[Opinion] Who are you? A reflection on the unknown artist's statue of Son Ki-jung

*This content was translated by AI.

[Shin Eun-sook, President of the Asian Sculpture Research Association] The Son Ki-jung Sports Park located in Manri-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, is a park established to commemorate Son Ki-jung (1912–2002), who won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in Germany. The location itself holds great significance. It was created on part of the site after his alma mater, Yangjeong Middle and High School, was relocated.

Upon entering the park, a running track is installed along the path where Son Ki-jung practiced his marathon. Next to the starting point of the running track stands a statue depicting Son Ki-jung in motion.

This statue is a work by an unknown artist with no records remaining about its creation. Moreover, it was produced without sufficiently verifying Son Ki-jung's physical characteristics, facial features, or athletic shoes from the Olympic era. There are significant differences between this statue and the actual appearance of Son Ki-jung. Therefore, I wish to raise concerns regarding this sculpture.

Son Ki-jung became a symbol of hope and a heroic figure for the oppressed Korean people by conquering the world in the marathon at the Berlin Olympics during the Japanese colonial period. At that time, 'The Dong-A Ilbo,' one of the three major national newspapers, was suspended indefinitely after removing the Japanese flag, while 'Chosun JoongAng Ilbo' and 'Chosun Ilbo' also ceased publication. These historical events instead became a catalyst for further inspiring the people's longing for the day of Korean independence and their yearning for the emergence of a savior hero.

In 1940, 'The Boy,' the final work of Kim Bok-jin, Korea's first modern sculptor, used the image of national hero Son Ki-jung as its model, projecting a new and progressive vision of the nation's future onto the figure of a boy.

The 'Boy' statue is a masterpiece characterized by restrained form and palpable tension, representing Kim Bok-jin's ultimate final work that radiates vitality on its own. It encapsulates the historical, social, and cultural background of the time, embodying the image of a new era's youth who would open the strength of Joseon and the bright future of the nation through Son Ki-jung's likeness.

Kim Bok-jin stated that when sculpting figures, one must create something "close to a human" based on a deep understanding of the subject, and that a sculptor's role is to "give life to bronze." He also believed that a sculptor's status is determined by whether they have achieved the "creation of life." Thus, when immortalizing historical heroes in sculpture, it is not enough to focus solely on external forms. The spiritual world of the individual and the spirit of the era must be encapsulated together; only then can the work serve as an inspiration to viewers and be perceived as a living form.

Most importantly, the currently installed statue differs from the actual appearance of Son Ki-jung in several aspects. First, the shape of the face and hair is different. Second, the athletic shoes worn by Son Ki-jung at that time were zikadabi (underground tabi), track shoes with a split between the big toe and the other toes, and he ran barefoot without wearing socks. Third, the expression of Son Ki-jung's physical skeleton and muscles as a marathon runner is also insufficient.

Therefore, I believe that this statue currently installed next to the running track needs to be re-examined not only for its sculptural form but also in light of the historical significance of the location, Son Ki-jung Sports Park.

If it is a statue of Son Ki-jung, who awakened the national spirit during the gloomy Japanese colonial period and brought hope to the Korean people, then above all, it should be a sculpture that portrays the hero as a true hero.

Shin Eun-sook, Director of the Sculpture Research Institute, currently serves as President of the Asian Sculpture Research Association and as an expert appraiser for the Korean Copyright Commission. In particular, she is a distinguished professor at Northeast Normal University in Changchun, China, and has previously served as Vice President of the Korean Sculptors Association, member of the Korean Female Jo Gak-ga-hoe (Chairman), and member of the National Seal Production Committee.

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*This content was translated by AI.