미인도 Miindo(Portrait of a Beauty)

The contrast in the image is overwhelming. The tightness in her braid, the firm pleats of her skirt, and she, fidgeting with the norigae, accidentally loosening up hanbok. Her gesture is unconscious, a physical manifestation of her internal wandering. She does not care if that affects her image. Totally lost in thoughts. Anticipation, hope, and waiting numbs with time. Unable to give up, and unable to do anything more. One's patience is tested.

There is boredom. The heaviness in waiting has diluted. She has not given up. She just has done everything she could. Walked through all the paths to the destination she is expecting. Now the current has to carry her.

There is frustration. Lips pressed. Because she has to wait for the current to do its job. She has to let the universe, nature, something she cannot see and confirm, or blindly fall back on until she sees the result, or reach the destination. It is not her game to lose anymore. The frustration of not being able to blame anyone.

While her slight slouch, and head held low could be misinterpreted for giving up, I would vouch that she has not. Because, she is tired of waiting, head, back, and heart aches. And when it aches, it yearns. She is so hopeful, that she is a hopeless.

To be a woman. To know something at heart and work for it, take every step towards it, and sculpt ourselves for the better. All for greater good of self. But the real achievement lives in the unbelievable, unreachable destination becomes our undeniable. Not in the faith we have, but in the reality we fight.
She fought hers and represents every one who does.