Mrs. Kim Gun-hee discusses ‘mental health’ with Mrs. Biden and ‘blipping’ rosé at Apple HQ.

First Lady Kim Geun-hee is speaking at a ‘Conversation on Mental Health’ held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, USA on the 17th (local time). From left to right, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, First Lady Kim Geun-hee, and Rosé from Blackpink. [Union]

[Herald Economy(San Francisco)=Reporter Jung Yoon-hee] First Lady Kim Geun-hee participated in the APEC Spouses’ Program held at ‘Apple Park’, the headquarters of Apple, on the morning of the 17th (local time). The program focused on ‘Mental Health’.

The event, hosted by First Lady Jill Biden, was attended by First Lady Kim and the spouses of leaders from Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines, as well as Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. Rosé, a member of the K-pop girl group ‘Blackpink’, also joined the event at the invitation of First Lady Biden, according to spokesperson Lee Do-woon’s written briefing.

In a roundtable discussion on mental health, First Lady Biden mentioned that modern technology has made communication easier among people, and now efforts must be made for mental health to combat isolation and anxiety.

First Lady Kim agreed, stating, “Korea has a characteristic where everyone is very conscious of each other in a competitive society”. She added, “Many emotions are involved due to excessive competition, and therefore, we get more tired,” hoping that these issues can be improved through various mental health programs.

First Lady Kim has shown a deep interest in mental health, including attending the conversation ‘It’s Okay, Don’t Worry’ for mental health in September, according to the spokesperson’s explanation.

First Lady Kim Geun-hee, who participated in the official spouse program of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, is taking a commemorative photo with the spouses of the leaders of each country at a ‘Conversation on Mental Health’ held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, USA on the 17th (local time). From the second on the left, Blackpink’s Rosé, First Lady Kim Geun-hee, Rachael Marape, wife of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, Jill Biden, wife of the US President, Louise Araneta Marcos, wife of the President of the Philippines, Wan Azizah binti Wan Ismail, wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States. [Union]

The participants agreed that mental health is a global issue that everyone should work together to solve, and a change in perception is needed to openly talk about mental health, just like physical health.

Singer Rosé also shared her experience. Rosé expressed that her journey to success as a singer was not easy and she still faces difficulties from time to time, but she realized the importance of valuing her own worth. She hopes that her music, based on this realization, can inspire and comfort many people.

First Lady Kim expressed her gratitude to Rosé for sharing her difficult story, and encouraged her by saying that the global influence of K-pop, including Blackpink, and Korean culture is tremendous. She looks forward to the music and positive messages that will move people in the future.

First Lady Kim Geun-hee, who participated in the official spouse program of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, is having a conversation with Jill Biden, wife of the US President, and Blackpink’s Rosé at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, USA on the 17th (local time). [Union]

Following this, First Lady Kim toured the Apple Experience Space, where she previewed the mental health-related technology demonstration of the Apple Vision Pro and Apple Watch, which are set to launch next year. She also took a walk around Apple Park and visited Apple’s circular building.

First Lady Kim noted that Apple Park is an innovative building in terms of environmental aspects, and that every building has a ‘Serenity Room’ for meditation and prayer, which she evaluated as part of the effort for mental health.

First Lady Kim stated, “I am impressed by Apple’s architecture that aims for eco-friendliness and carbon neutrality, and the careful space creation that values the mental health of employees,” expressing her hope for more such spaces in Korea. In addition, First Lady Kim expressed her pleasure at seeing a building designed by Norman Foster, a master of high-tech architectural technology, whom she has always admired.

First Lady Kim Geun-hee and Blackpink’s Rosé, who participated in the official spouse program of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, are attending a ‘Conversation on Mental Health’ held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, USA on the 17th (local time). [Union]

First Lady Kim and First Lady Biden recalled their visit to the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. during the state visit to the United States in April, where they viewed the works of Mark Rothko together, and also discussed the relationship between Apple founder Steve Jobs and Mark Rothko.

First Lady Kim introduced that the late Steve Jobs studied Mark Rothko’s works during his lifetime and even hung his works in various workspaces. She also mentioned her own experience of planning a Mark Rothko exhibition based on such inspiration.

First Lady Biden expressed her gratitude for First Lady Kim’s participation in the APEC Spouses’ Program on mental health, an area in which First Lady Kim has shown active interest and involvement.