The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/Jungyoon Huh, Myungae Lee, and Aerin Park

Maria Marshall
Sep 30
14 min read

I am so excited and honored today to share with you an interview with the author, illustrator, and translator of a remarkably tender and timely picture book set in Seoul.

Jungyoon Huh studied child development and education in college and graduate school, and she now works as a picture book author, animation director, and university professor in South Korea.

Photo of author Jungyoon Huh working at her desk in front of a window, with flowers all around the room.

Her books have been selected for the White Ravens catalog and for the BRAW Amazing Bookshelf.

This picture book is her English-language debut.

Myungae Lee is a South Korean picture book author and illustrator who has twice been selected as illustrator of the year at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Her work has received honors including the Nami Concours Green Island Award, the BIB Golden Plaque Award, and the BIB Golden Apple Award. In 2020, Lee was shortlisted for the AOI World Illustration Awards. Late Today is her English-language debut. Lee lives near the Seogang Bridge in Seoul, South Korea, and she often meets stray cats while walking to her studio.

Collage of the covers of four of Myungae Lee's books

She’s the author/illustrator of seven books, including Vacation (2020), Flower (2021), and Plastic Island (2025), and the illustrator of approximately 20 books, including I Am Pretty? by In-Chan Hwang (2023).

Aerin Park is a Korean-English literary translator and Korean language educator who believes language is a bridge to people's stories, culture, and history.

In addition to her translation work, she has served as a Korean language and cultural consultant for theatrical productions.

Collage of three of the covers of Aerin Park's translated books.

Her recent works include The Legend of Tiger and Tail-flower (2024), named a USBBY 2025 Outstanding International Book, a CCBC Choice, and one of ALA's Top 10 Graphic Novels for Children, Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, Okchundang Candy (2025), and Rising From The Ashes by Paula Yoo (2024)

Their newest picture book collaboration, Late Today, released in the U.S. on September 23^rd.

Welcome Jungyoon, Myungae, & Aerin!

Tell us about yourself. (Where/when do you write, illustrate, or translate? How long have you been writing, illustrating, or translating? What is your favorite type of book to write, illustrate, or translate?)

JUNGYOON - Hi, I’m a picture book author, Jungyoon Huh. I write and create picture books using 3D clay art, which I film and then develop into stories. I divide my time between my studios in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, and Samsung-dong in Seoul, so I work both in the city and in nature. I love gathering seeds of stories and shaping them quietly at dawn or late at night.

From the window of my Yangyang studio, the vast ocean unfolds, and my dog Lulu and I often walk in the mountains or along the beach, where I continue to find inspiration.

Since the publication of my first picture book in 2006, I have dedicated the past 19 years to this work. My projects include picture books featuring clay art characters, stories of vulnerable individuals who bravely face the world, themes of animal rights, and explorations of solidarity and empathy that help us reach out to one another and imagine living in harmony.

For me, every picture book begins by amplifying the voices of those who are often unseen, and by listening deeply to their stories.

MYUNGAE - I was born and raised in Seoul, where I continue to live and work in my studio.

I have been illustrating picture books for 18 years, collaborating with authors as well as writing and illustrating my own.

Much of my inspiration comes from small, everyday moments, and I enjoy sharing personal experiences that resonate with readers. When I create on my own, I often begin with an image that inspires me and build the story from there. This process frequently results in wordless books, which I also love to read, including those created by other illustrators.

AERIN - I work everywhere, but my favorite spot is a local coffee shop. Sometimes I sneak out before my kids wake up and make it back just as my husband is heading to work.

My first translated book (Korean to English) was published in 2010, and I have been translating on and off for the past decade. I especially love translating picture books, not only for their lyrical charm and beautiful illustrations but also for the interpretive space they offer readers. As a literary translator, Daniel Hahn once wrote, “With so few words, most of them kid-friendly, it should be a piece of cake. But it depends on who’s holding the whisk.” Translating picture books may seem simple, but it can be challenging because the translator must interpret not only the text but also its relationship to the illustrations.

Although I often find myself wrestling with a single phrase—or even one word —the reward comes when I hear that the story moved readers. That joy and connection fuel my desire to continue doing this work.

It is wonderful to "meet" all three of you! And thank you, Aerin, for that awesome quote and for translating the interview answers for us. What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written or translated a manuscript or created an illustration?

