German artist's cultural contributions result in Seoul honorary citizenship
German artist Anna Rihlmann, better known as Anna Yoon, holds flowers after being awarded honorary citizenship of Seoul during a ceremony in Seoul, Nov. 26. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Anna Rihlmann, better known as Anna Yoon, a German-born freelance artist working in theater and film, was one of the 17 foreign residents to be granted honorary citizenship of Seoul on Nov. 26. The city government awarded the honor to nationals from 16 countries in recognition of their contributions to enhancing the city’s culture, economy, welfare, technology, civic life and international image.
Rihlmann has lived in Korea for 11 years and considers herself a Seoul citizen. She served as a reporter for the Korean Cultural Center in Berlin, promoting Seoul to German-speaking audiences. She has also reinterpreted traditional Korean folktales through theater, contributing to Seoul’s creative arts scene.
German artist Anna Rihlmann, better known as Anna Yoon, looks at a poster promoting a hanbok experience in central Seoul's Insa-dong neighborhood that bears her image. Courtesy of Anna Rihlmann
Q: How has living in Seoul shaped your personal or professional journey?
Rihlmann: I have been interested in Korean culture since high school, particularly in Korean cinema. I visited Seoul for the first time during high school through a church exchange program. I still have so many memories of experiencing Korean culture. I had a huge lack of sleep, but I was never so happy in my life. The culture and scenery I had only seen on the internet were suddenly in front of my eyes.
I still remember one of my last days, when I was walking in front of Seoul City Hall at night, where an open-air concert took place. SG Wannabe was singing “Partner for Life.” It was a chilly autumn night, and in that moment, I felt happy to be able to experience culture in this city.
Back then, I promised myself that one day I would live here. After many years of coming back and forth as a student, for internships and then for my master’s degree, I now live in the city I once dreamed of. I think the fact that you can experience art at any time of the day made me feel a deep connection to the city.
A lifesize cutout of Anna Rihlmann, better known as Anna Yoon, stands in front of Insadong PR Center in central Seoul's Insa-dong neighborhood. Courtesy of Anna Rihlmann
Q: Can you tell us about the work, activities or contributions that led to your nomination for honorary citizenship?
Rihlmann: I think my affection for the city has shaped my activities here. I am always proud to introduce Seoul to my friends and share our cultural backgrounds. During the past 10 years, I have made regular contributions for the YouTube channel of the Korean Cultural Center in Berlin as a freelancer. I solely produced the series Korea in Motion and Korea Entdecken (Discover Korea).
Moreover, I love Korean traditions and since 2014, I have been serving as an ambassador for Insa-dong, as well as for Dondeok Hall at Deoksu Palace.
To me, not only culture, but also political and social participation are crucial. For two years, I have served on the Seoul Council as a Foreign Representative in the Cultural Diversity and Human Rights section, representing foreigners living in Seoul. On various occasions, we had the chance to assert the needs of foreign communities and drafted clauses to improve rights.
Deoksu Palace's Dondeok Hall / Courtesy of Park Jun-gyu
Q: What motivated you to engage in this contribution?
Rihlmann: From my personality, I think that working to improve living standards and fighting for rights, especially for minorities, has always been part of my life. My grandfather is from Latvia, and because of that, my family always had the will to fight for inclusion. Having lived as part of the majority in Germany for a long time, coming to Korea and becoming a minority made me want to fight for better rights.
Q: Why do you think you were selected for this recognition?
Rihlmann: I think I was selected first because I do love Seoul, and that can be reflected in my activities. Second, the power of art cannot be ignored. I believe that my role as an artist is also to represent a new generation of citizens.
When the embassy contacted me and told me they wanted to recommend me, I was already so honored. It was not even the most important thing whether I actually got selected. I was in Germany when I received the email saying that I became an honorary citizen of Seoul. When I told my German parents and my Korean family, they were all so proud. I think I became even more emotional because of their reactions.
German artist Anna Rihlmann, better known as Anna Yoon, fifth from left, poses with the cast of "Hallo Chunhyang: The Tale of Anna," her semi-autobiographical play. Courtesy of Anna Rihlmann
Q: Do you see this recognition as a meaningful platform from which to share a message or raise awareness about an issue you care about?
Rihlmann: I believe that as a foreign citizen of Seoul, many other international Seoul citizens will feel represented — a sign that Seoul is recognizing us. That gives a lot of hope. For me, it is a very meaningful platform because I am very engaged in raising awareness about the position of foreigners, especially artists.
I have wanted to participate in many support programs that were not open to foreigners simply because of my nationality. But I am a Seoul citizen who pays taxes and wants to share my opinions and perspectives about life in Korea. These opportunities have been fought for, and I am more than willing to raise awareness and help create more opportunities.
Q: Do you feel a sense of responsibility or opportunity that comes with this status?
Rihlmann: Definitely, with the title comes responsibility, and I would love to become someone international residents can come to and share their stories with, so we can find ways to make Seoul more welcoming.
The first activity I want is to get myself invited to the Seoul Film Center opening event. I want to explore more opportunities that international residents usually may not have access to and share them with my fellow international residents to make more opportunities available. And I want to share my specific perspectives about Seoul and Korean society through my projects.
German artist Anna Rihlmann, better known as Anna Yoon, second from left, poses with 16 other Seoul honorary citizens and city government officials, Nov. 26. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Q: From your experience, what could help make Seoul even more welcoming or inclusive for international residents?
Rihlmann: I think socially and culturally, Seoul already has a huge charm. But when it comes to opportunities to work and build something, there is still a long way to go. I would love to be part of that process.
I had this name challenge in the past when applying for bank accounts, insurance or a phone number. My name happened to be long and written differently, and sometimes that made it difficult to get valid documentation. My middle name is quite long, Elisabeth, so sometimes my surname couldn’t fit the documents. I think because many foreigners face this problem, currently many banks and phone companies are aware of it and do their best to assist by writing in the same order and with full spelling.
Q: How do you balance your identity between your home country and your life in Seoul?
Rihlmann: I have been living in Seoul since my early 20s. Most of my years of growing into an adult were spent here. That is why I always say I was born in Germany but produced in Korea. And I love to say that Seoul is the home I chose.
Q: Do you have a message for other foreigners who want to make a meaningful difference in the city?
Rihlmann: Community is so important, and many people have the same feelings. Find your people, share your thoughts and ideas, don’t just sit and complain, be active.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He’s also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.