Korean Beauty: A Foreigner’s Perspective

Starting with Korean traditional architecture (hanok) and moving on through Korean traditional and modern art, Mark will discuss some of the essentials of Korean beauty and aesthetics, as seen from a foreigner’s perspective. Mark resides in a traditional Korean hanok in Bukchon Village. In addition to his appearances on the tv shows “Abnormal Summit” and "The Homecoming," Mark conducts a popular interview series each month in which he interviews prominent Korean artists, discussing and introducing their works. These artists and their works, as well as hanok, form the basis of this lecture about Korean aesthetics and beauty. Korean modern art, monochromism (dansaekhwa), photography, traditional painting, pottery, Joseon-era furniture and other genres will be discussed to identify the common aesthetic principles and beauty which tie them together.