Korean People are resilient – let their Art speak!

In the midst of the Corona virus crisis, it is very fortunate that Korean artists are still expressing themselves – inspiring others and demonstrating that life does go on. Take Boheme Singer for example. Her musical videos on Instagram brighten up my days. Soprano + swing + charisma.

What Koreans went through since 1900 – a must-see exhibition at the Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art (MMCA)

The MMCA comprises four separate museums, of which three are in Seoul. I visited those three and now have a better understanding of what the Korean People went through, especially since 1910, the beginning of 35 years of brutal Japanese occupancy; and then the Korean war; and then the war in Vietnam, and then military dictatorship; and then the Asian Financial Crisis. And rebuilding Korea!

Korean artists – like artists anywhere – express what they experienced through their art. These three exhibitions also tell the story of Korean democracy and the Korean Economic Miracle, and at what painful cost it was achieved. The slide show below are excerpts describing those taxing time.

As a German I often compare our two countries – like me having to go to the military while Germany was still divided and the Cold War was on. Both countries created their own economic miracle out of nothing, but the difference is that Germans were allowed to achieve it under democratic rule and much better labour conditions.

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Artists help battle Corona Virus

I’m not talking about K-Pop artists donating money. I’m talking about the painters, musicians and performers who help saving us from paranoia and still seeing the bright side of life. With so many concerts and exhibitions being cancelled these days, social media are a blessing for once.

And now WHAT?

The Corona crisis is teaching us lessons that will help us in the future. It also teaches us how important it is to have a social support network. As I am writing this (March 4 Korean time), we may even be approaching the peak of infections in Korea within the next 10 days. Resurgence of hope and daily life! An end to “Social Distancing” and discrimination (the notice below was outside a café in Seoul last week). Where I always get inspiration and encouragement is at Unplugged Café – THE venue for upcoming indie-musicians! The picture shows one of the five musicians at Open Mic on February 24 – it was still well attended!