Jason Edwards – Interviews
The work of Nolwenn Giardina is distinguished by a rare sensitivity and a very personal way of recounting South Korea through watercolor. Since 2022, the French artist has made multiple trips across the country, exploring around twenty cities and immersing herself in landscapes often far removed from typical tourist itineraries. Her gaze settles on details that many overlook: architectural variations, the regional colors of roof tiles, the distinct atmospheres of small coastal towns, and the spontaneous encounters that mark a journey.
Her book, “South Korea - Travel Journal of a Young French Woman” (Corée du Sud - journal de voyage d’une jeune française), reflects this attentive and sincere approach. At the crossroads of a travel diary and an illustrated guide, it combines personal anecdotes, practical tips, and on-site drawings, offering an authentic vision of Korea as she experienced it. In 2026, her work was officially recognized with the anniversary label for the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, underscoring the cultural relevance of her artistic process.
The following is her testimonial, presented in a Q&A format following an online interview conducted on July 24, 2026.
1. Could you introduce yourself and explain how Korea came into your life?
Nolwenn Giardina: “My name is Nolwenn Giardina, and I am a French artist based in the South of France. I hold a master's degree in product design and graphic design. I learned watercolor as a self-taught artist and, over the years, I combined my passion for drawing with travel. I discovered Korea in 2022 during my first trip, and since then I have returned four times to explore the country further. In total, I have traveled through at least twenty cities. I saw landscapes that fascinated me, so I wanted to share them through my illustrations. In a way, I am sharing my travel memories.”
2. Could you present your book and what motivated you to create it?
Nolwenn Giardina: “My book, ‘South Korea - Travel Journal of a Young French Woman’, is both a travel notebook and an illustrated travel guide. Inside, I offer one of the journeys I took. In the text, I share all the travel anecdotes I experienced, but I also provide tips for traveling from city to city—such as how to rent a car, how local services work, and even daily key phrases to use. I add historical and cultural notes as well. Since I discovered the country by researching all this information for myself, it was important for me to transmit it in my book. To make the reading experience immersive, I decided to illustrate this entire journey with watercolor drawings created on-site. I wanted to return to a more traditional medium, which is drawing.
As for the backstory, the creation of this book stemmed from my desire to make a souvenir journal of my travels—a bit like a photo album, but through drawings. I wanted a written and drawn record of what I saw there. As it grew thicker, I felt the desire to share these memories with others. That is how the project was born and published.”
As for the backstory, the creation of this book stemmed from my desire to make a souvenir journal of my travels—a bit like a photo album, but through drawings. I wanted a written and drawn record of what I saw there. As it grew thicker, I felt the desire to share these memories with others. That is how the project was born and published.”
3. How do you prepare for your travels and explorations in Korea?
Nolwenn Giardina: “Most of the time, I decide on an itinerary by studying cities and their histories. Typically, during my third trip, I started from Seoul to travel down the entire west coast (Guinsa, Jeonju, Mokpo, Purple Island...), then the south (Suncheon, Namhae...), and finally the east coast (Pohang, Naksan, Gangneung...). Once there, I compare what I read about the city and leave room for spontaneous discovery. Given my background, I am very sensitive to architecture and landscape composition. Being very active, I love going off on hikes or venturing into inland areas to learn more about a city or region. So I would say it's upfront research that builds my exploration, which I then deepen on-site. That's why my anecdotes are sometimes very personal and why I illustrate according to my sensitivity.”
4. You wrote and illustrated the entire book. How did you experience this process?
Nolwenn Giardina: “Indeed, I did the entire book myself, both the writing and the drawings. I would say the writing took the longest time to complete. Writing for oneself is quite different from writing for others. I really wanted to transcribe in writing what I felt each time. Through my book, I want readers to travel with me or rediscover landscapes that bring back fond memories. For me, drawing comes easier, so coordinating writing and drawing was a big challenge. It took a little adaptation time, but I found my methodology and stuck to it!”
5. How was your collaboration with your publishing house?
Nolwenn Giardina: “I would like to thank my publishing house, Éditions Akinomé, for trusting me and taking a chance on publishing an already finished work. I had the chance to meet them during the International Travel Diary Festival in Clermont-Ferrand. At the time, I was offering my book as a self-published work, but I wanted to publish it through a publishing house to reach a larger community. Stéphanie de Bussierre, the head of Akinomé, reviewed my project quickly, and the collaboration happened naturally. She believed in my writing, and I trusted her. She preserved almost the entire aesthetic of my original project with just a few minor tweaks, so I am very happy because even when published, my work retains its authenticity.”
6. Your book received the official label for the 140th France–Korea Anniversary. What does this represent for you?
Nolwenn Giardina: “This year, 2026, is very important! My book was released in October 2025, so this year was pivotal for me as I wanted to bring this project to life. The year 2026 marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, and for the occasion, official labels were granted to projects honoring South Korea. I thank them deeply for including me in this selection. I am naturally thrilled to share my work under the 140th-anniversary logo. I hope it gives me more visibility, but above all, this label gives me greater legitimacy to represent Korean culture, and I am deeply honored!”
7. Which places or moments marked you the most in Korea?
Nolwenn Giardina: “That's a great question! So many places left an impression on me. I noticed that Korea has very diverse landscapes. The structure of houses can change depending on the region; for example, roof tile colors differ between the north and the south—blue, orange, black, gold—each time surprising me with subtle variations in similar architecture. But my best moments were spent outside the capital, in small, remote coastal towns. I was always warmly welcomed. Often being the only foreigner, I drew curiosity and ended up sharing hikes with locals or enjoying good meals together. These are the moments I wanted to capture in my book, along with the unique landscapes that vary across regions. I want readers to discover new horizons beyond Seoul.”
8. What are your future projects?
Nolwenn Giardina: “I am actively working on Volume 2, which explores the country even further! The first volume was an introduction to a straightforward journey; now, I want to offer a deeper exploration into the country. I continue to present my work at book fairs and festivals—follow me closely on Instagram @jia__art to see all my activities! I am also trying to organize exhibitions so people can see the original artworks. Looking ahead, I would love to repeat this kind of travel journal for other countries, like Taiwan, for instance!”