Schools & Study

My father had studied in Japan before and encouraged me to do the same.

I taught myself Japanese. I’ve always loved Japanese manga, and since I learned the language through manga, listening comprehension was initially difficult for me. Later, I took the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and the Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU) in Korea before enrolling at Kobe Design University.

Since I’m from Seoul, Tokyo felt too similar. I wanted to study somewhere that felt more foreign. I also preferred the Kansai region over Kanto, and I had visited Kobe during high school and really liked its atmosphere. These factors led me to choose Kobe Design University.

The university has excellent facilities, including a well-equipped computer lab with the latest software and devices, which is perfect for an illustration major like me. The campus also has dedicated seminar rooms and “Gallery Serendip,” making learning enjoyable.

Other departments are also well-equipped. The Product & Craft Design Department, for example, has a variety of specialized labs, making it one of the most well-rounded universities in Japan. Plus, it’s conveniently located just a seven-minute walk from Gakuentoshi Station on the subway.

I’m majoring in Illustration and Picture Book Creation within the Visual Design Department. I was initially interested in motion graphics, but after meeting a professor specializing in graffiti, I became fascinated by illustration as a way to express individuality and identity.

In our seminar, students continuously paint over previous graffiti works, creating new pieces each week. Through this process of creation and analysis, I am refining my artistic sensibilities.

I wanted to depict people in society, so I created a piece titled Lost My Way, My Feet. After discussing it with my professor, we settled on this title. The artwork took about a week to complete, and I exhibited it at the “VA3ARTSHOW” held in July this year.

Kobe Design University has an exchange program with 12 universities in 8 countries. I challenged myself to apply for a study abroad opportunity at the Weißensee Academy of Art Berlin in Germany, even though it’s not one of our partner schools. Since it was a rare opportunity, I put in my best effort.

I’m still waiting for the results, but regardless of the outcome, I’m proud of the portfolio I created and feel that the experience was meaningful.

I love K-POP, so I want to work as a visual art director at an entertainment agency in the future!

I often visit cafés in Sannomiya with my friends. Kobe also has great saunas and hot springs—I especially love Arima Onsen.

Kobe is an international and captivating place to study, with breathtaking night views and plenty of spots to show your family and friends when they visit. I believe it’s a city where you can encounter wonderful moments of serendipity.