The Myth and Legend of the Magical Talisman

The magical talisman is a powerful object that holds mystical properties. It is believed to possess incredible abilities that can bring luck, protection, and even grant wishes. Across various cultures and folklore, talismans have become synonymous with supernatural powers and are often worn or carried by individuals seeking their blessings. The concept of talismans dates back to ancient times when people sought to harness the forces of nature and tap into the spiritual realm. These objects were carefully crafted and imbued with specific symbols, words, or enchantments to enhance their magical properties. Talismans were commonly made from materials like stone, metal, wood, or even plants, each with its unique meaning and significance.

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By working on this project, I hope more curly hair care products are produced in Korea so that the hurdle of caring for one s curly hair is lowered, says Park. Although it s an old technique, many salons have modified this type of perm into a more modern version, like Kim Go Eun s hippie curls in Cheese in the Trap.

Talismans were commonly made from materials like stone, metal, wood, or even plants, each with its unique meaning and significance. One prevalent belief surrounding talismans is their ability to bring good fortune. Many cultures use them as protective charms against evil spirits, ill health, or accidents.

Chaeso Park Is Breaking the Stigma Around Curly Hair in South Korea

The curly-haired YouTuber is defying stereotypes by embracing what comes naturally — and encouraging others to do the same.

South Korea is recognized for its rich culture, which expands to now-global commodities like K-pop and K-beauty — but it's also known for its rigid beauty standards, which have driven some Koreans to long-term modifications like plastic surgery, as well as superficial changes like smoothing their naturally curly hair through chemical straightening.

In fact, many Korean people have curly or wavy hair textures — but this is often a well-kept secret as most Koreans opt for the widely popular Korean Magic Straight Perm as opposed to wearing their natural curls. The Korean Magic Straight Perm or the Japanese Straight Perm was created in the mid-'90s and quickly grew in popularity throughout South Korea in the early '00s.

In the rare instances when curly hair is showcased in the Korean media, women are often displayed as being unprofessional, unkept, or in the middle of a life crisis. Take for example the hit 2015 K-drama She Was Pretty. The leading lady, who has curly hair and freckles, is known to be a former pretty girl who's down on her luck and in need of a drastic makeover.

Another prevailing depiction of curly hair in Korean media is its connection to ajummas (an older married Korean woman). Ajummas are by and large depicted as having short, tightly curled or permed hair. For many women who once strived for the youthful look of flowing straight hair, getting the ajumma perm is a rite of passage into their 40s and 50s.

This limited representation of curly hair in Korea helps to perpetuate the idea that the hair texture is less desirable. Though over the last several years, the majorly homogeneous country has become more diversified and many Korean women have started to take pride in their curly hair at all ages. Influencers like Chaeso Park are creating a path forward for curly hair acceptance in South Korea.

Park, who has 3C hair, found it difficult growing up with the negative connotations attached to curly hair in her culture. As per the hair typing system created by hairstylist Andre Walker, 3C hair is defined as tight curls that are shaped in a corkscrew shape.

"In South Korea, we think that curly hair is messy and must be straightened out," she shares with Allure. "Even in mass media, straightened-out hair is considered more beautiful than curly hair. The fact that there is no curly hair product in South Korea proves that few people care for their naturally curly hair as they are. I grew up thinking that curly hair is something weird and wrong under these specific circumstances."

The 25-year-old reveals she didn't know her natural hair texture until she stopped using chemical hair straighteners. "Four years ago when I struggled to care for my damaged hair because of constant permanent hair straightening, I began to ask myself that there must be some way to care for curly hair," says Park. She came across the "big chop" method, which involves cutting chemical-straightened hair so that your natural hair texture grows back more quickly and healthier. After doing the big chop, Park was surprised at how thick and curly her natural hair texture was, leading her down an intensive journey to find products and methods that fit her hair type.

During this process, she was inspired by other curly hair influences like YouTuber and hairstylist Manes By Mell, who Park says helped her break away from the popular Curly Girl Method, which oftentimes left her scalp dry and unhealthy. "I liked her boldness in breaking the superstitions that pass in the curly hair community," says Park.

Park documents her hair journey on YouTube (Curly Hair Park) and Instagram (@p.chaeso).

