[I’m an American] Kim Kyung-eun (Hanbok Designer)

“I’m an American.” Ten shades of ten Korean-Americans. A series tracing the journey of Korean-Americans – how they struggled, settled, and then succeeded in the United States. The nineth episode – the story of Kim Kyung-eun, hanbok designer.

Various kinds of fabrics are spread out in a room where the humming sound of sewing machine can be heard, indicating Kim Kyung-eun is busy at work. What compelled her to settled here in America?

Kim Kyung-eun, Hanbok Designer
“I had relatives living in the U.S. and longed to move here. I moved here with my family and began from the bottom up trying to pave a path forward. It took some time, but in hindsight, I think it was a very good to come.”

While dreaming of studying arts, Kim began making hanboks as a hobby following a family member who was in the profession. That also led her down the profession which evolved into a life-long mission of designing and preserving the Korean traditional outfits.

Kim Kyung-eun, Hanbok Designer
“I think tradition is not something that belongs in the past but opens the pathway to the future. You cannot make hanbok for the future without distinct lines or patterns that define the traditional attire. Traditional designs need to be grafted onto contemporary designs to make hanboks into outfits modern people can love.”

The room where Kim makes hanbok is not only a place of work but a place of accomplishing her mission that always stays on her mind.

Kim Kyung-eun, Hanbok Designer
“The thought of making hanbok never leaves my mind around the clock whether I eat or do other work. I always think, ‘What kind of clothing should I make?’ I draw patterns in my mind, and something I wonder whether I can make all the garments I imagine in my mind before I die. To me, hanbok is the first and the last love.”

Kim hopes current Korean immigrants and their future generations remember the traditional wardrobe of Korea and pass it down to their descendants.

Kim Kyung-eun, Hanbok Designer
“I think I have to work harder so people can become more familiar and comfortable with hanbok. The second and even third generation of Korean immigrants want to put hanbok on their children for their first birthday. We should not only wear hanbok but teach our children about customs associated with hanbok so it can be passed down to their children’s children.”
Kim is making hanbok not only to make money but to fulfill her mission of preserving Korean culture here in America, a country that accepts and welcomes people’s native culture.

Kim Kyung-eun, Hanbok Designer
“I never did anything other than making hanbok. I’m going to continue designing hanbok, believing this is my calling.”

Видео [I’m an American] Kim Kyung-eun (Hanbok Designer) канала VOA Korea Service