Food For The Soul

Tell us more about what you do for work.
I’m an interior designer in the hospitality industry. I’m doing design in hotels, and we always have to deal with a lot of art and artists, because hotels always require a certain amount of artwork. Sometimes as a designer, we recommend artists and artwork based on the concept of the hotel’s design, so it’s good to keep up with the arts scene to get new inspiration.

You’re originally from Korea. When was the last time you travelled home, and what do you miss most about it?
I went back last October, and I came back in November, but before October, I couldn’t go back to Korea for two years because of COVID. I miss my mum’s home-cooked food the most. And I know these days, the K-pop culture is booming, so I feel like I’m missing out on experiencing one of the biggest parts of Korean culture (laughs).

Do you have a favourite Korean celebrity or artist?
I like Gong Yoo and Blackpink (laughs). For artists, I really love the works of Kim Tae-Ho. I think he’s one of the most important artists in South Korea, and I actually went down to The Columns Gallery at Gillman Barracks to see his exhibition, Internal Rhythm, on opening day in January.

You mentioned one of the things you miss most about Korea is your mum’s cooking. Do you cook as well here in Singapore?
I love cooking, but in Singapore I stay alone, and I enjoy cooking more when I’m with my friends and family, where I can share. It’s very difficult to do that right now with COVID.

When I do cook for myself, I prefer something faster and simpler. Korean food takes so long to make—that’s why you need someone to share it with, otherwise I don’t want to cook it at all because there are so many side dishes. Usually, I make simple Mediterranean food, or South American food like guacamole.

What’s your go-to comfort food in Singapore?
Mala! (laughs) I don’t know why, but my Korean friends and I all love mala in Singapore. When we get stressed or when we are down, we like to have spicy food, and I think the mala here is amazing (laughs). That or hotpot! I also like yong tau foo. and having satay with beer with my friends at night.