Hwaseong-based Migration Stories Project gives migrant workers a space to create and connect
HWASEONG, Gyeonggi Province — Hwaseong, a rapidly developing city southwest of Seoul, has become one of Korea’s major destinations for foreign residents, particularly migrant workers. In an area shaped by manufacturing industries and immigration, the everyday lives of migrant workers often remain largely ignored. The Migration Stories Project, located near Balan Manse Market in Hyangnam, was…
Hwaseong, a rapidly growing city located in Gyeonggi Province, southwest of Seoul, has emerged as one of Korea's primary destinations for foreign residents, especially migrant workers. Amidst a landscape dominated by manufacturing industries and immigration, the daily lives of these workers are often overlooked. To address this, the Migration Stories Project was established in 2020 near Balan Manse Market in Hyangnam, aiming to provide a platform for migrants to express their experiences, memories, cultures, and creativity through their own perspectives.
This initiative combines various art forms such as music, storytelling, photography, sound, video, and community-based cultural activities to delve into the lives of foreign migrants. The project was founded by Korean artist Kim Yang-woo, who adopted the motto "World is Our Home," intending to bridge migrant communities with local residents through interviews, art, music, and community events.
Kim initiated the project during the COVID-19 pandemic, when movement restrictions confined her to her hometown, prompting her to contemplate the concept of home more profoundly.
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