The art of Jong Hwan Choi, who goes by the name Dopamine.C, is a fascinating journey into the duality of the mind’s most famous hormone: dopamine. He chose his name because it felt like a perfect representation of who he is, and his artistic journey began not with a plan, but by simply following the fun and interesting opportunities that came his way. His work explores the three emotional phases of dopamine—deficiency, pleasure, and addiction—transforming neurochemical reactions into a symbolic, visual language.

Dopamine.C’s style masterfully blends playfulness with tension, and cuteness with discomfort, revealing how complex and contradictory our emotions truly are. His art is a world where visually rich scenes can speak to emotional emptiness, and seemingly innocent characters can carry layers of anxiety or addiction. This unique approach is deeply influenced by his diverse upbringing across the United States, Hong Kong, and South Korea, which allows him to fluidly explore global narratives. While he doesn’t consciously use traditional forms, he sees the very act of painting as a way of preserving an artistic legacy for the future, much like his father cherished traditional Korean antiques.

His proudest achievement is building a unique identity around his artistic universe. A turning point in his career was his solo exhibition, ‘Sweet Revolution’, which solidified his voice and vision as an artist. He has also worked on large-scale installations for museums and public spaces. Looking ahead, he dreams of creating an immersive, multi-sensory “emotional theme park,” where visitors can travel through different emotional zones to confront and connect with their own feelings.