Seoul-based Sujin’s illustrations depict sassy ladies with a cool attitude

Seoul-based illustrator and artist Sujin has created a plethora of illustrations that depict strong, sassy female characters, with the kind of attitude your mother would tell you off for as a teenager. Drawn with languishing limbs, Sujin draws from her own experiences for her work: “I like to draw what I’m like,” she says. “My illustrations are based on my taste, which has become my style.” Sujin’s work is inspired by “movies, books and old photos”, and throughout her images are references to 90s fashion, out-of-date technology, Micky Mouse and other pop culture icons.

A dreamy palette of pastel hued bedrooms contrasts with the brash black hair cuts, heavy lids and nonplussed expressions of her characters. Sujin’s illustrations are standalone but within them she conveys subtle vignettes and themes. “I try to make small scenes in my work. When combined they make a mood, which I think is a good way to explain emotion. People feel the mood and then they can imagine the story,” Sujin explains.