IP Interview┃ Small animal friends that provide cozy healing ─ Oing Boeing Friends

Q1. Please start with a brief introduction.

Hello. I am Oingboing, and I draw the simple daily lives of the cute little animal friends, the 'Oingboing Friends'.

I am mainly active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

I have always liked cute and charming things, but lately, while drawing Oing Boeing Friends, I have been focusing on showing new sides and diverse stories.

Q2. I'm curious about the backstory of the creation of <Oing Boeing Friends>. What inspired you?

Actually, it didn't start out much. It was just a single thought: 'I want to create a character that is cute just to look at.'
Then the word 'Oing' suddenly popped into my head, and while thinking about a word that would fit, 'Boeing' naturally came to mind.
I really liked the bouncy yet cute sound of it, so it became the name.

Once the name was decided, animal friends that suited the atmosphere started to be drawn one by one.
That is how the current Oing Boeing Friends grew, one by one. Actually, I like all kinds of animals, but the cat 'Oyang-ssi,' whom I particularly love, tends to hold the group together.

Q3. What does <Oing Boeing Friends> convey?

I didn't want to put a grandiose message in Oing Boing Friends.
Rather, I hope that these are paintings that make you feel good and provide a moment of healing just by looking at them when you casually come across them in everyday life.
Although I haven't been able to fully unfold the characters' stories yet, showing you more of the Oing Boeing Friends' various sides in the future—that is what I want to talk about most right now.

Q4. Which character in <Oing Boeing Friends> resembles you the most?

I think it might be Ms. Oh.
Since the character has experience in the working world, I often express my own feelings or situations through Ms. Oh's words.
In particular, the KakaoTalk emoticon <Ms. Oh Just Lives On>, featuring Ms. Oh as the protagonist, contains quite a lot of my usual self.
So, if I had to pick one, it would be Ms. Oh, but Ms. Oh and I are strictly different beings.

Q5. What would you say is the key point that attracts the fandom?

Honestly, the fact that there are people who like Oing Boing Friends still fascinates me and I can hardly believe it. I’m always curious myself about what it is that resonates with them.

If I had to think of one, I think the biggest point is that it doesn't just end with looking at the pictures, but you can actually use them in various ways, such as KakaoTalk themes, emoticons, and merchandise.
I think the fact that there are people who not only find it cute but also enjoy using it themselves is what leads to true fandom.

Q6. What activities are you focusing on this year? Do you have any projects in preparation?

While we mainly showcased Oing Boeing Friends online until last year, this year we are expanding our reach so that you can meet us offline as well.
We are preparing a variety of things, including new merchandise, collaboration cafes, and brand collaborations.
I have a strong desire to keep trying new approaches, so I’ve been launching various projects, and the most exciting news among them is the Japanese gacha release. It is the first time I’m personally introducing Oing Boing Friends overseas, so I’m nervous but also very excited.

Q7. I'm curious about your future aspirations.

I want to continue showing you the cute Oing Boing Friends, who bring a little comfort when you suddenly come across them in your daily life.
My goal is to meet you in more diverse forms and ways than now, and to establish myself as a character that can be with you for a long time.

Source: I Love Character