Imagine a scene from Crash Landing on You, where a fleeting moment of connection transcends borders and transforms lives. Now picture that same emotional depth woven into digital art, where Korea’s soulful heritage meets cutting-edge technology. This is the world Roh Soh-yeong creates. As the founding director of Art Center Nabi in Seoul, Roh Soh-yeong has spent over two decades redefining how Korean culture—beloved by K-drama fans worldwide—embraces AI, robotics, and interactive media. Her work, from curating ISEA 2025 to authoring Digital Art, addresses a pressing need: preserving Korea’s intangible heritage in a tech-driven age. For enthusiasts of Korean drama and culture, her story offers a roadmap to engage with Korea’s past and future, blending the emotional resonance of Reply 1988 with the innovation of tomorrow.
In this article, we’ll explore Roh Soh-yeong’s journey—from her roots as the daughter of former President Roh Tae-woo to her global influence as a cultural innovator. Whether you’re a K-drama devotee or a tech-curious creator, you’ll discover how her vision at Art Center Nabi and beyond solves the challenge of keeping Korean culture vibrant in a digital world. Let’s dive into her remarkable story and its lessons for us all.
Who Is Roh Soh-yeong? A Cultural Trailblazer with Deep Korean Roots
Early Life and Historical Context
Roh Soh-yeong was born on March 31, 1961, in Daegu, South Korea, during a pivotal era of national transformation. As the daughter of Roh Tae-woo, South Korea’s sixth president (1988–1993), she grew up amidst seismic shifts: the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the push for democratization, and early North-South reconciliation efforts. This backdrop of resilience and ambition shaped her perspective, much like the nostalgic narratives of Reply 1988, where personal stories reflect societal change. Her childhood in a politically prominent family instilled a deep connection to Korea’s cultural narrative, a thread that runs through her work today.
Roh’s academic journey took her to the University of Chicago, where she earned a degree in socio-economics in 1984. This global education broadened her worldview, equipping her to blend Korea’s heritage with universal ideas. Her early exposure to both Korean tradition and international perspectives laid the foundation for her later innovations in digital art, making her a unique figure in the cultural landscape.
From Politics to Art: A Pivotal Career Shift
Unlike many tied to political dynasties, Roh Soh-yeong veered from her father’s path, finding her calling in the arts. In the early 1990s, while serving on an international exposition committee, she was tasked with planning an art and technology exhibition. This experience ignited her passion for media arts, a field then in its infancy. By 1997, as director of the Walker Hill Art Center in Seoul, she transformed the institution into a hub for digital creativity, experimenting with multimedia installations that echoed Korea’s aesthetic traditions.
This shift wasn’t just a career pivot; it was a bold reimagining of how art could tell Korea’s story. Her early work at Walker Hill, documented in art journals like Leonardo, showcased her ability to merge technology with cultural storytelling, setting the stage for her most ambitious project: Art Center Nabi.
Founding Art Center Nabi: Redefining Korean Art in the Digital Age
The Birth of Nabi and Its Cultural Significance
In 2000, Roh Soh-yeong founded Art Center Nabi in Seoul, a groundbreaking institution named after the Korean word for “butterfly,” symbolizing transformation and beauty. Nabi’s mission is to fuse Korea’s rich cultural heritage—think hanbok’s flowing lines or the emotive depth of pansori—with emerging technologies like AI, virtual reality, and robotics. Located in the heart of Seoul, Nabi has become a beacon for artists and technologists, hosting over 200 exhibitions that explore the human-technology nexus.
Nabi’s significance lies in its ability to preserve Korea’s intangible heritage while embracing modernity. For K-drama fans, this mirrors the genre’s knack for blending tradition with contemporary struggles, as seen in Kingdom’s fusion of Joseon-era aesthetics with modern storytelling. Nabi’s work ensures that Korea’s cultural essence remains vibrant in a digital age.
Landmark Projects and Exhibitions
One of Nabi’s standout projects was “My Fair Robot” (2016), an interactive exhibition featuring 30 custom-built social robots. Visitors engaged with these machines, exploring themes of empathy and connection—questions that resonate with K-drama narratives like I’m Not a Robot. The exhibit, covered by art platforms like STIRworld, challenged audiences to rethink human-machine relationships, a topic increasingly relevant as AI permeates daily life.
