1. My Story
I am an ordinary woman in my 30s living in South Korea. Until very recently, I worked as a civil servant. In the midst of Korea’s economic instability, being a public official is considered one of the “dream jobs” that parents most desire for their children, simply because you cannot be fired unless you choose to leave. Naturally, it is also the career that parents oppose quitting the most.
Despite the worries surrounding me, I eventually resigned and picked up a paintbrush—something I hadn’t touched in years. Everyone wondered why I would make such a “reckless” and “uncertain” choice.
To be honest, during my relatively short time in the public sector, I felt my soul slowly dying. Mechanical tasks, invisible power struggles, and inefficient procedures and ceremonies… My mind was clouded daily with depression, pessimism, and the feeling that my autonomy and sense of achievement had been stripped away. There were even mornings on my commute when I caught myself wishing for a minor accident just so I wouldn’t have to show up at the office. Realizing I couldn’t maintain my mental health any longer, I decided—after much discussion with my fiancé—to escape that suffocating routine.
2. Why I Started Painting
The time in my life when I painted the most was during my school years. Back then, I was just a quiet student who won a few minor awards and preferred doodling in a notebook alone rather than socializing. Since I had no professional career or formal art education, I lacked confidence at first. However, I soon realized that this lack of “formal training” could actually be a unique opportunity.
I believe that instead of striving for technical perfection, trying different things in my own way and letting my style evolve naturally can become my unique identity as an artist. After all, there are many successful creators out there who have built amazing careers without a formal degree in fine arts.
<My practice drawings👇>
3. Why I Chose Etsy
There are several platforms in Korea similar to ‘Etsy’, and I actually tried uploading my work to one of them. However, I felt limited by the narrow demand and lacked the opportunity to explore diverse styles.
That’s when I discovered Etsy. At the time, there was a huge trend in Korea for finding “side hustles,” and opening an Etsy shop to sell digital art was one of them. Due to a sudden surge of new accounts (and perhaps some resulting issues I’m not entirely aware of), new registrations for Korean sellers were temporarily restricted. I put the idea aside for a while, but when I checked again after quitting my job, registrations had reopened.
Now, I finally have my own Etsy shop.
4. Current Shop Status and Future Outlook
I opened my shop in mid-December 2025 and uploaded my first piece toward the end of that month. Etsy is a massive global platform, and because so many people use it, it is definitely a “red ocean.” Knowing this, I try not to get discouraged by a lack of immediate reaction. My goal is simply to keep creating and uploading consistently.
<My Etsy Shop👇>
As of March, I have seven pieces listed, with four more ready to go. While I see a small bump in views and visits right after a new upload, it hasn’t translated into sales just yet. I know that as my portfolio grows, traffic and meaningful revenue will follow, but I’m not in a rush to inflate the numbers. I started this to draw what I want, at my own pace—not to produce mechanical, formatted results like I did in my civil service job.
I believe that an artist’s soul is reflected in their work. That’s why it’s important for me to paint with a joyful and peaceful heart. I believe that the emotions I feel while creating will eventually reach those who see my art.