Experience Amplifier, Observation 1
Tags: Animals, Dmz, Travel, South Korea, Experience

<Interview with Lee Yeonwoo, a writer of the book Gazi-Gazi>

Interview space : Writer’s space / Interview start time : pm 7:50, 29 Aug 2020 / Age group : 20’s / Home Country : Seoul, Republic of Korea

How do you describe yourself?

Yellow

When I was young, there was a yellow wall at home that my mother painted herself. Most of my ego was formed in the house, and I like yellow a lot because the house was like my totem.

Is yellow the very influential color for you?

I always liked yellow, and I also like colors that go well with yellow. In fact, yellow goes well with many colors, and it seems like this is telling of my personality. A person who adapts well and blends well wherever they go.

How do you describe your everyday life?

A Full Life That Does Not Seem So

Even though I am a freelancer that may seem laid back, I have no weekends and work almost 365 days a year. I feel that my life is full because I constantly live thinking about the work I do.

How do you describe the character of the book Gazi-Gazi?

A Cute Story with a Deeper Meaning

The book “Gazi-Gazi” is a cute book with a writing style and pictures that seems like are for children. However, if you actually read the story, there are deeper stories such as historical stories about why these animals had to go all the way there, why these exotic plants came to Korea, and how we humans came to harm them.

How do you describe the mood of the book Gazi-Gazi?

A book perfect for the spring. A book that is like bread or glutinous rice cake, with a soft touch in the dough and sweet red beans inside.

How did you start the book Gazi-Gazi?

“Gazi-Gazi” was produced by four friends, that tried to include various stories. We wanted to select items that form a specific space that had been abandoned for a long time and include these stories. All four of us started the project because we liked to deal with small or hidden stories rather than large ones. We did not plan on setting the theme as just animals and plants. Different objects and people could have been selected as themes. But since we were all friends that liked animals and plants, the first book naturally discussed themes about plants, and the second book discussed themes about animals.

Why did you choose the animals of DMZ as the second topic?

Our interest was just fit in the situation. At that time, President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un met together and discussed about how to utilize the DMZ after removing mines. Since we were looking for a theme to work with and we were discussing animals and plants, we came to the conclusion that the DMZ was a perfect choice. It was a place that has not been visited by people for a long time, and it fit our concept as well.

We usually do not recognize all the animals that live in the DMZ. The Asiatic black bear has become quite famous, but people still do not know about animals like the black-faced spoonbill or the boreal digging frog, despite the efforts of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. People have also not heard of species such as the swan goose. Through research, we came to learn that there are unexpectedly many native fish and animals living in Korea, and animals that exist in Korea that may be seen abroad like spotted seals. Because of these things, we became more attracted to the DMZ as we made this book. We first started this project because we were attracted to the space called the DMZ itself, but these animals made it even more attractive. We may consider the DMZ as a space containing the pains of war, but there are so many valuable things in it. The fact that we could promote these things was very enjoyable for us.

What is the word that describes the DMZ?

Close Relative

Perhaps it is because I did not grow up during the Korean War, but since I was young the DMZ felt like a place I could not visit that is full of mines. But while making this book, I started to realize that I had a close relative nearby. I felt like there was a close relative I wanted to protect and cherish within this country. I hope that people do not harm the area and protect it.

An interesting person you communicate with through the book Gazi-Gazi?

The doctors were very attractive.

There are only a few people who I can ask about the animals in the DMZ, and only a few of them are taking care of all the animals in the DMZ. There is no one else to ask questions. They agreed to the interview and proofreading that could be annoying and helped out as if it were their job. I also remember them thanking me for teaching the public on behalf of them.

Do you have any opinion about the relationship of inter-Korea?

In Chuncheon, where I lived as a child, there was a box to pick up North Korean flyers. There were unification poster making contests, writing contests, unification painting contests, and slogan contests. Naturally, when we were young, we thought our wish was reunification unconditionally. However, now I think it would not be bad to exist as two countries that respect each other. Of course, I do not know how that will turn out politically, but as an individual, I personally believe this could work. Both sides are treating each other like traitors because they are considered one nation. I think it could be better to be friendly with each other while communicating and trading with each other as independent nations.

What do you dream about the DMZ in the future?

Whenever there is vacant space in Korea, people want to use it. Rather than just observing these animals, I hope this space could be used as a safari of sorts to protect these animals. I hope we can help all these animals and plants, especially those are that are endangered.

Interview start time : pm 8:29, 29 Aug 2020