This month began with a certain contrast - full of cultural events on one side, yet shadowed by the lingering effects of the data center fire at the National Information Resources Service. To capture the spirit of the month, I’ve gathered a brief digest.
Liquid Tension
That’s the name of an exhibition first presented in Seoul this summer. I had really wanted to see it back then, but didn’t get the chance. On October 2, I was invited to a special Collabo II event in Prague, where the collaboration was showcased.
The exhibition brought together created by Czech artist Lucie Jindrák Skřivánková and Korean designer Byoungchan Yun, who works in Prague.
Yun’s precise craftsmanship meets Lucie’s free-flowing paint, creating a quiet dialogue where different approaches and cultures come together. Experiencing the works there made the contrast and harmony tangible - a rare glimpse of creativity crossing borders.
Byoungchan Yun brought his meticulous approach and deep respect for the material, crafting each piece of glass with incredible precision. Skřivánková, in turn, let her paint flow freely across the surfaces, guided only by gravity, creating unexpected forms and patterns. Their collaboration demonstrates how differences - cultural, methodological, even conceptual, can merge into a single, harmonious whole.
The event itself was full of quiet energy. The event itself had a quiet, charged energy. The balance between tension and harmony felt almost alive, as if the dialogue between Prague and Seoul, tradition and innovation, material and imagination, was unfolding right there. Guests could also enjoy traditional Korean food and baked treats, adding another sensory layer to the experience.
For everyone who missed it, the exhibition will return next year, starting January 15, 2026, as a full exhibition under the same name - Liquid Tension - at The Gallery Prague.
Masterful Harmony
On the same day, October 2, after Collabo II, I rushed to ARCHA+ in Prague for a performance titled Masterful Harmony, hosted by the Korean Embassy.
The concert, led by Heo Yun-jeong, was a masterful fusion of traditional Korean music with contemporary interpretations. It combined the deep, resonant tones of the geomungo with other traditional instruments, singing and dance, creating a full-bodied performance that brought Korea’s classical music to life in a modern context.
In The Masterful Harmony, the piece that won the Grand Prize at the 2023 Seoul Arts Awards, music, movement, and emotion flowed together naturally. Yun-jeong’s approach, based on traditional instruments but with a modern twist, really drew the audience in and offered a new way to appreciate Korean music.
Ambassador Hong Young-ki mentioned in his opening remarks that he hoped the performance would let Czech audiences experience the depth and charm of Korean traditional performing arts. For me, being there right after the exhibition made it a rare and unforgettable day, with both visual and performing arts from Korea coming to life in Prague.
K-Beauty Glow
Closing out October, a special workshop offered a hands-on dive into Korean beauty. The K-Beauty Makeup Class, held on October 24 at the Korean Embassy in Prague, gave participants a chance to explore K-beauty trends and techniques with some of Korea’s top makeup artists.
The program was led by Lee Jin-soo, Makeup Master at Amorepacific and Senior Makeup Artist at HERA, Makeup Art Director for Project Runway Korea, and author of the book Makeup Eyes, and Woo Soo-hyun, global makeup artist at HERA. Attendees learned the foundations of Korean beauty, practiced personal color analysis, and tried out trend makeup techniques, all using professional products and methods. The workshop blended lectures with hands-on training, offering an immersive experience that went beyond the surface.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) as part of the Touring K-Arts initiative, this event allowed participants to understand K-beauty not just as a set of techniques, but as a cultural expression - a reflection of style, precision and artistry that mirrors Korea’s approach to creativity.
On a personal note, Lee Jin-soo gave me a few tips on how to apply blush to look fresher and younger - a small but useful takeaway from the workshop.
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