In the realm of art, some refuse to be confined by a single medium and whose creative spirit embraces various disciplines. Jung Gyu Min, who also goes by the name of so many ego, is one such extraordinary, multidisciplinary artist. He effortlessly weaves his talents as an actor, singer/rapper, painter, and digital artist into an engaging artistic expression. With a passion for pushing the boundaries of his craft, Gyu Min has carved a path for himself in the world of creativity.

However, in today’s rapidly evolving world, young artists face a myriad of challenges as they strive to make their mark on the creative landscape. Although Gyu Min confessed that he recently hit rock bottom while trying to navigate the complexities of the current world, he found his way out by releasing “2023 INTRO”, a single that lies somewhere between R&B and hip-hop – the song presents an uplifting sentiment, declaring that the only way to make it out there is to move forward. 

Recently, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Gyu Min for an in-depth conversation about his diverse creative journey. With his remarkable repertoire that spans paintings and digital art, Gyu Min is about to establish himself within the music industry too.

Before discussing your new single, “2023 INTRO”, I was wondering, how did you get into art and acting? Seems like you do love multitasking. 

I was alone a lot when I was a kid. I would indulge in arts like comics/graphic novels and movies to curb my loneliness, and that eventually led to my dream. I started acting when I was in high school. My high school had photography and filming, so there were lots of kids taking pictures or filming videos, but there was no one to model for them. Before I knew it, I found myself becoming a model and an actor, and that’s how I got into acting. Then, around the time I was about to graduate, I joined a theatre group and started stage acting. 

How do you balance your artistic pursuits as a painter, digital artist, singer, and actor?

When I’m done with my music work, I paint. Then, when I’m done with painting, I make music, and I go to auditions in between. This is my basic routine, just like having a meal. I’ve lived like this for so long that I would say it’s already a balanced life rather than me trying to reach a balance. But when I’m really busy, I conscientiously try to keep things that way. 

What, in your opinion, are the most important aspects of your work as an artist? And is there a deliberate message present from the beginning (in relation to your paintings, digital art, and drawings)? If you want to give me an example of one of your works and explain the process, that would be great. 

The most important thing as an artist is to not lose yourself. You must never compromise what you want to express or how you express it. You have to express what you feel, just as it is. This is more important than making money. Some artists sacrifice their identity to make money. But ironically, you can make more money if you preserve your identity. Except for my abstract paintings, all my pictures have a message that I want to convey, which is built into the picture from the beginning. 

What role does music play in your artistic journey, and how does it intersect with your visual arts?

It seems as if they’re two separate journeys, but fundamentally, they’re the same in that they both travel. I’m enjoying the different scenery. However, the two different types of scenery clearly affect each other and expand my view. Music makes me look better as a player, while being a painter is good for expressing my inner world. Normally, those two don’t mix, but I make it possible. I can be a star and an artist who expresses their personal inner world at the same time.

How do you utilise your various artistic talents to express different emotions or themes in your work?

I’m not conscious of how I’m using my artistic talent. But I devote/immerse/bury myself in my work intensely. And I approach my work with honesty. 

How does your artistic process differ when working on a painting versus creating digital art?

With painting, even a mistake can be art. But with digital art, you can keep correcting what you’re doing. They each have their own distinct merits. But I similarly deal with them.

When I was going through your work, I found “Faith in the 21st Century” and “The Warmest Arms in the World” to be two of my favourite pieces. I wonder, what’s the story behind them?

“Faith in the 21st Century” was inspired by the idea that people in this day and age believe more in A.I. than religion. If you think only with reason, that is rational and correct. 

The Bible says Jesus made the blind see and healed people with just a stroke of his hand, but that’s something that belongs in a novel and is probably fiction aimed to boost his status. But medicine and Artificial Intelligence make that possible. In general, what do people trust more? But the message I’m trying to convey is not just about that. Life cannot be lived with only reason and rationality, as the balance of this world would collapse altogether. What worries me is that the world is becoming more and more like that. Many people think I painted that painting because I don’t believe in Christianity, but that’s not true. And seeing people’s reactions made me believe that the world has now entered an era of rationality and reason. In that picture, the man who is trying to poke Jesus’ belly is Thomas, the one who doubted Jesus. 

In terms of “The Warmest Arms in the World”, the piece is a visualisation of the emotions I feel in regards to love. Being surrounded by trees with nothing on as one covers the skin of the person they love, with not a care in the world under the sun. That’s a very good environment to feel love. There was a time when I really hated this world to the extent that I wanted to die, but I had the experience of meeting one person who made this world seem lovely and made me want to live. 

How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue exploring and developing your skills in painting, digital art, singing, and acting?

Works by other great artists and the life I live are my inspiration and motivation. 

Are there any specific artists, musicians, or actors who have influenced your artistic journey?

Asano Tadanobu, G-DRAGON, Tyler, the Creator, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Brad Pitt, Imamura Shohei, Sono Sion, actress Kim Hye-ja, Bong Joon-ho, Song Kang-ho, Akira Kurosawa, actress Yeom Hye-ran, Vincent Cassel, Stanley Kubrick, Taiyo Matsumoto, Yorgos Lanthimos, just to name a few, but there are so many. 

Can you share a project where you collaborated with other artists from different disciplines, and how that collaboration enriched the final outcome?

Collaborating on storyboards under the direction of Director Hobin, the most outstanding music video director in Korea, is the most memorable. His thoroughness, creativity, and professionalism humbled me, and I learned a lot. I’m also getting great energy and good health by working with an artist called Jomalxne. I really love that guy. 

How has your multidisciplinary background influenced your approach to storytelling through art?

I believe that all art is connected, and working in various fields is a source of great strength for me as a brand. 

A few weeks ago, you released your first single album, “2023 INTRO”, could you tell me more about the creative process behind the release? What was the inspiration behind it?

I was having a hard time late last year, so I made a song as soon as it became 2023. I didn’t want to struggle anymore, and I wanted to overcome my pain. So, I worked on that song, thinking of it as a new start, and I decided to make it my debut track. Feeling like I was at rock bottom made me move. And I’ll continue to go forward, as there is nothing that can stop me. 

Looking at your art, as well as music, what is more important to you: the subject of your art/music or the way it is executed?

The subject of my art is more important. If the subject is something the world wants and can draw inspiration from, then I think it would be communicated/conveyed naturally. 

You impressed many with your art and managed to sell one of your works for an impressive 600 million KW. But, looking at your art as a whole, how does it feel to have your own art and music judged by the public? 

I think it’s a given that I should be judged by the public. That’s also the reason I do art. I create my art in order to show it to people and use it as a medium to approach them. So, I don’t have any negative feelings about that. 

The definition of art is open, subjective, and debatable. The concept itself has changed over the centuries. How would you define art yourself? What does art mean to you?

Art is a form of expressing oneself – it’s a window of communication, a source of controversy, and a weapon that can be used to counter controversy. Art provides us with a way to break free from the boundaries set by morals or social norms, and it’s something that can pose questions for all of us. It’s something that is a necessity – a world without art would be a dystopia. 

What are your plans for this year?  

I’ll be well-known to a lot of people, and I’ll keep going forward so that I can change my own destiny. [Having said that], I’m going to release a new single called “CIRCLE TIGHT” on June 17th at 12 pm (KST). It’s a song that talks about my ambitions and my tight circle of friends who have been there for me since the beginning. It is also going to be a collaboration between me and two of my oldest friends.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Translator / Interpreter: Roc Lee

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}