SEOUL, South Korea — Lee Kwan-Young is chasing an unlikely dream of having a faraway U.S. president and his wife wear jewelry he crafted specially for them. Some people may be laughing, but Lee isn’t listening.
The 42-year-old amateur artist says he became inspired by Barack Obama’s message of hope when the president used the word three times in his inauguration speech.
In a burst of inspiration, Lee thought: Why not turn Obama’s “hope” into a permanent commemoration of that spirit?
Lee consulted with sound experts and art designers to create a configuration of Obama’s voice waves when he said the word. The resulting design of the pendant slightly resembles seismic waves. There’s a diamond and pearl-studded necklace, earrings and brooch for first lady Michelle Obama, and a set of cuff links and a necktie pin for the president.
After fruitless inquiries to the U.S. Embassy and then some more productive personal networking, Lee has been invited to an art reception hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and Ambassador Kathleen Stephens this week. Officials have sent word that they want him to bring his jewelry.
But Lee’s quest is no slam dunk.
“We are still in contact with Washington,” said embassy spokesman Aaron Tarver. “We will have to wait and see for the next step.”
