A Young Man’s Third Letter: Masterpiece

Educational background, professional background, or money 

Have you ever given up a dream because you don’t have these specs?

The life of young Koreans in the 21st century:
Society makes everyone pursue standard qualifications, the so-called ‘specs’.

However, VANK wants to suggest a different way to live your life.

“A Life of a Master in the Areas of Your Interest”

VANK has pursued such a life for over ten years, and we want to invite you on this path.

Subway line 4 shows different kinds of life.

Myeongdong station on Line 4

Myeongdong is always crowded with people, who go to shop in department stores and shopping centers.

Eye-catching new products

They are constantly replaced with newer products.

Ichon station is 20 minutes from Myeongdong station on Line 4. 

Near this station is the National Museum of Korea.

There is no eye-catching new product in the museum.

However, the museum has something that still touches our minds, even after hundreds of years. 

They are called masterpieces.

Life is like buying a ticket for the subway, and you can get off anywhere.

You can get off at a station that many others choose.

Or, you can choose to get off where others don’t.

Here’s our hope for you.

We hope that young Koreans don’t just follow the crowd.

Don’t let the crowd guide your life.

Have the courage to go where others don’t.

Achieve your dream on your own path!!

The dreams of young Koreans will become masterpieces that will impress the 7 billion people of the world.

Definition of ‘Master’ in English dictionary:
owner, expert, guru, whiz

VANK’s Master
Those who create their own paths and transform their dreams into masterpieces that will impress the people of the world
We will guide you on how to pave such paths.

M in Master
Have a Mission like a Mustard seed, and create a masterpiece!!

Mustard seed
The smallest seed in the world

“A mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, but it grows bigger than any other grass. It eventually turns into a large tree where birds can come down to rest.”

The secret of a great forest is hidden in such small seeds.

The symbolic meaning of mustard seed is ‘indifference’.

Promoting Korea to the 7 billion people of the world seemed like a vague dream.

However, 70,000 VANK members are now working together to achieve that dream.

They search for distorted Korean history and other information that the people of the world have treated with indifference.

They are promoting accurate information about Korea.

They are also delivering hope to the underprivileged of the world.

Even before a mustard seed sprouts, they can see the forest and birds that others are unable to see.   

They are the people with a vision.

Their dreams will become masterpieces that will bring changes to the world.

A in Master
Take Action to start change Around you.

VANK is now working worldwide, expanding its influence in Asia, Africa, and even America.

However, VANK began at the Deoksugung Palace and in a small internet café.

It started with a young man, who was a free guide to foreigners visiting the Deoksugung Palace.

He also promoted Korean culture online at an internet café to his foreign friends.

His small actions made what VANK is now.

Don’t waste your time or money on special drawing paper.

Instead, find an opportunity around you.

Start drawing. Take action now!

Your action creates a rough sketch that will become a masterpiece.

S in Master 
Be a Starter and a Servant.

“A masterpiece begins by lowering yourself.

King Sejong and General Yi Sun-sin
The most respected historical figures among Koreans and VANK members

They have been highly respected for hundreds of years.

The reason is not simply because they made great contributions to Korea by inventing the Korean alphabet or winning all 23 battles.

They were in high positions.
 
However, they lowered themselves to understand the minds of ordinary people.

Their sincere humility still touches the minds of Koreans in the 21st century.

They protected and developed the country, and gave people hope for a new beginning.

VANK members have pride in their country for being one of the top ten economic powers.

However, they refuse to be content with their success. 

Instead, they extend their hand to other countries in need.

Koreans are working together to achieve the dream of becoming friends with the world.

Through our effort, we will transform our dreams into masterpieces that will impress the people of the world.

T in Master
Set up a Television in your mind and develop a Talent.

Television
Tele (far) + vision (see)

VANK set up a television in its mind when it made its first foreign friend around 10 years ago.

VANK envisioned itself becoming an entity that represents Korea to the people of the world.

We created the specific image of how we would achieve the dream in our minds.

The image was imprinted on our minds as our ‘goal and vision.’

To achieve this dream, we have constantly sought to improve our talents.

Eventually, VANK has become what it is now.

Your dream and talent can create a great movie in your mind.

When the movie is realized, it will become a masterpiece that brings hope to the world.

E in Master
A masterpiece is the result of Endless Effort.

The 10,000-Hour Rule 
It takes ten thousand hours of practice to become an expert in a field.
- Outliers: The Story of Success, by Malcolm Gladwell

10,000 hours = 3 hours per day for 10 years
It requires a great amount of patience and steady effort.

The past 10 years of VANK

We have made persistent effort to persuade foreign scholars and publishers to abandon their misconceptions of Korea.

Korean history has been overlooked under the shadow of Chinese and Japanese history.

VANK constantly strives to promote the accurate history of Korea to the world.

Our over 10 years of effort has made positive changes.

An increasing number of foreign textbooks introduce Korean history and culture.

The 10,000 hours of our effort transformed a small pen-pal site into something different.

VANK is now a cyber diplomatic organization that represents Korea.

Our 10,000 hours were filled with our constant efforts to make change.

With 10,000 hours of focused effort, your dream will also become a masterpiece. 

R in Master
To create a masterpiece, there are two necessary components: Reading and Repetition!

Chicago Plan
A reading project initiated by Robert Hutchins, the former President of the University of Chicago. It required students to read a minimum of 100 books about the liberal arts.

“Students are not allowed to graduate until they read 100 great classics, including philosophical texts.”

Since then, the University of Chicago has become a prestigious university that has produced over 80 Nobel Prize winners.

The Jiphyeonjeon Project
A reading project initiated by King Sejong

With the king’s encouragement, the scholars of Joseon read many books on various subjects.

Since then, Joseon created a Renaissance in the areas of culture, economy, politics, and society.  

Following the example of King Sejong, VANK would like to start a reading project.

We call it “the 21st Century Jiphyeonjeon Project.”

Through reading, young Koreans will learn wisdom from their ancestors.

Using the knowledge and wisdom, they will achieve their dream of creating masterpieces.

This is a way to become a master and transform your dream into a masterpiece.

Be true to yourself, and devote your energy to achieving your own dream!

Your effort will help you create a masterpiece from your dream.

VANK is looking for young Koreans who have their own vision.

We are here to support you on your paths to realize your vision.

Devote your energy and use your passion to achieve your dream!

To us, you are a Korean masterpiece.