Memories of an Artisan
Memories of an Artisan is a short documentary I directed and filmed in Seoul AND GANGWANDO PROVINCE. The film focuses on the work of Korean craftsman Kim Soo-Young, who received the YÉOL Award for Craftsman of the Year in 2013.
The film observes the physical process of forging Yugi bronze tableware. It places this work within the contrast between extreme heat and the cold Korean winter. From the beginning, the intention was to stay close to the craft and let the process guide the film.
Forging Yugi in Winter
Yugi bronze requires high temperatures and precise timing. Inside the workshop, fire, metal, and movement define the rhythm of the work. Outside, winter slows everything down.
By moving between these two spaces, the film shows how craft exists within its environment. The contrast highlights endurance, repetition, and focus rather than spectacle.
Filming the Craft
While filming, I focused on small gestures and routine actions. Hands, tools, and surfaces tell the story. Instead of explaining techniques, the camera stays with the process as it unfolds. This approach allows tradition and modern life to exist side by side. The craft remains unchanged, while the world around it continues to move.
Poetry and Sound
The film includes an original poem written by Yoon Jiyeong. She wrote the text in response to the footage, which added another layer to the work. The music track “her soft circumference” by offthesky supports the pace of the images. Together, sound and image create space rather than direction.
Voice and Narration
Korean folk and rock singer Hahn Dae-soo recites the poem in the film. His voice adds weight and texture without overpowering the images. The narration stays measured and leaves room for silence. In this way, it becomes part of the rhythm rather than a guide.
A Personal Perspective from Seoul
As a filmmaker and cinematographer based in Seoul, this project allowed me to spend time with a form of craftsmanship that continues quietly alongside modern life. The film does not aim to preserve or explain. Instead, it observes. Memories of an Artisan became a way to reflect on time, repetition, and care through the lens of traditional work.
Related Photography Project
Alongside the film, I also developed a photography project titled Capturing Elegance. The photographs present the Yugi bronze tableware against a clean white background. This approach shifts the focus from process to form while staying connected to the same craft.
Closing Thoughts
Memories of an Artisan documents the work of Kim Soo-Young with attention and restraint. Through image, sound, and rhythm, the film offers a quiet look at traditional craftsmanship shaped by patience, skill, and time.
