UPTEMPO

UPTEMPO is an artist and the director of Hands in Factory, creating art toys with powerful originality, distinctive aesthetics, and rich narratives. His signature work, “Running Horns”, depicts horned herbivores that must keep running to survive, serving as a metaphor for life in constant competition. Each character carries its own flaws, scars, and individuality, embodying the message: “Accept who you are and keep running.”

His practice goes far beyond simply making toys. UPTEMPO designs, sculpts, paints, and produces each piece entirely by himself, a one-man process that ensures uncompromising detail and quality. Once considered inefficient, this approach has become his defining competitive edge.

Through collaborations with global brands such as Nike, League of Legends, New Era, and Stranger Things, UPTEMPO has cemented his presence in the international art toy scene. Yet he does not chase collaborations for fame alone—he works only with partners who share his respect for authenticity and artistic vision. This has established him as “a creator who understands the perfect balance between commerce and art.”

His creative philosophy is summed up in his slogan: “RUN AGAIN AND THEN AGAIN.” It is about never stopping, continually challenging, and building new worlds along the way. Currently, he is developing a feature film project based on the Running Horns universe, aiming to transform it from an art toy into a true cultural icon.

UPTEMPO joined JESSO CREATIVES for one reason: to break boundaries, create with talented young innovators, and deliver projects that resonate on a global stage. Within JESSO, he is shaping a new movement that bridges art, brands, and the public—beyond the framework of art toys.

2011 - COOLRAIN STUDIO 1st Exhibition “SQUARE ONE” @ WDS GALLERY
2011 - EVOLVE COOLRAIN with DAVE WHITE Exhibition
2012 - TAIPEI TOY FESTIVAL
2012 - COOLRAIN STUDIO 2nd EXHIBITION "START LINE" Exhibition @ wyln Gallery
2012 - RED BULL F1 SHOWRUN KOREA Exhibition
2012 - SYNERGY Exhibition @ 5POINTZ Gallery
2013 - SPORTS ART KOREA @ SPEEDOM ART GALLERY
2013 - HI ART TOYS! Exhibition @ HIBRAND
2013 - DISNEY ART TOY SPECIAL KOREA Exhibition
2013 - TAIPEI TOY FESTIVAL
2013 - ORIGINAL ART TOY COLLECTION “BABY HORNS S.1” LAUNCHING
2013 - COOLRAIN STUDIO 3rd Exhibition “PACEMAKER” @ RONIN BOUNDARY
2013 - HANDS IN FACTORY SOLO Exhibition “BLACK” @ FIFTY FIFTY Gallery
2014 - ATCS Preview @ 63 SKY ART
2014 - Reebok Instapump Fury Promotion Collaboration
2014 - ATC 2014 @ DDP
2014 - UGLY DOLL Exhibition
2014 - TAIPEI TOY FESTIVAL
2014 - HANDS IN FACTORY &12Dot Duet Exhibition ”MIDNIGHT” @ Everyday Mooonday Gallery
2015 - NAVER WEBTOON ART TOY Design & Production
2015 - PLAYBOY 60th Anniversary COLLECTOR’S EDITION ART TOYS line-up
2015 - ATC 2015 @ DDP
2015 - RUNNING HORNS X CLASH OF CLANS Promotion @ ATC 2015
2015 - TAIPEI TOY FESTIVAL
2016 - RUNNING HORNS X BMW "Art of Life" Exhibition @ Toy Republic
2016 - ATC 2016 @ COEX
2016 - Life Is Now Project (RUNNING HORNS X Rio Kairyu ) Collaboration
2016 - Baby Horns S.3 Release
2016 - TAIPEI TOY FESTIVAL 2016
2016 - RUNNING HORNS X NEW ERA
2016 - RUNNING HORNS X STAR WARS ROGUE ONE EXPERIENCE Exhibition
2017 - RUNNING HORNS X NIKE Air Max
2017 - ATC 2017 @ COEX
2017 - BEIJING TOY SHOW 2017
2018 - HANDS IN FACTORY Solo Exhibition “LOOP” @ Gallery STAN
2018 - SHANGHAI TOY SHOW 2018
2018 - Life Is Now 2 Project (RUNNING HORNS X Rio Kairyu)
2018 - BEIJING TOY SHOW
2019 - 3331 CHIYODA ART FAIR (JP)
2019 - HANDS IN FACTORY X James jean @ James Jean Solo Exhibition “Eternal Journey”
2019 - LIL PUMP ART TOY @ World Hiphop Festival 2019
2019 - SHANGHAI TOY SHOW 2019
2019 - HANDS IN FACTORY X League Of Legends @ LOL PARK SEOUL
2019 - BEIJING TOY SHOW
2019 - “BUILT ON FIRE” BOOK Release
2019 - LOL INVADE ART Exhibition @ LOL PARK SEOUL
2020 - HANDS IN FACTORY X James jean “DESCENDANT” directing
2020 - Project ART CGV Exhibition
2020 - Dungeon & Fighter 10th Anniversary Exhibition
2020 - UPTEMPO X BAZBON
2021 - HANDS IN FACTORY X James jean “MAZE” directing
2021 - HANDS IN FACTORY X NEW ERA CHARACTER “FFALO” DESIGN
2021 - HANDS IN FACTORY X GALAXY STORE
2021 - YORDLES COLLECTABLE ART TOY HIF X League Of Legends
2021 - Elefun pop art and toy show, HANDS IN FACTORY X POPEYE
2022 - HANDS IN FACTORY X STRANGER THINGS (NETFLIX) Collaboration
2022 - HANDS IN FACTORY X PEACHES
2022 - HANDS IN FACTORY X League Of Legends Collaboration
2022 - UPTEMPO Solo Exhibition “MARANIC” @ Gallery STAN by B
2022 - FFALO IN SEOUL Exhibition by NEW ERA
2023 - HANDS IN FACTORY X POPMART Blind Series “HORN’S YARD ” DROP
2023 - BAZ BON X POPMART Blind Series “WORKING BOYZ” Directing
2023 - HANDS IN FACTORY X LINE FRIENDS “minini ATTACKS ARTISTS” Exhibition
2023 - HANDS IN FACTORY X League Of Legends Collaboration
2023 - UPTEMPO X Kim Jungyoun ( VAGAB ) VAGAB’S JERSEY DROP
2024 - “CROSS ENCOUNTER ” Exhibition @ 333 Gallery ( Thai )
2024 - “NOSTALGIA” Exhibition by Gallery STAN @ COMPLEXCON Chinese
2024 - UPTEMPO Solo Exhibition “HALF TIME” @ NONscaled Gallery
2024 - LEAGUE OF LEGENDS “HALL OF LEGENDS, FAKER TEMPLE” Exhibition
2024 - “FFALO IN BUKCHON” Exhibition @ NEW ERA Buckon Flagship Store
2024 - JINYA YAMAKAWA Solo Exhibition “High Wall” ART TOY Produce
2024 - DOD ART TOY “DOD Dutch Bunny” Design & Produce
2024 - “Alter Ego Era” Exhibition by Gallery STAN @ STAN MUSEUM