This project begins with a question: How do we remain when our freedom is under threat? How do I translate a deep, critical problem that cannot be solved? The cities in South Korea we stand on today are built upon many layers: remnants of war, occupations, countless dead bodies, various forms of colonisation and decolonisation, destroyed and forgotten cultures, and resilience. These layers form the foundation of the nation we call our own, built upon the struggles of generations who fought for a society that could eventually be called a ‘democracy’. We must see these layers, recognise them, and acknowledge their significance. South Korea, having buried and risen above these layers, achieved remarkable economic growth often referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River." Today, it is recognised globally for its industries, cultural influence, and reputation as a safe and prosperous nation. These are undeniable accomplishments. However, can we take pride in this polished image of our country while refusing to face the underlying reality? The memories of colonisation, war, division, and the economic hardships that the nation worked so hard to recover and overcome were all but erased in an instant by the decision of sudden midnight announcement of the martial law. The ripple effects on the nation and its people were profound. In just a few hours, South Korea’s global standing, its reputation as a safe country, the value of its currency, and the pride we once felt as citizens came crashing down. But is this turmoil solely the result of one person’s choice or the declaration of martial law in the dead of night? One individual. A single choice. In a society that has increasingly embraced individualism, where the nation, its political and economic structures, and its citizens all seem to operate as isolated entities, the reality is that the foundations of our nation are now swayed by the decisions of individuals. Yet some may consider these events as mere episodes that can be buried and forgotten, another layer upon which we can continue to stand. But when we look deeper into the essence of this reality, can it truly be said that this was all caused by one individual called president? Is it solely one person’s responsibility? Can these problems be resolved simply by holding one person accountable? As a Korean citizen standing in another country, I feel unease about my own position as part of this nation. I am anxious about whether South Korea, a country often regarded as free and democratic, can maintain that identity. I fear the eventual unraveling of the polished, glamorous image of the layers we stand on and the collapse that may follow. The fear of losing the freedom we take for granted, as we continue to erase, ignore, and refuse to confront the hidden layers beneath our feet, is ever-present. As an individual citizen, and one among many, I believe we must face these layers. We must remember them. Feel anger, grief, and indignation. This project, born from my personal perspective as another individual, began as a simple effort to archive history, the concept that I was exposed during my media study classes. However, I believe it has evolved into a tool to capture and express the complex emotions arising from the series of political situations in our country that have now become almost absurd. This is my methodology: to archive with emotion and to express it through the process of "stitching."  Plan: 19. Oct. 2024: Methodology? Stitching within archiving. Considering Stitching as a power of person or authority who has a right to archive the histories. 08. Nov. 2024: Questioning what is the Guardian? Guardian of Archive? 15. Nov. 2024: Ideation of who has the right to guard the archives and who has the right to archive what kind of knowledge, incident, political circumstances….? Who has the right to cover up the truth? Who has the right to reveal the truth? Who and what kind of archive can we trust and what makes it able to be trusted? 22. Nov. 2024: What am I archiving and what am I stitching? 03. Dec. 2024: Martial Law happened. 06. Dec. 2024: Research Question: How to remain when my freedom is attacked? Korean care in the time of Martial law incident? Why is Korea still not fully free? U.S.? 13. Dec. 2024: Looking back to the history, the layers that are buried. Layers to be remembered. April Revolution (4.19 혁명) Coup d'état of December Twelfth (12·12 군사 반란) Gwangju Uprising (5·18 광주 민주화 운동) June Democratic Struggle (6월 민주 항쟁)

20. Dec. 2024: What kind of material should be used? Thread? Abstraction? Physicality of Abstraction? Proposal: How can I translate a deep critical problem that cannot be solved, that is buried deep down in the layers of cities and country? ~05. Jan. 2025: Production