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Acclaimed South Korean artist Kim Jung Gi sadly passed away on October 4th. The influential comic artist and World Record-holder was only 47. According to the artist’s social media account, he was flying to New York Comic Con from an exhibition in Paris when he began suffering chest pains. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead.
— Kim Jung Gi US (@KimJungGiUS) October 5, 2022
Kim Jung Gi, the Artist
According to CNN, Kim Jung Gi began his art career by drawing for the South Korean comics publication Young Jump. Then, he established his own manhwa, a style of South Korean comic called “Tiger the Long Tail” or “TLT.” He would go on to become known for his detailed and highly-precise pieces that included meticulous environments, characters, and landscapes.
He is also known for his live sessions, where he would cover massive canvases with intricate scenes, often without any reference. According to him, he would envision these scenes from “visual snippets” he committed to memory. In an interview with Visual Atelier, he admitted that for most of his large pieces he had “about 60% of the image” already in mind. He would then improvise the rest.
Beyond the live sessions, the South Korean artist also taught in an academic setting. He lectured at universities about his style and the art of manhwa. He also holds the Guinness World Record for “longest drawing by an individual” for his recording of himself creating an intricate piece.
The World of Comics
Kim Jung Gi also contributed his art to the world of comics. His work can be found in graphic novels and comics like Paradis, Third Humanity, and SpyGames. Plus, he worked on several projects with both DC and Marvel. In fact, his trip to Paris just before his death was spent completing a Batman illustration complete with the caped crusader, Catwoman, and other DC villains.
Following news of Kim’s passing, comic legend Jim Lee called him “one of the absolute greats.” Meanwhile, Marvel’s editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski noted that “there is no one quite like” him.
His absence in the art world will surely be felt.