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I was born in Kyung-gi province, Korea in 1915, as the youngest child among a boy and three girls in a wealthy family. I went to Holston Elementary School and Holston Girl’s High School in Keasung. I was not a studious girl; instead, I like to play the harmonica, which was disapproved of by my parents who thought it was not decent for a modest girl.

I did well in English class and read many works of world classic literature. Even though I liked embroidery, I had no idea then that it would be my specialty for all my life.

In those days my dream was to be a writer of literary accomplishments, and the pride of being a Keasung native with its heritage (Keasung had been the capital of the Koryo Dynasty, from 913 to 1392 AD) took root deeply in me from my early childhood.
Having finished Holston Girl’s High School, I was admitted to the English Department of Ewha Woman's college.
My life in Seoul challenging, and it somehow stimulated my curiosity for a farther and broader new World.
I had a cousin who was then studying in Tokyo, Japan, to whom I inquired about my going to Japan to study. My parents opposed my plan to go far away by myself, but upon my insistence they finally consented to let me have my way. So when I had finished my freshman year at Ewha, I went to Japan and registered at the art College for women in Tokyo.
It was under my cousin's supervisions that I went to the Art College and that I took embroidery as my major.

In 1938 I started my career as an art teacher at Holston Girl’s High School, my Alma Mater. I did my best in my teaching, and I was quite happy when four of my students won special prizes with their works, which I had them submit to an art exhibit sponsored by a certain press company in Seoul. I was so pleased and encouraged to do my work. The same year my piece, "Chrysanthemum and The Mandarin Ducks" submitted to the Cho-sun Art Exhibition. I was happy to have the double opportunities to teach and at the same time to devote myself to my work. I felt as if I wore wings on my shoulders.