Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Why mobile game icon Kwon Joon-mo turned to meditation
Kwon Joon-mo, center, chair of mobile game developer Four Thirty Three, talks with other guests during the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI)'s monthly CQ Forum, held at Kwon's Prajna cultural space in Jongno District, Seoul, Tuesday. From left are Belgian Ambassador to Korea Bruno Jans; James Park, director of BIO Plastic Surgery; Kwon; Choi Jung-wha, president of CICI; and former French Ambassador to Korea Jerome Pasquier. Courtesy of CICI
By Park Jin-hai
Four Thirty Three chair hosts healing session for CICI
Kwon Joon-mo, former CEO of Nexon and chairperson of mobile game developer Four Thirty Three, hosted a meditation class on Tuesday, joined by some 20 Korean and international dignitaries.
Organized as part of the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI)'s monthly CQ Forum, the psychology professor-turned-entrepreneur said he has practiced meditation for over a decade, describing himself as a long-time believer in its healing power.
Kwon invited singing bowl meditation instructor Lee Ju-hyun to lead the session using singing bowls of various shapes, sizes and materials, as well as a Koshi chime, making the vibrations of each sound resonate with the listeners’ bodies.
Two years ago, Kwon founded a multi-purpose cultural space, Prajna, in central Seoul. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word for “great wisdom.”
“Great wisdom is when the mind becomes clear. When the mind is clear, it feels calm and at peace. This is a place where people can experience that clarity and tranquility of mind,” he said.
CICI members participate in a meditation session during the organization's monthly CQ Forum at Prajna in Jongno District, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of CICI
Kwon hopes to invite young people to experience the space, to help in "creating a world where people can live with peaceful hearts."
“In the end, everyone just wants to be happy. But honestly, having too many thoughts is one of the hardest things. When your mind is busy, you can’t sleep, everything floods in — you start wondering why you can’t stop thinking. But the heart of meditation is realizing that you are just observing your thoughts," he explained.
"When you see your thoughts come and go without chasing them, your mind naturally feels lighter and more peaceful. That’s why meditation is so vital for modern people, especially for the younger generation.”
As an entrepreneur himself, he noted that he particularly wants to invite young startup founders, since so many young people today are overwhelmed by media and information.
"Their minds are overloaded. So instead of offering fancy food or high-end tech, I wanted to create something that helps them relax — a place where their minds can find peace,” Kwon said.
He plans to introduce various types of mediation and lectures at his cultural space.
"Singing bowls are very simple — something anyone can do. But I’m also planning to introduce a variety of different meditation practices,” he explained.
Belgian Ambassador to Korea Bruno Jans, who participated in the singing bowl meditation, said it took him some time just to clear his thoughts in the beginning because he could not really concentrate outside his mind.
"I was envious of a snoring friend in the group, because it reached the stage I wanted to reach myself. I felt that that's basically the feeling that I wanted to reach," Jans said. "When the session ended, I felt very relaxed, all the positive sides that it brings to the mind and to the body. Overall, it was a great experience."
Jerome Pasquier, a former French Ambassador to Korea who is visiting Korea after some 10 years, also enjoyed the occasion.
"The best experience for me is coming back to Korea per se, where my old friends always warmly welcome me," Pasquier said.