Hee Seong – An “eco-friendly businesswoman”, decided to change her life some years ago, without compromises, without regrets.
Hee Seong is a woman who has always tried to find her place in this world distorted by dehumanizing social schemes, without too many compromises.
Born in Seoul a few decades ago, “I studied French literature at university and then began my career as a flight attendant for an American airline” An experience that brought her in contact with various and new cultures and that allowed her to open her mind, an adventure that later will help her take flight and dare something that most people would not have the strength to achieve, especially in a society with rather closed models of life like the Korean one.
She tells me: “I needed something more exciting and stimulating”, so she decided to abandon planes and airports and following her passion for art, culture and films she returns to live in South Korea undertaking a change of direction in her life, finding new job positions. She started as a PR manager and then grew her career-ending up becoming head of the marketing department for the events of the important Busan International Film Festival.
She then embarked on various adventures as an entrepreneur related to the promotion of cultural events and film production, unfortunately not successful: “I tried to make 3d horror movies. It has always been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl, but I tried and failed, realizing it wasn’t for me. “
She then finished the first part of her working life in the public administration in Seoul: “My role was about launching a cultural foundation, I was the head of the cultural department of one of the Seoul districts near the Gyeongbokgung palace. I liked it, I worked for them for 4 years … “
“… and then I left … Many things have happened, both privately and officially.”
In this period, Hee Seong’s life started to have a drastic change, it was 2013.
“My father died after suffering from a brain disease for 5 years. A shocking event for which I was not ready. He taught me many life lessons. After this loss, I realized it was time to take a break and think about my existence. Think about life and death. I had some questions that I absolutely had to answer: What is life? What is being born, aging, suffering and dying? “
This is the most private and profound part that shook Hee Seong’s life and soul during those days, but almost at the same time also other problems related to the bad relations and pressures that the previous Korean government had with the cultural and entertainment area made her start to change her mind about many things.
“I felt oppressed and disgusted by Korean society, the first time I felt a kind of dictatorship on my skin. I decided to never work again for companies, organizations, or whatever but for myself, I had enough of all of this”
The tough time that lasted about a year, “I felt mentally shattered, drained, disappointed, weak, my immune system was suffering until I was hospitalized”.
Tell us how you dealt with the situation: “I moved house, from the center of Seoul I moved to live where the rest of my family lived. And I took a step back, I needed more time for myself. I got rid of everything, my job, my life with a secure salary, almost everyone I knew, I wanted a fresh start. For the first time, I started to face myself and my life. Before I was always distracted and busy at work, if you are not super occupied with something you feel useless, but you do not have the time to think. I’ve never observed myself before. “
She also started traveling and finding more time for herself, moving away from the city made of asphalt and concrete, looking for more natural places like the ocean of Bali. At the same time, she began to be interested in the nature of the human body and its physiology, especially after being shocked by the death of her father and her condition which had worsened due to her mental stress. “I’ve always been passionate about plants, essential oils and I wanted to know more about nutrition, so I started studying macrobiotics for 2 years and aromatherapy for 3 years. I also had my own garden to cultivate. I didn’t have a real plan, I just wanted to invest time in myself”
After various experiments and studies, our Korean friend begins to be interested in cosmetics, fascinated by the processes with which the various products, formulas and perfumes are created. “I found it very creative! And in the meantime it could have been a good way to make money independently, without having to undergo too many compromises”. So she started a degree course of more than two years in cosmetology.
A very interesting life, trying to find one’s way and cut the ties with the slavery of the system and the unbridled rush of modern life connected to work that occupies us most of the time in which we do not physically sleep but mentally we are completely asleep. But this is also a life that leads to facing lots of fears and difficulties, especially with regard to social pressures and the great unknown of surviving financially, problems that people usually prefer to avoid. You need to have some inner strength
Have you ever thought about going back to your previous life? “Immediately after I left my last job in Seoul, I thought it would have been easier to return to the same old life, a stable life with a fixed monthly income, I also contacted my former employer who wisely advised me to continue on my way. I was no longer in the system and this leads to different fears, you feel lost. You don’t know if you can survive. You are alone, no one is around. “
All fears that arise from the fact that we are not sure of ourselves and what we do, but above all not confident of our potential.
“For several years I was afraid, but not anymore. Now I believe in myself and I know what I am doing, this has created a big change in my life. “
Are you satisfied with your life and your choices? “I try to live in the moment, I feel satisfied and I don’t want to go back on my decisions. I prefer this lifestyle, it’s an adventure. I like this challenge.”
What makes you feel alive? “The balance. The balance of everything, of your system, of your emotions, of your health. It’s a better way of being myself, under control. “
What is life for you? “Life is in the moment, every time you breathe, that’s life.”
How important is money in life? “I believe that money is an important tool, which you must have. You have to be able to control this tool, or it can hurt you. “
Now Hee Seong is about to start a new phase of her life, after the preparation and fortifying of her spirit. “I organize DIY classes in my hanok (the typical Korean style house) where I teach how to make natural cosmetic products. I’m finishing writing my first essay in which I talk about beauty and a vegan and eco-friendly lifestyle. Right after that, I’ll start with the real business, it’s time to make money! I will create my own brand of natural cosmetics and curate various contents regarding beauty and environmentally friendly products.”
She continues talking about her products and the passion for nature: “I have always pursued beauty: in films, in art, in culture. I have discovered that the ultimate beauty is nature itself, especially, as far as I’m concerned, plants.
I want to create beauty, using the plants that I love so much for my products. This is why I am also very interested in preserving the environment. I don’t want to create garbage with my products, so I always think about recycling and biocompatible materials.”
Her dreams go much further: “I want to live in different places, not just for traveling. I want to move to different places and sell my products wherever I am. I want to write more books and communicate and share this passion of mine, talking more about how to be conscious consumers, make people understand that a lot of what we buy can be harmful to nature and make them more responsible when it comes to conservation of the environment. I must certainly study and deepen more.”
Finally, what message do you want to give to the people who are reading? “You are nothing special, you are human beings like everyone else. What you are suffering, lots of other people are suffering too. Don’t take life too seriously. Don’t create too many expectations. Take yourself more lightly. Everything you do is fine as it is, don’t judge yourself too harshly. You are nothing special, but at the same time everything is special. Good luck to everyone and never give up! “
Definitely a self-made woman. Despite the difficulties deriving from the Korean culture, a culture not too respectful towards women and those who do not fit in it, she is managing step by step to achieve what she wanted.
Once again an existential shock was fundamental to bring about a change in the life of a creature of this planet. But shock alone is not enough, it also takes the inner strength, energy and intelligence to be able to face the fear of change.
We wait for her book to finish and wish her luck and courage.
Hee Seong and her studio are located in Seoul, not far from the Gyeongbokgung Palace. You can find more information about her project and what she is doing at her website www.bblhouse.com or on Instagram @bbl_house
