interview with husband in Jaesong

interviewed at Oct. 7th.

J Would you take time to take a look at them?

H .... This was when we went to SGI(name of temple and the religion).....
    (His wife kept helping me understand the pictures). This is from winter season.... (silence)....
J What is your impression?
H This shot illustrates my room as it is. A freezer..
J What do you have in mind when you look at no.6 in his room?
  (silence)...
J Can he hear what I'm saying?
W Yes, he wears a hearing aid. He is now 81 years old.
H Let me see.  This selection reminds me that moment...(silence)
J There are many stuff in your room. It seems not organized.
H Because I live alone... This is as other rooms are. If I live with others, I would keep it clean. But, it can't be if I am alone in this room. This photographs reflect what my life has led. It's kind of past history.
J What is your favorite among those?
H This one. No.6. No doubt.
J Why? Because you appear here?
H This shows what my room looks like.
J So, now would you look at each of them and tell me about them?
How about no.1?
H  It's from the roof. This shot shows where we live. (sigh). It's kind of shameful. It's so messy.
J Have you ever thought you had it fixed?
H I can't help it. If we had once begun to have it repaired, we would have had all of our home repaired. So, we hadn't. We just stand what it is.
J How about no.2? How do you feel when you see the skyscrapers?
H I can't help it.
J What do you mean by then?
H It's far from here. Just one thing. Because of this apartment, the day has become short. It shadows my home in winter while we miss the sun. That's what we miss. It gets colder due to the lack of the sunlight. What can we do about that? We can't do anything.
J How about no.3?  The shot from night
H ...
J Have you ever thought you want to live that apartment?
H No. Because we are old, our life is approaching the end. We don't have any desire to live there. But, even though house is small, I hope to live in a clean one. That's what I want. I don't have any hope for the apartment.
In my home, mice are all over the place. I just want to live in a neat place.
J For no.4, your wife is praying in the morning. Do you do that like her?
H I should have done that. That's not me. I should have pray more than one hour if I do. (sigh)
J more than one hour?
H Yes, when we pray over one hour, then we can expect any benefits. No benefits from 10 or 20 minutes. Over one hour is needed. It's also what guideline says. It is hard for me.
J Did you try before? What do you make of that?
H Not really. Because I'm old, I thought it could damage me if I keep my knee down for a long time. That makes me hesitated.
J How about no. 5?
H I can see a laundry machine.
J You've been using a separate room. what do you think about that?
H It's been a long time since we did that. Since time passed by, that's the way we do. Now, we can't go back where we were together. I can't sleep now if we are together. I feel very comfortable when I'm alone with television on.
J So, you feel more comfortable by alone. Right?
H One day, I slept in wife's room when I drunk so much. I realized where I was at night. I went back to my room in the middle of the night. (laugh)
.. What is this(no.6)?
J a chinese cabbage field you worked before.
H Is this where we worked?
J Yes. You woke up early and began to work in the very cold morning. How do you think?
H I don't think I work there. It's more like I keep my health in shape. If I don't have this chance, I have to stay in my room all day. What do I do all days? If I am here in home, I don't work out and just drink. It would lead to bad health. Working in the field is hard for me. But, because I am active in the work, I can enjoy lunch well and drinking is also tasteful. This is for my health. I just got paid $20 for all day. If I have a schedule to work there, I become more or less vigilant because I have to wake up very early. Otherwise, I become lazy and stay in bed late. This is all for my health.
J How about the last one? What would you do there?
H I feel more relaxed. I can wish whatever I want to hope. I can't do in other place. So, I find it relaxed
J What do you pray for?
H I pray for my kids rather than my health or something. I haven't had my grandchildren yet and I'm worried if I can't see them before I die.
J Do you happen to see if there anything I miss in this selection?
H No. They are good.

interview with wife in Jaesong

 What is your favorite?
W I like no. 4. I was sick before. I think the religion I am with helped cure me. This is a good shot.
J What do you like this one?
W It shows inside of my home. Because the religion I worship is important, I hope other people pursue this religion. It will benefit them.
J As you said, the religion is important for you. And, you seem to pray every morning. Do you have in mind when you pray?
W health for our family. and, I pray for their competence in their works.
When did you take picture of this? Well, (on the wall of the room) there are pictures frames for my daughter, my husband and honorable prize from the government.

