By Honorary Reporter Nur Akin from Turkiye
Photos = Choi Se-hun

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only transforming technology but also redefining the language of art. 

Choi Se-hun, the creator behind the viral runway show of AI-generated Hanbok (traditional clothing) on social media, is a pioneer of the technology's creative potential. Based in Canada, he has developed a visual language using AI tools, offering a fresh aesthetic born from the fusion of human imagination and machine learning.

The following are excerpts from an interview with Choi via Instagram from May 3 to June 23.

Choi Se-hun is a Korean Canadian AI artist and architectural technologist.

Briefly introduce yourself and your artistic journey.

My name is Choi Se-hun, an AI artist with a background in architectural technology. I originally worked as an architectural technologist, but after corporate downsizing, I shifted paths and discovered the power of generative AI. Inspired by a single image I saw online, I began experimenting with AI tools and gradually developed my unique visual language.

I've exhibited my works at over a dozen international shows and collaborated with brands like Shinsegae and Mongolian Fashion Week. I strive to consistently push the boundaries between the imagined and the real.

Describe the digital fashion shows you've created using AI.
The shows started as visual experiments exploring the combination of traditional garments with impossible environments. Using AI tools, I digitally created models, garments and settings. This approach allowed me to explore new silhouettes and cultural mashups without any physical constraints, and my projects gained momentum on social media, leading to exciting collaborations.

Choi Se-hun's AI fashion show highlights a combination of Hanbok and AI-generated environments.

How do you strike a balance between the traditional and the modern in your work?

I don't try to force a balance; it's more of a dialogue. I let traditional elements remain rooted in their essence, but reframe them using modern tools and storytelling techniques. The result is often a reinterpretation that feels familiar yet new.

How has fusing Hanbok with AI affected your work and what are your plans?

Seeing Hanbok, a symbol of rich heritage, reimagined in surreal and futuristic landscapes through AI sparked a new creative energy within me. I'm preparing a high-fashion Hanbok series that blends AI-generated imagery with real-world exhibitions. I want to showcase Hanbok not just as heritage but as avant-garde fashion.

How will AI's growing influence in art and design change the role of designers?
Designers are evolving into creative directors and storytellers. The focus is shifting from technical skills to curating meaning, making deliberate choices and leading narratives in collaboration with technology.

More works of Choi Se-hun

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.