'Lee Woo-young 1972-2023: Every Day, My Work Geomjeonggomusin' Exhibition Held
From August 18 to September 3 at Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail Gallery, the artist's first memorial exhibition will be held
Exhibition includes 45 first edition volumes of the Geomjeonggomusin comic book, a total of 23 original Geomjeonggomusin artworks, the artist's oil paintings, oral history video recordings, and various audiovisual media
Free admission, open to everyone on weekdays (Tue-Fri) from 2 PM to 8 PM, and weekends from 12 PM to 8 PM
Opening ceremony at 5 PM on the 18th, and special exhibition-related programs at 5 PM and 6:30 PM on the 23rd with artist Lee Woo-jin attending
Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will hold a special memorial exhibition for the late artist Lee Woo-young titled 'Lee Woo-young 1972-2023: Every Day, My Work Geomjeonggomusin.'
The comic 'Geomjeonggomusin' is a work by the late artist Lee Woo-young, depicting the stories of elementary school student Gi-yeong, middle school student Gi-cheol, and their families set in 1960s Seoul. The work was serialized in the comic magazine 'Boy Champ' from 1992 to 2006, and later adapted into an animation, becoming a national comic enjoyed by the whole family.
However, the late Lee Woo-young passed away in March after a three-year legal battle over copyright contract disputes related to this work. In response, the district is holding the artist's first memorial exhibition to shed light on the rights and copyrights of artists who have been overlooked, and to provide cultural enjoyment opportunities for all ages through the exhibition of the national comic 'Geomjeonggomusin' content.
The special exhibition at Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail Gallery, 'Lee Woo-young 1972-2023: Every Day, My Work Geomjeonggomusin,' is composed of various audiovisual media including the artist's works, materials, interview videos, and memorial songs. Notably, visitors can see 45 first edition volumes of the long-running 14-year serialized 'Geomjeonggomusin' comic books, a total of 23 original Geomjeonggomusin artworks, and oil paintings created by the artist.
Additionally, the exhibition features the artist's photographs, a chronological timeline of his life, and oral history videos, creating a space to commemorate the late artist and remember him who passed away suddenly. At the gallery entrance, the memorial song 'Appa Taryeong' composed by the late Lee Woo-young's daughter, Lee Seo-jeong, will be presented.
On the opening day, August 18 at 5 PM, a commemorative performance is scheduled. Singer-songwriter Kim Mok-in will perform, followed by a talk concert with the bereaved family. The memorial song will also be played.
As part of the exhibition-related special programs, on August 23 at 5 PM and 6:30 PM, two sessions of 'Making Paper Toys with Geomjeonggomusin Artist Lee Woo-jin' will be held. The program is targeted at 10 elementary school students (5 per session), who can create main characters together with Lee Woo-jin, the co-creator of Geomjeonggomusin. Prior registration (first-come, first-served) is required through the Nowon Cultural Foundation website.
In addition, ongoing experiences are available where visitors can draw characters such as Gi-yeong, Gi-cheol, and Ddaeng-gu themselves.
The exhibition runs from August 18 to September 3 at the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail Gallery. It is open on weekdays (Tue-Fri) from 2 PM to 8 PM, and on weekends from 12 PM to 8 PM. Admission is free and open to all.
Meanwhile, the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail Gallery, located in Hwarangdae Railroad Park, a representative attraction of the district, serves as a cultural and artistic hub. Since its opening in 2021, it has hosted various exhibitions ranging from planned shows such as 'Masters of Contemporary Art,' 'Nam June Paik Print Exhibition,' and 'Masks of Asia' to unique works by local artists, attracting a total of 30,000 visitors this year alone.
District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “We prepared the first memorial exhibition to remember the late Lee Woo-young who suddenly left us. I hope that residents will enjoy Geomjeonggomusin together and take this opportunity to reflect once again on the rights and copyrights of cultural artists.”
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