A Self Interview with Puuung

Known for her heartwarming love stories, Puuung shares her own story in this candid self-interview. From her first steps in drawing, the challenges she faced while studying animation at university, to the origins of her name — get to know the artist behind the illustrations.

Tell Us About Yourself

Hi, I’m Puuung. My real name is Dami Park. I was born in 1992 in South Korea. I've loved drawing since I was very young. I'm quiet and shy, but I was even quieter when I was little. I think drawing was easier than speaking. When I drew, it felt like I was calmly expressing what I wanted to say, and that was really comforting. I also loved moving pictures because I was usually a still person — so I naturally loved animation. That led me to study animation in university. But school life wasn’t always fun.

I didn’t think I was good at drawing. I knew I lacked skill, so I worked hard on every assignment my professors gave. I drew when they said to draw, and thought when they said to think. I even foolishly accepted excessive outsourcing work. I would stay up all night drawing, trying to complete my tasks somehow. This routine wore me out and led me into a slump. I ended up hating drawing, something I once loved with all my heart. And once I began to hate it, the world itself seemed to lose its color.

I told myself I couldn’t go on like that. So I decided to draw for myself — just one picture a day. Because it was for me, I filled it with the things I love: cozy spaces, love stories, and cats. That’s how I began drawing little moments of love. Later, I started turning them into animations, doing more of what I truly enjoy. And thanks to that, I’m still happily working today.

When Did You Start Digital Art?

The first time I drew on a computer was when I was around 14. I don’t remember how I got the tablet, but I became obsessed with it, drawing with my school friends all the time. I kept using that tablet through high school, but eventually it broke — in a strange way. I couldn’t draw with it anymore, but I could still use it for coloring. So I started drawing on paper and then coloring digitally. Even after getting a better tablet, I stuck with that process. It’s now my unique style — a blend that really shows the sensitivity of pencil lines.

Do You Have Any Other Hobbies?

I like games. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I barely left the house, and I spent most of my free time playing games. I used to enjoy Monster Hunter, and these days I’m into various Steam games.

What Does 'Puuung' Mean?

Puuung is an onomatopoeia in Korean — like the sound of something bursting. It doesn’t have a deep meaning, and I don’t remember exactly when or how I started using it. Originally, I tried to make an ID with "PUNG," but it was already taken, so I just added more U’s without much thought. If I had known I’d be using it this long, I would’ve picked something more carefully. But I do like how it sounds — it’s cute. The word’s intonation gives it a certain feeling, and I like that. I’ve come to feel really attached to it, especially hearing foreigners pronounce it in funny ways.

Where Do You Get Inspiration?

When I’m thinking of what to draw, I usually start with background references. I used to read architecture books and interior magazines, and now I search a lot online or use Pinterest. I think the setting is really important — the story can change based on where the characters are. Like, their actions would be different in a bathroom versus a café. I imagine what the characters are doing in each space before I draw.

I also get inspired by daily life. I’m a simple person who’s touched by little things — eating chocolate, seeing the moon, or talking with loved ones. My drawings include those little happy scenes. Sometimes they’re things I want to do with someone I love someday. Other times, they come from the experiences of friends or family.

Are the Main Characters Inspired by Your Real-Life Relationships?

All my characters are fictional. But I do think the main ones — D, M, and Garfield — reflect parts of me. M’s innocence and playfulness, D’s sweetness, and Garfield’s laziness — they’re all me. That’s why I named them after my initials: D for Dami and M.

Their jobs were chosen simply based on what I found interesting. M is an architect because I had architect friends. D is a scientist thanks to a friend and a science YouTuber I spoke with. Same goes for B and E — their roles came about as I developed D.

Through D and M, I wanted to show cozy, lovely moments between a couple. With F and P, I wanted to capture that first feeling of falling in love. And with E and B, I wanted to show love blossoming between longtime friends. People often assume my work reflects my real life, but it doesn’t. I’m not married, and I don’t have a beautiful house like in my drawings. Most of the settings in my illustrations come from imagination.

What Software Do You Use to Create Animations?

I use Photoshop, TVPaint, After Effects, and Protools. First, I sketch the background with a pencil on paper, then scan it and color it using Photoshop. I animate and do additional coloring in TVPaint. For sound effects, I use Protools, and I finish the editing in After Effects. As for hardware, I use a Wacom Cintiq tablet and sometimes Procreate on my iPad.