Some arts of my Bae Sisters that they shared. So wonderful and lovely.
Many many thanks...
Artworks credit as labeledThursday, November 5, 2009
BYJ - Fan Made MV - "KOKORU"
Nov.5, 2009
I love, love, love this MV so much, the photo parade and most specially the music that Akane attached.
I can understand a bit Nihongo that's why I can relate to the song. But I can't guest who's the original singer.
To Akane thank you so much for this video. I really love it. *^_^*
I love, love, love this MV so much, the photo parade and most specially the music that Akane attached.
I can understand a bit Nihongo that's why I can relate to the song. But I can't guest who's the original singer.
To Akane thank you so much for this video. I really love it. *^_^*
心
(Kokoru)
(Kokoru)
Source: YT by Ayataku108
BYJ's In The Process of Recovering Completely
Nov. 5, 2009
Source: Suehan translated and shared this to us in BYJ Quilt
Many many thanks dear sis.
Money today Star News Reporter Kim Gyeowool
Photo credit as labeled
It is known that BYJ is recovering from sepsis which he was diagnosed last September.
On the 5th of November, Star News had a phone conversation with an official of his management company and he said, “He is recovering from sepsis. It’s hard to say that he’s fully recovered, but he’s doing normal activities fairly.”
He added, “He takes care of his condition himself and excises earnestly.”, and he shared BYJ’s updates by saying, “He’s working hard for the recording of animation Winter Sonata.”
In the middle of September, he had treatments at the hospital when he collapsed due to the symptoms of the early stage of sepsis. After that, he returned to Korea because he’s condition worsened during the Japan visit on the 2nd of last month. It has been reported that his condition worsened due to overwork and he has been working hard to recover his health.
Source: Suehan translated and shared this to us in BYJ Quilt
Many many thanks dear sis.
BYJ’s company said, “in the process of recovering
completely from sepsis.. Exercising hard”
2009-11-05 07:40completely from sepsis.. Exercising hard”
Money today Star News Reporter Kim Gyeowool
Photo credit as labeledOn the 5th of November, Star News had a phone conversation with an official of his management company and he said, “He is recovering from sepsis. It’s hard to say that he’s fully recovered, but he’s doing normal activities fairly.”
He added, “He takes care of his condition himself and excises earnestly.”, and he shared BYJ’s updates by saying, “He’s working hard for the recording of animation Winter Sonata.”
In the middle of September, he had treatments at the hospital when he collapsed due to the symptoms of the early stage of sepsis. After that, he returned to Korea because he’s condition worsened during the Japan visit on the 2nd of last month. It has been reported that his condition worsened due to overwork and he has been working hard to recover his health.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
BYJ's Sky Perfect CF Screenshots
Sky Perfect Nov. Special CF of BYJ - screen shots
Many thanks to 권오경 of cafe.daum.net / byjgalleryhttp://cafe.daum.net/byjgallery/7CKU/46926
Some cutie cuts
Click the photo to enlarge and view clearly
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
BYJ Asked Reporter Hur
Nov. 3, 2009
Source: Translation of Suehan of BYJ quilt/ Freeboard #14681
(many thanks dear sis)
“Reporter, Hur, do you have been seeing someone these days?”
[O2 Cover Story]Artist, Bae Yong Joon’s Today
2009-10-30 19:42
“Reporter, Hur, do you have been seeing someone these days?”
Bae Yong Joon asked me.
Seven years with Yonsama, waiting for the second “Love Song’
Seven years with Yonsama, winter is approaching, so we can sing the second “Love Song’.
‘Does he really have a close relationship with Bae Yong Joon?’
On the day we went to meet BYJ, one of the reporters gave a tip with a smile that some reporters who accompanied with me bet if I am close to him. I shook my head and responded by saying, “I just know him.”
I frequently saw that the word, “close’ was abused in the social life. I hate more when it is misused than abused. That’s why, I chose the expression, “I just know him.’ that might be suitable to define my relationship with him.
