What Yoon-ha Taught Me About Art and Skincare
I met Yoon-ha for brunch in Yangjae.
The last time I’d seen her was at a funeral. We then arranged to meet on a lighter occasion, catch up about what’s going on in each other’s lives, eat, laugh, and do more of catching up.
She asked how I came about quitting my full-time job to start my own brand. Yoon-ha and I have been friends since high school, so she knows me inside out. Even for her, my decision to leave corporate and take the leap came as a surprise.
Yoon-ha & me in high school
I explained why — why there needs to be a new skincare brand, one that’s designed with women in mind, respects their time for self-care, and promises only the essentials. As an ex-corporate who often indulged in skincare as a mode of self-love, I had to dedicate this one to the women.
Yoon-ha is a ceramic artist working at an arts and fashion brand in Seoul. She oversees exhibitions across the city: Hannam, Seochon, and beyond. Yoon-ha has a similar aspiration to build something of her own, though more poetic than mine.
Me: What have you been up to recently?
Yoon-ha: Ah, I moved from an overly spacious apartment to a tiny, compact studio. Now, everything — and I mean everything — in my house is within reach.
To move, I had to part with a whole bunch of items I’d been holding onto, things that no longer served a purpose. The physical act of clearing my space had the same effect on my mind. It feels comforting to know exactly where everything I own is.
Me: I agree. Where you live impacts how you live.
Speaking of, where do you see yourself living in the future?
Yoon-ha: I haven’t thought of that much but… if I were to choose, it would definitely be somewhere in Asia. Taiwan maybe.
I have a profound appreciation for Asian cultures — tea, ceramic art, and folk crafts. There are certain realizations you can only arrive at here. When you visit antique shops in Seoul (especially around Insa-dong), you’ll find folk craft pieces that beautifully capture the mundanity of everyday life.
I’m especially inspired by crafts that center on ordinary people. While art is often seen as an asset of the upper class, crafts overturn that narrative and honor the lives we actually live.
Me: That’s beautiful.. Is that also how you approach your ceramic work?
Yoon-ha: Right. Folk crafts are a constant source of inspiration. There’s nothing extravagant about them, and that’s what makes them more meaningful.
I believe in the power of “objects” — the tools of everyday life. We, as homo fabers, are made to work with objects. And whether or not those objects are thoughtfully designed directly impacts our experience. Even this cup I’m drinking from — its lightweight body and delicate lines make my day just a little more special.
In today’s world of hyper-production, I find it heartbreaking how quickly things are manufacted and discarded. Mass-produced items are created without purpose and used without meaning.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with mass-produced goods, but I’m personally an advocate for the handmade. I want to continue creating art with my own hands — even if it takes me hours to make what a machine could replicate in seconds. I want to preserve art that feels human.
Me: Love that. You also have a particular love for skincare.
What items do you have on you now?
Yoon-ha: I do!
Here’s everything I carry.
You’ll notice multiple of these oils & aromas. Working in the arts industry is a constant love & hate situation. These aromas are to soothe and relieve myself midst more stressful workdays.
This La-Roche Posay sunscreen is another must-carry. Summer’s getting hotter each year, and I cannot go without this. It’s a lightweight sunscreen that doesn’t leave a greasy finish, so I have it on me to reapply daily during summer time.
Avene’s Eau Thermale has a similar purpose in my vanity bag. It’s a SOS cure for hot summers (and also drier winters), supplying my face with supple moisture and calms irritation. Soothing effects are what I especially seek for in skincare.
And after more skincare chat, we called it a day.
At AROOM, our soon-to-launch skincare brand, we look up to women like Yoon-ha — not only my dearest high school friend, but an inspiring artist. We love what she does and how she does it. Hoping that AROOM becomes a form of relief for women like her, we’re building toward our July launch with care and intention.
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