Latest news with #KimYong-mi
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
The sunny side of renting chickens
STUNG by the rocketing price of eggs – and US supermarkets rationing a basic breakfast staple – Kim Yong-mi decided to get some chickens to secure her own supply in southern California. While many people idly muse about backyard farming, for those not ready to take the plunge permanently, there's a solution: renting a henhouse, complete with egg-laying birds. 'I really want to try it out and see whether I like it or not,' said the Los Angeles-area resident as she took delivery of two chickens and all the equipment they need to live a happy egg-laying life. 'Some people I know have chickens at home, but it's a lot of work for them – they had to adjust the whole garden themselves. So I think renting a chicken is a good start.' Hiring hens began to gain ground in the United States around a decade ago in Pennsylvania when a farming couple set up 'Rent The Chicken'. Chickens sitting inside a portable coop on a trailer before departing from a farm to a client's home. - AFP Since then, the project has expanded to more than 40 cities across North America, with local farmers setting up their own offshoots. The service saw an uptick in interest during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when people were stuck at home. But it has skyrocketed in recent months as consumers recoil over the soaring cost of eggs, thanks to a bird flu pandemic that has seen the wholesale culling of egg-laying birds. 'Especially this year, we have had a much higher interest, I would say, three to four times as much as we were seeing this time last year,' said Victoria Lee, who serves the Los Angeles region from her farm in Agua Dulce. Some Americans have been forking over more than US$10 for a dozen eggs, up to three times their usual price, with supermarkets putting daily limits on the number of cartons a shopper can buy. Fresh eggs being delivered along with chickens and a portable chicken coop to a client's house. - AFP The eyewatering costs were a regular feature of last year's presidential campaign, with candidate Donald Trump pledging to lower grocery bills when he got to the White House. But prices have continued to climb, and in March, eggs were 60% more expensive than a year earlier, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Lee is quick to point out, however, that raising chickens at home is not cheaper than buying eggs at the store. Instead, it's a question of quality. 'By the time they get to the grocery store, (eggs) are on average 48-60 days old,' she said. 'As eggs sit, no matter the quality at the start of that countdown, over time, the protein in the eggs begins to break down.' Kim looking inside a portable chicken coop and her egg-laying chickens after they were delivered to her house. — AFP Backyard eggs, in contrast, are only as old as however long it takes the owner to pick them up off the henhouse floor. 'Rent the Chicken' offers different options that range from around US$500 to over US$1,000 for six months, depending on location and number of birds desired. Packages include the birds, food, waterers and feeders, additional treats and a chicken care guide. But it is the included coop that is most striking – a sort of mini house with what looks like a patio, completely protected by fences. It's also movable, thanks to wheels on the bottom. 'Every day, our renters will lift this up ... and move it forward ... with the chickens having access to fresh grass each day. Lee unloading chickens and a portable chicken coop from her truck as they are delivered to a client's house. — AFP 'They're getting the experience of being on wide-open pasture with that new stimulation, new bugs to look for, new grass to dig through, while still being safe in a predator-proof coop.' The convenience is what made the package attractive to Kim, a university professor living in La Crescenta, near Los Angeles, and when her new coop arrived, she was absolutely thrilled. 'Free eggs!' Lee exclaimed while unloading the new backyard tenants and handing over a complimentary dozen laid the previous week. A client with two chickens can expect up to 14 eggs per week, Lee explains. Kim, whose son is an athlete who eats a lot of eggs, says although the supply crisis prompted her to rent the chickens, it's 'bigger than that'. 'I really wanted to have something for the kids, also to learn as a way of life, and to compare the taste of the eggs,' she said. — AFP
Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
K-pop, K-drama ― and K-housing?