On the last day of September, there was a commemorative event of the Japanese version of ‘Journey to discover the beauty of Korea’ that was held at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Reporters including me were waiting for him at the waiting room in the back. He showed up with a stage costume. I made eye contact with him when he was looking around the reporters and we waved our hands a little. The reporter next to me said,
“I think you’re really close to Bae Yong Joon.”.
We wave our hands to someone we know. After the group interview, he showed his respects to each reporter who came to Japan. Ironically, I was the last.
Our conversation continued for about 7 minutes. After that, I hurried to get on the bus for the reporters, and a certain junior reporter asked me quietly about the conversation I had with BYJ. He was worried that if he did not find out about their conversation he would get in serious trouble. (suehan: he wanted to be update with BYJ current events)
I could easily imagine that he told himself, “He is mean.” even though he was nodding as a courtesy when I responded, “We didn’t talk about important matters.” But, actually we didn’t talk about anything which was enough to be “news”. I was in trouble.
From the average actor to a very special one.., his last 7 years.
“I heard about how you’ve been.’ (BYJ)
Did he want to hear my ‘personal issues’, neither “I’m fine.” nor “Not much.”? It has been one and half year since I encountered him at the health club in Seoul.
One year and six months has passed like it was one day. Meanwhile, he wrote a book and I worked for the new company. Separate with popularity, the chronicle of human beings is this much unproductive. He and I just exchanged a reserved smile.
I showed my respect by saying, “I’m enjoying reading your book.” Before I came to Tokyo, his management company sent his book to me. He nodded when I added that I wasn’t just saying so as a courtesy, but I was really reading his book.
The last 7 years was the length of time of ‘Hallyu’ that was initiated by the drama, “Winter Love Song’, and the period that BYJ and I have ‘known’ each other.
And, now I come to think about these 7 years, there were quite some changes for me, as an entertainment reporter.
We can’t pile blocks against the gossips of entertainers and it is somewhat our destiny as the reporters. Who and who became lovers and it’s true that it put in turmoil if they’re getting marry. We are always prepared to write a letter of explanation if we miss prominent news until the day we write the letter of resignation.
I think that the gossip war is still effective and it might strangle my neck harder as the days go, but I can confess that I could breathe a little because of BYJ.
It’s possible to explain the reason with one line. Because he is an entertainer who can be featured at 9 O’clock news without any incidents.
BYJ said, “I need a wife.”
He said it like a joke at the interview with reporters.
“The one I need now is a wife.”
Actually, the wit that he copied from the apartment CF in which he appeared a while ago broke down the awkward atmosphere with the reporters in a second because he is famous for declining interviews.
After the interview, I felt the complicated changes from his face expression when I faced with him separately. I thought it might come from the despondency, or the emptiness, or the cross of both feelings.
‘Journey to discover the beauty of Korea’ is his first book which he made by himself, not allowing someone to use him. Someone who had experienced the feeling when he climbed up at the goal regardless of the height of the mountain can realize that the happiness of the accomplishments remains just for a moment and discover that he is not able to take care of himself which resulted from the indescribable despondency.
He might be indulged in the mood after he released his stress that had pressed him until he carried out the publication event in front of the forty-thousand audiences.
He said, “I’m sick.” and asked me, “Are you seeing someone now?”
Actor asked the reporter? It looked like the relationship of the host and guest was reversed. He asked me about my acquaintance of the opposite sex in the conversation he shared with me. He might have sensed the same emptiness from me. Actually, everybody interprets the other side with ‘empathy’.
I said that I had broken up not too long ago and “It is hard a little.” He smiled a bit and said, “Let’s have a cup of tea together when we go back to Seoul.” The taste might be bitter like ‘comforting drinks’.
Come to think of it, I met him the first time at the traditional tea house in Seoul about seven years ago. It was about the time when the movie, ‘Scandal’ was released.
He liked the traditional tea at that time as well. I remembered he had Ssanghwa Tea (雙和茶) and it looked like I asked him as a joke, “Why don’t you put an egg in it?” I don’t remember if he laughed.
‘Gosireh’, the high-level Korean Traditional Restaurant which is located at Minatogu in Tokyo.
He is guilty of being rich.
He reigns as the top Hallyu Star and often is described with numbers.
