I built this residency because I wanted to become a novelist.

Hello. I am Younhee Lee, the representative of Creative Residency KKot.

For a long time, I harbored a secret dream of living as a full-time writer. But unable to let go of worldly desires, I kept putting it off until I found myself already in my fifties.

I often say this to my son, who has just become an adult and stepped into the world: "Don't try too hard to achieve something. Just live today well. Fill your day with the things you want to do. That is the way to live the life you want."

Those words might actually be what I wanted to tell myself. "Are you really living that way?" I found myself asking.

So, I decided to write. I decided to become someone who writes every day regardless of the outcome, and to fill my days with what I want to do.

It wasn't as easy as I thought. When I sat alone at my desk, my hand kept reaching for my smartphone, and my writing rhythm was easily broken by trivial daily matters. The creative work of someone who isn't a full-time writer is easily interrupted—everyone just assumes you are playing around. Writing all night when everyone else was asleep made my neck and back stiff, and my biological rhythm quickly collapsed. Anxiety and self-doubt built up. "Can I really finish a whole book?"

Then one day, a thought suddenly crossed my mind: 'What I need is not immense willpower, but an environment where I can write while being respected. Time and space to immerse myself. Colleagues whose mere presence provides support.'

There are already several residencies in South Korea that support writers' work. However, most of them target debuted writers with strict admission criteria, making it difficult for aspiring writers like me to even knock on their doors. There are many residencies overseas that offer open admission, but the cost of a long-term stay is steep, and I was in no position to stay abroad for long.

While researching writing residencies around the world, I realized that there is no place better for writing than where I live—Seonhul-ri, a village in eastern Jeju.

So, I created one myself.

'Creative Residency KKot' provides the following writing environment:

1. Stay

Country living—walking in the forest, strolling by the sea, falling asleep to the sound of insects, and waking up to bird songs—heals the body, mind, and soul. However, some country houses are too dark and remote, making solo female creators feel anxious and isolated. Creative Residency KKot is located within 'Lazy Mama', an eco-friendly townhouse complex, making it peaceful and safe. Having an entire private house allows you to maintain your own daily rhythm.

2. Lounge (Creative Lounge 'KKot')

When you need comfortable focus and warm energy, step out of your room and come down to the lounge. Creative Lounge KKot is a living room-like space where you can interact with artists, focus together, and offer quiet support. You can lounge on a large sofa with a book, or work leisurely while looking at tangerine trees and the sky through the wide windows. Once a week, we share our writing and thoughts through an Artist Talk.

3. Daily Routine (For a life of consistent writing)

Would anyone like to share a simple daily routine with me? At 7 AM, I walk in the forest or by the sea and meditate. At 10 AM, I cook fresh food and share it with neighbors. 12 PM to 5 PM is focused writing time. After a light dinner, I work up a sweat through exercise or relax in the sauna before a good night's sleep. On weekends, we may walk the Olle Trail or hike Hallasan Mountain together.

I wait for you, who harbor the same dream as I do.

'Creative Residency KKot' in Jeju, South Korea is not a space for grand masters. It is a humble community where those who seek their own path through writing, those who hesitated due to daily life, and those who want to focus on a single project without losing their health gather and become a supportive threshold for one another.

We welcome everyone who wants to

exist as an artist, write every day, and ultimately let their own sentences bloom.

Sep 27, 2026

Liz Younhee Lee