A Self-Portrait of Time Infused in Red, Lee Hyeonjeong’s Kimchi Series

For artist Lee Hyeonjeong, kimchi represents more than just food. The journey of cabbage being freshly harvested from the field, salted, mixed with red pepper powder, and allowed to ferment mirrors the passage of time the artist has experienced personally. Just as kimchi evolves in taste and form through fermentation, Lee Hyeonjeong has also cultivated her own narrative over the years. This process of transformation culminates in a visual expression within her Kimchi series.

In her signature piece, Kimchi 2022-1, the artist captures the “breathing of time through fermentation” that kimchi undergoes, using intense red hues and rich textures. At the same time, she reflects on the “breathing of time” in her own life, presenting kimchi, a familiar everyday dish, as a self-portrait. Though kimchi is a simple food found on the table daily, the artist imbues it with the traces and lingering moments of life.

Just as cabbage transforms into kimchi, humans too grow and evolve over time. In this process, the artist reveals her personal narrative, while subtly weaving in the shared experiences of Korean women that many can relate to. Her work, a kimchi-like fusion of personal experience and cultural identity, leaves a familiar yet powerful impression. In this way, kimchi becomes not only a self-portrait of Lee Hyeonjeong but also a collective story that resonates with us all.

 The Bridge of Communication That Unites Us All: 

Hwang Insoen’s Kimchi Series

“A kimchi eater”—this simple phrase helped artist Hwang Insoen discover her sense of identity. While studying abroad, surrounded by unfamiliar sights and grappling with questions about who she was, this realization led her to reflect on the everyday moments of her life. Especially meaningful were the memories of kimchi, always at the center of family dinners, which eventually became a powerful source of inspiration for her art.

In her signature work, Monumental Kimchi, Hwang Insoen crafts an oversized kimchi sculpture from Korean paper (hanji), suspending it from the ceiling to overwhelm the viewer’s senses. By prompting the audience to look upward, she invites them to encounter everyday materials in an unfamiliar way, creating a strong sense of dépaysement while amplifying the deep symbolism of kimchi.

In Kimchi Parade II, cabbage leaf models soaked in kimchi paste are individually affixed to the wall, creating a lively and dynamic impression. Meanwhile, Kimchi Parade IV faithfully recreates the actual size of a cabbage kimchi using Korean paper (hanji), showcasing a strikingly realistic sculptural quality. Through these works, the familiar material of kimchi is reinterpreted in an experimental way, transformed into a medium for open enjoyment and communication.

Through the use of familiar, everyday materials, she tackles themes that are often difficult to grasp in the realm of fine art, offering viewers a refreshing and awe-inspiring perspective. Her works encourage audiences to revisit their own memories of kimchi, fostering a bridge of empathy and shared experience among them.

A Heartwarming Story for the Shy: 

The Super Timid Kimchi by Daldareum

Kimchi, though the most common food for Koreans, often leaves a lasting impression on children. Observing this, children’s story writer Daldareum incorporated kimchi as a central theme and symbol in her book The Super Timid Kimchi. Drawing from her own childhood memories of running errands for her mother, the author delves into the inner world of a timid child with empathy and understanding.

The story begins with the young protagonist’s anxiety about bringing kimchi to school. Feeling ashamed of others’ potential judgments, the child embarks on a personal journey, eventually learning to embrace her own timidity. Daldareum expresses, “Timidity is not a flaw, but an emotion that deserves respect.” This is the core message of the story The Super Timid Kimchi. It helps children face their emotions with courage, while offering parents a deeper insight into their children’s inner worlds. In the narrative, Kimchi becomes a symbol for reflecting on one’s feelings and a guide toward personal growth, providing warm comfort to the readers.