서른이 넘어 오늘에서야 깨달은 사실인데 - 문득 자연을 검색해 위키백과를 읽어보니, 자연自然의 본래 한자 뜻은 자신을 나타내는 자自, 상태를 나타내는 접미사 연然, 즉 ”자신의 상태“ 혹은 “스스로 그러하다”를 의미하는 것이라 한다. 나만 놀라운 사실인가?? 너무 당연하게 써온 단어라 한자를 알고있었음에도 불구하고 한 번도 그 본래 뜻에 대해 생각 해본 적이 없었다. 현대사회 우린 자연을 인간을 제외한 만물이라 여기게됐는데, 그것은 “서구의 nature 을 번역하여 들여온 것으로 중세 기독교 신학에서 비롯된 자연은 인간에 의해 정복되어야하는 것이란 관념과 자연주의적 관점이 혼합되어 있다“고 한다. 조상님들에 의하면 자연은 그저 “스스로 그러한 상태“인 것… 그들의 지혜에 정말 만번 천만번 또 한 번 절로 고개가 숙여진다. 그러니 다음에 ’자연으로 가고싶어‘라는 생각이 들 때 기억하자, 우리도 그 아름다운 자연의 일부라는 아름다운 사실을. ✨
I was today year’s old when I learned this incredible fact: I had the sudden urge to look up the Korean word for nature, “ja yeon,” based on the Chinese characters 自 (oneself) and 然 (state of being), which translates to, “state of being oneself.” Even though I’d known the Chinese characters my whole life, I’d never bothered to think about the meaning of the actual word because that’s how we learn things, link the word to the concept we’re taught with it. And we don’t stop to question what we think we already know. This is obviously very unlike the modern definition, referring to everything else in this world - animals, trees, oceans, etc. (but humans). We see ourselves as something separate from the rest of existence, which I also learned today apparently stemmed from the concept of naturalism and Medieval Christian theology that said nature is something we need to conquer. Later, the translation of this western interpretation came to be adopted here as well - hence the word remained the same, but lost its original meaning. According to how our ancestors put it, nature is simply, the state of being oneself, and that includes us humans. So the next time you find yourself saying, “I want to be out in nature,” remember the beautiful fact that you are also a part of the beauty that you want to be closer to. ✨
Gold time at @goldhouseco ✨
Inspired by so many Asians doing inspiring things all over the world in different sectors through their craft, their voice. A lot has changed and is changing. We’ll keep it going ✨🔥
@mikahairstylist 💇🏻♀️
@saulee 💃🏻
@genesis_usa
If you haven’t read this book, you should. Thank me later. It is…. I don’t even have words to describe. It will find you when you need it. It found me a few years back at the divinely guided time it did and I felt so seen to say the least… (thank you @piercebrownofficial for recommending it xx) And this is your sign. Also, thank you weather angels for blessing me with great weather on all my travels. Thank you for heath. Thank you for another day. Thank you for health and home. Thank you for keeping my loved ones safe. Thank you for everything. 🙏
@moxywilliamsburg #atthemoxy
Let the good child die.
There’s a whole lot of freedom that comes from detaching from the word Pretty.
Thank you for everything. Health. Love. Another day. 🙏✨
COVER STORY w/ Gia Kim: “XO, Kitty is one of the most meaningful things that has ever happened to me”
While the industry speeds up, Gia Kim slows it down and sharpens the focus. There’s no rush in her narrative, but there is direction. Subtle, intentional, precise. In many ways, subversion is her natural state.
A Korean actress with a growing global presence, Gia represents a different kind of visibility: less performative, more aware. She doesn’t need to exaggerate to take up space.She holds it. In a moment where everything is measured in exposure, she speaks instead about purpose. About meaning. About not betraying yourself. And then comes XO, Kitty. And everything shifts.
Not just because the show becomes another global hit, but because her character fractures expectations: a Korean “queen bee” who is queer, layered, contradictory. The kind of character many young girls will finally recognize themselves in.
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READ IT IN FOLIE.ES
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TEAM
Talent @thisisgiakim
Photographer @dylanperlot
Stylist @joshualanclark
MUAH @suziekbeauty
HAIR @mikahairstylist
Editor in Chief @pabloaragon
THANKS TO
@platformprteam
Ok time for some bts to celebrate global no. 1 on Netflix ✨ Wearing Yuri’s clothes from season 1 was an emotional experience. 🥹 Thank you for all the love. XO Kitty has given me so much more fulfillment, joy, and love than I could’ve imagined as an actor and human I could die happy right now. Honestly. I love you guys and the show loves you. Hope you gained some joy and love from the show as well 🤍
I’m just doing things my soul is called to do and I’ve decided to stop questioning everything. And that is how I’ll roll.
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I love my soul family so fking much. 🥲🤍
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Thank you @moxywilliamsburg for putting a roof over my head during this beautiful weekend reunion.
#AtTheMoxy
Today I climbed and laid in a tree. A chestnut oak tree to be exact. And it was awesome.
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Growing up in some of the most densely populated Asian cities, having a backyard or treehouse or climbing a tree was just something I saw in American movies.
This was the furthest I’ve ever climbed a tree. She was sturdy as a rock and made me wonder just how much deeper, grander, and more magnificent the roots must be underground.
Thank you for letting me do this. So happy I’ve finally met my Grandmother Willow.
Connect with a tree, a flower, a bird today.
Don’t mind my bed hair.
Full unedited video on YT for people who like that stuff. 🥸
Have you had Breakfast at Chung King? Cause I have.
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Went through so many emotions in the salon chair getting my hair full pixie. Will elaborate in a YouTube video at some point. Planning to post more there now. But SO happy I’ve done it!!!! Another test of self love 😮💨🥲🍀
Time to take my power back. 🔥✨
Best and sweetest hair stylist @mikahairstylist 🥹♥️
LA in the last week. Press for XO, @unforgettableawards , @vanityfair , @mptf the night before Oscars, a lot of time with XO fam, good mems with lil bro ✨
Sometimes I have to force myself to be seen or photographed when I don’t feel like it and sometimes I’ll be glad that I did. Nothing lasts forever.
Living is winning.
Thank you for every day of life.
📣REACH OUT! Hi loves, last year I had the IMMENSE pleasure of meeting and speaking to students at UC Riverside. It was probably the most fulfilling thing I did during my press campaign. I’m planning to do more of these in the coming months!! So please feel free to reach out via the email link in my bio 🫶🏻 I look forward to meeting more of you guys!!! 🥹♥️♥️♥️ Shoutout to this girlie who shared this video 🥹🌹