J What is your first impression when you see this selection?
W I have a feeling. It's very good. This is our home. Some shots show me and my husband.
J I would like to ask some questions about each of these photographs. Would you answer for that?
W Yes.
J What do you think about no.1?
W Our home looks torn down. In spite of that, it's a good shot. I didn't know there is a basket on the top of the roof.
J How old this home is?
W Well, I bought it before I turned 30 years old. Now, I'm 80 years old.
J 50 years old
W Right. during the colonial rule of Japan. We revamped it one time. It's very old. Some part of our home will be gone because there will be a pathway to be built for firefighters.
J For no.2, what do you have in mind to see this?
W There are rich people living in the skyscrapers. Because they are so tall, they have shadowed our home. It's like Sun goes down at 4 pm. That bothers me. It gets dark early because its tall building. But, I think it would nice if I live in that good building because I won't be able to live there.(laugh)
J For no.3, this shot is from night.
W Yes, this is our home. Since a new pathway will be constructed, this shot you had will be the last.
J Do you think you want to live there(in the high skyscrapers)?

W Of course. It would be very nice if I can live there. But, it's expensive to pay all expenses I might pay. I can't afford it.
J But, since you've lived here nearly 50 years, I think you don't mind living here?
W I wish I could stay here until I die unless we are forced our of this house by the government. I feel very comfortable but, I can't help it.
J Do you have anything uncomfortable if you have any.
W Some. Because the bathroom is located outdoor, we need to take a trip to get there. Other than this, it's OK for me to stand.
J Is there any issues in winter and summer?
W No. it's cool in summer and warm in winter.
J. Look at no.4, what can you say about it?
W The moment I prayed in the morning. When I was 50s in my age, I was very sick. Because of this religion,  I believe I was able to survive.  I am always aware of it. This faith, I believe, also benefits my children. I always wish them the best. I feel grateful because my children live well.
J How about no.5? You seem to use a separate room from your husband and even to lead a somewhat independent life. Why?
W Everything is complex if we use the same room. different life style. He likes to drink and watch tv all the time. We have a different taste of tv shows. That bothers me. Ever since I was sick, when I was 60s or 70s, we have used a different room. And, as we get older, it happens naturally.
J In no.6, this is your husband's room. How do you feel when you get in the room?
W It's cleaned up. I doesn't like me to clean his room up. If I place his stuff in a different spot, he's furious about it. So, I never touch his belongs. I don't care what he's doing in his room. It's natural it's happening.
J For no.7, you've never been where he works, have you?
W No.
J How do you think he works in that field?
W I think that's good. He wakes up at 5 am and goes to his work after breakfast by bus. He can get a fresh air. He said it's good to work with other people there. And, he think it's so fun not to recognize how time passes by.
J For the last, this shot is from the temple where you occasionally go and pray.
W This is a good shot. It's part of Buddhism, but has a  different tradition.
J How do you feel when you serve?
W I feel good. Feel like becoming fresh. There are more than ten temples, which was just one in the past. You would be richer if you have this faith.

J For the last question, there are eight photographs which are intended to portray your life. Do you think there are something missed?
W Well. For this(she's pointing no.5), I prepared meal. And, he washed up his face. I think some shots where I work at home are missed.
J You mean the shot of meal prepared or something like that?
W Yes. In the first shot, the roof has always been like that.
J OK. thank you for your time.