Courtesy of subject

Park's transition to her natural hair texture eventually led to the launch of her own YouTube channel, Curly Hair Park, which she created as a space where she could share curly hair tips and tricks. "Currently, more than 10,000 Koreans watch my channel [to] grow and manage their curly hair," says Park. “I would like to keep my work as a curly hair influencer until that time when curly hair is not considered weird, but natural in Korea."

Though Park finds pride in being one of the very few Korean curly hair influencers, she still faces pushback from people that are disbelief of her natural hair texture.

"[In the past] I received a reply on YouTube that my naturally curly hair is fake and made by perm and that I should not appropriate Black culture," she says. "I understand those reactions because there are not many Asians who have tight curl-typed hair."

Park has also been faced with many uncomfortable situations where her hair is touched without her consent. "Sometimes someone I do not know very well comes near me and touches my hair without any notice as if touching an animal's hair," says Park. "I hope that people do not forget that hair is also a part of one's body."

Driven largely by experiences she had in the past when she turned away from hair salons as her curly hair was deemed as "too much," Park is currently working on getting her hair license with the hope of one day opening up her own salon.

"Opening up a curly hair salon means that I would be able to meet many Korean customers with curly hair directly [without] the border of the internet," says Park. "It also means that I could inform them on how to style their curly hair which suits each customer and hear from them their stories on curly hair, which makes me thrilled just thinking about it."

In addition to getting her hair license, Park is creating her own curl-inclusive hair-care line in South Korea. As curly hair products are virtually non-existent in the country, she currently purchases almost all of her products from overseas websites or Amazon. With the launch of a hair collection, she aims to alleviate some of the stress of finding curl-friendly products for other women in Korea. "By working on this project, I hope more curly hair care products are produced in Korea so that the hurdle of caring for one’s curly hair is lowered," says Park.

They are often worn or carried close to the body, believing that their positive energy will ward off negativity and attract blessings. Some talismans are also thought to possess healing powers. Certain symbols or ingredients are believed to have therapeutic qualities and can aid in physical or emotional well-being. For instance, a talisman carrying the symbol of a crescent moon might be believed to enhance fertility or promote emotional balance. Others may be used to ward off specific illnesses or ailments. Additionally, talismans have been associated with wish fulfillment. It is believed that by focusing one's intentions and desires into the talisman, it can amplify and manifest those desires into reality. This is often practiced through rituals or ceremonies, where the talisman is charged with personal energy and intent. Although the belief in talismans may have waned in modern times, their allure and significance have not faded. Many individuals still seek out talismans or similar objects for their sentimental or symbolic value. Whether for their alleged supernatural abilities or personal meaning, talismans continue to hold a place in human fascination and imagination. In conclusion, the magical talisman holds a prominent place in folklore and cultural beliefs. Whether as symbols of protection, good fortune, healing, or wish fulfillment, these objects have captivated human imagination for centuries. While their power remains a matter of belief and personal interpretation, the talisman represents something larger – the innate human desire for connection, hope, and the belief in something beyond the ordinary..

Reviews for "The Talisman's Journey: From Creation to Destiny"

1. John - 1 star

I found "The magical talisman" to be a complete disappointment. The story lacked depth, and the characters were poorly developed. The plot felt rushed and predictable, with no real surprises or twists. Additionally, the writing style was mundane and failed to capture my attention. Overall, I would not recommend "The magical talisman" to others looking for an engaging and memorable read.

2. Amy - 2 stars

I had high hopes for "The magical talisman," but it ultimately fell short of my expectations. The concept had potential, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Furthermore, the ending left much to be desired, as it felt abrupt and unresolved. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend "The magical talisman" as an enjoyable reading experience.

3. Mark - 1 star

"The magical talisman" was a complete waste of time. The plot was unoriginal and cliché, with overused tropes and predictable outcomes. The writing was poor, filled with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. I found it hard to engage with the story or care about the characters, as they lacked depth and complexity. Overall, "The magical talisman" was a forgettable and unsatisfying read that I would not recommend to anyone seeking an original and well-crafted novel.

Awaken Your Intuition: Using a Magical Talisman for Guidance