In Conversation With Hannah Sung

Projects Watches in Conversation with Artist, Hannah Sung 
Interview by Drew Nearing, Projects Watches Head of Partnerships 

Known for her ability to "embrace her weirdness" and draw inspiration from her past, Hannah Sung has carved out a unique space for herself in the art world. As the creative force behind the popular alter ego Meowyoface  she has garnered a substantial following of over 800k across Instagram and TikTok, where she discovers the freedom to express herself creatively. During our campaign shoot at an H-Mart in Los Angeles, we were able to catch up with Hannah, exploring the intriguing inspiration behind the design of her Dancheong series, her life as a mother, and, naturally, food! 

PROJECTS WATCHES: 
Hannah it’s so great to be working with you on reissuing your extremely popular Dancheong watch design in a smaller 33mm size! While preparing for the shoot I was looking on your website, www.hannahsung.com , and I have to know before we dive in, what did curly fries ever do to you?? 

HANNAH SUNG: 
I think curly fries are an abomination. During my early days of dating Brad, I asked him to buy me fries at the airport without specifying a type. He returned with a batch of curly fries... It was the first documented fight of our relationship. Brad said that curly fries are better because they are seasoned and consistent amongst restaurants. I told him that the potatoes are ruined by a hateful amount of salt. I feel the excessive seasoning is really disrespectful to perfectly fine potatoes. If I were a potato, I would be very offended. I’m sure you guys would understand!        

PW: 
Listen, I understand! * Reader, I love Arby’s Curly Fries, I can’t lie * 

PW: 
On a more serious note, the Dancheong watch has been such a hit here at Project Watches and we are so excited to now be launching the 33mm size! With this design in particular could you tell me what the inspiration behind it was?

HS: 
Mini Dancheong is a rebirth of the original Dancheong in a tinier package. Its size fits a more traditionally feminine aesthetic. It's hard to find cool watches that fit folks with smaller wrists and I hope this can help with that issue! 

PW: 
I love the quote from our original Dancheong drop, “This piece was inspired by memories of the past; full of scars but also filled with love. We all heal with time.” What is something that time has healed for you? 

HS: 
This is a heavy subject of mine and maybe many people can relate. I came from a very strict family. Although I was born in Seattle, 10 years of my life were spent in Korea. I hate to admit it, but Korea is a painful place to remember. I was 15 when I moved back to the United States. There is a common saying that the first child is the "test child." The first child is the one that parents make the mistakes with. Daily beatings were  normalized in my family. In my early youth, I was desperate to believe that Korea was to blame for my blue childhood. As time passed I realized Korea was never to be blamed. In fact, my search for a sense of belonging to Korea has gradually grown, and now it has become almost my obsession. Art became the world that I poured my pain into. I make art to connect with my past. It’s my way to heal the old wound that I didn’t understand at the time. Dancheong represents that. All the design elements of Dancheong are based on Korean traditional interior design motifs. Dancheong symbolizes nature and the infinite time.

Am I healed now? I think so. I’ll never fully know. I think this is my forever homework. But, I know this for sure. I adore that young vulnerable Hannah, who was so lost and hurt, and was longing to find herself again. I can imagine her being so ecstatic if I told her I made watch designs. Everyone has some scars in their pasts. I think those pain sometimes can be a lifelong struggle to heal and find peace. I hope this piece can relate with them and encourage them to love themselves. Now that I’m a mom, this is very important to me. I want my son, Zev to learn that connecting with inner creativity is very important to heal and grow.    

PW: 
Thank you so much for sharing, I believe so many people can really connect with finding solace in creativity and your craft is a beautiful expression of this! 

PW: 
We are so lucky to have Zev (and of course Brad) included in our shoot with you, I couldn’t stop smiling at all of the pictures he’s in. How important is art for you in his daily routine?

HS: 
After playing with the bubble gun, we usually do dinner and bath. Then, we follow up with quiet time. We sit down and draw. He now can say red, blue, and orange. I think blue is his favorite color though. He often pushes the markers too hard and draws outside the paper and the carpet gets ruined, but I love every moment of art time. Then, we follow up with books before bed. Currently pumpkin moonshine and ghost stories are his favorite. I think storytelling is also art. I try to make art more natural at home. When Zev grows up, I hope he remembers these moments.        

PW: 
Something I loved about this shoot was connecting the cultural inspirations into how we move through time in our daily tasks, and how that connects us in many ways back to our history and family. What are some things in your daily life that help you feel connected to your history and family?

HS: 
Food. Rice is Zev’s daily food. Rice is served with almost every meal. Sometimes I add soy sauce egg and sometimes it'll be something more like tofu broccoli. Sometimes I ask myself, "Is this good for his diet?" I don’t know. But I know that this is my daily effort to have him identify himself as Korean. I want to teach him that he roots.     

PW: 
How would you say social media informs your artistic practice? 

HS: 
On social media, I am meowyoface It’s where I can thrive with my creativity. It’s where I curate my art the most. The support and love I get from social media encourages me to stay on the path of the artist. Now that I’m a mom, and because I’m so used to focusing on keeping my alter ego thriving online in the past, I’m afraid to post my raw feelings sometimes. Being a parent is not all sunshine and rainbow really. It’s waaaay more poop and vomit with all that spice; and tears. Lots of tears, haha.  I’m really hoping that I overcome that fear to share the more honest me as a parent in the future. 

PW: 
As we come to the end here, I’d love to know, where do you feel time deepest? 

HS: 
When I’m making art. Being a mom, personal time for myself is very limited. When I have time writing in my journal and making art, that’s when I feel like I’m myself the most. That’s when I can be most honest with myself and stay connected with my inner child.