한국의 미 Korean Beauty : Visual Expressions of a Timeless Spirit

Discover the Soul of Korean Beauty
This book explores what Koreans have considered beautiful from past to present, examining the skilled craftsmanship that flows from Korean hands, including clothing traditions, women’s handicrafts, and the pursuit of perfection through master artisanship. Uncovering the historical and cultural roots behind these aesthetic sensibilities, this book also broadens readers’ understanding by comparing and contrasting how Westerners and Koreans perceive and embrace beauty, revealing both shared values and unique differences.

Authors
Robert Koehler
Robert Koehler is a writer, editor, translator and photographer who has lived in Korea since 1997. He has worked for several magazines and newspapers and written several books on Korean arts and culture.

Lee Jongkeun
Lee Jongkeun graduated from Chung-Ang University’s Department of Photography and the graduate school of the same university. He runs a photo and video production company called GuruVisual Co., Ltd., and also teaches advertising photography at his alma mater. He has long been actively engaged in product, architecture, and food photography, and has worked on many familiar advertising campaigns as a photographer. Architecture books that capture his vision include Korea Style, Hanok: The Korean House, and Hanok Today.

Table of Contents
Introduction ㆍ 9

Korean Aesthetics
Standards of the past ㆍ 16
Harmony between humans and nature ㆍ 16
Rustic simplicity ㆍ 26

Different Notions of Korean and
Western Beauty
Realism vs. true spirit ㆍ 38
Realistic vs. idealized worlds ㆍ 42
Grandeur vs. harmony ㆍ 45

The Beauty of Emptiness
Humanism ㆍ 61
Humor ㆍ 64
Preserving age-old aesthetic techniques ㆍ 69
More globalized tastes ㆍ 74

Korean Gyubang Crafts
The aesthetic of the slow ㆍ 82
Making it look simple ㆍ 84
Useful but exquisite ㆍ 86
Embroidery arts ㆍ 94
A magnificent folding screen ㆍ 100
A lavish robe ㆍ 102

Traditional Korean Architecture
Harmony with nature ㆍ 108
Tying it all together through the madang ㆍ 114
Rustic charm ㆍ 118
The borrowed landscape ㆍ 122

Hanbok
An outfit steeped in history ㆍ 132
The beauty of modesty ㆍ 133
Generosity, emptiness, nature ㆍ 136
Color contrasts ㆍ 139
Fabrics of nature ㆍ 142
A modern touch ㆍ 145

The Visual Arts
An idealized world: The Korean landscape painting ㆍ 148
Celadon: Beauty in greenish blue ㆍ 159
Porcelain (non) perfection: The moon jar ㆍ 162
Dansaekhwa: Korean minimalism meets modern art ㆍ 165
Korean handicrafts: Form equals function ㆍ 170
Folk art: Beauty for the masses ㆍ 179

Korean Accessories
Norigae ㆍ 184
Beoseon ㆍ 190
Flower shoes ㆍ 194
Traditional Korean hats for men ㆍ 198

The Korean World of Color
Obangsaek: The five colors of the cosmos ㆍ 208
Korean palaces: A sea of red ㆍ 210
Korea’s colorful cuisine ㆍ 214
Korean wedding attire ㆍ 217
The Korean flag: A nation of harmony ㆍ 218
Dancheong ㆍ 220

Epilogue ㆍ 226