ⓒ송시영

Q. Hello! How have you been lately, Author? 

I've been keeping busy with work. Collaborating with entertainment companies, working with brands, and doing magazine projects too.

Q. You truly work in various fields. 

I have a broad and varied spectrum of interests. You can see those in my room as well. To some, it may seem like a lack of consistency in taste. Rather than diving deeply into one field, I prefer to dabble in various interests. I also enjoy trying new things. As a result, I naturally end up working with a diverse range of clients.

Q. Can you describe the objects in your room?

The objects are mostly collected during my travels, and I have brought photo books and art-related books and magazines. There are so many platforms like Instagram and YouTube to gather information from various fields. These days, I'm consciously making an effort not to rely on those algorithms.

Sometimes when you revisit books you've bought a long time ago, they feel different. Photos and paintings, too. That's why I keep them handy and frequently take a look. You never know where inspiration might spark from, so they're the books I often pull out.

Oh, and I'm a fanatic for the color navy. Almost all the clothes I have lying around are navy. So when shopping with friends, they joke about how I buy the same things all the time. (laughs)

Q. Tell us about the music that flows in your space. What kind of music do you usually like?

I put together a playlist of songs I usually enjoy for background music at the Mangrove exhibition. If you listen to it, you'll find that I don't really restrict myself to specific genres; I enjoy a wide variety.

Q. I'm curious about your impressions of visiting Mangrove.

The process of becoming independent is quite complex and challenging: signing a substantial financial contract for the first time, buying furniture, and facing realistic difficulties—so I found the simplicity of this process appealing. It made me wish something like this had been available when I was younger. The 20th-floor terrace seems perfect for a beer in weather like this.

ⓒ노경

Q. You spend a lot of time in the studio. What does 'home' mean to you?

As you said, these days I spend more time in the studio than at home. Maintaining a lifestyle without a boundary between work and rest made me realize burnout was inevitable. So now, I'm trying to separate the two.

I wanted to create a space at Mangrove where I could execute both work mode and relaxation mode my way. A place where I can work like it's my studio, and relax comfortably when taking a break.

Q. Do you have any ideal visions of future living arrangements?

I've always dreamed of living in a house with a yard, but it's hard to leave apartment living behind. I've always lived in apartments, and they're just so convenient.

I prefer quiet neighborhoods with good transportation; the NamBus Terminal area where I currently live fits that preference well. It's great for walking to places like the Seoul Arts Center and Umyeonsan Mountain, and surprisingly, it's a quiet area amid the hustle and bustle.

Q. How do you spend your free time?

I've started going camping since last year, but I haven't gone for a while because I've been busy. Usually, I watch movies or dramas at home or spend time with my family.

Text | Juno Park

Photo | Song Si-young, Noh Kyung