From the numbers of Japanese fans who came to the airport to meet him, to the changed amounts from the seventy thousand copies of the first edition of his book, ‘Journey to discovery the beauty of Korea’, which had been sold out in Korea and Japan combined.
Add to his neckname, ‘Yonsama’, the media called him ‘Rich Man in Stocks.’ when the domestic entertainment industry was discussed as being on its way to becoming industrialized.
Countless news with numbers in front came out at the commemorative event which was held at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. For example, forty five thousand tickets, its flat rate of thousand Won, were almost sold out and four billion five hundred million won was collected for the entrance fee on that day.
Just like that, BYJ has been described with numbers over seven years, and many people start looking at him ‘how much/many’, not BYJ.
How much has he made so far, how much did he make this time, and how much he’ll be making in the future are the public’s main interests. So to speak, it looks like the public’s interests towards BYJ were changed to ‘how much/many’ instead of scandals.
I don’t know how much money he has. The only things I know of are Maybach, which are rare within the country, belongs to his management, he actually rides a Land Rover, and his house that most people are curious about is ‘a lease house’.
There is a high possibility that he might have enough money that can support 3 generations without asking him about his assets.
Greed has no limits, but there may not be any interests or feelings once he/she reaches his/her goal that is the ways of life.
He used the term, ‘empty’ for that nihility.
He said, “I’m going to get rid of furniture one by one to empty the house once I return to Seoul.” He mentioned this during the interview with the reporters, and he also added, “Sufficiency is like feeling being pressed down by something.”
Nonetheless, he is making money through his company listed in Kosdaq. He opened a high-level Korean traditional restaurant, ‘Gosireh’ under his brand at Minatogu in Tokyo and introduces Kimchee and Makgellee to overseas. Businessmen understand him for sure. Company is eventually an organism and will grow continuously, not that, it must be raised.
He may think that it’s better if he didn’t list his company in the stock market. He may concern of the stock price which restrains him to some extent and he releases his stress in his private life by saying, “I’ll reduce and get rid of everything.”
His future, it would be varied, but it’s possible to imagine.
‘Journey to discover the beauty of Korea’, so called the culture experience book, has a very special meaning to BYJ compared his works like ‘Winter Love Song’, which made today’s BYJ, the movie, ‘Scandal’ and ‘April Snow’, and the latest drama, ‘TWSSG’.
Even though it was his responsibility to choose the role, eventually BYJ in the works captured the hearts of numerous Asian fans and BYJ was created by someone.
Compared to those, so to say, this book is an UCC or his production which has a tremendous scale. ‘Journey to discover the beauty of Korea’ was planned and completed only by him. From that point, it shows the steps of ‘prosumer’ to share his feelings and enjoyment with his fans called by ‘Family’. The business aspect of it is secondary which follows his name naturally.
He didn’t use the term, ‘prosumer’. But his wishes, I want to practice making ceramics and lacquer arts, those I got to know while I was writing a book, harder and ‘want to be a ceramist and lacquer artist’, will work as important evidence to BYJ’s future activities.
BYJ, the top ‘original contents’, is in the process to change ‘the core’ which calls and combines his fans more.
The originals which made him a star and shine and will continue to make him shine in the future is ‘Winter Love Song’, and everybody can imagine it.
But nothing lasts forever.
At some point time in the past which ‘passed like an arrow’, he might want to have ‘BYJ’s 2nd term’, the term is used frequently, with ‘his own things’ that can show himself.
Like everything has its own reason, the world moves by the order of the cause and effect to some extent. At this point of seeing his interests of the Korean traditional Korean foods and publication of his experience book of the traditional culture, we can imagine what kind of new BYJ will be remembered to the public after 7 years.
Reporter Hur Minnyeong during the interview.
DATV / Skyperfect TV CF in November Special Programs
Nov. 3, 2009
Many many thanks to Tomato for the video's in YT
Monday, November 2, 2009
TB to Prioritize "Visit Korea" Campaign
Nov. 2, 2009
Source: The Korea Times
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/11/113_54697.html
11-02-2009 00:19
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
An ambitious state campaign to attract more than 10 million tourists to Korea will be the main focus of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) next year, KTO chief Lee Charm said, ahead of the campaign's official launching ceremony on Nov. 11 in Seoul.