Other notable projects include bio-art installations inspired by Korean shamanism and interactive storytelling experiences that draw on han, the Korean concept of refined sorrow. These works invite visitors to experience Korea’s cultural depth through haptic feedback and immersive visuals, much like the emotional pull of The Glory. By fostering collaborations between artists and technologists, Nabi has created a space where Korea’s past and future converge.
Why Nabi Matters to Korean Culture Fans
For fans of Korean culture, Nabi offers a tangible way to engage with the themes that make K-dramas so compelling: identity, resilience, and community. Imagine an exhibit that reimagines Itaewon Class’s underdog spirit through augmented reality, letting you step into Saeroyi’s world. Nabi’s workshops and virtual exhibitions make this possible, providing tools for fans to create their own tech-infused stories. As Roh noted in a 2022 William & Mary News interview, “Art and technology are converging to tell Korea’s story anew,” a sentiment that resonates with anyone moved by K-drama’s emotional depth.
Roh Soh-yeong’s Global Impact: From Digital Art to ISEA 2025
Authoring Digital Art (2014)
In 2014, Roh Soh-yeong published Digital Art through Jaeum & Moeum, a seminal guide to blending code and creativity. The book breaks down complex concepts like generative art and interactive media, making them accessible to creators and K-drama fans alike. For those inspired by the visual storytelling of Vincenzo or Squid Game, Digital Art offers practical insights into crafting narratives that merge Korean aesthetics with technology. Its global reach, cited in academic circles, underscores Roh’s influence beyond Korea.
Leading ISEA 2025: “Dong-Dong: Creators’ Universe”
As General Director of the International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA) 2025, themed “Dong-Dong: Creators’ Universe,” Roh is positioning Seoul as a global hub for tech-art innovation. The symposium, set to launch in June 2025, will explore AI ethics, environmental sustainability, and Korean cultural motifs like jeong (deep emotional bonds). By curating works from both Korean and international artists, Roh aims to foster “attunement” between technology and humanity, as she told STIRworld in 2025. This vision aligns with the global appeal of K-culture, offering fans a chance to see their favorite themes—think Crash Landing on You’s cross-border unity—reimagined through art.
Bridging Local and Global Narratives
Roh’s work bridges Korea’s local heritage with universal stories. For instance, Nabi’s installations often incorporate pansori storytelling, transforming oral traditions into digital experiences that resonate globally. Her collaborations with international artists, featured at events like ISEA, draw on Korean concepts like han to address universal themes of loss and hope. This approach makes her work a must-know for K-drama fans seeking deeper cultural connections.
A K-Drama-Worthy Personal Journey: Resilience Amid Challenges
Marriage and Family: A High-Profile Life
Roh Soh-yeong’s personal story could rival the emotional twists of a Korean drama. In 1988, she married Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, one of South Korea’s largest conglomerates. Together, they raised two daughters and a son, navigating the intense scrutiny of chaebol life—a world of power and expectation familiar to fans of dramas like Queen of Tears. Their marriage, initially a symbol of unity between political and corporate dynasties, played out against the backdrop of South Korea’s rapid modernization, mirroring the societal tensions depicted in Sky Castle.
The Divorce Saga and Its Cultural Echoes
In 2015, Roh’s life took a dramatic turn when Chey Tae-won publicly acknowledged fathering a child outside their marriage. The ensuing divorce proceedings gripped South Korea, unfolding like a real-life K-drama with themes of betrayal and justice. In 2024, the Seoul Family Court ordered Chey and his partner to pay Roh 2 billion won ($1.5 million) in compensation for emotional distress, a landmark ruling reported by Yonhap News. This decision resonated with audiences familiar with The Glory, where empowered women seek accountability. Roh’s grace under pressure turned a personal trial into a public narrative of resilience, reflecting the strength of K-drama heroines like Oh Yoon-hee or Dong-eun.
