Good Shoes

It's 2023.07.01 on the lunar calendar today.

Hi everyone! I've been sitting on a mound of work, snoozing instead of chipping away at projects. One thing I did manage to do though—through the support and work of my collaborators—is shoot the '80s workout music video. Pictured above is my sister Jello's workout shoes.

She and my mom are visiting Korea this month, so I've asked if they can get me a replacement pair of velcro chucks there in addition to new gayageum strings. Below is a roundup of some thoughts I had related to shoes while I was in Korea, six years ago now. 

Not Quite the Princess and the Pea

She could not be fooled. Pulling off her shoe, then sock, she found the dried grain of rice stuck inside the toe box and plucked it off. Not quite the princess and the pea but something like that.

YOLO

In a hospital gown and rubber lavender slippers, he puffed a cigarette out front.

Well, you only live once.

Good Shoes (Part 1)

Shoe shopping may be the most important shopping trip, whether in person or virtually, you make all year. You are going to want to have good shoes should you decide to get away. Even if you aren’t able to physically move your legs, a pair of good shoes by the foot of your bed will give you assurance. And you can still wear them in your dreams.

There's No Place Like Korea

This pair of ruby gomushin (Korean rubber shoes) by artist kate-hers RHEE at the Pacific Asia Museum made me stop in my tracks. Here's what I wrote in my last stay in Korea:

Two years, too long to have stayed

Too many tutu-wearing Totos

Toes, ten, but ruby slippers

To whence did they tip, did they toe

Good Shoes (Part 2)

Do you have your outfit picked out for the trip to the afterlife? You’ve been shedding pounds but I think you needn’t worry about slimming down to fit in your clothes. The fabric isn’t like what we know on earth and it’ll fit your new body like the best set of bespoke clothing you’ve never worn.

You’ll have good shoes too.

The Liberated Woman

Walking in the rain in Birkenstock sandals with socks and clutching a loaf of egg- and milk-free bread in the umbrella hand while holding a slice of bread in the other.

The liberated woman, that’s me.

I signed up to run a half-marathon in a few months. I've yet to start training but I did purchase new running shoes to alternate with my old pair 👟

www.joycekwon.com