Visiting Korea's national bonsai collection in Sejong

I went to visit the Sejong National Arboretum (국립세종수목원) to see Korea's national bonsai collection. And I had some thoughts about Korean bonsai.
Sorry this video has taken so long. I don't know why, but sometimes when I make a video every shot comes out magical, and sometimes everything has problems, and this was definitely one of those. Please excuse the out of focus shots and under-exposed mush. I've been finding it difficult to make videos lately for various reasons - my next video will probably take some time and be a kind of "where I'm at" video.
Music is "Sweet home analoga" by Noir Et Blanc Vie, and the eighties disco remake of "Dominique" by the Singing Nun, which may or may not be obscure enough to escape the copyright police.
Sejong National Arboretum address: 136 Sumogwon-ro, Sejong-si / 세종특별자치시 연기면 수목원로 136
Website: www.sjna.or.kr...

[@TheMightyYak]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos. There’s always a story and the camera work and editing are top notch.

[@thelazybonsai]

Thank you! I enjoyed this video. One of the better overviews of a bonsai garden. Alot of time when people film a bonsai garden they spend minutes and minutes zooming in/out on the trees and bouncing from tree to tree. But you never really get a sense of the trees from all the zooming. Yours was very nice, and I have more interest in visiting/seeing the trees after your video

[@growingwithbonsai]

Thanks! I botched filming it actually, and the lighting was difficult. But I learned a lot and will do better next time.

[@greenmachinesweden]

I had to watch twice. First time I was so distracted by the granite wall. What a great stonework! I liked your analysis of bonsai styles. I think many people could increase their artistery by taking inspiration from the local environment instead of looking at what they do in Japan. Excellent vid as always.😀👍

[@growingwithbonsai]

True, one thing I've realized from living in Korea is that all the supposedly "best trees for bonsai" are just the trees that happen to grow in the area. Is the stonework good? It's outside my area of expertise. I do notice the line between the historical stonework and the modern rebuilding.

[@greenmachinesweden]

@@growingwithbonsai the best trees for bonsai is always the ones growing in your local area. No matter where you are. Ahh, I did not notice the line between old and new wall. I need to watch again 😀👍

[@AlexBraunton]

I always enjoy your videos so it's a real treat when a new one comes out! I've never really looked at Korean bonsai so this was very interesting. I can see a stark comparison between Korean and Japanese bonsai. The Korean bonsai seems less pampered and doesn't care for the rules. Is this this perhaps a way to defy the Japanese way of bonsai? A great video and as always, I look forward to your next one. I hope that you are keeping well and enjoying autumn.

[@growingwithbonsai]

I think it's probably a general reflection of Korean vs Japanese aesthetics. More focus on the effect, less on formalism and process. But I'm getting beyond my knowledge and definitely don't want to speak for Korean bonsai, I'm just a curious observer. Autumn is taking its time! Still pretty hot. Thanks for your thoughts and I hope you're well, too.

[@alexandros1973]

Thank you for another interesting video! It is very nice to see you again and I appreciate your thoughts on bonsai, Korean identity and the relevant historical aspects👌. Oita is a favorite of mine too ❤. I discovered her from a video of yours and follow her on instagram since then. Her work is such an inspiration!

[@growingwithbonsai]

Yes, the arboretum collection would be much more interesting if it featured some works by her and her cotemporaries.

[@bonsaiexpression]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@treeaddict]

I agree with your assessment of the Korean trees on display. Very thick, chunky, not much imagination or innovation happening there.

[@growingwithbonsai]

I don't want to be too harsh, it's a new collection and they will hopefully improve it in the future. I do wonder about the reason - conservatism, chosen by someone with not much knowledge of bonsai, or did they perhaps take over the collection of a single artist or collector?

[@jacobgonzalez9195]

I slightly disagree. I thought that massive trunked black pine was outstanding! But I do agree after the 1st 3 trees you might expect to see something different. Thanks for the video!

[@thelazybonsai]

Foist!