By Honorary Reporter Daniela Astolfi from Italy

Photos = Shin Sun Mi

Illustrator Shin Sun Mi, living in Wonju, Gangwon-do province in Korea, merges traditional Korean art with everyday subjects in her expressive characters. 

The University of Ulsan alum pursued graduate study at Hongik University in Oriental painting, and has published books abroad and won awards like one from the 2003 Art Concours of Korea. Her pastel colors and delicate lines convey strong emotions and values like love, family and respect. 

In the K-drama "The Atypical Family," Shin's works help tell the story of the protagonist's ancestor.

 
The Italian-language translation of her picture collection "Le Fate Formiche" (Ant Fairies) will be joined in October by another, "Il Regalo delle Fate Formiche (Gift from Ant Fairies)." 

 
The following are excerpts from a July 1 email interview with Shin.

Shin Sun Mi 

Briefly introduce yourself and tell how you became an artist.

I am an artist who creates narrative Oriental paintings. My passion for art began in childhood, leading me to attend an art high school. After earning my master's in 2006, I held my first solo exhibition.

"While You Were Sleeping"

Explain the little characters in your works.
They are like ants hiding in every nook and cranny, so I named them "ant fairies." They can only be seen by children or animals with a keen sixth sense; adults don't care enough to notice them. Just like the cartoon characters Tom and Jerry, the cat and the ant fairy chase each another, creating an interesting composition in the picture.

What is the source of inspiration for your delicate and emotional artworks?
My art draws from personal pictures and parenting diaries, capturing my experiences and memories of raising a child. The ant fairies were inspired by a childhood episode where I believed I saw little fairies while sick, a memory blending dreams and reality.

"The Atypical Family #5"

How was it working on the K-drama "The Atypical Family?"
The project was enjoyable but involved many revisions and several months of work. When I saw the final product on screen, I thought, "I worked so hard but it only lasted a couple of minutes." It made me appreciate the incredible effort animators put into creating so many stills for even a short video.

"I Miss You"

Among your works, which do you feel represents you best?
My painting "I Miss You" reflects my childhood anxiety over separation from my busy parents, who left me with my grandparents for three years. I long to go back and meet my young parents to tell them how much I missed them during that time.

Where do you want to display your works? 
I want to exhibit a lot overseas. I had a solo exhibition at the Korean Cultural Center in Spain, but other than that, I've only shown my art in Korea. I want to show traditional Korean paintings around the world.

msjeon22@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.