Celebrity Nail Artist Park Eunkyung Reflects On A Decade Of Unistella

A decade ago, Park Eunkyung held an opening ceremony for a nail studio at 19-30 Cheongdam-dong in Seoul’s Gangnam district. 10 years later, it remains the place to go get your nails done, although the founder of Unistella salon (also known as the celebrity nail artist Unistella) no longer occupies a station there. Instead, you’ll find her imaginative team of nail artists painting and molding designs that all bear the spark of creativity she’s become so well known for.

“It’s amazing how fast time flies,” she says.

For Unistella, it seems like there’s never enough time. Her schedule is overflowing with music videos, editorial shoots, and celebrity appointments, as well as behind-the-scenes work on her nail jewelry brand, Wear Unistella. When I last saw her in September, she was days away from traveling to Paris to launch her first-ever pop-up. Part playful art installation, part interactive shopping experience, it was peak Unistella.

“People love to show off their nails, and I wanted to create a fun way to capture that—using a camera that recognizes and records nails as objects,” she says of the video feed that captured visitors’ manicures. “I’ve always been fascinated by how phones recognize hands when I take pictures. That curiosity led me to dive deep into researching object recognition in cameras. One day while riding in a friend’s car, I saw how the rear-view camera detected objects and thought, I want to use this concept.”

That blend of curiosity and brilliance has shaped her into the K-pop industry’s go-to nail artist. Over the years, she’s painted her masterpieces on the nails of Blackpink’s Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa; Aespa, G-Dragon, CL, and many more—with inspirations ranging from Goryeo-era celadon, to mother of pearl, to circuit boards. In her hands, everything feels fresh. (I can personally attest to this after having my own nails blessed with a one-of-a-kind Pompompurin set.)

With a single backward glance, it’s clear that Unistella has accomplished what most nail artists dream of. Still, she finds that she’d rather keep looking forward than keep her eyes fixed on the rear-view camera for too long. “The decision I’m making now will be the future me 10 years from now, right?” she says.

Still, a little reminiscing is in store. Below, Park Eunkyung takes us through her career beginnings, memorable milestones, and current inspirations.

It’s the 10th anniversary of Unistella this year! What would you say are your biggest accomplishments over the past decade?

If I had to choose the most memorable moment, I think it would be when my “shattered glass” nail design became known worldwide. It’s still my favorite design, and that moment remains the most unforgettable for me.

How did you get started as a nail artist?

I was interested in beauty from a young age, learning both hair and makeup. But it was nail art—the last skill I picked up—that truly captivated me. Back then, the nail industry wasn’t as developed, but that actually made it more exciting because there was so much to explore and learn.

I love that with a simple base coat on a nail, you can create anything. Nail art allows me to stay passionate and keep evolving with new techniques. The fact that the industry keeps developing makes me so happy; that’s what still makes nail art fun for me to this day.

Were there ever moments when you doubted your career path? How did you overcome those challenges?

My life motto is: “Make the impossible possible.” I tend to get obsessed with things that seem impossible, simply because I want to make them work. Once I focus on solving those challenges, I often realize I’ve already overcome them. Even if I fail, I believe every failure adds to my experience, so it’s always worth the effort.

Besides your shattered glass nails, what are a few of your favorite designs you’ve created over the years?

I actually prefer very simple designs. I enjoy drawing a single line or just applying a solid coat of nail polish. There’s beauty in simplicity that I find really appealing.

Among the Blackpink albums, I remember Jennie’s nail jewelry, as well as the nails I made for Lisa’s solo album LALISA. Additionally, the mother-of-pearl nails I did for Jisoo were unforgettable. All of these designs were so amazing, and I feel incredibly proud of them.

It seems you’ve collaborated with almost the entire K-pop industry at this point. Is there anyone that would be your dream client to collaborate with?

I want to work with a variety of artists. I want to meet people who express the art I make in various ways. I want to explore fun projects with people from all walks of life because I believe everyone is an artist in their own way. I want to collaborate with someone who paints on a smaller canvas than me. I think it would be really fun! [laughs]

If you could go back in time 10 years and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would you say?

I would tell my younger self, “Travel to many places, see new things, listen to fun music, and meet lots of people.” But I don’t regret who I was back then because the person I am today exists thanks to the choices I made at that time.

Back to the present, what excites you most about creating nail art?

The most exciting moments for me are when I imagine something and then find a way to make it a reality. There’s nothing more thrilling than turning an idea into something tangible.

Has the way you approached your creative process changed at all since you started?

I still believe it’s important to approach everything without fear. However, I do think carefully about what it will feel like to enter this small space, how it will expand in 3D, whether it’s realistic, and if it’s wearable. The first step is always to simplify. I try it first and then figure out how to make it practical.

What are you excited about in nail trends right now?

I believe that there are no trends anymore in that nails have become a true form of self-expression. What matters is that they reflect what you love. Whatever you want to express, you can do it through nails. And that’s what makes it so exciting: It only takes a tiny detail to elevate your entire look.

I also think nail art on men looks fantastic. Nails aren’t just for grooming; they’re a canvas for personal expression and everyone can enjoy that. Isn’t that so much fun?

Agreed! What are your biggest sources of inspiration?

I find inspiration in light, technology, and everyday experiences. My shattered glass nails were inspired by the reflective quality of an abalone shell I found. I love exploring object recognition technologies—like how cameras detect hands or objects, which has given me ideas for interactive nail designs.

Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible is what makes nail art exciting. I enjoy mixing natural elements and technology, as seen in my LED nails. This process of discovery is what keeps me passionate about what I do

You had your first pop-up in Paris shortly after we caught up. Will we see more pop ups from you in the future?

My desire has always been to travel to amazing countries with my crew, showing that nail artists can do incredible work while having fun. Isn’t that cool? That’s why I chose Paris as the first city, and I thought that to make the next 10 years of nail art even more exciting, I had to start somewhere. It’s so exciting…I haven’t visited Paris often, but I wanted to try it there. I’m also really looking forward to seeing how I can showcase my nails in the next city.

Right now, I’m thinking about Japan as the next step. Preparing for the Paris pop-up was such a fun experience for me because I had to bring the ideas in my head to life in that space.

What are some of your dreams for the next 10 years of Unistella?

[laughs] What a fun question! This reminds me of an interview I did five years ago where I said, “Time is really important to me, and I’m so curious—what will I be doing in five years?”

Now, thinking about 10 years from now…the person I am today will shape who I become in 10 years. After finishing the tour, I imagine I’ll be sitting down with my team, planning the next big goal.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Sarah Y. Wu is a Senior Contributor for Forbes. See her work at sarahywu.com and follow her on Instagram @say.wu.

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