In traditional Uzbek homes and among Koryo-saram families, there has long been a practice of storing clothing and precious textiles by tying them into square bundles of fabric, often using bed sheets. While similar customs exist in other cultures, here these bundles, known as bales, held particular importance, concealing their contents while keeping treasured garments safe.

This tradition became especially meaningful for Korean families who were relocated to Central Asia, where such fabric bundles served as vessels of personal belongings. For J.Kim, the Petal is imagined as an empty bale for the wearer.