Battle-Scarred Character Illustrations by Kawa Rhim

Seoul-based freelance illustrator Kawa Rhim creates expressive characters shaped by manga aesthetics, streetwear and a love of slightly strange details. Their portraits of teenagers feature oversized jackets, colorful accessories, bruises, bandages and animal-shaped hats.

Those ideas come together particularly well in BANDAGE TAPE, a series featuring a cast of awkward, injured and deliberately immature characters. Kawa explains that the title simply combines two things they like, chosen partly for the nostalgic feelings and retro imagery associated with them.

Across Kawa’s wider portfolio, the mood shifts considerably. Bright lime greens, oranges and electric blues give way to muted portraits and darker, more introspective scenes, but expressive faces and carefully styled characters remain at the center of the work. Projects like YELLOW show the same interest in color and emotion, pairing vivid palettes with a softer, more reflective atmosphere.

For more of Kawa Rhim’s work, explore their portfolio and follow them on Instagram.

More illustrations via Behance