In "Reasonable Architecture — space traveler," Hong Jin Kyung raised her academic enthusiasm by taking a virtual pilgrimage to Germany's legendary design school.
The MBC educational program "Reasonable Architecture — space traveler" (abbreviated "Reasonable Architecture"), which aired on the 9th, featured architect Yoo Hyun-jun, cartoonist Kim Poong and broadcaster Daniel Lindemann traveling to explore Germany's surprisingly "hip (HIP)" architecture, in contrast to its reputation as a "no-fun country." The program vividly highlighted the "fun" aspects of German architecture that we didn't know, drawing viewers' interest.
In Berlin, which has emerged as a mecca of techno, hipsters from around the world were gathering. To catch up with Berlin hip, Kim Poong took a fashion risk and drew criticism. Daniel Lindemann prompted laughter by pointing at Kim Poong, who wore a shirt like a "mural look," and saying, "Just because Berlin is hip doesn't mean you can dress awkwardly like a tourist."
Undeterred, Kim Poong said, "This is a place people who know a bit about hip must visit," and led the group to Berlin's representative arts alley, "Haus Schwarzenberg." Covered on all sides with graffiti, this place was originally an industrial building from the Nazi era but was reborn as a cultural space by artists starting in 1995 and became a famous photo spot. Yoo Hyun-jun added, "It feels like a haven for the liberation of instincts. I feel like I can hear the shouts of countless people," interpreting this space where history and subculture coexist.
Another nearby hip place, "Hackesche Höfe," caught the eye with a structure of eight different courtyards connected to each other. It was unique that the independent courtyards were linked by passages, creating synergy. Daniel Lindemann, who is German, marveled, "This is the first time I've seen courtyards connected like this." Yoo Hyun-jun explained why Hackesche Höfe is architecturally special, saying it shows the potential to be an ideal urban space in an era of aging and increasing single-person households, where people can live alone yet still feel a sense of community.
The three then headed to Pariser Platz in Berlin. Buildings within Pariser Platz were built under strict architectural laws, showing a unified appearance. Among them, DZ Bank surprised with a plain exterior that contrasted with a lavish interior. The architect who designed DZ Bank was modern deconstructivist master Frank Gehry. Kim Poong admired Gehry's plenum design that stimulates viewers' imagination, saying, "It's completely different from how it looks outside. It feels like entering the belly of a gigantic creature." Watching the VCR, Jun Hyun-moo marveled at the building as if it were a work of art, saying, "They put such artistic elements inside a bank that pursues practicality. That idea is so shocking."
Before visiting the final site, the "shrine of architectural art," Kim Poong, who majored in fine arts, said, "It's a life bucket list. I said I would go to Germany because of this place," and architect Yoo Hyun-jun said, "It feels like a pilgrimage to me," moved. The place they headed to was the legendary design school "Bauhaus." Founded in 1919, Bauhaus closed after 14 years due to Nazi repression, but its innovative philosophy influenced many fields, including modern design, furniture, typography and architecture. In particular, Bauhaus, based on the principle "form follows function," has demonstrated the essence of modernist design for 100 years, drawing admiration.
Watching Bauhaus on the VCR, Hong Jin Kyung expressed an awakening, saying, "I felt like I want to go back to school." She added, "When I was young, I don't think I knew what I needed to learn," which was touching. Given that Hong Jin Kyung has revealed her appetite for learning on her personal YouTube channel "Study King True Genius," this moment had added meaning.
Hong Jin Kyung's drive is real. She has actively used the home-cooked flavors and handed-down recipes from her mother, such as kimchi and dumplings, to work as a foodservice entrepreneur targeting not only the domestic but also overseas markets. In addition, last month she revealed on close friend Jung Sun-hee's YouTube channel that she ended a 22-year marriage and divorced her husband, saying they transitioned to a relationship like friends.
Hong Jin Kyung declared herself "a successor of Bauhaus" and expressed her wish to become an architecture student later in life. Earlier, Jun Hyun-moo, who said he didn't know what Bauhaus was, answered competitively, "I am truly a successor of Bauhaus," and they bickered. To protect Bauhaus's hip, Kim Poong pleaded, "Bro, please stop tagging on," provoking laughter. Yoo Hyun-jun explained why Bauhaus still exerts influence, saying, "I think when we leave what kind of people we are in our buildings, it lasts a long time. Buildings seem to serve as focal points," prompting everyone's nods.
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided by MBC.
[OSEN]