``The underlining theme of all of our major projects will be the 2010-2012 Visit Korea Year' project,'' the KTO president said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. ``We will send promotional teams to Japan, China and Southeast Asia and will design hallyu events and festivals to disseminate our efforts.''
In an attempt to become a tourism superpower in Asia, Korea has launched a ``Visit Korea Year'' initiative once again. The last was held in 2001-2002 when Korea co-hosted the World Cup finals.
``Through a successful campaign, we hope that the nation's tourism revenue will reach over $10 billion and that Korea will enter the list of top 20 countries in a survey of tourism competitiveness,'' Lee said. Currently, it is ranked 31st in the 2009 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) compiled by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Japan has already shown a keen interest in the campaign. Ahead of the domestic launch, it recently promoted the Visit Korea 2010-2012 campaign at the Tokyo Dome with more than 40,000 participants.
The campaign, first announced last year, is promoted by goodwill ambassador Kim Yu-na, the 2009 world champion in ladies figure skating, and Korean actor and superstar Bae Yong-joon.
To bring more professional expertise to the campaign, a special committee has been set up and Lee serves as its vice chairman. The committee is led by Lotte Group Vice Chairman Shin Dong-bin. The committee's main responsibility is to promote the merits of Korean tourism to visitors from outside the country, particularly the 2012 Yeosu Expo and the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu.
Korea has been an underdog in the field of tourism, not because it lacks reasons to visit, but because of the lack of tourism infrastructure, Lee said.
``The particulars of the TTCI showed that Korea lags behind its Asian neighbors in terms of affordable accommodation and convenient facilities.'' Foreign tourists often have complained that it is simply too expensive to travel in Korea and that the lack of English signs outside the capital has made it hard for them to travel, he said.
The TTCI ranked Korea 102nd in terms of price competitiveness in tourism, meaning that it is more expensive to travel in Korea than it is in Japan, which ranked 86th.
However, Korea was ranked relatively high in the quality of cultural assets and resources, ranking 13th, slightly ahead of China, which ranked 15th. It has been Lee's belief that this should be the main focus of the promotional drive for Korean tourism.
In this connection, Lee said during a recent parliamentary inspection of the KTO that he would place priority on traditional culture rather than natural beauty or architecture, which are not Korea's strong suits.
``As shown in the TTCI figures, there is not much difference in how our cultural assets are perceived by the international community, in comparison to those of China or Japan. We will work with the government to improve the tourism infrastructure and develop travel resources that are distinctively Korean,'' Lee said.
He has stressed that Korea's spiritual uniqueness and historical richness could be promoted as compelling reasons to visit Korea. ``We will try to promote our cultural performances, food, Buddhist traditions, taekwondo, and city project, to name a few, as tools to lure visitors to Korea.''
``Koreans have innate qualities of energy, joy and affinity. Combining such qualities with the stories behind our cultural assets could be a good marketing strategy for Korean tourism,'' he added.
Another important goal of the KTO is to promote domestic tourism with fresh ideas to urge Koreans to travel around their own country.
``It is important to attract foreign visitors to Korea. But the more pressing task is revitalizing the intra-bound travel, without which we could not fully expand our tourism infrastructure,'' Lee said. Since 2006, the KTO has been conducting a campaign to introduce hidden travel destinations in all provinces.
Lee is a firm believer that the tourism industry could become the backbone of the Korean economy in the future. ``We will do our utmost to nurture Korea as a tourism hub of Northeast Asia. In this regard, we will strive to generate more investment in tourism and improve Korea's image as a tourism destination,'' he said.
The KTO will soon introduce ``Korean Tourism Supporters,'' composed of both Koreans and non-Koreans, who will work in conjunction with local governments to exchange ideas about how best to develop the country as a tourist attraction.
Meanwhile, Korea's focus on tourism has been gaining attention from the international community.
Korea will host the 2011 general meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), following a decision unanimously made at a meeting of 154 members of UNWTO in Astana, Kazakhstan last month. An UNTWO assembly is attended by culture ministers of member nations and is held every other year.
