We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Soo Hyun Namkoong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Soo Hyun, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I was quite surprised to find a question echoing my recent thoughts.

I am 25 years old, and many of my friends have already embarked on their professional journeys post-college. Some have secured positions at prestigious companies, others are preparing for marriage, and some have started their own businesses. I never felt that I was lagging behind or late until I observed my peers gradually establishing their roles in society while I continued to rely on my parents’ support, I began to think, “I need to start earning money too.” Thoughts such as, ‘What if I had utilized my linguistic abilities to work in a company and or joined a design firm to build a career? Would my parents have been relieved sooner if I had become independent earlier?’ increasingly occupied my mind.

Then, memories of my middle and high school years resurfaced. From an early age, I embarked on a different path than my friends. While my classmates pursued studies in physics, economics, and mathematics, I ventured alone into the art classroom, preparing for art school. My lifestyle, the subjects I learned, my way of thinking, and even my environment were entirely distinct from those of my classmates. Reflecting on this, I realized how misguided it was to drive myself toward the same end as theirs, despite our fundamentally different journeys.

It’s not that I’m dissatisfied with my current life. On the contrary, I am living a life of incredible freedom and fulfillment, one that many might dream of. I rise when I wish, start my workday on my own terms, and clock out whenever I please. My time is my own, free to be spent as I choose. I can embark on spontaneous adventures, traveling to any place at any time. Reflecting on my personality, I realize how much I despise being confined. I find it challenging to eat the same meal twice a day and grow weary of repetitive routines. Sometimes, I even tire of meeting the same people. Given all this, my current occupation suits me perfectly, and I am genuinely happy every day.

Embracing my decisions, my unique self and my outsider status requires courage. Knowing myself deeply is crucial. The more I understand myself, the more confidence I gain, and the more responsible I become for my choices. This is particularly important in such an unpredictable field. Just because someone else’s life appears appealing doesn’t mean it suits me. To make the best choices, I must strive to understand myself fully.

While I am certainly satisfied with being an artist, this profession is indeed both challenging and solitary. I spend a considerable amount of time alone, engaging in deep contemplation and continuous introspection. The criteria for success in this field are ambiguous, and each artist’s subject matter and methods vary significantly, making it difficult to seek advice from others. Enduring these solitary times requires becoming a self-motivated individual with the drive to engage fully in the work. Ultimately, this journey demands resilience and a deep passion for the craft.

Despite these challenges, I continue in this career because it genuinely brings me joy. It adds vitality to my life and has become a fundamental part of my identity. The reality is that no job is easy; each has its unique advantages and disadvantages. Thus, I hope that everyone struggling can find what suits them best and make the optimal choice for themselves.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Soo Hyun Namkoong. Born in 1999 in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, I am a versatile contemporary artist specializing in painting, with a strong interest in motion graphics, illustration, and installation art. Raised in a multicultural environment, I spent my formative years in Shenyang, China, before relocating to the United States for my college education. I hold a bachelor’s degree in painting with a minor in motion media design from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). After gaining two years of professional experience in New York post-college, I returned to Buyeo to further my artistic career.

My parents’ early encouragement was pivotal in fostering my passion for art. Inspired by my mother’s fondness for drawing, she supported my pursuit of art as a hobby from kindergarten onward. Throughout my education, particularly during my years in elementary school and beyond, attending international schools provided me with the opportunity to learn from art teachers of diverse nationalities and exposed me to various cultures. By my sophomore year of high school, I decided to pursue art college in the United States and commenced formal training in the field.

My first commissioned artwork came about unexpectedly after I posted one of my illustrations on social media. I received an inquiry to create artwork for posters on public buses, which ended up being featured on four buses that circulated throughout Seoul, South Korea. This happened back in 2016 when I was 17 years old. That experience greatly bolstered my confidence in pursuing a career in art.

Subsequently, I enrolled at the Savannah College of Art and Design and relocated to Savannah, Georgia. Throughout my college years, I actively participated in freelance projects, notably as a digital painter for title sequences in the movie “Confession” and the Netflix drama “The Uncanny Counter 1.” Additionally, I collaborated with the music industry. Focusing on painting, I have contributed to numerous exhibitions, projects, and publications, continuing my freelance work to this day.

What makes me distinctly different from others is my life background and diverse experiences. I’ve had limited interactions with individuals who share similar paths, often feeling like an outsider in social circles. Despite my Korean heritage, my interactions within Korea have been infrequent, usually limited to occasional visits to my hometown once or twice a year. This has made it challenging to form deep connections with native Koreans. Similarly, overseas, I’ve faced difficulties integrating due to significant cultural differences.

However, this also means that I could adapt well wherever I found myself. Life as a foreigner has been both fascinating and dynamic. The cultural diversity I have encountered and the various individuals I have met are invaluable experiences that are not easily acquired – These experiences often form the foundation of my artwork. Having moved to the United States upon reaching adulthood, I faced the challenge of navigating independence early in life. This experience has cultivated in me a sense of boldness that I now consider a crucial strength. Recognizing that I needed to take ownership of my life from the outset, I learned the importance of self-reliance and initiative.

