Mikey Espinosa, a British Filipino artist, has the remarkable ability to tell tales through his craft, whether it be people or through rolling landscapes across a canvas. Espinosa features the Hanbok in his art to showcase its longstanding beauty and meaning as a powerful symbol of Korean heritage. Over the years, the artist found himself blossoming as he reached new peaks of success. Soon, he found himself going on to create the Hanbok Wave with co-founder Hanguk Hapa. Together they've showcased the versatility of Hanbok, drawing attention to modern wearable pieces while preserving its core cultural essence.
Having put on past exhibitions, Espinosa’s back once again with The Beauty of Hanbok. His sixth exhibit will set out to display a collection of art pieces centering around his view of Hanbok. We at The K-Wave can't wait to see what he has in store! The exhibition will take place this year from 24th October until the 26th in London.
For now, we grabbed the very busy artist for a chat; discussing his love for art, how he incorporates his Filipino heritage and of course, his latest exhibition.
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Kpopwise: Let's start with the exciting news of your upcoming art exhibition, The Beauty of Hanbok, which has been a labour of love and hard work. What keeps you motivated to put on such a detail-orientated event?
Mikey: When something fascinates me, it becomes a kind of wormhole; I can’t help but dive in and explore every detail. It turns into a hyperfixation that fuels my curiosity and excitement. As I learn more, I feel a strong urge to share that knowledge with others. I think that’s where my attention to detail comes from, this drive to not only absorb everything but also to communicate it clearly and meaningfully. I naturally pick up on subtle things that others might overlook, sometimes to the point of sensory overload. Curating all that information into something coherent and engaging is probably why my work often comes across as so detail-orientated.
Kpopwise: The exhibit itself will feature not just your pieces, but a fashion show will also take place. For those coming, what can they expect – any little sneak peeks you wish to share?
Mikey: The fashion show will include items of clothing I’ve been gifted or bought during my trips to Korea, and each look will represent each designer I’ve become friends with. The second half is a secret for now, but let’s just say I am doing my best to try and make Hanbok more accessible in the UK!
Kpopwise: You incorporate the beauty of hanbok in quite a few pieces, and it is the title of the exhibition. What does hanbok mean to you both culturally and personally?
Mikey: To me, Hanbok represents beauty, tradition, and a deep sense of community. During my time in Korea, I was welcomed into the Hanbok community with such warmth and generosity. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in charity events, cultural celebrations, and fashion showcases, but what stands out most is the incredible sense of connection and shared pride within the community.
I see Hanbok as more than just traditional clothing; it’s a powerful symbol of cultural heritage. It’s inspiring to see how Koreans not only honour this tradition but also breathe new life into it, modernising Hanbok so it can be worn alongside everyday fashion, making it accessible while preserving its essence. That balance between history and innovation is what makes Hanbok truly unique to me.
Kpopwise: How important is it to you to have your own culture embedded in your pieces?
Mikey: I've always taken great pride in my Filipino heritage, and I want to wear that identity as proudly as I wear the Hanbok. There's something incredibly intricate and delicate about Filipino textiles, just as there's a unique elegance and grace in the design of the Korean Hanbok. While each culture has its own rich beauty, bringing the two together holds deep personal meaning for me. Of course, I make sure to get the approval of both the Filipino artisan who wove the fabric and the Korean designer behind the Hanbok. The last thing I want is to be disrespectful or cause offence.
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Kpopwise: You are the co-founder of the Hanbok Wave with Hanguk Hapa, aka Becky. What got you both together to start such a project and create such an interesting movement?
Mikey: HangukHapa, through all the incredible work she does for the British Korean community, is also on a journey of discovering her own heritage. Along the way, we’ve been learning about Hanbok together and collaborating on projects to share what we’ve discovered. She’s deeply committed to creating a community that celebrates Korean culture while also guiding others on how to engage with it respectfully. That’s why I believe she’s the perfect person to co-found an organisation with, one that not only educates people about Hanbok but also creates a sense of community. She’s become one of my closest friends. We understand each other and our different approaches and work ethics and how we can really complement one another.
