Rediscovery in K-culture [Photo Essay Contest]
The Korea JoongAng Daily hosted its first photo essay contest for elementary, middle and high school students on the theme: “Promote the beauty of Korea to foreign countries." The contest ran from October to November. Photos containing scenes of traditional culture, family love, places to see and tasty treats in Korea were submitted for the contest.
Dahye KIM from Branksome Hall Asia won the participation prize in the high school category for this photo essay.
Since the 1990s, the Korean Wave has been sweeping the world under a large category called K-culture. From dramas, music, cosmetics, and fashion to culinary delights, Korea’s influence has permeated various spheres. However, it was not like this from the first.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Korea, a small country in the East Asian primarily focused on manufacturing, couldn’t fathom the prospect of promoting its culture internationally. At this time, our cultural identity was often deemed antiquated and worthless, leading even expatriates to feel a sense of shame about their Korean heritage. Yet, through dedication and tireless effort, we’ve evolved internationally and the products are considered excellent everywhere in the world. This phenomenon is especially appearing in food, drama, music, technology, and fashion, collectively celebrated as the Korean Wave.
While acknowledging our success, it’s exciting to explore overlooked aspects that could further captivate the world. Two noteworthy examples include the homi and hip chair.
The homi is a highly efficient and useful agricultural tool crafted by our ancestors, and has gained international acclaim. Foreigners are already using homi for personal gardening, demonstrating the global reach of the Korean Wave. In particular, in South America, where there is a lot of field farming, the hoe is a farming tool that increases productivity, and imports from Korea have increased explosively. With its distinctive design—featuring a wooden handle, gently curved neck, and asymmetrical triangular blade—the homi excels at tasks like digging, sowing seeds, and weed removal. This tool, rooted in my childhood memories of my grandmother diligently working the land, has become a symbol of efficiency and utility.
Another intriguing innovation is the hip chair, which has become a necessity when farming in the fields. This lightweight Styropol chair, affixed to their hips, alleviated the strain of repetitive movements, significantly enhancing work efficiency. Its popularity transcended borders when a foreign observer replicated and introduced a similar chair in their home country, attaining widespread success. I had the experience of laughing a lot when I saw rural women working on TV with round chairs attached to their hips. I laughed and had fun, but I respect the practicality and efficiency behind their development. Today, this once-niche product has become a global sensation, resonating with individuals worldwide who appreciate the ingenuity and convenience inherent in our culture.
Like this, the Korean Wave is coming from many places, and it has proven that global recognition stems not merely from perceiving our offerings as exotic but from acknowledging their excellence in what we eat, see, wear, enjoy, and use. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the sharing becomes common. When our practical, delicious and beautiful culture is shared with the world, it will serve as an opportunity to promote the true Korea.
By Dahye KIM, Branksome Hall Asia
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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