As a child, I found immense joy in imagining and shaping spaces in my mind, attaching meanings, functions, and rules to them.
This early passion motivated me to invest energy into schoolwork that required storytelling and detailed crafting, ultimately leading me to develop an interest in photography and journalism. Although I didn’t pursue journalism for my bachelor’s degree, I’ve been fortunate to rekindle my childhood passion by creating spaces that tell stories and move people. I consider this to be an incredible blessing.
My time in Kuala Lumpur, although brief, was transformative. Over two years, I had the privilege of meeting remarkable mentors, both professionally and personally. It was during this time that I realized the importance of seeking the best environment for learning and growth.
To my surprise, Korea has offered me much more than I anticipated; its deep history and rich cultural heritage have profoundly influenced me. Over the past eight years in Korea, I have had numerous opportunities to engage in a diverse array of projects, from residential designs to artistic endeavors.
If I were to summarize my biggest takeaway from these years, it would be the development of an eye for beauty in the world around us. I have learned to appreciate cultures and values, both past and present. Through traveling, exploring, and conducting research for my design work, I discovered a burgeoning interest in archaeology and ancient artifacts. While these interests may seem disparate, they align in their essence: each is a part of storytelling and human narratives.
For me, practicing design is akin to the Dansaekhwa painting process, where the act of creation — focusing on the material, the relationship between the artist and the medium— is more significant than the final outcome.
My experiences have taught me that uncovering the narratives of a space is akin to exploring our intentions for living; it’s a lifelong practice that helps us define our relationship with space through emotions.