With a strong sense of drive, once I am confident in a decision, I pursue it relentlessly. If I am curious about something, I ensure I find out everything about it. If there is someone I want to meet, I arrange to meet them. If there is something I want to learn, I commit to studying it. The ability to make these decisions with confidence and without fear stems from a deep understanding of myself. Living alone in the United States prompted me to question my identity for the first time, leading me to thoroughly explore who I am and how I became the person I am today. I firmly believe there is a significant difference between those who understand themselves and those who do not. Self-awareness instills confidence in my actions, which, in turn, generates a profound sense of responsibility. Approaching my work with this sense of responsibility inherently projects professionalism.

Currently, my primary focus lies in my ongoing painting series titled “The Blanket.” This series delves deeply into the exploration of emotions, aiming to uncover the underlying psychological factors that influence my feelings. As someone who is introspective by nature, creating artwork serves as a profound tool for self-discovery, enabling me to translate my emotions into visual expressions that document my inner journey. In addition to exploring my personal existence, I also delve into the complexities of human relationships that have shaped my experiences. During that period of extreme loneliness and confusion, the blanket provided me with healing and stability. Its freeform nature greatly inspired me, and the shapes, textures, and colors allowed for diverse interpretations. It could evoke feelings of warmth and coziness as well as sensations of suffocation and anxiety. One of my greatest pleasures was expressing the subtle changes in the colors of the blanket as it interacted with light. Through the blanket, I sought to express a wide range of inner emotions freely.

My works range from small to large-scale pieces and are characterized by vibrant colors, bold brushstrokes, and the interplay between abstract and figurative styles. I primarily use acrylic paint and am currently exploring the interactions between acrylic paint, charcoal, and other media. I investigate the paradoxical phenomenon where incompatible materials create a sense of alienation while harmoniously coexisting on a single plane. This reflects my lifelong experience as a foreigner who, though never fully blending in, has always adapted well wherever I go. Ultimately, I seek to continuously find my “true self” through the medium of painting. I hope that many will have the opportunity to reflect on themselves through such experiences.

I never know when or where my next journey will take me. But for now, I find myself nestled in a cozy studio in Buyeo, South Korea, where I can paint surrounded by the warmth of family. Here, I continue to explore my painting series, with exciting plans for future exhibitions and projects on the horizon. To follow my artistic journey and stay updated, join me on Instagram: @namkoongs_artist.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist lies in viewing life through a unique lens, being able to transform everything I see, experience, and feel into art. It is deeply fulfilling to see those emotions come alive and breathe within my work, and to know that they can resonate and inspire others, embodying a spiritual form of communication.

Someone once remarked upon seeing my paintings: “The way you capture individuals, spaces, and moments with your unique palette makes me believe that the world as you see it must be truly beautiful.” Though these words came from a passing acquaintance, it left a profound imprint on me. I am someone who reacts sensitively and thoughtfully to even the minutest details. My emotional spectrum is extensive, and I observe with precision and delicacy. Consequently, I meticulously recall the emotions of moments I wish to cherish and convey them onto the canvas. This process deeply enriches my soul.

I consider it a profound privilege that my profession is not just a job but something I genuinely love and find exhilarating. Painting transcends mere work; it is my playground, a tool for documenting my life, and a means of self-discovery and understanding others. It encapsulates the essence of my existence.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

During my pursuit of admission to a Korean university, I developed a rigorous fixation on perfection. For three months, I dedicated ten hours each day to attending exam preparation academies, where I sought to refine my drawing skills at a renowned art institution. However, the curriculum primarily focused on technical proficiency, particularly in achieving realistic renditions. Any deviation in proportions or divergence from reference images was deemed erroneous.

This educational approach deprived me of three essential elements: the freedom to express myself artistically, the courage to draw boldly, and the ability to recognize and learn from mistakes or creative deviations. During that time, my artistic expression was severely restricted. I was taught that presenting my own interpretations was incorrect; instead, I was expected to meticulously replicate reference images on a consistent-sized surface, dedicating days and nights to achieve flawless perfection. This strict adherence to exact replication instilled in me a fear of making mistakes, even though in art there is no right or wrong. This fear made it daunting to use bold colors, gestures, or forms. I struggled to accept imperfections such as splashing water droplets, variations in color, or deviations in form, while persistently striving to meet the stringent standards of Korean admissions focused on perfection.

I decided to discontinue attending that academy when I one day noticed walls adorned with numerous student artworks. It struck me that if my own artwork were included among them, would I even be able to identify it? This consideration arose because all the students’ artworks adhered to a uniform style, which was the prevailing trend for admissions at that time. Following this realization, I promptly decided to leave the academy and resolved to pursue art abroad, preparing for admission to study in the United States.

Certainly, as a result of that experience, I continue to maintain confidence in technical proficiency. I am adept at accurately rendering what I intend to draw within a brief timeframe. This lesson has established a solid foundation for me, and holds significant importance for me now.

It took considerable time to overcome this perfectionism. I nurtured a fear of starting drawings, often spending days contemplating blank canvases. To confront this obsession, I immersed myself in experimenting with unconventional colors. Each day, I studied artworks that employed unusual hues and diligently filled sketchbooks with practice. During college, I intentionally expanded the scope of my projects, challenging my comfort zone which was previously limited by my apprehensions. Over time, these endeavors gradually liberated me from that fixation. As a consequence, I now confidently produce artwork that is boldly distorted, exaggerated, and dynamic, including larger-scale compositions.

At times, I often think, if I had received an education that could have enhanced my creativity during my more innocent days, what kind of artwork would I be creating now?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://app.artspoon.io/namkoongsoohyun
• Instagram: namkoong_artist