

I am inspired by personal experiences such as walking, traveling, and daily life.

Inside it are beautiful moments of nature, various stories of people on the streets, and unexpected adventures. It gives me a lot of things. And my favorite artist is Eric Rohmer and Fumiko Takano.

 

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

 

 

Photos courtesy of Yoojin Ahn