Kim Chang-ok reveals swollen face amid new artistic pursuit

Is it a side effect of his lacquer painting? From lecturer to artist, a new challenge brings unexpected hardships.

Communication expert Kim Chang-ok has drawn intense interest from fans after sharing an unexpected update regarding his recent appearance.

While Kim has always appeared before the public with a bright expression and a powerful voice, his recent appearance was strikingly different. Seeing his face visibly swollen and red, netizens expressed their shock, with some commenting, "I almost didn't recognize you."

On the 29th, Kim posted a short video to his SNS with the caption, "A guest has arrived on my face."

In the video, Kim is seen driving a car in a comfortable black T-shirt, looking out the window. However, it was his face that captured everyone's attention.

His eyes, forehead, and cheeks were visibly swollen and red, appearing as though he were suffering from an allergic skin reaction.

Kim used his signature humor to describe the condition as "a guest arriving on his face," though he did not provide a specific medical explanation.

However, his recent activities offer a clue to the cause.

In addition to his lecture series, Kim has been immersing himself in lacquer painting, embarking on a new artistic challenge.

He is scheduled to participate in the 2026 Jeju Biennale and is currently preparing for a solo exhibition. To achieve this, he reportedly spends every day handling lacquer and working with rough materials like basalt.

While lacquer is a traditional artistic medium, it is well known to cause dermatitis or allergic reactions in many people. In fact, in a video released on the 21st, Kim showed his hands swollen and bleeding due to contact with lacquer and plant toxins.

At that time, he displayed his heavily swollen hands, sharing the physical hardships involved in his new creative process.

Kim has long been established as a lecturer who touches people's hearts through communication. Now, he is charting a new life path by challenging himself to express emotion through his hands rather than his words.

In a recent interview, he noted, "These days, when I meet people, they tell me my face looks better," adding, "The change began after I started this work."

Having delivered comfort and empathy to countless people on lecture stages, Kim is now finding a new way to communicate through canvases and natural materials.

Even his swollen face serves as a testament to his new challenge, reflecting the attitude of a man who continues to evolve regardless of age.

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