Model Kim Jong Wook says he dreams of a future in which the disabled entering society is an absolute given. He is pictured here on Oct. 20, 2018, at the 2019 S/S Hera Seoul Fashion Week held at Seoul's Dongdaemun Design Plaza. (Kim Jong-wook)

By Kim Hyelin, Ju Eunjin and Lee Hana

Dongducheon, Gyeonggi-do Province | Nov. 26, 2020

Kim Jong Wook carefully selects his outfit for the day and matching accessories. With one hand, he styles his hair and applies skin makeup. Once his shoes are on, he is ready to leave the house after three hours of preparation.

At the studio and in front of the camera, he is a different person, and his expression changes as do his effortless poses with each photo.

This modeling shoot is like any other except for one difference: The model is in a wheelchair.

Kim is Korea's first model on wheels. Born with a congenital brain defect, he cannot walk, has difficulty using his left hand and needs a wheelchair to move around.

In addition to being a model, Kim is a content creator who shares his daily life and his disability with his followers on Instagram and YouTube.

"I don't consider my disability an obstacle but a weapon I can use to make myself one of a kind," he said.

Korea.net spoke to Kim on Nov. 26 at a cafe in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, a week before the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec. 3).

Majoring in social welfare in college, Kim wanted to follow his mother's wishes for her son to have a stable job. But after discovering fashion as a freshman, he changed his career path. 

"I was overweight at the time, as I loved eating and got little exercise. Then one day, I saw how much my friend was struggling to lift me up the stairs. That's when I realized that my weight wasn't just my problem, it was also one for those trying to help me, and I started a diet," he said.

"I started spending less money on getting food delivered, and when I slimmed down, I naturally grew more interested in my appearance and buying new clothes and fashion items."

In 2017, Kim decided to become a model after getting mobbed by photographers during Seoul Fashion Week at Seoul's Dongdaemun Design Plaza. At the time, he was the only well-dressed person in a wheelchair and no disabled models were walking on the runway. 

"A lot of photographers rushed to take my picture, maybe because of the uniqueness of seeing me in a wheelchair. One asked me if I was working as a model. This question pierced my heart. I thought, 'I've never seen a runway model in a wheelchair. If I became the first, what kind of impact would I have?' I imagined that it'd be thrilling."

Model Kim Jong Wook said he became a more positive person while chasing his modeling dream. (Choi Taesoon)

At first, Kim looked for photo shoot opportunities by subscribing to Kakao Talk group chats and social media channels run by aspiring models and photographers. He applied for auditions and opened his own YouTube channel to promote himself.

Three years of hard work without pay finally bore fruit in the second half of this year, when he became a model for brands like Innovador and Disorder. In October, he signed with Parastar Entertainment, Korea's first management agency for disabled athletes and artists.

Kim said he became a more positive person while chasing his modeling dream.

"My self-esteem went up. I still get stared at when in my wheelchair, but unlike before, when I thought people were staring because they felt sorry for me, I now think that they're looking to check out my clothes and makeup. I enjoy finding new things to love about myself through the photos I'm in," he said.

Kim is also a role model for the disabled, many of whom look up to him and his pursuit of what he loves.

"Teenagers who have the same disability as I do reach out to me a lot. Many are timid and bullied by their peers, and they tell me that they gain strength through me in pursuing their dreams," he said.

"In some ways, people who become disabled later in life rather than at birth suffer from a greater sense of loss. Some have told me that they were inspired to get back up after seeing me. I'm just doing what I love, and I'm grateful that I can share my positive energy with others. I'm motivated to do better."

Kim said he dreams of a future in which the disabled entering society is an absolute given without the need for phrases like "breaking boundaries between the non-disabled and the disabled."

"Overseas, there are disabled models on runways and an entire market for their target audience, but not yet in Korea. As a short-term goal, I want to hold a wheelchair fashion show featuring the wheelchair as a fashion item. I also want to launch a fashion brand that gives the disabled the confidence to dress up and dress well," he said.

"With this brand that breaks all boundaries between the non-disabled and the disabled, I want to expand our options while creating jobs for the disabled in various positions. We need a society free from prejudice for demand to rise and jobs to be kept. Through my modeling career, I hope to create this kind of society and launch my own brand."

Finally, Kim said he supports all disabled people who devote themselves to achieving their dreams, saying they must keep challenging themselves to raise their employability and diversify the fields they can work in.

"I hope to hear more stories of the disabled succeeding in unexplored careers and for these stories to spread to everyone overseas to help raise people's awareness globally," he added.

Kim Jong Wook says he believes the disabled must keep challenging themselves to improve their employability and open new career paths, adding that he supports their pursuit of their dreams. (Kim Jong-wook)

kimhyelin211@korea.kr