On the 24th, the opening ceremony of the Hangol Calligraphy Museum, held at Jeoji Culture and Arts Village in Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City, was attended by Hyun Byung-chan, his family, disciples, figures from the cultural and arts community, and local residents to celebrate this meaningful new beginning. Despite the inclement weather, attendees filled the venue, expressing their respect and gratitude for the artist’s act of sharing with warm applause.

MC Kim Eun-mi, one of Jeju's top MCs, hosted the event. A large gathering of major figures from Jeju’s cultural, educational, legal, medical, economic, and local communities attended to honor Hyun Byung-chan’s artistic achievements and celebrate the museum's fresh start.

Key attendees included Ryu Il-soon, Director General of the Culture, Sports and Education Bureau of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council Member Kim Hyo, who read a congratulatory address on behalf of the Council Chairman. Jung Tae-keun, President of the Korean Red Cross Jeju Chapter; Song Jae-kyung, President of the Korea Fine Arts Association Jeju Branch; and Ko Tae-min, former member of the Jeju Provincial Assembly, were also present.

Notably, members of the "Gomsolhoe" group added significance to the opening, including former Jeju National University President Boo Man-keun, former Jeju Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Moon Hong-ik, former Jeju Medical Association President Kim Soon-taek, Jeju Bar Association President Kim Seok-seok, Jeju Architects Association President Kim Seok-yoon, and former Jeju Bank President Kim Kuk-joo.

Veterans and mid-career artists from the calligraphy and literati painting community also stepped forward. Advisors Cho Jong-sook (Gyudang) and Hyun Ik-joo (Han-seok), Representative Chairperson Cho Yong-ok, and Director Go Young-jin of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Calligraphy and Literati Painting Federation, alongside joint chairperson and heads of various organizations—such as Go Yoon-hyung (Jeju Branch of the Calligraphy Carving Association), Lee Tae-in (Chairman of the Calligraphers Association), Shin Ki-hwan (Chairman of the Hanyeonhoe), and Kang Won-bong (Chairman of the Somukhoe)—attended.

In addition, Kim Sun-sook, Chairperson of the Sejong Korean Alphabet Big Meaning Society; Huh Sung-soo, Founding Chairman of the Jeju Language Preservation Society; Moon Jung-soo, former Chairman of the Jeju Language Preservation Society; and Yang Jeon-hyung, former Chairman of the Jeju Language Preservation Society, gathered to reflect on the cultural values of the Jeju language, Hangul culture, and calligraphy.

From the local cultural and arts community, former Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art Director Kim Chang-woo, Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art Director Yoon Ki-hyuk, Chunghwa Literary Society President Hyun Tae-yong, Jeju Theatre Association President Lee Kwang-hoo, and former Oerimteo Center Director Cho In-seok attended to share congratulatory messages.

From Jeoji Culture and Arts Village, where the museum is located, Steering Committee Chairman Ahn Se-won and Jeoji-ri Village Head Kim Jae-nam joined local officials to express high expectations for the calligraphy museum to grow into a new hub for local culture and arts.

Above all, the attendance of disciples who closely learned and inherited Hyun Byung-chan’s artistic spirit drew attention. Disciples Kim Su-ae and Yang Choon-hee represented the students, alongside long-time mentees who gathered to celebrate their teacher's milestone. Furthermore, 25 other writers and representatives from the cultural and arts sector graced the occasion.

Artists connected with the Jeoji Culture and Arts Village and disciples taught by Hyun shared the joy of the opening. Enthusiastic applause and welcoming cheers were extended to the artists who submitted works for the opening commemorative exhibition.

◇ Sharing a Lifetime of Works and Spaces with the Citizens

The event proceeded with guest introductions, a progress report, a screening of a video capturing Hyun Byung-chan's artistic world, commemorative and congratulatory remarks, poetry recitation, and closing remarks by Hyun.

During the progress report, Kim Yang-soon, Head of the Culture Policy Division, outlined the journey from Hyun’s initial expression of intent to donate to its opening as a public cultural space. On June 15, 2021, Hyun expressed his intention to donate his own works, books, and creative space to Jeju Province. The donation comprised 108 calligraphy works (including his own, collected works, and students' works), 4,816 books, a 3,410㎡ plot of land, and a 2-story building with a total floor area of 494㎡. Jeju Province prepared for the museum's opening through reviews of donated materials, property transfer, and exhibition space remodeling and facility repairs.

