Jongno-gu has announced plans to transform the late world-renowned ‘water drop’ painter Kim Tschang-Yeul’s house in Pyeongchang-dong into a public cultural facility called 'Kim Tschang-Yeul Atelier.' In December 2023, construction began with the goal of opening the facility in early 2026, after the district acquired the property in 2022.

Kim's house was designed by architect Kyu Sung Woo, who is known for projects such as the National Asia Culture Center, Whanki Museum, and the 88 Olympic Athletes Village Apartment. The home served as both a living space and an atelier for Kim and his family for over 30 years, until his passing in 2021.

In 2023, the house was registered as Seoul’s 13th Excellent Architectural Asset, recognized for its historical and artistic value and its potential to stimulate the local economy.

The remodeling design for 'Kim Tschang-Yeul Atelier' was entrusted to PLAT/FORM Architects, led by Jaeseung Hong, who also designed the Kim Tschang-Yeul Art Museum in Jeju. After extensive deliberation, the design process was completed in 2024, with a focus on interpreting Kim's private space into a public one, while preserving traces of his life and work.

The key feature of the space is the underground studio, where light enters indirectly through a round skylight in the roof.

Kim Tschang-Yeul once said, "I don’t let light into my atelier for my work. I rely entirely on the inner light, in a cave-like space." In line with this, Jongno-gu plans to recreate and display the canvas, paints, brushes, and books Kim used during his lifetime.

Additionally, the district will restore and digitize over 2,600 works and materials donated by the artist’s family. A record book documenting the entire process of creating the atelier will also be published.

Jongno-gu Mayor Jung Mun Hon stated, “We will spare no effort in supporting this space to become a beloved destination not only for art enthusiasts in Korea but also around the world.”

References

• 종로구청 보도자료 (Jongno-gu Office Press Release)

Ji Yeon Lee has been working as an editor for the media art and culture channel AliceOn since 2021 and worked as an exhibition coordinator at samuso (now Space for Contemporary Art) from 2021 to 2023.