Busan Modern History Museum Annex Salon, Hosts 'The Second Generation of Masters'
Published 24 Mar.2024 08:53(KST)
Updated 04 Aug.2025 17:52(KST)
Humanities Complex Cultural Space Planning Program 'Byeolgan Salon', This Year's Theme 'The Second Generation of Masters'
Inviting Descendants of Independence Activists, Artists, and Human Cultural Assets Who Shined in Busan... Hosting a Talk Conce
The Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum will hold the first event of this year’s special program, Byeolgwan Salon, on April 13 at 4 p.m. in the humanities complex cultural space, Byeolgwan.
Byeolgwan Salon is a humanities program that invites intellectuals to discuss easy-to-understand topics, allowing anyone to engage with the life and culture of our times.
The theme of Byeolgwan Salon in 2024 is "The Second Generation of Masters (Dae-ga)." Descendants of independence activists, artists, and human cultural assets who have illuminated Busan will be invited to recall their achievements and explore their human aspects.
This year’s Byeolgwan Salon is designed to invite the children of masters who have established a family legacy in their respective fields, aiming to reflect on the contributions of these now-deceased masters and highlight their human qualities through their memories.
The event, held over five sessions, will feature ▲ Choi Yoo-jin, the second generation of the late photographer Choi Min-sik (April) ▲ Kim Heon, the second generation of the late painter Kim Jong-sik (May) ▲ Han Jong-su, the second generation of the late independence activist and artist Han Hyeong-seok (June) ▲ Geum Nan-sae, the second generation of the late composer and vocalist Geum Su-hyeon (July) ▲ Kim Dong-yeon, the second generation of the late human cultural asset and Donghaean Byeolsingut tradition bearer Kim Seok-chul (August).
All of these masters are pioneers in Korea’s modern culture and arts, and through their lives and achievements, this program will provide an opportunity to recognize Busan’s significant position in modern and contemporary Korean history.
This year’s Byeolgwan Salon will use diverse content such as conversations, music, and videos to offer a multidimensional experience of the lives of these distinguished figures who have brightened Busan.
The event will be conducted through lectures by the invitees or dialogues with the host. It will mainly focus on exploring the human side of the masters through personal memories and anecdotes, and as the second generation, the guests will reflect on the meaning and role of family based on their growth, career paths, and life philosophies influenced by their parents.
Following the dialogue, a small concert featuring music related to the masters will be held. This performance, which will serve as a moment to revisit the lives and contributions of the figures introduced in the salon, will be musically directed by Kang Hyun-min, who was selected as a 2022 Busan World-Class Artist, and will feature various performers suited to the music.
The first guest of "The Second Generation of Masters" is Choi Yoo-jin, the second son of the late photographer Choi Min-sik. Having been active as a baseball player in his youth, he is currently working as a photographer, influenced by his father Choi Min-sik.
The late Choi Min-sik was a first-generation pioneer in documentary photography in South Korea and a globally recognized photographer with numerous acclaimed works. Choi Min-sik captured human life candidly, documenting the realities of the era while portraying the resilient spirit of the people who refused to succumb to the times, conveying the will to live and the hope for world peace.
Notably, Choi continued his artistic work with an indomitable spirit despite the harsh oppression of a ruthless dictatorship. As a result, he won awards at over 20 international photography contests, held solo exhibitions in seven countries including the United States, Germany, and France, and had more than 40 works featured in prestigious photographic yearbooks worldwide, including in the UK, Germany, and Japan, leaving an unprecedented legacy.
The first protagonist of "The Second Generation of Masters," Choi Yoo-jin, is the second son of photographer Choi Min-sik and a living legacy of his father. Resembling his father not only in appearance but also in character and speech, he is currently active as a photographer, influenced by his father.
Through this event, attendees will explore the photographic techniques and humanistic attitudes that Choi Yoo-jin inherited throughout his life from photographer Choi Min-sik. Additionally, they will share stories about the words, actions, and life philosophy of his father, who remains vivid in his memories, offering a new perspective on Choi Min-sik.
Any interested citizens can participate in the program free of charge. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis (40 people) starting from the 25th via the museum’s website.
Kim Ki-yong, director of the Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum, stated, “The stories of the great figures who illuminated Busan and their second generations will provide an opportunity to reconsider the precious legacy left by these masters to the world.” He added, “We hope this time at Byeolgwan, a humanities complex cultural space, will be an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of family alongside local culture and human life.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.