Heart Warming Crested Gecko Master: Oint Reptile
Hello, Wonjoon! Hope you've been doing well after the Super Show. I have a few questions about Oint Reptile, so I'd love to request an interview! First, I'm curious how did you come up with the name "Oint Reptile"?
Before running Oint Reptile, I had a small business, but I faced tough challenges like financial difficulties. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic made things even harder, and I ended up developing panic disorder. During that time, I started raising a crested gecko, which helped me tremendously in overcoming my panic disorder, almost like a healing ointment. That's why I named my brand Ointment Reptile—shortened to Oint Reptile.
How did you start keeping Crested Geckos, and what led you to where you are today? What did you do before becoming a Crested Gecko breeder, Wonjoon? Also, was there a specific reason that led you to transition from a completely different field to breeding Crested Geckos?
After we got married, my wife and I wanted to have a child, but it didn’t happen. Feeling a bit lonely, I suggested to my wife that we try raising a pet together. Since she was afraid of animals, a small and cute creature like a crested gecko seemed like the perfect choice for us. As we started with one, then another, we eventually got into breeding them. Focusing on producing even more beautiful geckos led us to where we are today.
Before becoming a breeder, I ran a small business importing flowerpots from overseas, and before that, I worked as an industrial designer for ten years. I’ve always loved living creatures, which is why I initially went to the U.S. to study abroad with the goal of becoming a great biologist. However, due to language barriers, I turned to drawing as a way to communicate, which eventually led me to art school instead. Now that I’m back working with animals and running a business related to them, I feel like life has come full circle, bringing me back to where I was meant to be.
Honestly, while living in the U.S., I haven't seen many Koreans who frequently attend shows here in the U.S. What motivates you to come all the way from Korea to the US so often for these shows? I am sure it isn’t an easy task.
I think my purpose has changed a little over time, but in the beginning, I wanted to find out the truth behind the misleading rumors circulating in Korea. I wanted to learn more about crested geckos in detail, but at the time, there were no experts in Korea. So, I looked for a place with a more established community and more advanced research on the species. That’s when I realized that the best place for this was the U.S., a country I was already familiar with. That’s why I first came to the U.S.—to meet as many breeders as possible and ask questions about the proper care and morphs of crested geckos. That was my main reason for coming here back then.
What are the differences between the Crested Gecko market in Korea and the U.S.? Also, how do the overall reptile markets in Korea and the U.S. compare?
As many people know, the reptile market in Korea is heavily focused on a single species—crested geckos. In contrast, the U.S. market has a strong preference for larger snakes, monitors, and a wide variety of medium to large species. I believe Korea is currently in a transitional phase. What started as a commercially driven market is gradually becoming more integrated into people's daily lives and evolving into a cultural trend. Although the order of progression may be a bit different, I think the change is happening carefully and in a positive direction.
When we worked together at a show before, we talked about pied Crested Geckos. Recently, I've noticed pied Crested Gecko morphs appearing more frequently in Korea. How did you start your pied project, and how is it progressing now?
About four years ago, when I attended the Las Vegas show, I was contacted by an American breeder who introduced me to the existence of Pied geckos. That’s when I began traveling to various places, acquiring similar types of Pied geckos from multiple sources. That marked the beginning of this journey, and despite many challenges along the way, I have finally reached a conclusion on the initial phase of research regarding this morph. A more detailed explanation will be included in an article set to be published in April. Meanwhile, I am currently working with other partners on the Pied Gecko project, where we are observing significant genetic inheritance and remarkable variations among different morphs.
Besides the pied project you're currently working on, what other projects are you running?
In order to develop stunning Pied expressions like Patient Zero at Pangea, I am currently researching specialized combo morphs that can be combined with the Pied trait.
This might be a bit of a sensitive question, but both in the U.S. and Korea, people say the market has been tough lately. As a breeder, what are your thoughts on how we should navigate these challenging times?
During times like this, I believe it's even more important to specialize further, spread awareness about this culture and community to more people, and spend more time with the animals. I also recommend surrounding yourself with people who can share ideas, discuss, and grow together. Going through this alone can be tough—trust me, I've been there many times.
What do you consider the most important aspect when keeping Crested Geckos?
I believe it’s about constant curiosity and observation.
Do you have any future plans or new projects you'd like to pursue other than the pied project?
My goals for this year include embarking on another expedition to New Caledonia and developing an educational curriculum that can better inform and inspire the next generation.
Lastly, as one of the leading figures in the Crested Gecko market in Korea, is there anything you’d like to say to U.S. breeders or breeders from other regions?
We all know that sharing and supporting each other helps us grow. Likewise, we understand that holding onto resentment is no different from harming ourselves. Instead of getting caught up in daily drama, why not focus on what truly matters—our own responsibilities today? I look forward to the day we meet again with hope and excitement.
Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview, and I hope we can collaborate on another show in the future!
I look forward to that! Thank you for having me on your forum.
Oint Reptile Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oint_reptile