Candle rally sketches at Gwanghwamun, Seoul

Scene of the demonstrators with various flags in front of Gwanghwamun Gate

Scene at Gwanghwamun junction viewed from 10th floor of Officia building

Stage for the free speakers and singers at Gwanghwamun Square

pencil sketch drawn at the steps of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

Participants in candle rally

Reporter and cameramen of YTN on the outside broadcast van at Naeja-dong, Gwanghwamun

Reporter and cameraman of JTBC at Cheongun-dong near from the Blue House

Demonstrators and duty policemen on police bus at Cheongun-dong, 200meters distance from the Blue House(President's residence)

Charcoal sketch of same confrontational situation between police and demonstrators 

.

( 21 x 29.6cm sketchbook, pen and watercolor )

.

I think that lots of people in the world would know about the candle rally on Saturdays in Seoul. I participated in two times on Nov. 19 and 26. The number of participants increased to 1.5 million in Seoul and 1.9 in national scale. And it was amazing that all the demonstrations were absolutely peaceful. The organizers proceeded like festivals with volunteer speakers and famous singers. Sketching among the moving demonstrating citizens from all the nation was really valuable experience to me. I was impressed so much by the waving candles like stream on broad street in nightscape. 

------------------------------------------

격동의 함성이 광화문의 지축을 울리는~~

주말 촛불시위는 거대한 축제 같았읍니다.

정치를 떠나서... 광화문의 150만 촛불의 물결은

밤하늘을 수놓는 스펙타클의 감동이었습니다~~

종군작가(?)의 흥분을 안고 열심히 그렸습니다.

The 5th candle rally at Gwanghwamun

duty policemen 

people wearing raincoats at Cheongun-dong not far from Blue House

a guy with his notebook at bakery

free speacher and MC at temporary stage on truck

cameraman on ladder at Cheongun-dong

reporter and cameraman

big whale shown at Cheongun-dong recalling the Sewol ferry disaster

scene Gwanghwamun crossing seen from 10th floor of Officia building, pen, conte, charcoal, pastels, A 4

Though William and JH Yi had sent texts that they wouldn't be able to join the sketch I tried to make a sketch at food court in Seoul Station waiting for somebody but nobody had shown. So I and YH Lee left for Gwanghwamun to sketch candle rally at 11:10 am. 

conte, pastels, 24 x 32 cm

YH Lee stood on higher level for better view in front of bakery.

It was amazing that people finished all the demonstration in a very honorable way full of peace and matured manners. Regardless of bad weather of snowing people gathered. Though the number of people gathered at that place might be not big enough to be compared to the total population we could feel the unified mind just being in that candle rally. It was a great experience to see the candles lighted on after light-off at once from the 10th floor of Officia building. Hot packs, water, candles, hot tea provided by citizens were thanked very much on such a cold snowy day.

백만이 넘는 참가자의 촛불 시위를 그토록 평화롭게 마칠 수 있는
대한민국 국민의 한 사람이라는 것에 참으로 마음이 뿌듯했습니다.