By Honorary Reporter Alexandra Kyriazi from Greece
Photos = @animals_in_korean 

Amateur artist Jin Gwan-woo, who also goes by the name Soomtangeutdeul, seeks to promote awareness of endangered animal species through his art and showcase the beauty and uniqueness of Korean culture through drawings utilizing letters of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. 

Golden dart frog

The following are excerpts from an interview with the artist.

What does Soomtangeutdeul mean?

The name is a compound Korean term, with the word soom means "breath" and tan "born," so altogether, the name means "creatures born with life."

Fairy pitta

Why did you start doing these illustrations? 
My first works were of Korean animals, but the more I drew, the more animals in the world seemed to need protection. So I expanded the variety of species I draw to the global level. 

Robust cicada

How did you think of combining Hangeul with drawings of animals?
One day, I was so bored and started to draw the Asian black bear. I had a strange feeling that the bear's ear looked like the Hangeul letter ㅂ (bieup), which is used in the Korean spelling of the bear's name (반달가슴곰). So I tried to make the animal's shape using its Korean name.

Asian black bear

What is Hangeul to you? 

To me, Hangeul is a storyboard that can fully express my imagination.

Why do you use Korean letters to draw the animals in your works?
The curves and straight lines in Hangeul can sufficiently express what is around us, and the unique structure of consonants and vowels is suitable for creating faces and bodies.

Infinite loop

Have you categorized your works into theme-based groups?
I'm categorizing them based on the exhibitions that I'd like to do later. I plan to recreate themes such as color aesthetics and Korean traditions. I'm also modifying my works including those posted on my Instagram account.

Emperor penguin

Golden eagle

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.