Namjoon's Scenery
In Namjoon’s lyrics for Bicycle, he writes the following: '진짜 소중한 건 눈에 보이지 않아' (things that are truly precious are not to be seen with eyes). Indeed, there are moments that are not meant to be seen, but felt with the heart. This mini collection of illustrations was curated to celebrate Namjoon's 27th birthday, showcasing some of the sceneries and moments that Namjoon has shared with us over the years.
I hope that these illustrations take you on a journey with Namjoon as he shares snippets of his life alongside his tenacity and curiosity for the little things. My wish is that not only do you see, but also feel these shared moments with your heart. If you would like to read more on my reasons for starting this little project, please click here.
And now, presenting to you, Namjoon's Scenery.
(lyrics translation cr: doolset_bangtan on twitter)
I must stress this, please do not repost, trace or download any of the content here for commercial purposes, my friend and I took time and effort to curate and bring this passion project to life. Please respect our decision, thank you!
Changing of the Seasons, 2021
This picture was taken in Feburary 2017, during the transition from Winter to Spring. The caption that Namjoon attached with the picture reads: “제가 사랑하는 곳”, which translates to ‘the place I love’.
I used rosy tones of pink, blue and purple to reflect the love and comfort that he finds in this place. This is consistent with ideas of a spring day, reflecting one’s hope for better days ahead.
Although the original picture did not contain that many shades of pink, I added it in by drawing more leaves and flowers in my illustration. The pink leaves symbolise cherry blossoms, fitting in to the overarching theme of changing seasons; this contrasts greatly with the pale snowy ground and brown neutral foliage in the background. Through this, we see Winter coming to an end and welcome the arrival of Spring.
everythingoes, 2021
What caught my attention was the element of movement in the photo, which I sought to capture in my illustration - his walking, his coat moving around and the yellow grass around him.
I also feel that the warmer tones perfectly encapsulate the mood found in everythingoes; it is neither cheery nor bright, but beauty can still be found in dull moments. Dull moments can’t stay the same forever, and will eventually move along.
Summer, 2020
This photo was taken in the summer of 2018. It was love at first sight when I saw this photo - every component of the composition just stood out to me. The colours, layout, Namjoon’s pose and position all worked well together.
His facial expression is one of content and rejuvenation, and I tried to emulate that in my illustration through the use of bright and vibrant colours.
I strive to convey his feelings of joy and happiness through my interpretation of the scenery behind him, hoping that the viewer would feel the same.
I used different brushes to add texture and depth to the illustration, alongside an attempt to evoke a sense of calm and serenity. The calculated pops of orange, red and yellow coupled with his pink clothes and brown boots bring the piece to life.
Lastly, with the contrast between the greenery and the blue sky, I wanted to highlight characteristics associated with Summer.
Autumn in Paris, 2021
This photo was taken in October 2018, when Namjoon was in Paris. I especially like this photo because of the colour palette used, and how his outfit complements the scenery in the background.
Namjoon visited this place while they were on the European leg of the Love Yourself tour, around the time when his mixtape Mono was released. There were probably a lot of thoughts going through his mind at that moment of time, and this illustration captures both his physical scenery and emotional landscape.
Personally, I had intentions to draw this for a very long time; I wanted to make a pin out of this at the start of 2019. However, I wasn’t satisfied with the pantone colours that I initially selected. The colour palette just didn’t seem to capture the depth and overall feeling that I intended. Hence, this completed illustration is especially significant to me and I had no doubts about including it in this collection.
Autumn, 2021
The clear skies in this photo immediately caught my eye, evoking feelings of calm and serenity. This, in contrast with the vibrant colours of the mountains, gives life to the composition of the picture. The warm orange tones of the background juxtaposed against Namjoon’s dull outfit (sweatpants!!!) is aesthetically pleasing to my eyes, and credit must be given to the autumn colours present.
There is an added dimension of nature and its power in this illustration, something that us humans cannot control but can’t help but to admire.
Ahh! You've reached the end of the exhibition! Thank you for taking the time to come to my little corner on the Internet and read a few things I had running through my mind. I appreciate all of you so much.
If you would like to purchase any of these artworks as prints, wooden pins, or washi tape, you can find them here available in my art store. They will be launching on 18 September, 11PM KST. Thank you!