JUNGYOON - It might sound cliché, but one of the most special and rewarding projects I’ve worked on was Late Today. I believe that a creator first questions the world she lives in. This book began with an incident I experienced. I was unable to save a cat. Feeling deeply powerless and regretful, I held onto that question through writing. Surprisingly, that personal question resonated with readers and became a shared reflection for all of us.

Through that process, I realized that the world can still be a safe and welcoming when we embrace each other’s vulnerabilities. Whenever I cross the Seogang Bridge, those moments resurface. Looking at the river through the car window, I feel, once again, with more courage, a desire to hold that cat. The bridge has become more than just a structure connecting spaces; it symbolizes a connection between people and animals, as well as between a regretful past and a hopeful future. Even now, crossing it feels like rewriting the story.

MYUNGAE - Most of my illustrations are inspired by real places because there’s vitality in drawing from spaces I’ve actually visited and felt. However, my first picture book, Plastic Island, presented a unique challenge. I could not go there to experience it firsthand. I had to rely on research and my own senses to depict the scenes. Ultimately, this process helped shape the distinctive style of illustration that defines my work, particularly for this book.

AERIN - One of the most unusual places I’ve worked on the translation was on the floor of the YMCA swimming pool. It was my youngest child’s first swimming lesson, and he wanted me to sit right on the pool floor so he could see me whenever he felt nervous. Although my laptop ended up sprinkled with a few drops of water, I’m grateful I could be there for him when he needed me most.

Wow, thank you Jungyoon for sharing that with us. The pain and hope definitely resonate in the story. And thank you Myungae and Aerin for that glimpse into your creative life. Jungyoon, what was your inspiration or spark of curiosity for Late Today?

Book cover - a wet black and grey cat hides under a car as rain pours down.

JUNGYOON - A few years ago, I encountered a tiny kitten on Seogang Bridge. It was desperately trying to survive among the cars, darting under the wheels. I wasn’t the only one who saw it struggling, but no one dared to approach. I wanted to get out of the car, but the honking from the vehicles behind me stopped me. In the end, I couldn’t save the kitten.

Since that day, I’ve asked myself again and again, Why didn’t I stop? Why couldn’t I choose to do the right thing? The regret of failing to save that small life stayed with me every day. I tried to console myself by saying that countless lives are born and lost each day, that this is the cycle of life. But nothing could ease the grief for that particular kitten. The feeling of guilt and sorrow sank deep inside me.

Halfway across the bridge, I saw flocks of birds migrating in the opposite direction, as if they were calling out to me, “You should have stopped the car.” Those birds, too, have stayed inside me. So, I wrote Late Today with the wish that, at least within my story, I might save the kitten. Even if only in words, I wanted to hold her so I would not lose that chance again.

Such a powerful and heartbreaking experience! You certainly turned it into a poignant and thought-provoking book! Myungae and Aerin, what about the Late Today manuscript appealed to you as an illustrator and translator?

Title page - a small black cat sits in a carboard box on a solid white page.

MYUNGAE - I love cats very much, though sadly, I cannot keep one because I’m allergic to cat hair. I live near Seogang Bridge, where there are quite a few stray cats, and I often encounter them, offering them food. When I first read the manuscript, I told the editor that I wanted to work on this book because the protagonist of the story was a cat. Until then, I had never illustrated a picture book in which the main character was a cat. The black cat in Late Today looked so much like one of the stray cats I often see on the street. Although drawing animals is always a challenge, I’m pretty satisfied with how the illustrations turned out.

Chinese book cover - a mom and a child driving in a yellow car during a rain storm.

AERIN - When the editor first contacted me and sent me the PDF file of Late Today, I was struck by its beautiful illustrations and thoughtful story. As a mother of three young children who reads aloud to them daily, I knew this was the kind of book every parent would want to share - a book that sparks conversations about kindness. Jungyoon’s poetic lines were deeply thought-provoking, and Myungae’s delicate illustrations closely followed the journey of the little kitten. As a picture book translator, it is a joy to work with a story where the text and the illustrations dance together in such organic harmony. Late Today is a perfect example of that.

I can definitely see why the manuscript and book appealed to each of you. How many revisions did Late Today take for the text or illustrations from your first draft to publication?