Hanok can be advanced by moving beyond strict traditions, blending spirit with modern architecture Hanok, Korea's traditional architectural style deeply influenced by Joseon-era (1392-1910) Confucianism and geomancy, may have the potential to become a competitive cultural asset akin to K-pop and Korean drama series, hanok experts contend. However, in order to fully harness hanok's potential, those building hanoks must modernize their approach — not by merely replicating traditional designs or rigidly following old construction methods, but by flexibly incorporating modern construction procedure while embracing the philosophy that underpins hanok, experts say. Kim Yong-mi, a renowned architect and CEO of GS Architects & Associates, is at the forefront of this modernization movement. An advocate for blending tradition with innovation, Kim has pioneered unique adaptations of hanok, such as the Heung-cheon Nursery, a space where children are nurtured within a traditional hanok environment. She has also received the Presidential Award at the Korean Architecture Culture Awards in 2009 and 2011 for designs including the Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater, which integrates a modern underground cultural facility with a traditional hanok structure above ground, and the Gosan Yun Seon-do Artifact Museum. Despite hanok's deep cultural significance as a traditional Korean architectural style with a history spanning centuries, few architects focus professionally on this style, as most are drawn to Western-inspired architecture. Even architecture curriculums tend to emphasize Western methods, leaving traditional Korean architecture underexplored. Kim said she, too, had not seen hanok as a central focus during her academic years. However, her perspective changed when she was tasked with designing the Hanok Experience Center in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. That project, she says, revealed the unique advantages of hanok compared to Western buildings. 'For the first time, I combined the traditional wooden construction method with Western-style light wood frame construction, which allowed us to proceed quickly,' Kim explained during an interview with The Korea Herald on April 22. 'That's when I realized — hanok can actually be highly modular. Since hanok is built with identical sections (or units), construction can be carried out simultaneously in multiple areas. It's well-suited for industrialization.' Kim's admiration for hanok grew as she explored its underlying philosophy, rooted in Confucianism and geomancy. The layout of hanok mirrors both social hierarchy and energy dynamics, blending interior and exterior spaces in ways that are rare in Western architecture. "When you enter hanok, you can have a variety of experiences. The interior and exterior are blended together. When you look from the front, your view extends all the way through the opening to the courtyard. You're not just looking at one thing — it's a layered view, one space leading into another, and then even further into the space beyond," she said. "Hanok brings the visitor to a journey, where spaces unfold one after another through frames. This is a unique feature of hanok not typically found in Western architecture." However, Kim acknowledges that while hanok offers vast potential, it faces significant obstacles in greater adoption — most notably, the high cost of construction. Timber is far more expensive than concrete, making hanok projects financially prohibitive for many. Additionally, traditional construction methods are labor-intensive, and can be seen as resistant to change. 'The people building hanok are from the old generation, which makes things difficult. We need to use new construction methods, but the old techniques are still mixed in, and since the craftsmen are from the past, the industry itself remains stuck in the past,' Kim said. "For example, if we used machines, we could premake the walls and simply assemble them on site — but that approach isn't being applied." Another hurdle is the perception of hanok among the public. Many Koreans resist deviations from the traditional aesthetic, such as omitting the giwa roof, a hallmark of hanok. "People are already too deeply conditioned to associate the concept of hanok with tiled roofs," Kim said. "That kind of thinking needs to be broken." One possible way to advance hanok in today's world, Kim suggests, lies in adapting the philosophy of hanok to modern architecture. Her project Bambu Seongsu, for example, integrates hanok's spirit without adhering to traditional, expensive design details such as tiled roofs. In Bambu Seongsu, each floor features a terrace that connects the interior to the exterior, continuing the harmonious relationship between the inside and the outside that is central to hanok philosophy. "The spirit of hanok should be continued throughout time. Bambu Seongsu is one of the series of architecture I'm planning to build that carries the spirit of hanok," she explained. Government support, Kim believes, could also play a crucial role in overcoming the financial challenges of hanok construction. She recalled a proposal from the Korea Land & Housing Corp. for hanok-inspired apartment buildings, where construction costs rose due to the inclusion of traditional hanok features like raised wooden floors. "Generally, hanok construction costs are high, so it's difficult for individuals to undertake unless it's a government-supported project," Kim said. Kim suggests that, similar to Korean drama series and K-pop, hanok could become a valuable cultural asset for Korea. She believes the country may be missing an opportunity to promote its culture by not fully embracing the potential of hanok. "When you're in Gwanghwamun, where can you find something truly Korean? There's no place that shows, 'This is really Korean land,'" she lamented. "Of course, we have places like Sungnyemun, Gwanghwamun and the palaces. But Sungnyemun isn't a space; it's just an object. And Gwanghwamun, now standing alone, is a place you pay to enter for a limited amount of time — it's not a space for life. It's just a sightseeing spot. Within our living spaces, we can't really find a truly Korean space." "Hanok is a point of pride for Koreans." Kim emphasized. "We need to figure out a way to carry Korean architecture to the future." Renewed interest in hanok, or traditional Korean houses, is palpable today, demonstrated by the growing number of hanok cultural facilities, cafes, accommodations and homes. While some new hanok architecture espouses the traditional form dating from the Joseon era, hanok buildings that have been adapted to contemporary conditions and lifestyles are also gaining ground. In this series, entitled 'Evolving Hanok,' The Korea Herald explores how hanok continue to evolve to stay relevant to current milieus. — Ed. yoonseo.3348@
Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
K-pop, K-drama ― and K-house?