The world's largest event on tourism will raise some 15 billion won ($13 million) worth of economic benefits. Officials see the assembly as a good opportunity to promote the 2010-2012 Visit Korea campaign.
Who Is Lee Charm?
Born in Germany, Lee made headlines when President Lee Myung-bak named the naturalized Korean to the state-funded KTO top post, with a mission to advance the tourism industry from a ``different perspective.'' As the new KTO chief, he leads a public corporation with some 700 employees, with more than 25 overseas offices. Since taking office in late July, he has been travelling the country extensively and meeting with industry experts and officials to pool ideas. Ultimately, he wants the world to perceive Korea as a respected tourist destination like China, Italy or France. ``In order to meet this objective, we will initiate projects to increase state support for expanding tourism infrastructure,'' he said. Lee first visited Korea in 1978 to attend a Unification Church seminar and married a Korean woman in 1982. He later gave up his German citizenship and became a naturalized Korean citizen in 1986. He lectured in German at several universities and worked at the Korea-German Chamber of Commerce. He also appeared in several television dramas and films, including ``Stairway to Heaven,'' and has written books on his life here.
jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr
Source: The Korea Times
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/11/113_54697.html
11-02-2009 00:19
Tourism Board to Prioritize 'Visit Korea' Campaign
 Lee Charm is the first naturalized citizen heading a public corporation. As president of the Korea Tourism Orgazinations (KTO), he is tasked to upgrade Korea’s tourism competitiveness. / Courtesy of KTO |
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
An ambitious state campaign to attract more than 10 million tourists to Korea will be the main focus of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) next year, KTO chief Lee Charm said, ahead of the campaign's official launching ceremony on Nov. 11 in Seoul.``The underlining theme of all of our major projects will be the 2010-2012 Visit Korea Year' project,'' the KTO president said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. ``We will send promotional teams to Japan, China and Southeast Asia and will design hallyu events and festivals to disseminate our efforts.''
In an attempt to become a tourism superpower in Asia, Korea has launched a ``Visit Korea Year'' initiative once again. The last was held in 2001-2002 when Korea co-hosted the World Cup finals.
``Through a successful campaign, we hope that the nation's tourism revenue will reach over $10 billion and that Korea will enter the list of top 20 countries in a survey of tourism competitiveness,'' Lee said. Currently, it is ranked 31st in the 2009 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) compiled by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Japan has already shown a keen interest in the campaign. Ahead of the domestic launch, it recently promoted the Visit Korea 2010-2012 campaign at the Tokyo Dome with more than 40,000 participants.
The campaign, first announced last year, is promoted by goodwill ambassador Kim Yu-na, the 2009 world champion in ladies figure skating, and Korean actor and superstar Bae Yong-joon.
To bring more professional expertise to the campaign, a special committee has been set up and Lee serves as its vice chairman. The committee is led by Lotte Group Vice Chairman Shin Dong-bin. The committee's main responsibility is to promote the merits of Korean tourism to visitors from outside the country, particularly the 2012 Yeosu Expo and the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu.
Korea has been an underdog in the field of tourism, not because it lacks reasons to visit, but because of the lack of tourism infrastructure, Lee said.
``The particulars of the TTCI showed that Korea lags behind its Asian neighbors in terms of affordable accommodation and convenient facilities.'' Foreign tourists often have complained that it is simply too expensive to travel in Korea and that the lack of English signs outside the capital has made it hard for them to travel, he said.The TTCI ranked Korea 102nd in terms of price competitiveness in tourism, meaning that it is more expensive to travel in Korea than it is in Japan, which ranked 86th.
However, Korea was ranked relatively high in the quality of cultural assets and resources, ranking 13th, slightly ahead of China, which ranked 15th. It has been Lee's belief that this should be the main focus of the promotional drive for Korean tourism.
In this connection, Lee said during a recent parliamentary inspection of the KTO that he would place priority on traditional culture rather than natural beauty or architecture, which are not Korea's strong suits.
``As shown in the TTCI figures, there is not much difference in how our cultural assets are perceived by the international community, in comparison to those of China or Japan. We will work with the government to improve the tourism infrastructure and develop travel resources that are distinctively Korean,'' Lee said.
