SEOUL, South Korea — In a city known for its nonstop pace, calligrapher Kim Do-im is offering a quieter way to slow down — one brushstroke at a time.
Kim will lead a K-Calligraphy & Meditation Class at Terrace 194, the rooftop lounge of Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Myeongdong, combining traditional Korean calligraphy with breathing exercises and meditation.
The 120-minute program is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, giving participants an opportunity to step away from their usual routines while experiencing Korean calligraphy in a rooftop setting overlooking Seoul.
From breathing exercises to the brush
The experience is designed to be more than a conventional calligraphy lesson.
Participants will begin with a welcome session and an introduction to Kim’s work before moving into breathing meditation and ink grinding. They will then practice Korean cursive-style calligraphy and write a word of their choice using traditional brush-and-ink techniques.
The session continues with participants writing on a traditional Korean fan, followed by a slow meditation walk around Love Builds Up, an installation located on the rooftop.
The combination turns the physical act of writing into part of a broader mindfulness experience.
Kim Do-im’s philosophy: repetition as a way to notice change
Kim has built her artistic career around ink-and-brush calligraphy, particularly Hangeul, Korea’s alphabet.
She has held 11 solo exhibitions and participated in more than 100 group exhibitions in Korea and overseas, with her work exploring themes including love and life.
Her approach to repetition is central to the program. Kim describes repetition not simply as doing the same thing over and over, but as a way of recognizing how a person changes from one moment to another.
That idea gives the class a different dimension: instead of focusing solely on producing technically perfect lettering, participants are encouraged to pay attention to breathing, movement and the meaning behind the words they write.
A rooftop setting adds another layer
The class will take place at Terrace 194, an all-season rooftop venue at Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Myeongdong.
The space has panoramic city views and is equipped with heating and cooling systems as well as a retractable roof, allowing it to host cultural and wellness programs across different seasons.
The program is aimed at adults interested in wellness, meditation and Korean calligraphy, with participation limited to 16 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
When Korean tradition meets modern wellness
The event also reflects the growing effort to present traditional Korean culture through experiences that fit contemporary lifestyles.
Rather than simply displaying calligraphy as an art form, the program allows participants to physically engage with the tools and process — from grinding ink to moving the brush and eventually creating their own piece.
For visitors and residents looking for a different side of Seoul, the rooftop class offers something far removed from the city’s usual rush: a brush, a sheet of paper, a few carefully chosen words and time to slow down.
And when the final brushstroke is finished, the city skyline becomes part of the experience.
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