JUNGYOON - Late Today was not a book that came together with just a few revisions. I kept revising back and forth long after finishing the first draft. It was not simply a writing process, but a process of facing and answering questions every day. As I swam through those endless, unanswered questions, my regret transformed into words, and my remorse turned into sentences. That's how Late Today was eventually born. When Myungae completed her illustrations, I revised the text again. A good picture book is created when the illustrations reveal what is left unsaid in the text, and the text fills the spaces the illustrations leave behind. I worked to stay in step with the illustrations, revisiting the sentences until the very last line.

MYUNGAE - The book was published three years ago, so I don’t remember the exact number, but I believe I revised it four or five times. As an illustrator, I need to embody not only the storylines but also the background and atmosphere implied in the text. This required creativity, so it took some time to complete the first sketches. After that stage, however, the process moved more smoothly, and it didn’t take that long to complete the final artwork.

You both di an amazing job with this book! Aerin, how many revisions did Late Today take in translating? Was this about average compared to your other translation work?

AERIN - The translation went through three to four revisions. However, I spent a lot of time carefully considering one sentence in particular, which serves as the core line of the entire book. The editor and I exchanged multiple emails to get it just right. I am very grateful to the editor, Courtney, for trusting me and supporting the effort to deliver the best possible translation. When I saw that sentence used in the book’s promotion, I was so thrilled!

That's awesome! Jungyoon, what was the toughest part of writing Late Today? What was the most fun?

JUNGYOON - The most challenging part of writing Late Today was ensuring that the story communicated its message without relying solely on the heavy emotions. I intentionally chose a neutral and succinct narrative. Today, vehicles fill the roads, and vulnerable lives can be taken so easily. Though this is a difficult reality to face, I wanted to convey the courage we all need to save those lives.

I chose to leave the blank spaces with a genuine heart, rather than using flamboyant sentences or excessive emotion, because when readers fill in those spaces, the deep connection and resonance are finally fully realized.

The most fun part was writing the inside-bus scene. I explored the thoughts of each passenger: “I hope she doesn’t get hurt,” or “Just this once, I’ll turn a blind eye.” I collected these reflections by recalling my own inner voices and by asking people around me, “If it were you, how would you have reacted?” Selecting the thoughts that many people would resonate with was an exciting process. In truth, these thoughts were not expressions of beautiful hearts, but rather their own excuses. While a cat struggled to survive under the wheels, someone might have looked away, thinking, “Someone else will save it,” or hesitated, thinking, “If I helped, I might be late again today.” Others might simply have lacked the courage to intervene. These reasons and excuses became the weight of the silence, and I wanted to share the weight with readers.

I love the way you explained leaving spaces from your heart/emotions that a reader can embody and empathize with. Myungae, what was the toughest part of illustrating Late Today? What was the most fun?

MYUNGAE - The most important part of conceptualizing the illustrations was capturing the cat's movement and the reader's perspective as they follow the story. Although this is not explicitly stated in the text, I needed to embody it visually by carefully imagining the space. For example, from each angle, the direction of the roads and the cat had to align. The protagonist kitten was attempting to cross the bridge from the left lane to the right, so this movement had to be consistent throughout the book, even as the perspective changed. Because the story takes place within the limited space of Seogang Bridge, I worked to make the illustrations feel dynamic and engaging. That challenge also made the project fun - I experimented with every angle I could imagine to bring the story to life.

That would be quite a challenge. I think you certainly succeeded. Jungyoon and Aerin, did anything surprise or delight you when you first saw Myungae’s illustrations? Which is your favorite spread?

Internal spread - a wet, black kitten sits mewing under a car as rain pours down.

Text © Jungyoon Hu, 2025. Image © Myungae Lee, 2025.

JUNGYOON - The scene that surprised and delighted me the most was when the kitten is alive and mewing under the car. Seeing that spread for the first time brought a deep sense of relief and joy to my heart. My favorite spread is the moment when the boy looks down at the kitten, and she is safely crossing the bridge. That emotional moment remains a cherished memory in my heart.

Internal spread - on the right a pair of hands cradle a tiny, wet black kitten against a person's chest.

AERIN - My first impression of the book was that it felt like I was watching a short film. I think Myungae used the different angles to make the story more dynamic and engaging. My favorite spread is the kitten held in the hands. The kitten was quivering in the rain, but now it must feel safe and warm. That moment truly warmed my heart. And, of course, those little paws are absolutely adorable! When my kids read the book, they all exclaimed, “Awwww, so cute!”

