Jee Soo Kim is a South Korea-based illustrator and author-illustrator known for her warm, luminous imagery and heart-led storytelling. Her creative path began in the world of animation, where she developed a keen eye for character and mood. These skills continue to shape her illustrations with a strong sense of pacing, emotion, and visual narrative.
While picture books remain an important part of her practice, Jee Soo’s work is driven by a broader interest in illustration as a storytelling medium. She enjoys capturing quiet moments, soft emotions, and the small comforts of everyday life, creating images that feel gentle, intimate, and emotionally grounded. Working digitally with a painterly, hand-crafted feel, she layers subtle textures and nostalgic colour palettes to build inviting visual worlds.
Having collaborated with several publishers in South Korea, Jee Soo is now focused on expanding her illustration work internationally across a range of narrative-driven projects, including children’s publishing. Outside of her studio, she maintains a daily journaling practice, documenting small, precious moments from everyday life. Many of these observations quietly find their way into the heart of her creative work.