I grew up in the rural countryside of Korea, one of seven siblings, surrounded by rice paddies and vegetable fields, streams and mountains. After school, I spent much of my time outside exploring the world around me with my father and mother, who were farmers – from feeding the cows, chickens and pigs on the farm, to fishing along local streams and digging up fresh greens from the soil for the family’s next meal. One of the folktales that I remember from my childhood was the love story between a young man and woman who lived in the countryside. One day, the man was called to be soldier, and had to leave his true love behind. The young woman waited many years for the soldier to return, until she got the tragic news that he had died at war. Grief-stricken at the loss of her beloved, the lovesick woman was so devastated that she spent the rest of her days roaming about the mountains and fields near the village until her death. In the following Spring, the villagers noticed the blooming of a new mysterious flower, everywhere that the young woman had wandered. The villagers named the flowers Mindeulle (dandelion), which symbolizes loyalty, devotion, or faithfulness. This folktale evokes found memories of being raised in the countryside, and is the inspiration for my “Mindeulle Dream Series”, in which I explore the mindset of the young woman’s unfulfilled dreams.