There is probably no more recognized fashion illustrator than Jae Suk Kim, born in Seoul, although he divides his time between South Korea, Singapore Y Sydney. His illustrations are fun and elegant , and represent women in haute couture dresses splashed with paint, colors and flowers . Some illustrations that have appeared in campaigns of large firms.
Illustrator Jae Suk Kim.
Is there any sound, smell, image... that defines the city for you?
Seoul is an exciting city filled with new ideas, creative energy and full of passionate people and lovers of beautiful things. Korean culture is so dynamic that trends come and go very quickly, making it difficult to name a smell, sound or taste that perfectly describes the city. But for some strange reason, the sound of mobile phones, lighting up as soon as the plane lands on the runway – it's Samsung land after all! – is what came to mind. Whenever I hear that sound, I know I'm in Korea.
Your go-to places to eat, and the ones you'd take a visiting friend to, are...
Too many options! But, for example, I'd take you to try brunch at approach, That are in the trendy new district, Sinyongsan, where the new and the old coexist. In addition to excellent coffee, the place maintains the atmosphere of a house from the 80-90s with a modern and elegant interior, which is the current trend in Korea. For a lunch in the historic and classic side of Seoul, Hansik Gonggan. I also like the restaurant Onjium, a research institute of Korean traditional culture, which is located across the beautiful cobblestone road from the Gyoengbokgung Palace. In seoul the views from the 81st floor of the tallest building in Korea they are worth it. He too Whoo-ok to taste the best cuisine in the modern and prosperous side of Seoul. EITHER miajeon, near the famous park dosan, where they reinterpret fritters and many other wonderful traditional dishes. I always enjoy it whenever my foreign friends come to Seoul. EITHER Hojokban which is a modern place, specializing in Korean fusion, although most of the time there is a long queue.
And for a drink?
manseon hof, which represents the Newtro (retro) environment, a word very much for millennials. Euljiro, a.k.a Hipjiro, Nicknamed by local youth for all its hipster gems, it perfectly captures the essence of retro. Some call this place the Oktoberfest of Korea. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, it is unique in Seoul. is also AfterJerkOff. in case you like retro but more refined. Hidden in an alley, space GARLIC is also interesting. It is full of exotic elements, from a counter that is a tank of white koi fish, to a large statue of Buddha.. kkotsul is a concept store/bar tucked away in the alley of Yongsang, that on the one hand shows the work of current Korean designers and on the other, offers a new way of drinking traditional liquor. The space is totally instagrammable.
What other experiences are there to live in Korea?
You have to immerse yourself in the coffee culture, which is huge. There are so many independent coffee shops... In each area they have different vibes, for example the coffee shops Seongsu-dong, very fashionable area of the moment, they mix the old and the new with an industrial point, almost like the Brooklyn of Seoul. The cafes of ikseong They are in very narrow alleys, typical of hanok, which is the traditional style of Korean houses. those of Hanam-dong They are more modern and sophisticated. those of yeonnamdong They are very quirky and cute. The cafes of Cheongdam Dong, the most prosperous part of Seoul, they are high-end... And another thing to do in Korea, a nation obsessed with beauty, is to give yourself a day exclusively for this purpose. sulwhasoo, a traditional high-end beauty brand, offers various korean herbal medicine spa programs that can only be found at their flagship store. And then you can take a walk around gentle monster a combination of commercial space, exhibitions and experiences that is giving a lot to talk about. Is experimental store recently opened its grand flagship near Dosan Park and in it you can find their brand of glasses and cosmetics. nude it is also a futuristic dessert shop worth visiting. And another Korean brand that stands out is Add Error. Fun and extravagant spaces!
What exhibitions or what museums do you recommend?
The Seoul Craft Museum, that has recently opened. Or the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) , which houses a splendid collection donated by the Samsung Group, following the death of its president, Lee Kun Hee, and the galleries around the MMCA, in addition to a beautiful nearby palace.
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