By Honorary Reporter Viviane Vaz from Belgium

Photos= Viviane Vaz

Kimi Swinnen has always seen herself as a world citizen. Born in Korea, she studied arts and interior architecture in Belgium, worked at an art museum in Venezuela, traveled the world and eventually returned to Belgium.

Eight years ago, she reconnected with her motherland during a leisure trip there and now visits Korea at least once a year. She realized that the nation of her birth is characterized not only by millennia of tradition, but also modern and creative themes with an aesthetic sense that is simple, solid and elegant.

Four years ago, she decided to use her experience in interior design to open her own business by offering premium Korean products for Belgian dining tables. First she started importing the seasonings of Myeongin Myeongchon (which means "hidden treasure" in Korean) such as bamboo salt, vinegar made from tangerines native to Jeju Island and plum soybean paste.

Swinnen said the latter ingredient is the favorite among her Belgian clients, and this is perhaps because traditional Belgian cuisine also loves to add red fruits such as cherries, raspberries and plums in select dishes. Later, she brought to Belgium handmade ceramics by KwangJuYo, which she said meets her aesthetic tastes of chic and simple.

Four principles guide Swinnen's life both in Korea and Belgium: beauty, dignity, human encounters and quality. "And I wanted all my work to reflect these four values. For me, this is very important," she said. The name of her company, Sa, came to her through her Korean roots. The Korean character "sa" means the number four in Korean but is also Korean slang for people (saram), a hidden reminder that she connects people from the four corners of the world in Brussels through her professional and personal lives. "My Belgian friends are always surprised when I organize a private party. How can you gather guests from so many different countries?” she said laughing.

One party in 2017 is especially memorable for her. To launch Myeongin Myeongchon in Belgium, Swinnen organized a food event in Brussels with two big names in haute cuisine: Korean chef Noh Jae-sung and Korean-Belgian chef Sanghoon Degeimbre, whose restaurant L'Air Du Temps near Brussels has two Michelin stars.

This year marks the second Christmas for Swinnen to open an offline business. Together with Christa Reniers, a well-known Belgian jewelry designer, she opened a pop-up store in the center of Brussels open just on weekends from Nov. 30 to Dec. 29. "At first sight, the jewelry and food might not match, but I think we want to offer both beauty and quality, and that's what our clients are looking for as well," she said.

I visited Swinnen's store with a friend from janggu (traditional Korean drum) class who was curious about it. The door opened and a bell rang. Kimi didn't know us but welcomed us with a genuinely friendly smile. She explained each product with passion, her eyes shining as the stories she shared brought her back to Korea. We left the shop empty handed in our first visit there but were full of gastronomic dreams. Imagine asking for more soju by ringing the cute ceramic bell cup while eating Korean food seasoned with bamboo salt and plum paste in beautiful table ware. On a cold night, I passed the decorated Brussels Grand Place with the warm feeling of a true Korean-Belgian Christmas tale.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.