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www.groovekorea.com / January 2015 74 Kang Chun-hyoK tests the boundaries of artistiC freedom in h is new home ‘PeoPle ask me whether I can make a lIvIng as an artIst If I keeP doIng these PaIntIngs (of north korea), But that doesn’t matter to me, sInce PeoPle In north korea are stIll starvIng. … and PeoPle aren’t aware of that, even PeoPle here In south korea.’ Kang Chun-hyok S itting across from Kang Chun-hyok af- ter he’s finished class at Hongik University, I find it hard to know where to begin. The 28-year-old visual artist is a bit of an anomaly in South Korea: Not only is the content of his artwork both jarring and politically outspoken, but as a North Ko- rean defector, the experiences he docu- ments — gripping, haunting images of human rights abuses in the North — are beyond the comprehension of most peo- ple who grew up in the developed world. Kang first drew international attention last year for his high-profile stint on the Korean rap talent contest “Show Me the Money,” where he delivered lyrics about what it’s like to live on the “wrong side” of the 38th parallel. But visual art is still his main creative outlet, a skill he was recognized for in the North and has con- tinued to cultivate since arriving in South Korea. A voice for the Nor th Edited by Jenny Na (jenny@groovekorea.com) MUSIC & ARTS Story by Jaime Stief / Artwork by Kang Chun-hyok / Translation by Heidi Son and David Carruth