Hello. I’m Hyekang, a Korean painting artist working in digital media. Since childhood, Korean elements have naturally woven themselves into my life, and I combine them with personal narratives to create work that expresses contemporary sensibilities with warmth. I’m delighted to introduce myself to AMOREPACIFIC STORIES subscribers.

A. For this piece, I focused on the theme of ‘values and beauty that remain constant through the flow of time.’ To visually express the abstract concept of time, I drew attention to the fluid movement of hair, using it as a bridge to connect past and present landscapes. For the Lunar New Year, I incorporated symbolic elements such as kites and magpies, mountains, and pine trees to express the holiday’s distinctive atmosphere and sentiment. The image of people gathering around the headquarters embodies the meaning of Lunar New Year as ‘a day to spend time together.’

A. I often reference traditional paintings like folk painting (minhwa) and genre painting (pungsokhwa), where stories naturally permeate the image. I’m always drawn to how figures, backgrounds, and even small objects connect like a single narrative in these compositions. In my daily life, I watch diverse content across genres—webtoons, dramas, films—and observe how scenes unfold. I pay close attention to moments where traditional elements are interpreted with contemporary vibes. Recently, I found fresh inspiration in the color palette and the way scenes progress in the animation K-Pop Demon Hunters.

A. Rather than prescribing a direction, I hope my work offers viewers a moment to pause and reflect on their own emotions and inner state. As they follow the scenes in the painting, their own memories or feelings might naturally surface. I believe that recognizing one’s own emotions and rhythms makes life a bit more grounded. I trust that these accumulated moments create each person’s unique beauty.

A. It prompted me to reconsider what beauty remains constant even within rapid change. While life’s changes are inevitable, I believe we can choose what to preserve within that change. To me, beauty is the attitude of listening to one’s own voice without losing one’s center. I feel that the mindset of maintaining one’s own standards while adapting flexibly to change ultimately makes us most truly ourselves.

A. I’ve consistently maintained the habit of organizing my thoughts and emotions through journaling. The process of writing down my scattered thoughts or plans helps me check in with myself and reflect inward. As these records accumulate, I grow to see myself more honestly.

Through this project, I was able to deeply examine the perspective and approach that Amorepacific has maintained over time. It allowed me to reconsider the meaning of beauty and express it through my own language. Capturing time, the space of Amorepacific, and the special moment of Lunar New Year within a single image made this especially significant. In an era where change has become the norm, I hope this work reaches those who are maintaining their own standards and pace.