About the Author

I have always found myself captivated by the intricate relationship between humans and religion. My journey into research of religion, delving into fields of shamanism and mayan religion, is deeply rooted in my family’s religious background. 

Growing up, due to the deeply ingrained Buddhist culture in the family, I was exposed to religious and spiritual experiences from a young age. In the New Year, Chuseok, a Korean Thanksgiving, or Buddha’s birthday, I would have to walk for a few hours to reach the Daeseongsa Temple, located at the summit of the Umyeonsan Mountain. 

For a young kid, who just graduated kindergarten, visiting the temple and having religious experiences were never my interest. When reaching the summit, rather than praying to Buddha, I leaned myself in the dark wood banister and enjoyed the grand landscape of Seoul city, which gradually unfolded in my eyes. Gazing at Seoul's landscape has always given me a sense of triumph and made me feel special like a god. 

However, as I grew up and embarked myself on the academic journey, I found myself increasingly drawn to the study of religion. My family’s passionate dedication to Buddhism always made me wonder why humans believe in religion even in the status quo that is dominated by science and mathematics.

Is the belief of spirituality simply rooted from irrationality? 

Starting from watching introductory videos about Shamanism, I have ended up conducting field research and producing a religious documentary of my own. Like the Seoul landscape that mesmerized me, I started to gradually unravel and unfold religion from my own perspective.