MINGYU KANG

Summary

Just normal, but peaceful daily life with my grandmother in Melbourne. No more than this

Ahn-nyoung, Ms. Myoung-ja

Ahn-Nyoung, Grandma. How have you been? It’s been a long time since I’ve been writing to you like this. Lol. Five, maybe seven years? I thought I was a good grandson in my own right, but I didn’t write as many letters as I expected. Well, I don’t regret it, but I will try to write a lot to my dad, mom, aunts and future family members next time. I don’t know how long that will go on…. As for my future family, I’ll have to make a girlfriend first and think about it.

Grandma, this is what Melbourne, where I went to college for three years, looks like. Seoul also has Seoul Forest and parks, but this place is more nature-friendly. You may have been surprised to see it now, but there are parks the size of apartments all over the city. How is it, Grandma? It is a decent place for a person like you who doesn’t like to go around overseas, right? I knew it. I wish you didn’t always stay home, but came out to feel the grass and spend some time basking in the sun.

Also, a ground train called a Tram is unavailable in Korea, and you can go to the robbery and sea on this ride! There is a place called “Yara River” near my house, and you can see the night view at night, but it’s worth watching even if it’s not prettier than the Han River, right? Come to think of it, this is the first time my grandmother has been out at night to see the night view. Oh, and I’m using the boxing gloves she bought me really well! I trained hard in Korea, but I still have fun working out at a new gym. It’s your last gift, can’t I leave it unattended? Also, Melbourne is a city famous for coffee, and you drink it well, right? Then, since you’re here, you should have a cup of coffee at a cafe! I don’t like coffee so that I will drink hot chocolate. Then, I need to go home and eat after drinking, but do you know I can cook alone? When I was young, you told me that men weren’t supposed to come into the kitchen, but I had no choice in real life. Sometimes I cook soybean paste stew that you cooked for me. It’s natural because I’m an adult, but now I can wash my hair well and every part of my body. So don’t worry! Grandma.

How do you feel about revisiting my college life together, Grandma? There wasn’t much difference just because it was a foreign country, right? We all live the same way. Well, Grandma, I wouldn’t have been able to play the role without you. I can assure you that. Living the same life as anyone else and taking pictures with you now have been possible because you took care of me. So now, Grandma, please relax there. Your back, which was hurt when you carried a baby Mingyu, is now straightening up, and please eat whatever you want and stay healthy. I’ll come to see you. Well, not too early, but I’ll see you later. I’ll also try to write to you more often, too.

So, grandma, until we meet again,

Ahn-Nyoung

MINGYU

 I am calling to my grandmother in telephone booth.
Mingyu Kang, ‘Telephone’, 2025, Self-portraiture, Mingyu Kang
My grandmother is receiving my call from photobooth
Mingyu Kang, ‘Telephone’, 2025, Self-portraiture, Mingyu Kang
My grandmother will always remain inside of myself, and projection is just another format of express.
Mingyu Kang, ‘projection’, 2025, Self-portraiture, Mingyu Kang
My grandmother will always remain inside of myself, and projection is just another format of express.
Mingyu Kang, ‘projection’, 2025, Self-portraiture, Mingyu Kang
My grandmother will always remain inside of myself, and projection is just another format of express.
Mingyu Kang, ‘projection’, 2025, Self-portraiture, Mingyu Kang
Just normal self-portraiture pictures with my grandmother in the studio.
Mingyu Kang, ‘Self-portraiture’, 2025, Self-portraiture, Mingyu Kang
Just leaning down near the river. Enjoying the night-view to ease up the emptiness.
Mingyu Kang, ‘Self-portraiture’, 2025, Night view, Mingyu Kang
Last present that I have received from her.
Mingyu Kang, ‘Boxing Gloves’, 2025, Night view, Mingyu Kang
Having a cup of tea in the cafe.
Mingyu Kang, ‘Cafe’, 2025, Mingyu Kang
Having a cup of tea in the cafe.
Mingyu Kang, ‘Cafe’, 2025, Mingyu Kang
My grandmother tried to wash my hair like when I was a fragile kid.
Mingyu Kang, 2025, Shower, Mingyu Kang
Having a peaceful time in the park.
Mingyu Kang, 2025, Park, Mingyu Kang
My grandmother's favourite recipe for dinner.
Mingyu Kang, 2025, Recipe, Mingyu Kang
Having a peaceful time in the park.
Mingyu Kang, 2025, Park, Mingyu Kang
After the trip with me, she is crossing the river.
Mingyu Kang, 2025, Goodbye, Mingyu Kang
Say last goodbye to my grandmother.
Mingyu Kang, 2025, Goodbye, Mingyu Kang
MINGYU KANG