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Kristina Choe Jacinth is a Los Angeles-based Korean-American portrait and fine art photographer who has started an intriguing photo series project titled Shinbyeong (신병). Shinbyeong (신병): Shamans in Korea were both male and female, but they were prominently the latter. This series focuses on Korean-American women who identify with both cultures and heritages. The subject sits in a classical, Western-style portrait. Collaged on top of her image are Korean objects, particularly Korean food, which are representative of that side of her cultural upbringing. Each image is titled with a Confucian proverb. Korea has a rich history attached to various belief systems, including shamanism and Confucianism. Koreans are subconsciously tied to these traditions and ways of being, such as thinking collectively as a society as opposed to thinking with the American “I.” Many superstitions also exists within the Korean culture – an attribute which strongly clashes with the American approach of rationalizing the unknown with logic and reason. These conflicting cultural traits, among many others, are what create shinbyeong for each of my Korean-American subjects. HalfKorean.com was able to discuss Kristina’s background and her photo project Shinbyeong (신병). Please check out the Spotlight here: HalfKorean.com Spotlight: Kristina Choe Jacinth / Shinbyeong (신병) |
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HalfKorean.com Spotlight: Kristina Choe Jacinth / Shinbyeong (신병)
Kristina Choe Jacinth’s “Shinbyeong (신병)” Photo Series Project
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Kristina Choe Jacinth is a Los Angeles-based Korean-American portrait and fine art photographer who has started an intriguing photo series project titled Shinbyeong (신병). She is actively looking to photograph mixed or full Korean-American women who are based in the Los Angeles area. If anyone is interested in participating in the project, please make sure to check out the website. Shinbyeong: Artist Statement Shinbyeong (신병), or “Self-Loss” is a Korean shamanistic tradition of being possessed by a higher power. Characterized by hallucinations and a loss of appetite, the possessed cannot be cured by medicine but by fully embracing that which possesses her. Shamans in Korea were both male and female, but they were prominently the latter. This series focuses on Korean-American women who identify with both cultures and heritages. The subject sits in a classical, Western-style portrait. Collaged on top of her image are Korean objects, particularly Korean food, which are representative of that side of her cultural upbringing. Each image is titled with a Confucian proverb. Korea has a rich history attached to various belief systems, including shamanism and Confucianism. Koreans are subconsciously tied to these traditions and ways of being, such as thinking collectively as a society as opposed to thinking with the American “I.” Many superstitions also exists within the Korean culture – an attribute which strongly clashes with the American approach of rationalizing the unknown with logic and reason. These conflicting cultural traits, among many others, are what create shinbyeong for each of my Korean-American subjects.
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Joel Peterson’s “Dreams of My Mothers”
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Dreams of My Mothers is a recently published novel by biracial Korean adoptee Joel Peterson. Here is a synopsis of “Dreams of My Mothers” (courtesy Facebook): Based on a true story, Dreams of My Mothers is a powerful account of a boy coming of age, but it is ultimately a story of the redemption and triumph of two women—mothers from the opposite ends of the world and the human condition. Their love for the same child takes them beyond the brink of their personal tragedies and pain to find transformation and life missions they could not have imagined. Author Joel Peterson gives us a vivid and gripping story of a biracial, impoverished boy who, through the transcendent love of his mothers, rises above questions of identity, race, physical limitations, and prejudice to become a unique American success story. It touches on all the issues of who we are—as a people, as a nation, and as individuals. Dreams of My Mothers is a story particular to one person, but relevant to all. It is American, yet global. It is a story that is intensely personal, yet universal in its themes and humanness. The individual stories engage you and the emotions engulf you. The scenes are keenly tangible and the triumphs are truly real. For those who live in Southern California, Joel is having a book signing this Sunday, March 15, from 3pm–5pm at Foothill Bookstore & Coffee Shop (1010 Foothill Blvd., La Canada, California). |
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Interview with Sonia Ursu Kim (3/6/2015)
Sonia Ursu Kim
Sonia Ursu Kim (김소니아) is a Korean/Romanian professional basketball player who made a notable entrance into the WKBL (Women’s Korean Basketball League) when she joined the Chuncheon Woori Bank Hansae (춘천 우리은행 한새) straight out of high school and played there for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. Woori Bank Hansae won back-to-back WKBL championships in the seasons that Sonia was on their roster.
Sonia’s time in the WKBL was significant as there are still very few mixed Korean athletes that have played or are currently playing in Korean professional sports. While no longer in the WKBL, there is still a good chance she may return to the league in the future.
She is now the starting shooting guard for Olimpia CSU Braşov in Romania this 2014-15 season. It is her first pro season in Romania and third overall. She is currently averaging 8.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the season (as of 3/6/2015).
The 5’9″ (1.76m) guard/forward is also on the Romanian Women’s National under-20 basketball team and has hopes to be selected to compete for Romania in the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2015 tournament this upcoming June.
While Sonia is in the middle of her 2014-15 pro season we were able to catch up with Sonia to discuss her background and basketball career and are pleased to present this interview.
Hapa Stories Project
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We just learned of the Hapa Stories Project which will feature a collection of stories from mixed Koreans of various backgrounds. The creators of the project are actively looking for writers and specifically those whom were raised in Korea. Please see below to find out more information if interested in getting involved with this project:
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