The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    NewJeans wins 2 grand prizes at Melon Music Awards 2023

  • 3

    Seoul says FEOC guidance reduces uncertainty, will continue close consultation with US

  • 5

    Half-conscious Koreans

  • 7

    Seoul Metro begins real-time translation service for foreign tourists at Myeong-dong Station

  • 9

    Son-dol: a cold day for a ferryman and a merchant

  • 11

    N. Korea bristles at US over comments about possible disabling of spy satellite

  • 13

    Ronaldo walks off to chants of 'Messi! Messi!' as his team loses 3-0 in Riyadh derby

  • 15

    NK warns 'physical clash, war' on Korean Peninsula a matter of time, not possibility

  • 17

    ANALYSISHas N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent?

  • 19

    Koreas' spy satellite launches heat up arms race in space

  • 2

    First S. Korea spy satellite successfully launched into orbit

  • 4

    INTERVIEWEcolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management

  • 6

    Major conglomerates speed up generational shifts in leadership

  • 8

    JYP to host annual audition in January

  • 10

    PPP slams abstainers in Assembly resolution on China's forced return of NK defectors

  • 12

    KOICA’s global supporters conclude remarkable journey with grand finale show

  • 14

    Korean economy to start shrinking by 2050 if low birthrate unaddressed: BOK report

  • 16

    New US rules, aimed at curbing China, could make it harder for EV buyers to claim a full tax credit

  • 18

    Space race heats up between two Koreas after Seoul launches spy satellite

  • 20

    INTERVIEW'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Mon, December 4, 2023 | 18:13
INTERVIEWConcept artist discusses success behind 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' storybooks
Posted : 2020-08-20 16:24
Updated : 2020-08-20 16:46
Kwak Yeon-soo
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Concept artist Jamsan, who worked on 'It's Okay Not to Be Okay' storybooks featured in the smash-hit drama series, poses after an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Concept artist Jamsan, who worked on "It's Okay Not to Be Okay" storybooks featured in the smash-hit drama series, poses after an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Cable network tvN's series "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" wrapped up its 16-part run earlier this month, but is still making headlines because of the children's storybooks that appeared in the smash-hit drama.

Following the massive success of its fairy tale romance, the production company has decided to publish five storybooks: "The Boy Who Fed on Nightmares," "Zombie Kid," "The Cheerful Dog," "The Hand, the Monkfish" and "Finding the Real Face."

Jamsan, a concept artist who joined the hugely successful TV series, said he is still overwhelmed by the overnight success of the drama both at home and abroad, which caused his career to take off.

The benefits have continued even after the end of the drama.

All five of the storybooks shown in the series are currently listed in the top 20 bestselling books of the month, according to the Kyobo Bookstore and YES24 websites.

Concept artist Jamsan, who worked on 'It's Okay Not to Be Okay' storybooks featured in the smash-hit drama series, poses after an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Jamsan's concept art sketch for "Finding the Real Face," featured in tvN's drama series "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" / Courtesy of Jamsan
In the series, Seo Yea-ji plays Ko Mun-yeong, a children's storybook author who suffers from antisocial personality disorder. She writes cruel fairy tales full of dark themes and grotesque scenes.

Ko falls in love with Moon Gang-tae (played by Kim Soo-hyun), a caretaker who works in a psychiatric hospital and takes care of his older brother Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se).

Apart from the healing romance between Ko and Moon, the drama shows how three adults ― traumatized by parental abuse and murder when they were children ― learn to recover from their past traumas.

"It's Okay to Not Be Okay," which earned popularity overseas through streaming on Netflix, is recognized for its visual storytelling that includes concept artist Jamsan's illustrations in Ko's body of work.

His dark, grotesque drawings entwined with screenwriter Jo Yong's stories about family and love resonated with drama fans.

"It's been a while since the series ended in Korea, but I'm surprised that people continue to express their interest in and love for it," he said during an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday. "My follower count on social media has increased dramatically and I still get a lot of messages from drama fans."

Jamsan said he happily accepted the challenging task of illustrating all of Ko's storybooks seen in the series.

"I've worked with producer Park Shin-woo before on tvN's Encounter, starring Song Hye-kyo and Park Bo-gum," he said. "Last year, he told me he's preparing a dark drama about a psychopath. I expressed my desire to join the project, sharing my personal interests in zombies and cruel fairy tales."

Concept artist Jamsan, who worked on 'It's Okay Not to Be Okay' storybooks featured in the smash-hit drama series, poses after an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The book cover illustration of "The Boy Who Fed on Nightmares" / Courtesy of Jamsan

Compared with "Encounter," in which he created a fairytale-style rendering of the introduction and ending of the series, Jamsan had to build illustrations for each of the episode in "It's Okay to Not Be Okay." The 47-year-old artist said he changed the overall feeling of the illustration styles to reflect how characters overcame their fears and bad memories.

