Last winter, there were some events that made us feel warm. The most impressive things were some used briquettes engraved with some illustrations and phrases. There is a man who changed briquettes into beautiful works, which made people feel warm in such a cold winter. CBT reporters met Rim Min, who is an artist making works by using briquettes, and he is living in Suamgol, Cheong-ju. -Ed.



An anecdote about how he became  an artist

A dream starts!

  When I was young, I wanted to be a novelist, so I studied hard and jotted down lots of literature for around 10 years. While I studied about the literature, I worked part-time jobs such as selling socks and promoting some fruits to people. Since I needed some money to study and to pay for my monthly rental fee, I couldn’t help getting a lot of jobs that I didn’t want to do. That is the reason why I started this job. I love this life more than before. I felt hungry for more, but I’m happy now. This life has a lot of restraints. However, I overcame the difficulty with my courage.

My journey to Suamgol

  I lived in Bongcheon-dong and Miari, Seoul. I happened to go to Cheong-ju during a bicycle trip. I wandered all over the country by bicycle for one year and seven months. In the end, I arrived at Cheong-ju, and I heard about a mural town on TV. That TV show made me want to go there and I started my journey to Suamgol mural town.

Story of works

Finding subject matters

  I usually look for a subject matter in my daily life. I happened to draw illustrations and write some phrases on briquettes. At first, I found two used briquettes at my neighbor’s house. The neighbor was an old woman who always said that she is cold at night. Even though it was May in which people did not heat briquettes, she was always using them. I scribbled on the used briquettes, ‘Was last night warm all night long?’ on a whim. By the way, I was surprised because the used briquettes are still there today. I realized that the used briquette is a useful subject matter, so I started to draw illustrations and phrases on the briquettes.

About the briquette tree - the latest work

  Two years ago, I made a Christmas tree using about fifty briquettes in my workroom. People loved the briquette tree. Therefore, I made a briquette tree using a thousand briquettes last Christmas. While I was considering giving it up since it was an expensive work, a chance came to me coincidently, so I finally decided to make the tree. I am thankful to CBINEWS(Chung Buk in News) reporter, Kim Nam-gyun, who was the biggest supporter of this tree.

An inspiration that the tree gives to us

  I usually write down my feelings and stories that I want to tell people. After that, I use these notes in my works. Ultimately, I think that other’s happiness can make me happy too.
  I always had a thought that the streets are too dry. We can see two kinds of people on the street. Some people are happy, but the others are sad. I had been a sad person, and I hope people who see my briquette works can smile for just a moment.



Story of art

An artist to me

  I don’t want to be a famous artist such as Andy Warhol or Banksy. I have only one goal: being an artist who can buy a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of Korean rice wine called Makgeolli. I have dreamt of it for a long time and fortunately, now it is my actual job. Therefore, I want to be a good-natured and heartwarming person to others. However, I think that I have to be more mature. Then, the works which I do will be very funny and happy. Also, this work helped fulfill my own dream.

Future plans

  I’m setting up a guerrilla briquette work which is made of about fifty to one hundred pieces of briquettes in each city. Now, I have visited about 10 cities. This year, my goal is to set up the works in all major Korean cities. Another plan is to direct a film where the main character is a briquette with my friends. I think it would be hard to make stop-motion pictures, but I’m planning to direct an animated short film. I’m also preparing for a podcast. Cheong-ju citizens and I made a broadcasting station called Cheong-ju Citizen Radio. We will broadcast two or three programs.



Messages to people

To visitors of Suamgol

  Suamgol is a town that people live in. Please don’t trespass on the residents’ land without permission. People think that Suamgol is one of the tourist attractions in Cheong-ju, but it isn’t. This town is the same as your common towns. Therefore, please do not litter or sing loudly. If you go there, please observe the rules of etiquette.

To students who are afraid of chal lenges

  If you decide to do something challenging, your decision might influence your life substantially. Surely, you will be afraid of challenges and say, “Can I earn money with this job?” It is right that maintaining your livelihood is the most important issue. Nevertheless, I think that the damage you will get from a challenge in your youth is helpful. Try to take on a challenge and accept some damage. Even if you fail the challenge, the struggle will be your asset. Therefore, try it! Don’t throw away your beautiful dreams.

By Choi Ji-su
js36@cbnu.ac.kr