Edaily | Wearing See-Through Hanbok, the ‘Naesoong Girl’ — ‘That’s Exactly Me’
Edaily interviewed Korean painter Kim Hyun Jung ahead of her appearance as a speaker at the 2016 World Women's Economic Forum (WWEF). She revealed that her 'Naesoong Girl' series, which depicts a woman in sheer see-through hanbok, is in fact a self-portrait, and introduced how she has planned and promoted her own exhibitions through social media and her plans going forward.
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In the painting, a young woman in sheer, see-through hanbok plays billiards or rides a McDonald's delivery motorbike. She is also depicted stylishly grilling samgyeopsal or eating tteokbokki. It's a moment that shatters the stereotype that a woman in hanbok must be demure and refined.
◇ Naesoong Is a 'Cute Lie' No One Believes
Young Korean painter Kim Hyun Jung (photo) drew attention from the very start of her career for contrasting women in hanbok against contemporary scenery under the name 'Naesoong Girl.' Met recently at her studio in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Kim revealed that the 'Naesoong Girl' in her paintings is herself.
"This painting is actually a self-portrait and a diary. When I first began drawing 'Naesoong Girl' as the protagonist, I was painting someone I disliked. I thought people who put on a false front of naesoong — acting coy, being 'nae-sung' — were two-faced. But as I kept painting her, I realized I disliked her because she resembled me so much."
The hanbok skirts worn by the 'Naesoong Girl' in Kim's paintings are all see-through. Kim defines this transparent naesoong as a 'cute lie' that no one actually believes. "Because you can see right through it, I think naesoong is lovable," Kim said. "Isn't it cute when a woman who isn't the least bit hungry in front of her boyfriend suddenly lets out a growling stomach anyway?"
◇ Handling Everything from Exhibition Planning to Promotion Herself
Living as a full-time painter is not easy. There is even a rumor that one must suffer in poverty and die young to become a famous painter. Kim doesn't entirely deny this stereotype either. Describing herself as 'lucky,' Kim constantly considers how to keep enduring as a painter.
"As a painter, I don't wear the leash of an employee badge like my other friends, but I think I have an invisible leash around my neck all the same. Because I thought I could make a living doing what I truly love, I became a full-time painter four years ago. Since I started alone, I do my own promotion and plan my own exhibitions too — it feels a lot like being a 'one-person startup.' I've been lucky to draw attention early on so far, but I'm always thinking about how I'll keep holding on going forward."
◇ Communicating with Audiences via Social Media, and Talking with Chinese Tourists Too
Kim felt the power of social media (SNS) firsthand early in her career. Her first small exhibition, held in Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, was packed with visitors. As an unknown artist, Kim had no idea how the audience had found out about it. It turned out a well-known curator she had never met had personally introduced Kim's work and exhibition schedule on Facebook. After that, Kim focused on promoting her exhibitions and work through social media. Kim works to lower the barrier so that anyone can easily visit a gallery.
"The exhibition we planned, 'The Story of Naesoong Girl,' is the most-visited exhibition in Korea. We invited the audience through social media, and about 23,000 people came over roughly two weeks. Even now, I learn a lot by communicating with the audience through social media. Going forward, I'm also studying how to communicate with Chinese audiences through channels like personal broadcasting."
Kim will appear as a speaker at the 5th World Women's Economic Forum (WWEF), to be held on the 19th at Sebitseom (Gavit) in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Appearing in the fourth session, Kim plans to spend time thinking and communicating directly with the youth of her generation.