According to her own words , Miki Kim is a tattoo artist and illustrator, currently based in Seoul, South Korea.
All women have fought a battle at one time or another. What was yours?
I don't know if you're aware, but tattoos are illegal in Korea. I even went to the police station once. Nowadays, people are more tolerant and tattoos have a certain artistic value, but they are still very frowned upon. I do my best to draw beautiful illustrations so that people can finally put their prejudices aside. I want them to appreciate them, to be inspired and to see them as works of art rather than just tattoos. I think that's the fight I'm currently waging.
When do you feel you are showing strength?
I try my best to look on the bright side, with humor. I try to enjoy every moment, and I feel like I can overcome anything when I adopt this mentality.
In turn made of shadows and lights, such are women, echoing the moon that governs us.
What is your light side, what is your dark side?
The first thing I think about is my panic attacks. When I'm in crowded places, it's very difficult for me. I think it's closely related to my environment and its impact on my mental health. Therefore, I try to take care of myself as much as possible, think positive thoughts, practice meditation, run, and read.
It allows me to calm my mind and still be creative.
Express your most important conviction, the one that guides your steps in life.
I have a mantra that I repeat to myself when I'm facing a tricky situation or have a lot of work:
" It's going to be okay. Everything will get better and everything will fall back into place ." And this time, it really works. I practice visualization: I dream about something, then I put my heart and soul into achieving my goals.
Mind upload. It marks the starting point for the story of our heroine ALYH, who uploads her mind into a universe in which she evolves and surpasses herself. What skills would you develop if this adventure were offered to you?
I've never watched any heroic movies, but if I had the opportunity to have a power, I would choose the ability to heal the wounded bodies and souls of the people around me (my own too, for that matter). With such a power, the world would be a better place.
Take us into your safe space? Alyh uses her imagination to create a world somewhere between solar punk and brutalism. What would yours look like?
Mine would be similar to Alyh's. There would be meadows, mountains, trees, lots of flowers, and streams. I think I would add temples, the sound of bells and Moktak (a wooden percussion instrument used by Buddhist monks) to make me feel safe. The atmosphere in the temples is very calming.
Never give up on... What would you say to your best friend as a child?
I would probably say, "Wear your own colors." If you don't have self-confidence and a color of your own, everything you do will be more difficult. I have to do something that I feel like myself in, gain experience, and thus know what I like to do and what I excel at. Having "your own color" is synonymous with success in my opinion.
The best:
Working all over the world was what I initially thought about and wanted. I fulfilled this dream for four years, and it was very rewarding. Given the situation, I now only live in Seoul, but I'm working hard to organize my own art exhibition soon.