Those are both such heart-felt illustrations and moments in the book. Myungae, is there a spread that you are excited about or proud of? Which is your favorite spread?

Internal spread - twelve square panels show a small black kitten creeping, jumping, twisting, and crouching as it tries to evade and avoid seven different types of wheels as it moves across the frames.

MYUNGAE – I especially like the third spread, where the little kitten is trying to cross the lanes dangerously. I spent a lot of time figuring out how to convey the story, build tension, and illustrate it realistically. Eventually, I divided the spread into the frames, drew different types of wheels within those frames, and showed the kitten leaping and crossing across them. Even though it’s just one spread, I wanted readers to feel as if the cat were truly moving. I’m very glad this spread was selected among many different storyboards.

You definitely captured the movement, but also the fear and desperation of the kitten. Aerin, is there something you want your readers to know about Late Today?

AERIN - The story takes place in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, where life moves quickly and things seem to be constantly changing. Yet, there are still people who believe it is worth pausing whatever we are doing to show kindness. Although the story is set on a bridge in Seoul, I’m confident that readers anywhere will resonate with it. Also, I encourage everyone to read the book from the very beginning to the end, including the pages inside the covers-they are part of the story, too ;)

The end pages are stunning and do such a great job of framing the story! Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?

JUNGYOON - My new picture book, which I both authored and illustrated, will be published in November 2025. The main character is a caribou, the wildest type in the deer family. In Alaska, thanks to the strong winds that protect them from predators, caribou are able to safely deliver their babies. However, their path has been blocked by a gas pipeline. The book began with the question, “How can I reopen the path for caribou?” From there, I developed the story of the journey of two caribou exploring ways to return to the wild. The production took four years, using the technique called paper layering. I hope that one day this book will be introduced to readers in the U.S.

MYUNGAE - I’m working on a story about soul-mouse, inspired by a Korean folk tale and reimagined for a modern storyline. It explores the meeting of a person’s soul with their dream while they sleep. In many cultures, souls are depicted as butterflies, snakes, birds, or mice; in East Asia, they are often represented as mice. In this story, the protagonist is a mouse and the narrative follows what happens when the mouse emerges from the body.

AERIN - I’ve recently completed two picture book translations. One explores the behind-the-scenes world of fast delivery: with a single click, even a bunch of bananas can arrive the next morning. But, to make that possible, so many people work unseen at night. This book helps readers notice and appreciate people who keep the world running, even when their efforts go unnoticed. The other book is a charming board book that follows the curious eyes of a toddler exploring the world. It captures the wonder and delight of seeing everything for the first time.

Jungyoon, so do I it sounds amazing! Congrats. Myungae & Aerin, your books sound amazing, too and I hope they are released in the U.S. as well! I'll definitely be watching for them. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?

Photo of - Snow Dome, Mount Forbes, the Lyells, and others from Mount Kitchener at the edge of the Columbia Icefield

JUNGYOON - Last Spring, I visited the Rocky Mountains in Canada, where my eldest sister lives. I still vividly remember discovering polar bear footprints and seeing a flock of caribou and even a leopard. One day, I’d love to return to the Rockies to watch the salmon swimming upstream - that ancient path of life that nature has carried on for ages. I also dream of walking through Yellowstone and Yosemite to feel the breath of the land and the grandeur of the forests, and to be reminded that humans are only one part of nature.

And I’d love to visit Tompkins Square Dog Park in New York and Huntington Dog Beach with my dog Lulu. Even something as simple as running with her would make the trip unforgettable.

To me, parks are not just places of rest. They are books of possibility, showing us how humans and animals can change the world together.

Photo of two mountains, a lake, and a meadow in Yosemite National Park.

MYUNGAE - I use a Mac for my illustration work, and for a long time, my default desktop background was Yosemite National Park. Naturally, it made me curious about the place. One day I’d love to see Yosemite in person, along with other national parks in California.

Photo of a river winding between mountains as the Fiordlands National Park in New Zealand.

AERIN - I’d love to visit Fiordland National Park in New Zealand. I’ve been to New Zealand twice, but only to the North Island. If I ever go back, I want to travel to the South Island, where The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were filmed.

Thank you so much, Jungyoon, Myungae, and Aerin for stopping by and sharing with us. It was a pleasure chatting with the three of you.