Seong Tae-hoon, a 59-year-old artist known for his critical realism rooted in traditional Korean painting techniques, has opened a personal exhibition titled 'Flower Rain' in Seoul's Donggyo-dong. The exhibition features recent works that capture ethereal landscapes resembling flower rain, filled with vibrant colors such as red, yellow, and pink, creating a contrast with the dark woods and flowing waters displayed in the pieces. These artworks evoke not only romantic beauty but also deep sentiments, as they stem from two profound personal experiences that the artist endured over the last two years.

The poignant shift in Seong's artistic focus was initiated by the painful loss of his wife, with whom he had spent decades, and by his distressing experience during a state of emergency declaration in South Korea. He recalls rushing to the National Assembly in Yeouido with his daughter to record the unfolding events as troops were deployed, a moment that left indelible marks on his psyche. Reflecting on these events while painting, he felt compelled to infuse his work with the imagery of flower rain—a symbol of beauty intertwined with transience, representing both personal grief and the collective anxiety felt in society during tumultuous times.

The new works in the 'Flower Rain' series occupy a significant thematic and stylistic shift from Seong's previous well-known pieces, which often comment on the societal struggles and ironies of contemporary Korean history. In stark contrast to his earlier works, which often juxtaposed images from war-torn landscapes with urban scenes, the new series reflects more on memory and loss, symbolizing the connection between those who have left and those who remain. This exhibition, running until the 28th, invites viewers to engage with works that not only illustrate a personal journey but also resonate with broader themes of societal reflection and resilience.