[Translated][Interview] The Creativity of Ji-yeon Seok: From Fruit Peels to Nature’s Colors….. How Her Stunning Nail Designs Reached Vogue and Inspired Beauty Lovers Worldwide
2025-08-20
Nail art is no longer just a secondary beauty touch, but has become a main part of Korea’s beauty industry and a pillar of what is known as “K-Beauty”. Through Korean dramas and K-pop concerts nails have emerged as a space for artistic and aesthetic expression with celebrities adopting unique designs that reflect their personalities and follow the latest fashion trends. This has helped “K-Nail Art” spread worldwide to the point where many foreign visitors now include nail salons in their travel plans to Korea.
Many stars such as BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Taeyeon of Girls' Generation have shined with nail designs that later became global trends among young people reinforcing Korea’s position as a hub of creativity in this field.
Among the prominent names in this art scene is Korean designer Ji-yeon Seok, owner of Nuha Nail Salon in the Seochon area of Seoul. She is known for her innovative creations inspired by nature, transforming simple details into small works of art on nails. Her latest trend, fruit peel inspired nails, gained wide attention and international recognition, to the point that Vogue Arabia featured her unique designs.
In this special interview which we conducted with her from August 21 to 25, Ji-yeon Seok shares with us her beginnings, inspirations, career milestones, and her vision for the future of Korean nail art on the global stage.
1. To begin, could you introduce yourself to Korea.net readers and tell us a little about your background in nail art?
It is an honor to meet Korea.net readers through this interview. My name is Ji-yeon Seok, owner of Nailnuha. Based in Seochon, where tradition and modernity coexist, I create unique and playful nail art.
2. How did your journey with nail art begin? Did you always see nails as a space for artistic expression or did you discover that later on?
I majored in fashion design and have loved drawing since childhood. After leaving a trading company job, I began learning nail art. The idea of painting within such a small space fascinated me and drew me into this field.
3. Where did the idea of transforming fruit peels into nail art come from? Was there a specific moment or inspiration behind this trend?
It all began with a simple question from a regular client: “What design should we try today?” That day, I happened to have figs from the market in the shop. The idea of “fig nails” came to me, so I studied the peel’s texture and recreated it on the nails.
4. How do you translate the natural texture of fruit peels with their lines and layers onto such a tiny surface like a nail? And which type of fruit was the most challenging to turn into a design, and why?
Capturing the texture of fruit peels cannot be achieved in a single brushstroke. It requires layering multiple strokes to build depth. The key is not focusing on one nail alone but ensuring harmony across all ten fingers, some slightly darker, others softer with green tones, or highlighted with reddish-brown shades. The most challenging design is fig nails as balancing red and green, complementary colors, takes delicate adjustments.
5. How do you take a drawing or an idea and turn it into a practical design? Do you start from personal experiences, or do you experiment with new techniques and transform them into art?
Most of my inspiration comes from nature, flowers blooming each season, autumn leaves turning yellow and red, the humid summer air and lush green forests. My designs often begin with these personal observations and experiences. Of course, I also keep an eye on fashion trends and enjoy reflecting them in my work.
6. How did you feel when your work was featured in Vogue and your trend began circulating on global platforms?
I feel deeply grateful and delighted that people abroad are interested in my designs it’s both heartwarming and surreal.
7. What was the most memorable comment or reaction from your followers that left a mark on you?
One of the most memorable moments was when followers commented with their favorite fruits, asking me to create nail designs inspired by them.
8. In your opinion, what makes Korean nail art different from that of other countries?
I think Korean nail art feels unique because it often emphasizes natural short nails with translucent syrup-gel colors, creating a look as if petals have softly stained the nails.
9. How do you see the connection between K-Beauty culture and the rise of nail art as an essential part of the industry? And from your perspective, what helped K-Nail Art spread so quickly on a global scale?
I am proud and grateful that people around the world love Korean culture. Many foreign visitors even include visiting a Korean nail salon in their travel plans. With K-beauty’s rising global popularity, Korean nail art has also gained recognition. Unlike minimal styles, Korean nails are rich in design elements and evolve quickly with trends. Most salons introduce several new “monthly designs” each month, keeping the styles fresh and dynamic.
10. Which trend do you think will lead the next wave: minimal and natural designs, or bold creations like Fruit Peel Nails?
I don’t think minimal designs will ever become the main trend in Korea (laughs). Even fig nails, which seem simple at first glance, use over five colors. In Korean nail art, there’s really no such thing as “simple”!
11. How has the global rise of K-pop and K-dramas influenced the popularity of K-Nail Art? Have you ever had international clients request designs they saw in dramas or on K-pop icons?
K-nails are definitely influenced by K-pop and K-dramas. For instance, when BLACKPINK’s Jennie wore mint-colored nails, it became a huge trend. Many international fans also request nail designs that match their favorite artist’s album concept.
12. Do you feel that international audiences engage with Korean nail art in the same way as local audiences?
I’ve noticed that overseas clients express themselves more openly. They give lots of compliments and often leave comments like “so pretty” and “beautiful,” which I truly appreciate.
13. Are you currently working on a new trend or a different idea? And how do you envision the future of K-Nail Art in the coming years?
Creativity doesn’t come easily to me, so I put in a lot of effort. Every month, designing new “monthly designs” feels like a challenge (laughs). I focus on observing my surroundings, feeling seasonal changes, and noticing trends. Recently, I’ve been inspired by knitting and crochet, and I’d love to create knit-inspired nails for the upcoming fall and winter.
Keywords:
Fruit Peel Nails, Ji-yeon Seok nail artist, K-beauty trends, Korean nail art, nail art innovation Korea, Nuha Nail, Interview, Korea, Korea net
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