If you’re looking to change your handwriting and want to emulate a style, I would recommend the handwriting of Chung Ju-yung, the founder of Hyundai Group. First, the fact that the top right corner of the character “口” (mouth) is not sharp and the final stroke is firmly closed is a common trait among wealthy individuals. The rounded top right corner indicates flexibility and the ability to think outside the box, allowing for innovative thought. Despite having only an elementary school education, Chung was filled with creative imagination, constantly breaking free from conventional thinking. The firmly closed final stroke of the character “ㅁ” symbolizes thrift, completion, and meticulousness. It’s said that he wore the same spring-autumn suit and even hammered nails into the heels of his shoes to prevent wear. When analyzing the handwriting of the first-generation founders of Korea’s largest conglomerates, we find common traits of thriftiness and being tough, with no room for error.
In Chung’s handwriting, the vertical strokes of vowels are unusually long, which signifies someone who excels at their work. The sharp flick at the end of the horizontal strokes in the vowels indicates strong perseverance, a trait rarely seen in others’ handwriting. No matter how physically demanding things became, Chung never just received reports; he was always personally involved in key projects, famously stating that he would “rather collapse on the site than give up.” He often stressed to his employees that “to succeed, you must pour in a level of passion as if your life depended on it.”
The character “ㄷ,” which sharply rises to the right, shows that he had a highly positive mindset. As seen when he borrowed funds for shipyard construction by showing a 500-won bill, Chung firmly believed that “only those who think anything is possible can achieve it.” The noticeably large top points of the characters “ㅎ” and “ㅊ” symbolize his strong will to become the best. From his handwriting, we can see that Chung wasn’t someone who blindly charged ahead; rather, he was rational and logical. His writing wasn’t fast but maintained appropriate consistency. He used to say, “I’m not telling you to dive in recklessly. Whatever the task, push forward while always searching for a more efficient solution.”
