With a warm memorial at NYCC, fans are honoring renowned Korean illustrator Kim Jung Gi, who passed away unexpectedly last week.
Fans showed their support for revered illustrator and manhwa creator Kim Jung Gi at his booth at New York Comic-Con after he unexpectedly passed away earlier this week, shocking and upsetting art lovers around.
At the New York Comic Con, Kim’s Artist Alley table was empty until tributes from admirers and other creators started to arrive. Convention-goers honored the cherished artist by leaving flowers, writing sincere wishes on the table skirt, and publishing tribute illustrations online. Social media posts from visitors to the memorial prompted reposts from the artist’s supporters.
Adam Hughes, a New York Times bestseller and award-winning artist, was one such individual. Travis B. Hill’s (@travisbhill5) photo of Kim Jung Gi’s Artist Alley table was retweeted by Hughes, who added his commentary by writing, “This weekend, Kim Jung Gi, RIP, was scheduled to attend NYCC. Flowers and notes are being placed in his vacant booth.”
Kim Jung Gi, RIP, was to attend NYCC this weekend. His empty booth is being filled with flowers and messages. https://t.co/qBKkuoYfhe
— Adam Hughes (@AH_AdamHughes) October 6, 2022
The well-known artist was getting ready to board a flight from Paris, France, to New York for Comic-Con when he started to feel terrible chest symptoms. His untimely demise was revealed on Kim’s official social media page: “We must inform you, with great sorrow and a heavy heart, of Kim Jung Gi’s unexpected death.
Other artists in the alley have left notes on Kim Jung Gi’s table. My heart. #NYCC2022 pic.twitter.com/3shI0pYqHd
— Leah Cornish 🏳️🌈 SPOOKY SZN IS HERE (@Leah617) October 6, 2022
After completing his final schedule in Europe, Jung Gi left for the airport to catch a flight to New York, where he sadly passed away after experiencing chest problems and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.” Hyun Jin Kim, his associate, remarked, “You can now put down your brushes after doing so much for us. Jung Gi, thank you.”
Kim Jung Gi Has Left A Profound Legacy
The passing of Kim Jung Gi shocked not only the art community but also publishers, including Marvel Comics. On October 6, 2022, the comic titan sent a tweet containing Kim’s artwork and the following message: “We are devastated to hear that artist and visionary Kim Jung Gi has passed away.
Few could have captivated fans’ hearts the way his big designs did, and he will be remembered for his genuinely limitless and innovative work. Our thoughts are currently with his family.”
Kim was a Korean artist born in Goyang-Si, in the Kyongki-Do province, in 1975. He graduated from Fine Arts School at the age of 19 with a degree in “Art & Design” before enrolling at Dong-Eui University in Busan. Throughout his career, he worked with many well-known artists, including the acclaimed Japanese illustrator Katsuya Terada and the well-known French comic book writer Jean-David Morvan.
Along with collaborating with other artists, he exhibits his work at a number of galleries and museums throughout the world, from Penang, Malaysia, to Paris, France. Kim oversaw AniChanga, a drawing academy in Seoul.