Turning Adversity into Advocacy
Far from being defined by her challenges, Roh channeled her experiences into advocacy for women’s voices in the arts. In a 2025 YouTube talk titled “Why AI Can’t Hug You (Yet),” she spoke candidly about finding balance in a tech-saturated world, saying, “Out-dancing AI, growing veggies, and dodging digital burnout are my rebellion.” Her focus on human connection—through art that explores empathy and vulnerability—offers a powerful lesson for K-drama fans and creators. By fostering inclusive spaces at Art Center Nabi, she ensures that women and marginalized voices shape the future of digital art, addressing a real need for representation in Korea’s tech-driven cultural scene.
Why Roh Soh-yeong’s Work Resonates with Korean Culture Enthusiasts
Amplifying Korean Heritage Through Technology
Roh Soh-yeong’s work at Art Center Nabi ensures that Korea’s intangible heritage—pansori’s soulful melodies, hanbok’s elegant designs, or the communal spirit of jeong—thrives in the digital age. Through exhibitions like those incorporating virtual reality, Nabi transforms traditional storytelling into immersive experiences. For K-drama fans, this feels like stepping into the historical richness of Kingdom or the emotional depth of Itaewon Class, where cultural roots ground modern narratives. By digitizing heritage, Roh makes it accessible to global audiences, preserving Korea’s soul for future generations.
Addressing Modern Needs in a Digital World
In an era where technology often overshadows human connection, Roh’s work solves a critical problem: keeping culture relevant in a digital world. Her projects offer creators tools to blend Korean aesthetics into games, films, and AR experiences. For example, a Nabi workshop might teach fans to create a VR scene inspired by Vincenzo’s legal battles, using AI to explore ethical dilemmas. This empowers enthusiasts to engage actively with K-culture, addressing the need for meaningful, hands-on experiences in a tech-heavy society.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Roh’s initiatives inspire both fans and creators to explore digital art as a career or hobby. Art Center Nabi’s workshops, open to global participants via virtual platforms, provide practical skills in coding, design, and storytelling. Her leadership at ISEA 2025 will further amplify these opportunities, spotlighting Korean creators tackling global issues like AI ethics and sustainability. For K-drama fans, this is a chance to translate their passion into action—whether by designing a hanbok-inspired digital avatar or attending ISEA’s virtual events. Roh’s work makes Korean culture a living, evolving force, not a static relic.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Roh Soh-yeong, and why is she important in Korean culture?
A: Roh Soh-yeong is the founding director of Art Center Nabi and General Director of ISEA 2025, pioneering the fusion of Korean heritage with digital art. Her work preserves cultural narratives for K-drama fans and creators.
Q2: How does Art Center Nabi contribute to Korean culture?
A: Nabi hosts exhibitions like “My Fair Robot,” blending AI and VR with Korean traditions like pansori, making heritage accessible and interactive for global audiences.
Q3: What is ISEA 2025, and how is Roh Soh-yeong involved?
A: ISEA 2025 is a global electronic art symposium in Seoul, themed “Dong-Dong: Creators’ Universe.” Roh curates it, spotlighting Korean tech-art and issues like AI ethics.
Q4: How can K-drama fans engage with Roh’s work?
A: Fans can explore Nabi’s virtual exhibitions, read Digital Art, or join ISEA 2025’s online events to create tech-infused Korean stories.
Roh Soh-yeong’s journey—from the daughter of a president to a global pioneer in digital art—embodies the resilience and innovation at the heart of Korean culture. Through Art Center Nabi, she has transformed Korea’s heritage into a dynamic force, blending the emotional depth of K-dramas with the possibilities of AI, VR, and robotics. Her book Digital Art and leadership at ISEA 2025 offer creators and fans tools to keep Korea’s stories alive in a digital age. For K-drama enthusiasts, her work is a bridge between the nostalgia of Reply 1988 and the future of tech-infused storytelling.
What’s your favorite K-drama or tech-art experience? Share in the comments below to spark a conversation about how Roh Soh-yeong’s vision inspires you. Explore Nabi’s virtual exhibitions or follow ISEA 2025 to dive deeper into Korea’s cultural evolution.