interview with mother

J What is your first impression about what I brought to you today?
M first impression? (sigh) it's vivid...vivid about past memory. I can see what I have gone through, how my plagued life has been led. All of these seem to be reflected in those pictures.
J Which is best for you?
M Well. this one.
J No. 6? Why do you think so?
M It very adorable that all of my kids got together when they looked at the picture(it's a painting drawn on the wall). Their lovely actions, together. And, this one. This is also a good picture. Can I pick two?
J Yes. Go ahead. Why do you think you like it as well? (No. 1)
M Our village, Kamchun culture village, is well illustrated. It looks very good. Every home has a different color of roof. This one is well depicted.
J Well. Now on, would you explain how you think or feel each of this photographs? How about No. 1, even though you mentioned right before?
M Even though I have lived here, our village is good.. in the picture. It's like common people.. like rural area. This village is full of a sense of neighborhood.
For no.2, this alley is so narrow(sigh) for just one person to be able to pass by. But, it is a good place to live conveniently.
For no.3, it's so messy.(laugh). This is our front yard. It's not organized at all.
J How about no.4?
M There are too many shoes obtained from others for free and on the street. They are also messy.
M For no.5, I went outside to pick up some abandoned stuff. Suyang(first girl) might have made meal for her younger siblings. She is a very good girl enough to take care of them well
For no.6, it look very nice to find that they are together and hang out while they look the drawing on the wall. It looks very lovely.
J. How about no. 7?
M Suyang(first girl) just covers with a blanket. Volunteers came to our village and drew some paintings on the wall, which is very nice to see. This village is getting name from outsiders and more people visit here. I am proud of their visits. I like to live in this village.
For no.8, (laugh) It is very nice to see them getting together well without any fights with each other. It is a different moment. Everyday they are fighting  but here I can see them getting together well. It's very adorable. Suhang and Sujin face each other of which they haven't done like this before. (laugh).
For no.9, this is a small room. It's alway been like this- not be arranged.
J So, do all of your family sleep together?
M Yes, we cannot sleep in this small room. This is like a warehouse.
J This room(no. 5) is a main room in this house. And, all of you sleep in this room. Do you think this main room is small to sleep?
M Yes, way to small. very small for six people for sleeping. For no. 10, it is also nice. Many people visit this village. It could be better if people in this picture face toward front. Very nice picture. We can see a school, a mountain from there. It proves this village is good.
J I have something to ask you. Today, there are many people here. Have you ever thought that you are disturbed by them?
M Not so much. But, sometimes so many people flock here by taking bus here. They took many pictures. It's nice to see them and to talk with them. All of sudden, they rang a bell to ask some coffee or a bottle of water. I asked them where they were from. They said they came from Jeju island.
J I have one thing to ask, the same thing I asked to Sujin before. I assume people in this village are less fortunate than those visiting here. Have you ever thought why they came here to see our underprivileged life? Taking a tour here might offend people here. How about that?
M Yes. Somewhat,I think why they are here. In this village, there are few wealthy people, but most of them are poor. Sometimes, we are reluctant to reveal what we don't want to unveil- something we feel shameful when it's revealed. One day, I kept my front door open and people passing by and said "Look at the trashes in the yard." It hurt me so much when I heard that. There are some people who understand, but others don't.
J How about the last one?
M After this village has transformed to so-called 'culture town', many things have been improved. Light poles have been installed in this village. It is convenient for us to walk around this village at night. It was dark and there were many abandoned houses.
J As Sujin said before, did you feel scared when you walk down the village because she said there were many drunken man loitering?
M There are still some homeless sleeping in the abandoned house. Beggars and teens away from their home sleep there.
J I think you're worried about your kids because of that.
M Yes, I do surely not let them go out at night.
J OK, it's almost done. Do you happen to think whether I miss something in depicting your family or your family's life?
M Nothing. It do our justice as our life is.
J OK, as Sujin said before, she said there is no picture of showing her father. What do you make of this?
M Our couple didn't have our pictures taken. Mainly for our kids.
J I mean your husband is always absent.
M Yes, he is always out of home and comes back late.
J As Sujin indicated before, she hope to hang out with her parents and spend more time with them. How do you think about that?
M Our family has almost no time getting together.
J Do you feel sorry about that?
M That's what I want.(to get together). I want to have the whole family members to have pictures taken, eat out and such on. But, it doesn't work as I wish. My husband always comes back home late. Even though he comes early, he just sleep away because he is tired. That's why.
J Thank you so much.
M Thanks.

Sujin interview

Oct. 7th
Interview with Sujin.

