Today we’d like to introduce you to Woosung Jun.
Hi Woosung, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Before I came to Savannah, I was a student studying hotel management in Korea. However, during a school field trip to a hotel in Korea, I saw the Graff diamond necklace on display and became fascinated with the jewelry itself. As a result, I quit studying hotel management and began working as a jewelry salesman in Korea while also looking for jewelry-related schools. That is when I found an art college called SCAD. I worked on my portfolio while continuing to work as a salesman and am now in my final semester as a senior with a BFA major in SCAD jewelry.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, it felt too reckless to change my major at first and come to the US only for that purpose. However, in order to study jewelry in a wider and better environment, I decided to come to the United States. Therefore, I had to save up the tuition in order to be responsible for that decision. My parents didn’t want me to be a jewelry designer at first, so I remember eating only instant noodles for a week to make money faster while saving money as a jewelry salesman. I also had a lot of difficulty studying English because my native language was not English when I came to the United States. But now, I have made great progress and gained a lot of confidence.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am majoring the jewelry design, also I am very into using new technologies such as 3d printing, 3d modeling, and 3d scanning to make jewelry. However, I believe the new technologies have to combine the skills that are existed already such as filing, casting, and soldering. I would say I am a jewelry designer who uses old-fashioned, new technologies together for the artist’s intention.
As a jewelry design student, I’m so proud of my senior collection: Love Myself.
Love Myself concept is to use Korean traditional arts to express my self-love and acceptance of my nationality through the creation of unique eyewear. I have struggled with self-loathing and insecurity, particularly around my nationality as an international student studying in the US. I used to try to hide my accent and pretend to be American, which only made me feel more insecure and ashamed.
However, since I started studying jewelry design, I have found a way to express myself and build confidence through creating unique pieces of jewelry. My goal is to use this passion for jewelry design to create a collection of five eyewear pieces that reflect my Korean heritage and my journey toward self-love and acceptance.
Each of these eyewear pieces will be inspired by Korean traditional arts, including traditional architecture and plant patterns. The frames will be modeled after traditional Korean masks, which were used by Korean people to speak anonymously and avoid attention. The plant patterns on the eyewear will symbolize fortune and good luck for the future.
I believe that my eyewear designs will not only help me overcome my self-loathing and pride myself in my heritage but also inspire others who struggle with insecurity and self-doubt. By showcasing my Korean identity and incorporating traditional Korean arts into my designs, I hope to encourage others to embrace their unique qualities and feel proud of their cultural heritage.
In conclusion, my concept is rooted in the belief that self-love and acceptance require embracing one’s unique qualities rather than trying to hide them. Through my eyewear designs, I aim to inspire others to celebrate their individuality and cultural identity.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I want to work with Fashion and Fine jewelry companies. During my school days, I collaborated often, particularly with fashion students, which sparked my interest in the rapidly evolving fashion industry. Furthermore, fine jewelry has been captivating, and it was the reason why I changed my major to jewelry. Therefore, I am still passionate about the fine jewelry industry
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.behance.net/woosungjun1
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/woosungjun_jewelry?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/woosungjun
Image Credits
Jewelry Designer: Woosung Jun @ Woosungjun_jewelry Fashion Designer: Minsuk Kwack@minsukkwackfashion Bag: Do Hyeon Lee @hyeonn_ Photographer/Editor: Sophia Lee @sopleephoto@ixxrin BTS Photographer: Angie Guddat @photos.ang Mike Posner @fictiveillusion Production Design: Iyeon Kim@iyeonkim_design, Katie Lee@katie0lee_ Makeup; Elizabeth Snider@webbmakeup Talents: Mackenzie Snider@mackenzie.snider, Yufei Huo@iris_bulabula, Isabella Leaf@leafisabella, Olivia O’Malley@olivia_omalley_, Cianna Saunders@ciannasaunders
