▲ ‘Jungsangan’ by Ko Hyun Joo continues until July 27 at the Seogwipo Arts Center and it is inspired by the bagua of Taoist cosmology. Photo by Ko Hyun Joo

“I am nervous.”

These are the words of Ko Hyun Joo as she prepares to open her first ever exhibition in Seogwipo, her hometown, after 15 years as a photographer.

Her exhibition, ‘Jungsangan’, continues until July 27 at the Seogwipo Arts Center and it is inspired by the bagua of Taoist cosmology.

The bagua have 64 forms based on the nature of existence according to the principles of Yin and Yang. Reflecting insurmountable mountains piled high, Jungsangan is thus the 52nd bagua, representing a barrier and a time for pause and rest.

This is a situation that Ko Hyun Joo once faced herself, when she was alone and lost in life. Rather than continuing to push onwards against a formidable obstacle, she was given the opportunity to stop and reflect. This is her message to us, also.

“What I meant was to say, to those who live in such a capitalist society, take it slowly, catch your breath and take some rest in your life, at least once.”

The Jungsangan is the mid-mountain region of grassland, farms and oreum on Mt. Hallasan at an altitude of 100-300 meters, also containing much of the mysterious gotjawal forest habitat unique to Jeju.

However, the Jungsangan has an even deeper meaning to the Jeju people, it being the backbone of the island and a symbol of strength.

It was not her intention to use this name for the title of her exhibition, but it seemed to be her destiny, in the same way as Jeju is inseparable from herself.

“Everyone confronts dilemmas, either once or several times. Seogwipo’s sea and nature, that of my hometown, did not overwhelm me or push me. They just seem to be ever-present and bear on my work.”

Although Ko was born into a rich family in Seogwipo, she left the island long ago. She majored in the piano and then became a photographer, just when she thought she had lost everything important to her.

Life in Seoul was not easy, and five years ago she came down with severe depression, even contemplating death. It was at this time she made a fateful trip back to her hometown.

After a night of heavy drinking she went to the coast at dawn. She stood there looking into the abyss and felt the temptation to fall into the Seogwipo waters and end her life.

Just at that moment someone called out: “Stop!” It was a man, and he took her hand and led her away saying, “Do your best to live on with the same courage you just had to die.”

As she saw the sun rising over the ocean she began to weep with sadness. The Seogwipo seas had nearly taken her pitiful existence, but it hadn’t pushed her, and she left with her life intact.

After reaching this low, she was consoled and inspired by nature and rediscovered her will to live again. Photography became her only friend, rekindling her dreams and bringing back her self-respect.

The image of the sea that morning stayed with her, and its clarity is still reflected in her photos.

For photographer Ko, there is much more to nature than a beautiful landscape. Despite its beauty, if you only see the landscape you only understand half of her inspiration.

Her lens ultimately focuses on people within the landscape rather than the landscape itself. In this way she is inspired by Eastern philosophy and the tradition that we must be one with nature for it to be complete.

The women seen in Ko’s Jungsan-gan series are all every day, middle-aged women seen from behind. They are surrounded by boundaries, whether in the form of the endless vast ocean or the mountains.

The figures seen gazing out without a word, or walking into the distance, represent Ko embraced by nature. Just as nature provided solace at her darkest moment, she hopes her images can provide some hope to others who hurt as she once did.

Jungsangan by Ko Hyun Joo
Until July 31
Seogwipo Arts Center, 270 Taepyeong-ro
064-760-3341