[경남人] 한글에 세상을 담아…‘한글서예가’ 구경숙 / KBS 2022.06.21.

[Anchor] With the use of computers and mobile phones, we've increasingly been tapping letters instead of writing them. In an era where handwriting is increasingly out of reach, let's meet an artist who conveys the excellence and exquisite aesthetic of Hangeul through calligraphy at Gyeongnamin. [Report] From the royal court's Gungche to the woodblock-engraved block-engraved fonts. An artist who breathes new life into Hangeul, transcending all calligraphy styles. [Ku Kyung-sook/Hangeul Calligrapher: "I love the ability to express the liveliness of lines, the nobility of rhythm, and the sense of speed..."] At the tip of a brush, polished by time, Hangeul transcends letters and becomes a living, moving resonance. In a Hangeul calligraphy class led by artist Ku Kyung-sook, Students of all ages are captivated by the joy of writing Hangeul. From a young man who majored in Korean painting to an 85-year-old from the Hanja generation, they are rediscovering the forgotten value of Hangeul. [Park Jong-moon/Jindong-myeon, Changwon City: "It's truly remarkable that we can freely express sounds through our own writing. It's our duty as citizens to ensure that our descendants never forget this and pass it down to them..."] Forty years have passed since I've been practicing Hangul calligraphy, holding a brush every single day, just like eating three meals a day. The rich scent of ink and the color of ink are the driving force behind my calligraphy, and Hangul holds a meaning beyond the written word. [Gu Gyeong-suk/Hangul Calligrapher: "It felt like literature, philosophy, and all thoughts were embedded here. If you combine all the colors of the world, you get black. To continue to discover the unknown within that..."] Dozens of notebooks, where I researched fonts suited to Hangul, stringing together letters like beads. As I collected and used each letter, Hangul became more diverse. [Ku Kyung-sook/Korean Calligrapher: "In this beautiful season of roses, receive a single flower of joy that I have blossomed amidst my tears, and may you remain happy."] The phrases I write down whenever they come to mind are reborn as beautiful handwriting. The vibrant texture of the lines is a product of time. [Ku Kyung-sook/Korean Calligrapher: "If you load it into a car or a truck, it would fill a truckload. There's a saying that there are young master singers, but no young master calligraphers. I believe that calligraphy must be practiced over many years and in daily life for the lines of calligraphy to emerge, for the words to be written, and for the works to be created."] With a simple and elegant font that harmonizes principles and techniques, I have showcased the beauty of Korean in exhibitions abroad, including in Germany and China. I am constantly exploring new ways to reinterpret tradition. [Ku Kyung-sook/Korean calligrapher: "I created this piece to illustrate my concept. I wanted to capture the texture of the lines and see how it could fit into a modern home…"] I've been practicing calligraphy for 40 years, but every moment I pick up the brush is a learning experience of humility. A fellow calligrapher who has been learning Korean calligraphy since 2004 offers her unwavering praise. [Lee Soon-hwa/Calligrapher: "This is the final stage of the difficult Bongseo style, and in my opinion, Mr. Hanssem is the best. He has a strong brush and is the best Korean calligrapher."] I also devote myself to teaching calligraphy so that anyone can easily appreciate the beauty of Korean. [Ku Kyung]