Freely and confidently, illustrator Lim Ki-hwan's touches seem to capture everyday life without hesitation. This might be the result of frequent walks, quiet observation, and thoughtful consideration. Often mistaken for digital work due to the vibrant colors and precise strokes, his main tools are actually acrylics, gouache watercolors, and marker pens. Hand-painted earnestly and densely, his artwork warms the heart like the sincere emotions carefully embedded within.

Sitting in front of a sketchbook filled with colorful paints, Lim Ki-hwan chose to depict himself in black. “I'm someone whose colors change according to the situation, environment, and people. I like to think I have all the color images, but ultimately, don't all colors mix to produce black?”

I hope the happy emotions I feel while working can also be felt and shared by the audience.

Q. Your artwork reflects a clear perspective on everyday life.

I think the way I explain or convey my artwork isn't particularly friendly. However, I draw with the hope that the happy emotions I feel while working can also be felt and shared by the audience.

Q. What do you think is the most ideal 'home'?

I believe it should be a space that resembles myself. To achieve that, it needs to be nurtured and cared for like a companion plant or pet.

Homes should be nurtured and cared for just like companion plants or pets.

Q. Do you have any personal rules for organizing your workspace?

I love collecting scents. Things that can instantly refresh the mood, like incense, palo santo, and room sprays, are very helpful when working. I also enjoy using them as materials when painting. When filling up my room, I prioritized my cherished fragrances and objects after the essential tools for my work.

Q. Sharing a space with others might have been unfamiliar to you.

In fact, co-living was a residential type I had always been interested in. I was delighted to know that there is a co-living house in Korea as well. I don't usually separate my living space from my workspace, so I was most looking forward to the co-working space on the second basement level before moving in.

Listening to various people's stories seems to prevent my thoughts from staying in one place.

Q. What are the charms of Sinseol-dong that have captivated the eyes of strangers?

The Seongbuk Stream during weekdays is calm and peaceful. However, just a short walk away, you can feel the lively energy of Dongmyo Market, Gyeongdong Market, and more. There were many times I wondered if there was another neighborhood as dynamic as this. Such contrasts seem to have been the most captivating.

Q. You often work quietly alone. How was it working at Mangrove?

When I'm working at home and get stuck, I usually head to a nearby cafe. At Mangrove, I could easily work in various public spaces by just taking the elevator down, which was very convenient and enjoyable. Since I often work alone, the vibrant atmosphere of life at Mangrove was quite a new experience. Just as I was adapting, the two-month artist circle period is already nearing its end, which is a bit disappointing.

Q. Mangrove is a lively space filled with various exchanges and communications. 

Without going far, you can meet new people and hear various stories within Mangrove. This aspect seems to prevent thoughts from staying in one place. Even within the artist circle, there were many positive exchanges, such as attending programs hosted by each other. The various community activities managed by Mangrove members and the 'Mangrove Social Club' programs were also substantial. I regret not participating more actively.

In the future, the smell of herbal medicine might remind me of walking down the alley of the herbal market.

Q. You mentioned enjoying walks. What paths did you take over the two months?

You’re probably familiar with Seongbuk Stream flowing right in front of Mangrove Sinseol and Cheonggyecheon, which you encounter along the walk. Near Sinseol-dong, there is the Yakryeong Herbal Market specialized in medicinal herbs. I stumbled upon it while riding my bike, and the distinct herbal scent permeated the streets, giving a feeling of becoming healthier just by passing through. There are also cafes with herbal themes scattered throughout the market, making it a rather unique walking path. It blends well with the autumn atmosphere, leaving a lasting memory. I think the scent of herbal medicine might remind me of walking down that street in the future.

Q. If you were to pick the best moment at Mangrove, what would it be?

During my stay at Mangrove, I've been documenting my everyday life through art. Fortunately, living here during the fall allowed me to thoroughly enjoy the beautiful scenery unfolding each day. Now that I think about it, it's been a while since I've leisurely taken in my surroundings for such a long time. The scenes I encountered while strolling along Seongbuk Stream would be my top pick.

Q. Could you share some tips for using Mangrove with future members?

It would be great to fully take advantage of the benefits of co-living. Within Mangrove, there's a diverse community with many activities, so actively engaging with that can lead to sharing numerous stories.

©Lim Ki-hwan

Learn more about Mangrove Sinseol

Written by | Shin Dabo-mi

Photos by | Lee Seok-hyun, Lim Ki-hwan