Brave New Korea, inspired by a recent trip to her native South Korea, the series draws from reflections on heritage, modernization, and the shifting visual and emotional landscape of contemporary Korean identity. Synthesizing ancestral iconography and historical symbolism with dynamic abstraction, Son captures Korea’s rapid ascent as a technological and cultural force on the global stage.

A central piece in the series draws inspiration from the iconic Irworobongdo—the traditional Korean folding screen paintings depicting the sun, moon, and five sacred peaks, once placed behind the King’s throne during the Joseon Dynasty. Son reinterprets this symbol of royal authority by layering it with stark, geometric forms that evoke urban expansion, industrial growth, and modern architecture.