Kpopwise: Having experimented with a lot of different forms of creativity, such as traditional art, Hanboks etc. What drew you to express yourself through them? Where did your love of art begin, and who influenced you to start?
Mikey: My love for art has been with me for as long as I can remember. Even as a toddler, I would constantly ask for a pen and paper just so I could draw. Over time, I’ve realised that what truly captivates me in art are people, their lives, their emotions, and the stories they carry.
When I visited Korea, I became deeply immersed in the world of Hanbok. I met so many fascinating individuals whose passion for traditional clothing and culture left a lasting impression on me. As someone who has always been drawn to clothing, these encounters sparked something powerful. Their stories, their dedication, and the beauty of Hanbok inspired me to translate their experiences into visual form, to share their narratives through my art.
Kpopwise: Do you find you prefer to stick to the same style when creating, or do you like to play with other canvases and materials?
Mikey: Actually, I’ve been creating art, telling stories, and sharing them online since around 2011. If you had seen my earlier work, before my social media presence grew thanks to TikTok, you’d notice that both the style and themes were quite different from what they are now.
As an artist, I believe in staying open to exploration and growth, so I can’t say I’ll ever fully commit to just one style. There was a time when I built a modest following by doing redesigns of popular characters. But eventually, I found myself forcing that type of work, even after I had creatively outgrown it. It started to feel draining, and that’s when I realised that sticking to a single style of art just because it is “working” in terms of gaining attention just isn’t sustainable for me. Art, after all, should evolve with the artist.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with a wide range of mediums, from textiles and sculpture to watercolour, acrylic, and oil painting. I’ve also written comic books and fairy tale stories, but a large part of my recent audience discovered me through my work inspired by Korean culture.
It’s important to clarify that Korean culture isn’t a passing trend for me. I’ve been drawing inspiration from it since I first encountered it back in the mid-2000s (a bit nerdy of me, but since I discovered Seung Mina from Soulblade, and she had an awesome Hanbok outfit.) But when it comes to Hanbok specifically, my deeper connection and focus began in 2020, through a community that truly welcomed and inspired me.
Kpopwise: For you, what would you say is the most rewarding part of the art process?
Mikey: I think creating art is a great stress reliever for me; as someone who overthinks, creating art calms my mind, and that feels rewarding (laughs). But I think being able to exhibit it and people reacting and enjoying the final pieces is what’s rewarding for me. Being an artist can often feel lonely, so being able to share it with people eventually is something I look forward to. It’s just unfortunate that exhibitions can be quite expensive to put together, especially if you have so many ideas in terms of entertainment and space.
Kpopwise: What keeps you motivated when suffering from a creative block or burnout? Any advice for fellow creatives?
Mikey: Whenever I’ve hit a creative block, I’ve learnt to just embrace it. I might doodle here and there, but I never try to force creativity; it always has a way of coming back when the time is right. There were even times when I didn’t create anything for a whole year and just worked a retail job. Interestingly, it was the frustration of feeling stuck in that job that ended up reigniting my inspiration. Funny how that works!
When it comes to burnout, I’ve found that having another hobby outside of art really helps. For many people, art starts as a hobby, but once it becomes a blend of work and passion, it’s important to have something else to turn to – something that allows your mind to rest and reset. Sometimes, that other interest can even feed back into your creativity in surprising ways. For example, one of my other hobbies is collecting dolls and toys. It helps me reconnect with my inner child, and stepping away from the art world, even briefly, can give my mind a break. I often come back feeling refreshed, with new ideas and a clearer head.
Advice for fellow artists? Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and try not to compare your journey to others’. Art is deeply subjective, and everyone has their own pace; there’s no timeline for when you “should” have achieved certain things. Give yourself the freedom to explore new ideas and take creative risks.
