As we eagerly await the arrival of The Gateway Korea, we invite you to join us on our journey to our flagship event that will take place worldwide. The Gateway will feature an audiovisual gallery where art, technology and community converge. Participants can also chat by the fire with visionary makers around the world, representing both Western and Eastern culture.
While on our way to Korea, we interviewed some of the biggest Korean creators in the Web3 space who will be exhibiting at the event, each pioneering their artistic journey in unique ways.
DeeKay Kwon, commonly referred to as “DeeKay Motion”, is a renowned 2D animator from South Korea. While he calls himself “an ordinary animator” on his social media, he is far from it. With over a decade of experience in animation, DeeKay ventured into the NFT space nearly three years ago, pushing the boundaries of traditional art.
To this day, he continues to explore new horizons within the digital world in an extraordinary way. A notable example is his recent collaboration with a patron of digital art Cozomo de’Medici to release its first-ever open-edition artwork on Base with Coinbase L2 and Friends with benefits (FWB). After a successful coin, the reclusive artist decided to share more of it his personal story publicly. DeeKay now continued a conversation with nft, in which he delved into his journey, a deeper exploration of his cultural identity and his artistic creation for The Gateway: Korea.
Humble start
During his formative years, DeeKay candidly shares that he struggled with a lack of focus in several school subjects. Rather than following conventional academic pursuits, his days were immersed in daydreams and sketches that took solace in his artwork.
Finally, he decided to go to art school, where he discovered and honed his passion for drawing. The introduction to an animation class marked a turning point. Hours were spent meticulously crafting frame after frame, revealing an unforeseen power of concentration.
“I found myself immersed in drawing frame by frame for eight hours, amazed at my newfound ability to focus, which I never thought I was capable of,” says DeeKay. “I realized I’m not stupid after all.”
Now, after a decade in animation and manufacturing experience, DeeKay had big companies like Google and Apple under his belt. While financial stability was achieved, a creative void remained. Despite achieving financial stability, a creative void remained. His hours after work were spent meticulously creating deeply passionate personal art, which he shared on Instagram for seven years.
Eventually, after support from a growing audience, DeeKay reached 400,000 followers, fueling his artistic motivation. After discovering NFTs, he hasn’t looked back since. Looking back on this remarkable journey, it becomes clear that his path to success was not linear. The initial struggles with focus were not indicators of intellect, but rather the pursuit of his true passion.
“Am I dreaming?” at The Gateway: Korea
DeeKay presents a recent unique piece of art titled ‘Am I Dreaming?’, which was successfully auctioned through AOTM. Describing the piece, he explains, “It’s basically a self-portrait that visualizes how I spend most of my time. Most of the time, like alone in the dark, I am constantly thinking about ideas and trying to bring them to life.”
DeeKay then reveals the intricate layers within the artwork, explaining, “It’s a mixture of struggle, fun and drowsiness, and I usually work late hours a lot. Often I hit a wall and sometimes I doubt myself, and then I take a short nap. The beginning of the piece came from his desire to show his working style realistically, as he concludes, “I wanted to visualize that and animate it in some way.” That’s how I came up with the piece.”
Identity: from stereotypes to acceptance
DeeKay says the recent global recognition of Korean culture has developed over the past few years, citing K-pop, Korean cuisine, and Korean movies as major influences.
“Korea has consistently been at the forefront of technology trends,” he said. “It feels natural for Koreans to embrace new technological developments.”
As Asian culture is increasingly embraced in the US, DeeKay, as a Korean-American, has faced its fair share of racial stereotypes and prejudice. Looking back on his journey, he realized the deep-seated prejudices he encountered and how they influenced his experiences. It was not until later in life that he fully realized the magnitude of the challenges he faced as a result of these prejudices.
“I had to make an extra effort to make friends in general. When they look at Korean people or Asians in general, they think of someone who is very nerdy and not very popular or athletic,” he recalled. “With all this Korean influence happening globally, I wonder: [what] Would it be like reliving high school life?
Observing shifts in societal attitudes, he noted, “It seems that American kids are now more open and accepting of Asians in general. It is good to see what changes are taking place. It makes me proud.”
But despite the challenges, the prospect of returning to business in America did not frighten DeeKay. His unwavering dedication to art remained steadfast and drew satisfaction from the connections formed through his creative expressions.
“I spent half my life in Korea and the other half in America,” said DeeKay, providing insight into his artistic journey. “This dual background has profoundly shaped me as an artist. The charm, aesthetics and nostalgia people associate with my art are undeniably influenced by Korean culture. Conversely, the simplicity of design finds its roots in the American context.”
While from Korea, DeeKay was educated in San Diego and then attended graphic design school, a factor he considered to be a major factor in shaping his artistic sensibilities.
A positive future
DeeKay’s story also reflects the broader shifts in cultural perception and acceptance. The journey from enduring stereotypes to being part of the catalyst for change demonstrates the transformative potential of art and culture. The emergence of NFTs further illustrates its adaptability and willingness to embrace cutting edge developments and capture the zeitgeist of a rapidly changing world.
In addition to his exhibition at The Gateway: Korea, DeeKay will also present his first-ever solo exhibition during Korea Blockchain Week.
Ultimately, DeeKay’s story is a reminder that our stories are not only etched by external circumstances, but shaped by our own choices and the passions that ignite our spirits. Through every twist, he emerges as an artist, a storyteller and a symbol of perseverance, reminding us that every journey has the power to shape and inspire, both in art and beyond.