J  What is your first impression on these collection?
S Things now would be better than past.
J  What do you mean?
S  No. 5 and No. 9 show that the place looks smaller, but after cleaning up in the room, the rooms look bigger. And, the alley is also small.
J These pictures I have taken would represent you and your family. Do you think they would show your family?
S  Yeah, a little by little

J What is you think the best picture you like?
S This one, No. 8.
J Why?
S In our family, having meal is the best time for us.
J Sharing food is the happiest moment?
S Yes.
J Can you explain what's going on there?
S  Mom made Dokbokgi as a dessert in the kitchen. Suyeon(second girl) wasn't able to pick it up to eat, and failed. We can't not but to face other each. Suhang(first girl) liked to watch TV while eating. Jihun(baby boy) was just looking at us. However, shoes in the picture weren't arranged well. Later, they were all arranged so they looked clean.
J Which one do you think that describes your family life best?
S This one, No. 5.
J Why do you think so?
S It's complicated to explain, but briefly, it's depicting we're eating.(laugh)
J Eating food is important, isn't it?
S Hmm, but more important thing is that talking with family than eating food. My family does seem to talk much.
J So, would you explain all of those 11 photographs one by one?
S  Before Kamchun culture village(a town they live in) was created, it looked grim. But after the culture village was built, something interesting happened and it seemed to become a good town.
J How about No. 2?
S The arrow on the right wall helps us find  a way we want to go. But, the alley is so narrow that I find it inconvenient to go to school. It should be wider.
 For No. 3, even though the front yard is small.. the small front yard caused us to stumble and we fell down on the yard. When a clothesline was cut, we had experiences not to do laundry.
 For No. 4, there was not enough room for shoes so we put them on the top of the box(which encases them). We hope mom take torn shoes away someday.
J  Next?
S We are eating food. My Suyang(older sister) made them?. Jihun(baby boy) didn't eat much so we're worried if he's not enough tall because of it. Because we ate food without him, we are like beggars. (laugh)
J What does that mean when you say you're like beggars?
S Room where we eat food is not clean. That's why.
J How about No. 6?
S It doesn't look like a family because of the absence of Jihun(baby boy). The drawing on the wall constituted this picture is more realistic and three-dimentional.
S For No.7,  I wasn't there but Suyang looked cold and looked at the drawings on the wall.
J Can you explain what happened to the wall?
S Some volunteers from local colleges have drawn some images on the wall of our town to make it look better.
J Next.
S Like I said earlier, the moment we are eating Dokbokgi is the happiest time.  I hope mom makes more desserts rather than it.
For No.9, when Suyun(third gird) went to a kindergarten, this room was too small and messy to sleep in the room. Now, my family, even though my father was not there, conducted a big task- clean the room up and the room is clean enough to sleep there.
J Is it difficult to keep it clean?
S We don't have enough spaces to keep our stuff so we put all of them in the room. So, it's hard to clean the messy things.
S For No. 10, though a lot of tourists make some noise, I do some good things to them when I answer their question of where they are in the town. I think it would be good to let them know the direction they want to know.
J Have you ever thought why many tourists visit here and bother me?
S No, but when I was in fifth grade, I thought so.
J Why?
S When I slept, some of them kept ringing a bell and asked me to give them a bottle of water  and to direct them to where they want to go. It bothered me. I was't able to sleep. I was late to school and I wasn't able to complete my homework. So, I posted a note 'Don't disturb us' on the front door. Mom blamed me about that. After that, I though I shouldn't do that.
J If I challenge you with a difficult question, have ever thought that the tourists who are believed to lead a better life than those in this town just have witnessed things which the underprivileged like you don't want show?  In other words, did you see any negative aspects of their activities?
S I don't think so, but sometimes I feel bad when they see us. I thought so in a different way. The reason I think they see us is that either they think we look cute or they want to take pictures of us. But, to the extent they watch us so far is not a thing we feel bad.
J How about the last photograph? It looked like an alley at night.
S The most scary thing is that we see beggars and homeless people in the alley at night. When I ran errands for mom, I and my siblings always carefully looked around to see if the strangers followed us. The alley is very small and scary. I had no choice but to walk down the alley at night. Because I am weak and small girl,  I am scared whether I could be kidnapped in the alley.
J OK, here are the collection of 11 photographs in front of you. Of 11 photographs, what do you think I miss in terms of depicting your family's life and situation?
S What's missed is that there is no moment my father and mother talk each other. I can't see my father especially because he go to work everyday even on weekend. What I hope to see is the scene where all family members including my father get together and discuss how we can live in the future and make plans for that. I want to have the moment taken.
J Is there anything to add?
S No.

FINAL SELECTION FOR INTERVIEW 2

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final selection for interviews in Kamchun village

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Oct. 7 field notes