Greem
Jeong

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I currently live in Seoul, South Korea, where I also have my studio. My studio is located in the Jongno district, an area rich in cultural heritage and home to many artists. It’s close to lively urban streets yet surrounded by nature. Through the large windows, I can see many trees and plenty of sunlight fills the space, which often inspires my work. This is where I create most of my sculptures, furniture, and installation projects.

Where is your studio located & how does it look?

It’s the same as mentioned above. My studio is located in the Jongno district of Seoul, surrounded by both cultural heritage sites and nature. The space is bright with plenty of sunlight and views of trees outside the window, creating a calm and inspiring atmosphere for my work.

Are there any projects that are important to you personally, that you have recently completed or that you are still working on?

Recently, I created both indoor and outdoor sculptures for the new headquarters of Samyang Foods, a company well known for its Buldak Ramen. The project is about to open soon. It was my first time working on a large-scale public art piece made of metal—a completely new and truly exciting experience for me.

In November, I will also be holding a solo exhibition at Novalis Art Design in Hong Kong. These are works I’ve been preparing since last year, so I’m really looking forward to sharing them.

Do you have a favorite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

I enjoy taking walks or going for runs around my neighbourhood. I often run along Gyeongbokgung Palace, which I feel is one of the most beautiful places in Seoul.

Running through a place filled with such deep history makes me feel as if I’m moving within layers of time.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

Recently, I feel that political conflicts in Korea have become very intense. Society is deeply polarized, and there are also noticeable generational and gender divisions.

The housing problem in Seoul is another major issue — property prices have risen sharply, and Korea’s unique jeonse system (a rental system where tenants pay a large deposit instead of monthly rent) has led to frequent cases of fraud involving these high deposits.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

I think Korea has developed at an incredibly fast pace. Everything is constantly changing and being renewed. Public facilities, urban infrastructure, and transportation systems are very clean, well-maintained, and operate efficiently.

However, sometimes the pace feels a bit too fast. Recently, sinkholes have appeared in several parts of the city, which I believe are partly the result of uncontrolled development.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

The Euljiro area in Seoul used to be home to many skilled artisans. Although it’s located right in the heart of the city, the neighborhood was full of old buildings and narrow alleyways before redevelopment began.Hidden among those alleys were countless small workshops where craftsmen worked with materials like metal and wood.

I often collaborated with metal artisans—welders, benders, cutters, casters, and spinners—all incredibly talented people. Many of them had been working in the same place for 30 to 40 years, preserving the spirit of traditional craftsmanship. Euljiro had a uniquely Korean, rough yet timeless atmosphere, filled with the traces of labor and history.

Unfortunately, much of that has disappeared due to rapid redevelopment, which is truly regrettable. Still, around Jongno and Euljiro, there remain many long-standing local restaurants and small shops. I hope these places and the culture they carry will continue to be preserved for a long time.

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

Seoul is a city where tradition and modernity coexist. Even amid rapid technological development and ever-changing trends, the spirit of craftsmanship and handcraft culture remains strong.

The coexistence of these two elements creates a unique creative energy. Compared to other cities I’ve visited, Seoul evolves much faster, and experimental ideas are realised in a remarkably short time. This constant evolution is what makes Seoul truly innovative.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

Paul’s Diner, located in Noksapyeong, is probably my favourite place in Seoul. They serve delicious food along with a great selection of natural wines, and their food-and-wine pairings are always spot on. The cuisine is European-style.

Of course, when you’re in Korea, you can’t miss Korean BBQ — Kim Jin Mok Sam in Seochon and Ilmirak in Seongsu are both excellent. In Wonso-dong, Haap is a beautiful spot where you can enjoy traditional Korean desserts and tea while overlooking the Korean traditional royal palace.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

The LEEUM STORE, located inside the Leeum Museum of Art in Hannam-dong, Seoul, is not a typical souvenir shop.
It’s a place where you can discover and purchase high-quality Korean craft and design pieces that beautifully reflect the value of traditional materials and contemporary artistry.

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

ChatGPT has almost become like my personal assistant. Even though I sometimes wish to step away from social media, I still need Instagram for work to share my projects and connect with people. I don’t particularly enjoy using it, but my work relies on it. If my profession didn’t require social media, I would probably have deleted my account long ago.

KakaoTalk is another app I use every day it’s essential in Korea. It’s similar to WhatsApp, but people here use it for everything: daily conversations, business communication, sharing documents, and even splitting bills with friends. If you want to connect with Koreans, you absolutely need it.

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

In the fields of art and design, I often read Dezeen and Artforum. For political, social, and cultural issues, I usually get information through YouTube or various news outlets. In Korea, I’ve noticed that the same issue can be reported very differently depending on the media outlet, so I make a point of checking multiple sources.

When I first realized how drastically the tone and interpretation could change based on each outlet’s political stance, I was quite surprised. To understand things objectively, I believe it’s important to look from different perspectives.
Sometimes, international media like the BBC even present a more balanced or objective view of what’s happening in Korea.

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

I would like to create more parks and benches throughout the city. I feel there aren’t enough places where people can pause and rest. I believe humans should be closer to nature. It’s a more authentic and natural way of living. I would also make major museums and art institutions charge admission fees with different rates for locals and foreigners.

Many museums around the world already apply different fees for residents and non-residents, and I think this system could help maintain the city’s cultural infrastructure and support the local art ecosystem in a meaningful way. So, it might be a good idea to travel around Korea before I become the mayor.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

I would live in Copenhagen and travel often to the Italian seaside. I love the contrast between the two. Their completely different vibes inspire me in different ways.