Hanok can be advanced by moving beyond strict traditions, blending spirit with modern architecture Hanok, Korea's traditional architectural style deeply influenced by Confucianism and geomancy, may have the potential to become a competitive cultural asset akin to K-pop and Korean drama series, hanok experts contend. However, in order to fully harness hanok's potential, those building hanoks must modernize their approach — not by merely replicating traditional designs or rigidly following old construction methods, but by flexibly incorporating modern construction procedure while embracing the philosophy that underpins hanok, experts say. Kim Yong-mi, a renowned architect and CEO of GS Architects & Associates, is at the forefront of this modernization movement. An advocate for blending tradition with innovation, Kim has pioneered unique adaptations of hanok, such as the Heung-cheon Nursery, a space where children are nurtured within a traditional hanok environment. She has also received the Presidential Award at the Korean Architecture Culture Awards in 2009 and 2011 for designs including the Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater, which integrates a modern underground cultural facility with a traditional hanok structure above ground, and the Gosan Yun Seon-do Artifact Museum. Despite hanok's deep cultural significance as a traditional Korean architectural style with a history spanning centuries, few architects focus professionally on this style, as most are drawn to Western-inspired architecture. Even architecture curriculums tend to emphasize Western methods, leaving traditional Korean architecture underexplored. Kim said she, too, had not seen hanok as a central focus during her academic years. However, her perspective changed when she was tasked with designing the Hanok Experience Center in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. That project, she says, revealed the unique advantages of hanok compared to Western buildings. 'For the first time, I combined the traditional wooden construction method with Western-style light wood frame construction, which allowed us to proceed quickly,' Kim explained during an interview with The Korea Herald on April 22. 'That's when I realized — hanok can actually be highly modular. Since hanok is built with identical sections (or units), construction can be carried out simultaneously in multiple areas. It's well-suited for industrialization.' Kim's admiration for hanok grew as she explored its underlying philosophy, rooted in Confucianism and geomancy. The layout of hanok mirrors both social hierarchy and energy dynamics, blending interior and exterior spaces in ways that are rare in Western architecture. "When you enter hanok, you can have a variety of experiences. The interior and exterior are blended together. When you look from the front, your view extends all the way through the opening to the courtyard. You're not just looking at one thing — it's a layered view, one space leading into another, and then even further into the space beyond," she said. "Hanok brings the visitor to a journey, where spaces unfold one after another through frames. This is a unique feature of hanok not typically found in Western architecture." However, Kim acknowledges that while hanok offers vast potential, it faces significant obstacles in greater adoption — most notably, the high cost of construction. Timber is far more expensive than concrete, making hanok projects financially prohibitive for many. Additionally, traditional construction methods are labor-intensive, and can be seen as resistant to change. 'The people building hanok are from the old generation, which makes things difficult. We need to use new construction methods, but the old techniques are still mixed in, and since the craftsmen are from the past, the industry itself remains stuck in the past,' Kim said. "For example, if we used machines, we could premake the walls and simply assemble them on site — but that approach isn't being applied." Another hurdle is the perception of hanok among the public. Many Koreans resist deviations from the traditional aesthetic, such as omitting the giwa roof, a hallmark of hanok. "People are already too deeply conditioned to associate the concept of hanok with tiled roofs," Kim said. "That kind of thinking needs to be broken." One possible way to advance hanok in today's world, Kim suggests, lies in adapting the philosophy of hanok to modern architecture. Her project Bambu Seongsu, for example, integrates hanok's spirit without adhering to traditional, expensive design details such as tiled roofs. In Bambu Seongsu, each floor features a terrace that connects the interior to the exterior, continuing the harmonious relationship between the inside and the outside that is central to hanok philosophy. "The spirit of hanok should be continued throughout time. Bambu Seongsu is one of the series of architecture I'm planning to build that carries the spirit of hanok," she explained. Government support, Kim believes, could also play a crucial role in overcoming the financial challenges of hanok construction. She recalled a proposal from the Korea Land & Housing Corp. for hanok-inspired apartment buildings, where construction costs rose due to the inclusion of traditional hanok features like raised wooden floors. "Generally, hanok construction costs are high, so it's difficult for individuals to undertake unless it's a government-supported project," Kim said. Kim suggests that, similar to Korean drama series and K-pop, hanok could become a valuable cultural asset for Korea. She believes the country may be missing an opportunity to promote its culture by not fully embracing the potential of hanok. "When you're in Gwanghwamun, where can you find something truly Korean? There's no place that shows, 'This is really Korean land,'" she lamented. "Of course, we have places like Sungnyemun, Gwanghwamun and the palaces. But Sungnyemun isn't a space; it's just an object. And Gwanghwamun, now standing alone, is a place you pay to enter for a limited amount of time — it's not a space for life. It's just a sightseeing spot. Within our living spaces, we can't really find a truly Korean space." "Hanok is a point of pride for Koreans." Kim emphasized. "We need to figure out a way to carry Korean architecture to the future." Renewed interest in hanok, or traditional Korean houses, is palpable today, demonstrated by the growing number of hanok cultural facilities, cafes, accommodations and homes. While some new hanok architecture espouses the traditional form dating from the Joseon era, hanok buildings that have been adapted to contemporary conditions and lifestyles are also gaining ground. In this series, entitled 'Evolving Hanok,' The Korea Herald explores how hanok continue to evolve to stay relevant to current milieus. — Ed. yoonseo.3348@
