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Cover image for Lala All the Way I made
Lala All the Way I made this staircase about ten years ago. To be honest, I still don’t think of it as art. At the time, we simply did not have the money to replace everything that was old, worn out, or falling apart. So I did what I always did. I fixed it myself. And I loved it. I loved looking at something tired and forgotten and imagining what it could become. Back then, I did a lot of projects around the house. I painted things. I repaired things. I covered things with paper and glue. I transformed old cabinets, mirrors, tables, chairs, and whatever else I could get my hands on. Looking back now, I realize that my Craft Design background never really left me. It just found a different place to live. Instead of galleries, it lived in staircases. Instead of canvases, it lived in old furniture. Instead of expensive materials, it lived in leftover paint, scraps of paper, and things that other people might have thrown away. I have always loved upcycling. I love giving something a second chance. I love finding beauty where nobody is looking. I have lived in this house for almost thirty years, and I will be leaving it soon. Not every memory here is a good one. But when I look at this staircase, I remember the version of myself who was excited to make something with her own hands. The version of myself who could spend hours with paper, glue, paint, and a new idea. That is the memory I want to keep. And I have a feeling I am not done yet. Who knows how many old chairs, forgotten tables, worn-out cabinets, and strange little treasures I will rescue in the future? I am actually excited about it. I will keep sharing them here. Because that is what LALATOWN is. LALATOWN is not about pretending everything is perfect. It is about finding something worth keeping, even when life gets messy. And somehow turning it into a story. Welcome to the neighborhood. — Hyungjoo Kim Caretaker of LALATOWN Studio
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Cover image for Lucky Days and Little Signs A
Lucky Days and Little Signs A LALATOWN Auspicious Calendar I created this calendar last summer and, to be honest, I never really shared the story behind it. Some people may see it as superstition. Some may see it as tradition. Others may see it as a form of spiritual belief. For me, it is simply a small piece of the world I grew up in. I was born and raised in Korea in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Back then, paying attention to auspicious days was completely ordinary. People checked calendars before moving, getting married, signing important contracts, starting a business, or taking a long journey. While modern life has changed many traditions, some traces still remain. Even today, moving companies often charge more on popular auspicious days, and many people still consult traditional calendars or fortune tellers before major life events. This calendar is not meant to tell anyone what to believe. It is simply a glimpse into an old Korean custom that has stayed with me throughout my life. In this calendar, the green dots mark auspicious days. These are considered favorable days for important beginnings, travel, celebrations, agreements, and new ventures. The red letters indicate a direction to be mindful of on that particular day. Traditionally, people would avoid disturbing the land, digging, nailing, major construction, or beginning significant activities in those directions. Some people interpret this spiritually. Others see it as folklore. I see it as a form of ancestral wisdom and a reminder to move through life with a little more awareness. Over the years, I have occasionally adjusted travel dates or postponed certain plans simply because it gave me peace of mind. Whether or not you believe in it is entirely up to you. I simply wanted to share a small piece of the culture and traditions that shaped me. I will be sharing the July calendar soon, along with a few family stories connected to these old customs and beliefs. Thank you for being a little superstitious with me today.
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Cover image for CLASSIFIED The Power Structure of LALATOWN I
CLASSIFIED The Power Structure of LALATOWN I am revealing classified information today. Please show the proper respect. Every town has a government. Every government has a power structure. LALATOWN is no exception. Some of these citizens still live beside me. Some now live only in memory. But every one of them helped build the town. Let me introduce the real power behind LALATOWN. Frankie (Mayor) Frankie is the Mayor of LALATOWN. A gentle giant. He requires very little in life, except Sarang. In fact, Frankie refused to approve this public release unless Sarang appeared at the same rank. The two photos included above are officially recognized as “couple pictures,” despite the fact that Frankie insisted on staying approximately three feet away from Sarang at all times. Frankie lives in the House of Frankie, a special place in LALATOWN where his favorite toys hang from every tree branch. I am personally responsible for maintaining the property and watering the grounds. Frankie arrived after a difficult beginning. Abandoned and frightened, he spent his days hiding under a bed. He would not come out for anyone. Except Dolsae. Dolsae crawled under the bed, stayed with him, and slowly brought him back into the world. When Frankie wandered away and refused to come home, Dolsae found him and escorted him back. If Frankie is the Mayor of LALATOWN, Dolsae is one of the reasons he became one. Dolsae (Five-Star General) Dolsae protected every corner of our home and property. He was brilliant, brave, and endlessly kind. We often called Frankie the George Clooney of cats because of his perfect black-and-white markings, but it was Dolsae who helped Frankie become Frankie. After Dolsae passed away unexpectedly, Frankie stopped eat. He became depressed, and seemed unwilling to continue. That is how Sarang entered the story. Sarang (First Lady) We did not go looking for Sarang. We simply found her. She happened to be close to Dolsae’s age and, strangely enough, had also lost six teeth, just like him. We were told she might not have much time. Instead, she spent eight happy years with us. Frankie fell in love immediately. He began grooming again. He became joyful again. For the rest of her life, Frankie looked at Sarang as though she were the center of the universe. And perhaps she was. Jjanggu (The Last Gentleman) Jjanggu arrived later. Every house needs at least one black cat. Jjanggu loved Sarang deeply. He hunted for her. He brought gifts. He tried his best. Unfortunately for him, competing with Frankie was impossible. So Jjanggu accepted his fate. His heart remained warm while his face remained intimidating. A true gentleman. Bonggu (Chief Tennis Ball Administrator) Bonggu never travels without a tennis ball. Administration is a serious responsibility. Part Border Collie. Part Dachshund. Part unstoppable force of nature. I met Bonggu when he was only three months old. The very night I decided to adopt him, he became sick with parvovirus. He survived. Two weeks later, we were reunited. The Department of Tennis Ball Affairs has operated successfully ever since. Hiro (Minister of Toilet Paper Operations) Hiro arrived through a Korean student who heard I loved cats. He was a Himalayan cat with a deep appreciation for paper products. Toilet paper. Tissues. Documents. Nothing was safe. He also adored Saja. Unfortunately, Kkamang occasionally had opinions about that relationship. According to unofficial records, one incident involved Hiro being escorted into the mountains and temporarily misplaced. A search operation was launched. Hiro was recovered. The investigation remains open. Saja & Kkamang (Founding Members of LALATOWN) These two arrived a year apart and stayed nearly twenty years. Before there was a LALATOWN, there was Saja and Kkamang. They are the reason I became a cat person. They are the beginning of the story. Every town has founders. LALATOWN had two. And their influence can still be felt in every corner of the neighborhood. Respectfully submitted, The Caretaker of LALATOWN
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