When I arrived in Korea 50 days ago, the leaves were a rich green and the cicadas sang loudly every day. Now, the leaves are beginning to change color, and the rice fields have turned a beautiful golden yellow. Harvest season is approaching quickly—and so is autumn.

Your heartfelt messages comforted me during this difficult time, and I am deeply grateful for your kindness. I couldn’t reply to everyone—not because I was too busy helping my mother, but because I wasn’t emotionally ready to express my gratitude.

Yesterday, my family held a memorial ritual called 49 Jae, a Buddhist ceremony in which we pray for my father’s peaceful transition and good rebirth. Although we are not a religious family, the ritual felt like a meaningful way to honor my father and his life. As is tradition in Korea, we prepared offerings of foods, fruits, and wine for him. Afterward, we gathered around the table, shared a meal, and exchanged memories of him.

Next week, I’ll return to Seoul to prepare for the upcoming Korea Textile Tours. As many of you know, I’ll be leading two tours this year—one in October and another in November. They will keep me busy, and I’ll return in the November newsletter to share stories and memories from our October adventures.

While staying at my parents’ home with my mother, I tried to find comfort through making art. I discovered two of my father’s mosi hanbok and decided to create something to remember him by. I kept one set intact and carefully took apart the other. Now, two pieces inspired by him are in progress—one in white, and the other a gentle, soothing gray dyed with black ink my father used for calligraphy. I plan to complete them when I return home in November, after the second tour.

Sending my heartfelt gratitude and love from Korea,
Youngmin