Taiwan 2025: Vibrancy through Color and Line
I felt so much at ease in Taiwan
Less afraid to explore
Random Doodles
First Drawing after finishing my thesis in 2024
I was so stressed, I just needed to sit and draw anything unrelated to the year-long thesis.
—————————————————————————————————
A place where I can post what I draw
Freestyle form of drawing is my favorite. I can stop thinking and let everything flow freely. I end up loving it more than anything!
Haeso Studio in Seoul
Haeso Studio in Seoul
I had the opportunity to travel to Seoul, South Korea, in June 2023. During my 7-8 week stay, I wanted to experience the house dance scene and culture. Coming from New York City, house culture has impacted my way of life, and I was curious how it grew so largely in other countries. I heard about the growing popularity of the dance in Seoul, so I wanted to learn about the differences and the subtle changes between both scenes. I didn’t know anyone, nor did I speak the language. I chose to attend Yonsei University’s International Summer School (YISS) to learn more about South Korea’s culture and language. Through the Gilman Scholarship, I completed the program and learned about the history and the people of Seoul.
I stumbled across a dance studio called Haeso. I heard from a teacher back at home about a dancer called Holy. I quickly researched events or sessions that may take place during my stay. Every Thursday, there was a House4Life session from 6 pm to 10 pm. Having been in Seoul for one week, I was desperate to be part of the dance community. I never imagined feeling so impatient to be there. The walk to Haeso, located near the Yeongdeungpo station, was filled with happiness and nervousness. I was an outsider coming into their space. Not only that, but I was much younger and inexperienced with the dance form. Once I was outside, I hesitated to go through the gates. The lights near the staircase were slightly dim. I even thought of turning back, but I kept going searching for Haeso.
When I enter, I see a man with glasses looking slightly confused. There was no one dancing, but I saw someone else looking through CDs. In a room filled with plants and warm energies was a welcoming feeling. I didn’t want to admit but living in a foreign country with no relatives or friends can be lonely. For the first time, I felt like I was home. Maybe it was the coziness of the room, the gentleness of the cat sitting across from me, or Holy’s bright energy.
Slowly more people started coming in. I was so interested in everyone and how they moved and how they interacted with the music. It was different from New York for sure, but that difference was unique. I wanted to learn from them. I wanted to get to know their story with house or UK Jazz or tap dance. I learned that even though it was a house session, people had different styles. I remember I had scheduled a house dance class at 8 pm, but I wanted to stay. I felt so happy that I internally battled myself over whether I should leave or not. I stayed and that decision changed my life in Seoul forever.
Haeso became Home.