▲ Calligrapher Choi Jae-su

Kim Jeong-hui was THE most celebrated calligrapher in late Joseon period in Korea. His penname ‘Chusache’ best represents him to be the master of calligraphy for the style called ‘Chusache’ is received as one of a kind in the whole wide world. His ink paintings, especially of orchids, are also equally admired by many in the time he lived and the people after and now. 

The style of Chusache is known to have started from ‘yeseo’, one of many calligraphy styles, and it is regarded as reaching the level of unbeatable legendary style for hanging somewhere between harmony and mismatch. 

The thick and thin lines of strokes vary greatly and one might see it twisted or another might see it unconventional formative beauty; and some people assert that the style remained as the unexplored area though many have tried very hard. 

The style has been kept alive by one of the practitioners of Chusache Choi Jung-su (aka Yeonpa). Choi Jung-su is an uncle of Choi Jae-su who is regarded as the best Chusache master in Korea. He wrote a number of Chusache course books such as <Yeonmuk Cheonga>, <Yeonpa Series>, <Yeonpa Seojip> and <Chusache Thousand Character Classic> and also is a founding member of the Chusa Yeonmookhoe. 

Naturally, Choi Jae-su (aka Unjung) learned the style under the instruction of his uncle Choi Jung-su. Choi Jae-su says "I grew up watching my uncle deeply indulged in Chusache. I was touched by his zeal and I also was influenced by this. So it was natural for me to be a calligrapher."

Choi started from analyzing the renowned Chinese styles of Wang Xizhi and Ouyang Xun and moved onto the books of Confucius, Xun Kuang, Mencius, Laozi, Du Fu and Li Bai and then onto Chusache; as a result, he now is received as one of the Chusache masters among the calligraphy circle. 

Choi points out the ‘difficulty’ as the charm of Chusache since it provides you an opportunity to create your own style as the level of your understanding deepens the more you practice. Chusache has a delicate adjustment between strength and weakness and some people praise it to contain the truth of yin and yang for this reason.

Back then, the study on Chusache was hardly found except his uncle and Choi Young-hwan (aka Gasan, current president of the Chusa Yeonmookhoe). Choi is passing down their researches based on which he pushed forward his own world in Chusache yeseo; and his hard work was well paid by being invited as an invitational calligrapher. 

“Yeonpa always gave this advice ‘never do things half-hearted’. It has resonated in my heart ever since and it always made me humble and honest as well as diligent. As time went on training by training, I brought up my own principle this time: ‘It is better write ten thousand and one times than ten thousand times’, like you say ‘practice makes perfect’.” 

As a result, Choi has achieved a remarkable feat in terms of the style and also received an honor of serving as a judge and as a calligrapher in various Chusache-related competitions and exhibitions. He also served as a vice president of the Korea Chusache Calligraphers Association, of the Korea Baekje Calligraphy Association, and of the Korea Chusache Research Society. 

Meanwhile, he is actively engaged in fostering talented future calligraphers at his studio <Unjung Calligrapher Research Institute> and Yuseong District Onchun 2-dong community center. It is worthy of mentioning that his teaching skills have been well proved as some of his pupils won a number of prizes in various competitions and contests. 

Currently, he is pouring his energy in completing a book of Thousand Character Classic in Chusache yeseo. In fact, the research on Chusache yeseo is still poor as he has found it hard to get a good reference book or two. So he predicts that the completion will take a considerable amount of time but he is determined to do it anyway. 

"It is regretful that less and less people seem to be interested in calligraphy when compared to the time I grew up. Most of the calligraphy learners are retirees who are seeking a hobby. I feel appreciated for that but I hope more and more young people would find the charm of the art if we are to keep passing down and developing this beautiful art of writing.” 

Choi’s love and passion in calligraphy is great that he never spends his time carelessly. He endeavors to promote the excellence and uniqueness and unreachable beauty of the Korea’s greatest calligraphy master Kim Jeong-hui while works hard to create his own unique style. 

“I will deepen my knowledge in Chusache yeseo and fulfill my dream of completing a book of Thousand Character Classic in Chusache yeseo. It will make my life worth and I will feel proud and honored.”