Between worlds: The young North Korean defectors exploring identity through art



Features Between worlds: The young North Korean defectors exploring identity through art Multimedia pieces from new generation of defector artists show their North Korean roots as well as their lives in South Joon Ha Park \| Shreyas Reddy July 19, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Koi's artwork, featuring an assortment of shoes lining the floor and walls, each adorned with messages on their soles addressed to people left behind in North Korea \| Image: NK News Houses bathed in neon light. A stick figure parachuting down a rusty iron slab. A photo of the moon. Tigers in the shape of the Korean Peninsula. Messages written on children’s shoes. These visuals have nothing in common at first glance. But for a new generation of defectors, they are expressions of their identities shaped by both roots in North Korea and new lives in the South. Houses bathed in neon light. A stick figure parachuting down a rusty iron slab. A photo of the moon. Tigers in the shape of the Korean Peninsula. Messages written on children’s shoes. These visuals have nothing in common at first glance. But for a new generation of defectors, they are expressions of their identities shaped by both roots in North Korea and new lives in the South. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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Between worlds: The young North Korean defectors exploring identity through art

Multimedia pieces from new generation of defector artists show their North Korean roots as well as their lives in South

Joon Ha Park | Shreyas Reddy July 19, 2024

Between worlds: The young North Korean defectors exploring identity through art

Koi's artwork, featuring an assortment of shoes lining the floor and walls, each adorned with messages on their soles addressed to people left behind in North Korea | Image: NK News

Houses bathed in neon light. A stick figure parachuting down a rusty iron slab. A photo of the moon. Tigers in the shape of the Korean Peninsula. Messages written on children’s shoes.

These visuals have nothing in common at first glance. But for a new generation of defectors, they are expressions of their identities shaped by both roots in North Korea and new lives in the South.

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Between worlds: The young North Korean defectors exploring identity through art

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