In Ko's early storybooks such as "The Boy Who Fed on Nightmares" and "Zombie Kid," the artist used dark colors to express the emotional damage suffered by the character. As the story develops and Kim Sang-tae debuts as an illustrator with "Finding the Real Face," Jamsan captures scenes filled with color and vibrancy.

"In the beginning, I pretty much focused on defining the dark mood and appearance of lonely characters. But for Sang-tae's drawing, I wanted to create his world in watercolor to give a warm and friendly feel to it, just like The Little Prince and Alice in Wonderland," he said.

According to Jamsan, the illustrations made him feel proud because his work has proven that cruel fairy tales can become bestsellers.

"Personally I really loved this project because Ko Mun-yeong's storybooks becoming instant bestsellers has opened up new opportunities to concept artists and illustrators like me. In the past, publishers were reluctant to release cruel fairy tales, saying such stories would not appeal to a wider audience," he said.

Concept artist Jamsan, who worked on 'It's Okay Not to Be Okay' storybooks featured in the smash-hit drama series, poses after an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The book cover illustration of "Finding the Real Face" / Courtesy of Jamsan

Jamsan was among many concept artists who focused on work that delivered warm, fuzzy feelings. However, he grew tired of bright, mystical and fantasy-themed illustrations after experiencing a career slump.

"After working as a concept artist for more than 20 years and experiencing the ups and downs of life, I realized that life isn't beautiful," he said. "After going through a career slump, I found joy in drawing zombies and fairy tales with dark twists. However, the fact that I tell stories though images and symbols remains the same."

Jamsan shared that he had a visceral love for art and comics from a young age, dreaming of becoming a cartoonist. He studied oriental painting at an arts high school and then majored in cartoon illustration and animation at Kongju National University. He worked as an animation and art director until he quit to pursue a career as an illustrator when he was in his late 20s.

"I've always been interested in visualizing emotions and expressing feelings through art," he said. "I think good art is different from well-drawn art. Good art requires turning one's thoughts and feelings into art."

Concept artist Jamsan, who worked on 'It's Okay Not to Be Okay' storybooks featured in the smash-hit drama series, poses after an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Jamsan's concept art sketch for tvN's drama series "Encounter" / Courtesy of Jamsan

Jamsan is preparing a cruel fairy tale series titled "Blood Apple" for adults. The first book of the series, "Self-inflicted Mermaid," which is set to hit the shelves in September, features a mermaid's self-destructive behavior after being unable to win a prince's heart. The artist said he is currently searching for a writer who can turn his synopsis into a well-developed story.

"I want to tell the story but in small steps. My goal is to arouse some smiles and emotions in readers so they will wait for the next story. I'd like to entertain and, at the same time, make them think about things," he said. "However, I don't think a storybook should always have a message or a moral theme. I just want to share stories about empathy."


Emailyeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
LG group
Top 10 Stories
1[INTERVIEW] Ecolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management INTERVIEWEcolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management
2Seoul Metro begins real-time translation service for foreign tourists at Myeong-dong Station Seoul Metro begins real-time translation service for foreign tourists at Myeong-dong Station
3Son-dol: a cold day for a ferryman and a merchant Son-dol: a cold day for a ferryman and a merchant
4Korean economy to start shrinking by 2050 if low birthrate unaddressed: BOK report Korean economy to start shrinking by 2050 if low birthrate unaddressed: BOK report
5[ANALYSIS] Has N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent? ANALYSISHas N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent?
6Space race heats up between two Koreas after Seoul launches spy satellite Space race heats up between two Koreas after Seoul launches spy satellite
7[INTERVIEW] 'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights INTERVIEW'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights
8Uncertainty lingers over Ven. Jaseung's death Uncertainty lingers over Ven. Jaseung's death
9Korean battery firms face higher costs for access to US subsidies Korean battery firms face higher costs for access to US subsidies
10[INTERVIEW] Korea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change INTERVIEWKorea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change
Top 5 Entertainment News
1JYP to host annual audition in JanuaryJYP to host annual audition in January
2Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International FestivalTaipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International Festival
3Popular talk show 'Strong Heart' returns with new format Popular talk show 'Strong Heart' returns with new format
4How Lee Ung-no pioneered East-West fusion through brushstrokesHow Lee Ung-no pioneered East-West fusion through brushstrokes
5[REVIEW] Preview gala sets stage for grand premiere of 'La Rose de Versailles' musical REVIEWPreview gala sets stage for grand premiere of 'La Rose de Versailles' musical
DARKROOM
  • It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

    2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

  • Appreciation of autumn colors

    Appreciation of autumn colors

  • Our children deserve better

    Our children deserve better

  • Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

    Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel: 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844
Date of registration: 2020.02.05
Masthead: The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group