The subsequent video showcased Hyun’s artistic journey, embedding the beauty of Hangul and the sentiment of Jeju at the tip of his brush. It highlighted his life as an educator teaching future generations and cultivating a unique calligraphy style through creation.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor Oh Young-hun (read by Culture, Sports and Education Bureau Director Ryu Il-soon) stated in a commemorative address: "I extend my deep respect and gratitude to Teacher Hyun Byung-chan and his family members who have unsparingly given away their works, books, and precious creative spaces imbued with a lifetime of art and life." The Governor praised Hyun for capturing the beauty of Hangul and the deep sentiment of the Jeju language at his brush tip over a long period, nurturing younger generations while committing himself to creation and spreading the value of calligraphy. He emphasized that the opening of the Hangol Calligraphy Museum is a meaningful departure to share the fruits of a lifetime of art with more neighbors and pass them on to the next generation. Governor Oh also thanked the guest artists participating in the commemorative exhibition, adding, "Jeju Province will faithfully preserve the donated works and materials in accordance with the teacher's wishes, and ensure that citizens can learn and enjoy calligraphy through exhibitions, education, and venue rentals."

Kim Hyo, Vice Chairperson of the Culture, Tourism and Sports Committee of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council, reflected on Hyun’s lifelong artistic world and the meaning of sharing in her congratulatory speech. She noted that Hyun’s works contain not only the beauty of Hangul but also Jeju’s nature, the lives of its people, and its unique regional sentiments, expressing admiration for his artistic footsteps in guarding Jeju's spirit and culture with a brush for many years. Kim emphasized that Hyun taught children as an educator, raised numerous disciples as a calligrapher, and finally handed over his lifelong works and precious creative space to the citizens, allowing the entire Jeju community to share the fruits of his dedication. "The teacher spent a lifetime writing Jeju with a brush, and now he has left that life in Jeju," she said, calling it the most valuable gift an artist can leave to their hometown.

◇ Long-standing Ties Extend Congratulations... "Yielding Life's Fruits to Jeju"

Former Jeju Provincial Assemblyman Ko Tae-min recalled his past ties handling cultural administration during the Bukjeju-gun era, tracing his connection with Hyun Byung-chan from the creation of Jeoji Culture and Arts Village to the opening of the Hangol Calligraphy Museum. Ko recalled the early days of building the arts village under former Bukjeju-gun County Head Shin Chul-joo, noting that Hyun took the lead to move in first and encourage other artists to join, laying the foundation for the village’s vitality.

Cho Jong-sook, Chair Professor at Dongbang Culture University, reflected on her ties with Hyun since moving into the arts village. Initially feeling a sense of loss upon hearing about the donation of the "House of Written Words," she said her perspective changed as she understood the deep affection for calligraphy and Jeju embedded within the act.

Cho Yong-ok, Representative Chairperson of the Calligraphy and Literati Painting Federation, praised Hyun as an "artist of unwavering heart" who spent 40 years in education and continued a relentless pursuit of art and sharing.

Song Jae-kyung, President of the Korea Fine Arts Association Jeju Branch, evaluated the opening as a historic moment in Jeju's cultural and art history, highlighting the profound nobility of returning a lifetime of artistic fruits to the cradle of one's hometown.

Lawyer Kim Seung-seok recited an original poem titled "By Your Side" dedicated to Hyun Byung-chan, comparing his act of letting go of ownership and sharing his creative space to the Buddhist concept of giving without attachment ("Mujusangbosi").

(Excerpt of the poem "By Your Side" by Hyangsan Kim Seung-seok)

In your youth, by your side

Were innocent children...

...Now the sun sets in the west,

The western sky dyes in twilight,

By your side remain only the brush and ink,

No house, no work is left.

"I belong to nowhere, to no one."

Realizing the truth that "I own nothing anywhere, to anyone,"

You practice the way of non-ownership...

◇ Hyun Byung-chan: "A Joy of Eternal Life, Not Regret"

In his speech, Teacher Hyun Byung-chan expressed gratitude to attendees and recounted his journey from settling in Jeoji Culture and Arts Village to deciding on the donation. Recalling his 23 years in the village—13 years longer than his initial 10-year plan—he expressed delight in seeing younger artists carry on and develop the village. Regarding the donation, Hyun explained how he discussed the handover process across three consecutive provincial governors, starting with former Governor Won Hee-ryong, continuing through former Governor Oh Young-hun, and culminating under current Governor Oh Young-hun (via Governor's statements). When asked by people if he felt any regret or sorrow about giving away all his property, Hyun replied, "I am not sad or hurt; I greet this day with the 'joy of eternal life.'" He explained that rather than treating the donation as a sorrowful farewell, he sees it as a way for his art and life to live on indefinitely.

Hyun also proposed future ideas for the museum, suggesting that writing programs in the Jeju language be held for both young people and seniors, with prize funds supported by figures like Huh Sung-soo and himself, ideally accompanied by official provincial commendations to encourage participants. Concluding his remarks, Hyun expressed deep trust in the Jeju Provincial Government to properly manage the museum, wrapping up the ceremony with warm laughter and deep anticipation for the future.

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