During the 1960s, when Korea was a poor unknown country, some Korean nurses and miners went to Germany. Suk Sook-ja, who returned to Korea after working as a nurse in Germany for 30 years, is one of the pioneers who created something out of nothing in Germany. Let’s listen to her story of life in Germany as well as in the German Village in Korea.
The royal family of the Korean Empire has disappeared into the mists of history. However, the last imperial descendant, Lee Seok, emphasizes that the royal family culture from the Joseon Dynasty should be a present day cultural and spiritual center. He is also known as the singer of the song A Dove House. Let’s explore more about the royal family culture and Lee’s dreams for the 21st century.
This first-generation barista, Park I-choo is a legendary coffee master, especially of drip coffee. His name is what comes to mind when people think of coffee. He grabbed a lot of attention as the person who introduced and spread the coffee roasting culture in Gangneung. At a roastery café located in the city, he still roasts the coffee beans and brews the coffee himself. Let’s experience the happiness that a cup of coffee can create.
A person who dreamt about becoming a farmer turned a wild abandoned area into herb fields full of fragrance. Lee Ho-soon is the president of Herbnara located in the deep valleys of Pyeongchang. Lee says he learned a precious lesson while growing herbs – living with nature is the secret to one’s happiness. Today he grows herbs to live closer to nature and share happiness with others.
Shinpyeong Brewery, located in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, is a traditional makgeolli (cloudy rice wine) brewery that has kept its tradition and culture through three generations for over 80 years. Kim Yong-se, president of the Baengnyeon Brewery Culture Center, brings the quality of traditional Korean drinking culture to another level with the development Baengnyeon Makgeolli (white lotus makgeolli) made by adding the flavor of white lotus to makgeolli. His passion as well as dedication to makgeolli can be found on the paths he has taken throughout his life.
Nakhwa, or traditional Korean pyrography, creates natural colors and beautiful pictures as the hot iron runs over paper. Kim Young-jo, a traditional Korean pyrography master, has dedicated himself to the art of fire drawing with perseverance and has made it into the National Intangible Cultural Heritage. He guides us through the world of beautiful drawings created by fire.
Han Seon-hak, Director of the Museum of Ancient Asia Woodblock Prints has dedicated 30 years of his life to introducing the approximately 6,000 ancient woodblock artifacts he has collected from across Asia. He communicates with citizens through various ancient woodblock printing exhibitions and training pro-grams. As the only museum of its kind in Korea, the Museum of Ancient Asia Woodblock Prints has become the venue for training and nurturing the creativity of people. Let’s explore Han’s life and the museum.
Seomjingang River Poet, Kim Yong-taik Deemed the Seomjingang River Poet, Kim Yong-taik is leading a life close to nature and enjoying a more relaxed time after retiring as a teacher of an elementary school. The mundane things from his daily life add up to become beautiful poems. He finds happiness in his daily life surrounded by nature, including the flowing river, trees and wind. Let’s explore his life and his happy poetry.
Potter Kim Sy-young carries on the tradition of black porcelain, discontinued after the Goryeo era. Created in a 1,300 °C kiln, his work boasts unique colors reflecting his artistic spirit. The pottery he produces is called black porcelain but the wares exhibit a wide spectrum of colors that resemble a rainbow. Let’s explore the world of black porcelain created by the alchemist of earth and fire, Kim Sy-young.
Hamchang in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do was once well-known for traditional Korean silk. Even though its reputation disappeared into the mists of history, Hu Ho succeeded in creating a new sensation by promoting traditional Korean silk. Let’s learn how he took the road less traveled to weave his own happiness.
Kimchi is a definite soul food to many Koreans. Kimchi master Lee Ha-yeun is devoted to making kimchi (a Korean side dish) into a main element in culinary culture. She believes that this attractive Korean food can captivate the taste buds of foreigners as well. Let’s find out more about her life that has been dedicated to promoting kimchi culture.
A young lady moved from the city to a
remote mountain village after marriage
then endured tough times with
beautiful plum blossoms. Fascinated by
their beauty, she cut down the chestnut
trees that were on the mountain to
plant green plum trees in spite of harsh
criticism and challenges. Thankfully
her tearful farming experience turned
to happiness, and she is now writing
a new chapter of her life about her
affection for plum blossoms.
전통은 옛것을 고수하는 것이 아니라 시대에 맞게 개선 발전시켜 계승하는 것이라고 믿으며 종가를 지키는 젊은 종손 부부가 있다. 경북 봉화 닭실마을의 충재 권벌 종가 권용철 종손과 권재정 종부가 그들이다. 500년 역사가 배어 있는 종가를 지켜가면서도 더 발전적인 미래를 일구기 위해 다양한 시도를 하고 있는 젊은 종손 부부의 전통 이야기를 들어본다.
