bnt News | 21st-Century Genre Painter Kim Hyun Jung: ‘The Work I’m Most Attached to Is “Marriage: Worlds Apart”‘ [Photo Feature]

21st-Century Genre Painter Kim Hyun Jung: 'The Work I'm Most Attached to Is "Marriage: Worlds Apart"' [Photo Feature]

Let's take a closer look at Korean painter Kim Hyun Jung, who paints laughter.

Kim Hyun Jung, the idol of Korean painting who portrays the genre scenes of the 21st century. Wanting to approach the public in a familiar way through an unconventional path, Kim Hyun Jung met with bnt and shared everything from the behind-the-scenes stories behind her works to her future exhibition plans.

We met painter Kim Hyun Jung, who paints healing images that soothe the heart in the most Korean way.

Kim Hyun Jung continues a prolific body of work, from her famous 'Naesoong series' to corporate art collaborations. We asked her which work she feels most attached to. Kim Hyun Jung said, 'I'm definitely most attached to my early works -- pieces that took a long time to finish, ones that were large in size or needed constant revision. I think a lot about those "sore fingers."'

She went on to explain, 'The work "Marriage: Worlds Apart" is a painting that parodies Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam." It's about 3 meters in size. Another is the work "Naesoong: Shall We Dance?" This piece is about 5 meters in size, and since it's made by joining several panels together, it was very stressful trying to get the seams to line up.'

Korean painter Kim Hyun Jung's exhibitions draw countless fans and visitors every time. Asked about her future exhibition plans, Kim Hyun Jung said, 'I want to hold an exhibition with no "don'ts." When I held my first solo exhibition, I didn't know how, so I did it the way my seniors did, or made it look polished and neat. Now I prefer exhibitions where everyone can play together. When you go to an exhibition, there's a lot you're told not to do. I want to create an experiential exhibition, like an amusement park, with a different theme on each floor that visitors can enjoy.'

Finally, asked whether, carrying the title 'the idol of Korean painting,' she has another title she'd like to carry in the future, Kim Hyun Jung shared her thoughts: 'The title "the idol of Korean painting" was given to me by the critic Sun Seung-hye. Just as with music, a fandom culture has emerged in art too, and since I have 300,000 followers, many of them come out when I hold an exhibition. I think I was given the title because I'm a bit young, but I don't think there's a better alternative. I'm satisfied with it.'

Kim Hyun Jung went on to share her ambitions: 'I'm not there yet, but someday I want to become a wealthy painter. The hardest thing for me to understand was the saying that "artists go hungry." When we were young, being a singer or a painter wasn't a preferred career. But these days, just look at BTS -- the status of singers has completely changed. They say painters, too, only become famous after they die young, but I wonder if we could try living to be 100 instead (laughs). I want to become an example that breaks this kind of prejudice.'

Written by — Reporter Lee Da-mi