Immersed in Color: Kang Hui at “Art in the Middle” Exhibition
As a magazine that highlights indie artistry and emerging creative talent, Vily Magazine couldn’t overlook the stunning presence of Kang Hui at the recent Art in the Middle exhibition, hosted by ArtBooth Seoul in collaboration with KPLUS which ran from July 24 to August 2, 2025. And among them, Kang Hui’s works stood out with a bold, vivid language of their own.
Best known as a model and actor, Kang Hui’s transition into the art world surprised many, but his work shows he’s not just experimenting—he’s serious. The series “Youth” displayed acrylic and oil pastel works with compositions full of energy and vibrant contrasts. His canvas explodes with saturated reds, pinks, deep blues, and graphic forms that appear almost kinetic.
One of the first works that caught my eye was the disco ball scene: a room awash in red and darkness, pierced by light beams radiating like memories from youth. The perspective, slightly skewed, places the viewer into the scene, as though you’re back in a club on a restless night. It’s immersive, emotionally raw, and visually hypnotic. The atmosphere he evokes reminds me of the urban isolation seen in works by Edward Hopper, yet infused with a neon-tinted pulse akin to David Hockney’s digital studies.
Another piece in the series, portraying a bird’s eye view of a group around a table, is less about formality and more about mood. The brushwork is expressive and spontaneous, and Kang’s use of distortion recalls the emotional stylization of the German Expressionists. There is something deeply nostalgic in his palette—a longing that coexists with celebration.
In his larger works featuring symbolic shapes and abstracted faces, Kang plays with scale and motion. A swirling female profile and a snaking composition of color lines pull viewers into a rhythm. The joy and chaos of Seoul nightlife and the solitude of self-reflection feel stitched into every mark. There’s a strong emotional current, a youthful defiance, and a personal myth-making in his work.
These pieces speak less about perfection and more about immediacy, identity, and atmosphere. They’re not looking to please—they’re looking to feel. For an artist without traditional art school training, Kang Hui is walking in the bold tradition of artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose sincerity and style became louder than any academic pedigree.
Whether or not you know Kang Hui from the screen, his paintings demand attention on their own terms. We at Vily Magazine can’t wait to see where his evolving visual language takes him next.
Exhibition: Art in the Middle Venue: ArtBooth Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Samseong-dong
Date: July 24 – August 2, 2025
Visit @artboothseoul for updates or reserve via their Instagram bio.
