Professional-Amateurs (Pro-Ams) in the Korean Art World

It is easy to find people participating seriously in leisure activities across a variety of fields within the Korean society as well. A considerable number of people in the fine arts scene are thought to be conducting artistic activities almost as seriously as a professional artist would, even though they don¿t carry out their artistic activities professionally. Pro-am artists in the art scene are distant from the stereotype of professional artists in the respect that they perform artwork nonprofessionally, but they do certainly hold the identity of an artist in the sense that they commit seriously to the act of artistic creation. Nevertheless, from the general public¿s point of view, the artistic nature of pro-am artists is not amply considered as pro-am artists are recognized as being the same as hobby artists. Such a gap in perception is due to the lack of understanding our society has on those ¿seriously committed to their leisure activities¿ or the considerably professional activities as well as commitment found among pro-ams.