By Honorary Reporter Kiara Claire Arellano from Philippines

Photos = Rocky Byun

Byun Nam-seok, aka Rocky Byun, is a balancing artist from Seoul who has turned objects into masterpieces since 2005. I first saw him on the reality TV competition show "Czechia Slovakia's Got Talent" and was amazed by his ability to balance virtually anything. 

In a written interview on Jan. 24, he discussed his journey of becoming a professional in this new craft.

Byun began balancing things 17 years ago while going through a divorce and caring for his sons and sick mother. He said that during these hard times, he found comfort in balancing rocks. "I was lost. I didn't know how to live or what do to. The important lesson I learned when balancing objects is that you can only balance others when you yourself are balanced. From that day on, I decided that balancing rocks would be my hobby," he said.

After he immersed himself in his new hobby, he also started balancing objects from everyday life found in his surroundings by searching for the center of gravity in each item. "My country has a lot of beautiful landscapes so I like to balance stones by the sea, on the mountain or by the river. I also use discarded bottles, trees and old bikes I find in the city to turn them into art," he said.

Working as a researcher at the Convergence Education Research Institute of Korean National University of Education in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, Byun helps students raise their self-esteem while pursuing his art. He also holds photo exhibitions of his balancing art.

"For me, balancing is a game. There are no goals, objectives or limits. To keep your balance, you must control your muscles, joints, eyeballs and breathing. Find your center of gravity and you'll find balance in others. Given the right conditions, anyone can try the art of balancing," he said.

kalhong617@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