Not everyone will love your work, and that’s okay. Take criticism to heart only when it helps you grow as an artist. Don’t hesitate to use every resource available to you. Speaking as an introvert, I know how hard it can be to push yourself to connect with others, but go to events and reach out, even if it feels scary. Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you.
Also, try to be less judgemental of yourself and others because harsh judgement can really hold you back. That said, this industry isn’t without its pitfalls. Some people might try to take advantage of you, so learn to recognise that and always know your worth.
Honestly, a lot of this advice is something I remind myself of daily. I’ve struggled with all these challenges, and I’ve seen how they can impact my growth. So, take it from someone who’s been there: be kind to yourself and keep moving forward.
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Kpopwise: When not creating wonderful art pieces, you’ve penned three books. Do you find the art of storytelling is another form of painting?
Mikey: The books I’ve written have always been either picture books or comic books. I don’t think I’m quite ready to write a text-only book just yet; I’m still very much a visual storyteller. When I create these books, the words are there to guide the narrative, but it’s really the images that drive the story forward.
A single painting can tell a moment or evoke a feeling, but to tell a full story with a beginning, middle, and end, I need multiple illustrations, supported by words.
But I guess, yes, to some, storytelling is another form of painting, as it creates a visual in your mind when you read.
Kpopwise: They play out like fairy tales yet can be interpreted in various ways. Do you find writing as another form of escapism and creating your own world?
Mikey: Absolutely. When I wrote those books, it was during a time when the paintings I was creating just didn’t fully capture the emotions I was feeling. I’ve never been great at expressing myself through words alone, but somehow, when words are paired with imagery, they start to make sense for me.
That’s why I turned to storytelling through fairy tale picture books. By combining both visuals and words, I was able to communicate emotions and ideas that neither medium could fully express on its own. Together, they helped me fill in the gaps, saying what a single painting or sentence never could by itself.
Kpopwise: Are there any authors that have influenced your writing?
Mikey: I’d say animations and movies are big sources of inspiration for me, but video games, especially titles like Final Fantasy X and XIII, have had an even deeper impact. What draws me in most about Final Fantasy and other RPGs is how richly they develop their characters and worlds. That depth of storytelling is what truly inspires me.
One of the things I admire most about Final Fantasy is its long-standing collaboration with artist Yoshitaka Amano, someone I deeply look up to. You experience the story through gameplay, and then you see a single painting by Amano that captures one of those moments. Because you already know the backstory, that image holds so much more meaning; it’s more than just a beautiful piece; it’s a memory, a feeling.
That’s how I see my own approach to writing picture books. I want the words and images to work together in a way that tells a deeper story.
Kpopwise: Is there anything you haven’t tried yet that you want to do?
Mikey: Exploring Hanbok has led me to discover other artistic things in Korean culture, such as crafts like Najeonchilgi and Dancheong, and discovering the art style Minhwa, and I’m quite interested in exploring the techniques used to create such pieces. I’ve created work inspired by Minhwa, but that’s only creating art through referencing and imitating. I hope I can maybe take classes or something to really understand how those art pieces are actually created, and maybe that may develop my current skills. I also have a background in fashion design, and Hanbok designers keep encouraging me to design Hanbok. I'd say I enjoy design, but it’s the technical side that is daunting. The sewing machine and I never got along (laughing).
Kpopwise: What can we expect next from Mikey Espinosa?
Mikey: There will definitely be more art inspired by Korean culture, some Hanbokwave UK projects, and the expansion and fine-tuning of the secret project I will reveal at the exhibition. But who knows! It’s hard to say, as I think my path is fluid.
Kpopwise: Finally, what would be your ultimate goal in your career?
Mikey: I just want to be able to create spaces where people can enjoy art and culture and be immersed in the stories that I share through art. As of right now, everything I earn from art goes back into future projects.
I hope my art can get to a point where it can entirely support the projects I want to do and also maybe create a space for creative people to escape to!
Follow Mikey:
Instagram | Hanbok Wave | Mikey Paints
[All photos taken by Korean Billy, provided by Mike Espinosa]