He has stressed that Korea's spiritual uniqueness and historical richness could be promoted as compelling reasons to visit Korea. ``We will try to promote our cultural performances, food, Buddhist traditions, taekwondo, and city project, to name a few, as tools to lure visitors to Korea.''
``Koreans have innate qualities of energy, joy and affinity. Combining such qualities with the stories behind our cultural assets could be a good marketing strategy for Korean tourism,'' he added.
Another important goal of the KTO is to promote domestic tourism with fresh ideas to urge Koreans to travel around their own country.
``It is important to attract foreign visitors to Korea. But the more pressing task is revitalizing the intra-bound travel, without which we could not fully expand our tourism infrastructure,'' Lee said. Since 2006, the KTO has been conducting a campaign to introduce hidden travel destinations in all provinces.
Lee is a firm believer that the tourism industry could become the backbone of the Korean economy in the future. ``We will do our utmost to nurture Korea as a tourism hub of Northeast Asia. In this regard, we will strive to generate more investment in tourism and improve Korea's image as a tourism destination,'' he said.
The KTO will soon introduce ``Korean Tourism Supporters,'' composed of both Koreans and non-Koreans, who will work in conjunction with local governments to exchange ideas about how best to develop the country as a tourist attraction.
Meanwhile, Korea's focus on tourism has been gaining attention from the international community.
Korea will host the 2011 general meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), following a decision unanimously made at a meeting of 154 members of UNWTO in Astana, Kazakhstan last month. An UNTWO assembly is attended by culture ministers of member nations and is held every other year.
The world's largest event on tourism will raise some 15 billion won ($13 million) worth of economic benefits. Officials see the assembly as a good opportunity to promote the 2010-2012 Visit Korea campaign.
Born in Germany, Lee made headlines when President Lee Myung-bak named the naturalized Korean to the state-funded KTO top post, with a mission to advance the tourism industry from a ``different perspective.'' As the new KTO chief, he leads a public corporation with some 700 employees, with more than 25 overseas offices. Since taking office in late July, he has been travelling the country extensively and meeting with industry experts and officials to pool ideas. Ultimately, he wants the world to perceive Korea as a respected tourist destination like China, Italy or France. ``In order to meet this objective, we will initiate projects to increase state support for expanding tourism infrastructure,'' he said. Lee first visited Korea in 1978 to attend a Unification Church seminar and married a Korean woman in 1982. He later gave up his German citizenship and became a naturalized Korean citizen in 1986. He lectured in German at several universities and worked at the Korea-German Chamber of Commerce. He also appeared in several television dramas and films, including ``Stairway to Heaven,'' and has written books on his life here.
jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Lee Hyo-jae's Cultural Lifestyle
Nov. 1, 2009
Source:The Korea Times>Arts & Living
Blending Culture Into Everyday Lifestyle
Source:The Korea Times>Arts & Living
11-01-2009 18:17
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Blending Culture Into Everyday Lifestyle
Traditional culture may start in museums and ancient palaces for some, but for Lee Hyo-jae, commonly known as Hyo-jae, it starts in the middle of the household. ``Tradition starts with `eui' (clothes), `sik' (food), `ju' (home). It is not something that can be defined by history books and statistics, but by living it,'' she told The Korea Times during an interview at her home in Seongbuk-dong, northern Seoul. ``It's something that can be appreciated in our everyday lives.'' Flipping through the culture section of newspapers, it is easy to find the 51-year-old on their pages. Most recently, she appeared at the press event for hallyu star's Bae Yong-joon's book last September. `Sallimist' Lee started her career early as a designer of Korean traditional costume, ``hanbok,'' thanks to her mother who ran a hanbok shop when she was young. ``Young people didn't want to do anything related to hanbok, even when I was young. We were all interested in the recent trends like jeans at the time,'' she said. But as time went by, Lee was naturally drawn to the colorful and graceful clothing, along with the tradition and culture it brought to the makers and also the people who wear them. This led her to become a ``sallimist,'' a word that roughly translates into a life stylist ― ``sallim'' literally means running a household.  ``I see myself as a person from the Joseon Kingdom. I have always enjoyed making small and pretty things ― from cell phone charms to clothes and bags ― with traditional material like ropes and `bojagi' (Korean wrapping cloths) and I don't like change much.''Lee does not have a television, nor does she use the Internet much. She only recently started using her cell phone, and this is one of the many things she is looking forward to stop. ``Every house wife in Korea does 'sallim.' The difference is that I tend to follow traditional ways and try to bring out our culture. It's nothing new, but just something many people find it hard to follow, or simply forget,'' Lee said. This traditional sallim method of hers enabled her to write several books, including the recent ``Like Hyo-jae, with Your Hands,'' which offers her ideas in decorating, the Korean way. ``I have been living like this all my life, and it's interesting that people started to take interest in my work. The sallim people knew about was just the tip of the iceberg, and many people come to me asking `do you really live life that?' Of course, I do. Many housewives think doing sallim is grueling work, but for me, it's what I do for a living, literally,'' she said, smiling and taking a sip of warm tea. Living the Tradition The main priority for Lee these days is how to embrace tradition within our lives. ``Every culture is beautiful. The only true characteristic we Koreans have is that we are Asian with yellowy skin and that we use Korean. Other than that, we are living in a mix matched world of different cultures. It's impossible to demand the younger generation and the world to follow our tradition,'' she said. Many Koreans have recognized the beauty of their tradition and have chosen to follow it by moving into hanok or wearing reformed hanbok. But for Lee, it was accepting the circumstances and making the best of it.  ``Gyeongbok Palace is beautiful, but it is not used as it was in the past. It has become a relic. The guards rotating at the palace in traditional uniforms are carrying out a job, not tradition,'' Lee said. Lee's efforts in blending Korean culture into the modern and busy lifestyles have attracted many, and her house has become a cultural spot for students and public figures visiting Korea. ``I noticed that foreigners are more interested in practical aspects in life and I agree this is important. Walking along the empty halls of ancient palaces can be educational, but experiencing the modernized version of traditional Korean life can also be effective,'' said the designer. She often holds bojagi classes for students to learn the versatile uses of the traditional cloth.  Walking around her house is a delightful surprise, with small windows decorated with ``hanji,'' Korean traditional paper for both style and as a blinder, while presents and utensils are wrapped with colorful bojagis.``This house never met a Korean owner for the past 20 years. But look at it now. I have added traditional touches to it and changed the big, modern house into a Korean one. People need to realize that preserving tradition is not about escaping modernity, but bringing the two together harmoniously. You can live in a modern apartment and still live Korean.'' Future Plans Lee has been busy with magazine shoots, interviews and also as goodwill ambassadors for various cultural events and festivals the past year. But the most important schedule on her list now is traveling around the world with her bojagi art. ``People love bojagi because of the color and versatility, and also because it is environment friendly,'' she said. Lee already wowed more than 40,000 fans with her bojagi art performance during Bae's (known as yonsama by Japanese fans) event held at the Tokyo Dome, Japan, last September. She is preparing for an exhibition with renowned Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake this month. ``I have worked with Volkswagen, cosmetics brand Clinique and famous cookware company Fissler, and now Issey Miyake! My dream is to travel around the world with my bojagi art,'' she said. When asked if she didn't feel tired of showing everything through books and television shows, from her wardrobe, kitchen to even her bathroom, Lee smiled and shook her head. ``Actors show their talents through dramas and movies, but I show my whole household. I cannot talk about my work as a sallimist, hanbok designer and bojagi artist without talking about my own life and home. As I said, tradition and culture can be understood through all the aspects of living,'' she said. While making cell phone charms with a colorful piece of thin rope, Lee added that we need to appreciate our everyday lives. ``I'm always satisfied. Some countries put meaning in people's everyday lifestyles, while some do on professions. Tradition and beauty should not be found only in museums and ancient palaces, but should be found within us in our lives,'' she said, quickly answering her phone. Her ringtone? The ``gugak,'' or Korean traditional music, version of the Beatles' ``Let it Be.'' sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr |
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