[Insta Walk] Mujagi Cafe - Capturing the Pure White Art of Daily Life

Haebangchon 'Mujagi Cafe'
Pottery Brand 'Mujagi' Workshop + Cafe + Gallery Combined
Enjoy Coffee and Desserts with Artist-Made Works
Floor-to-Ceiling Glass 'Namsan View' Harmonized with Hanok Interior is a Bonus
"Pottery is Art Closely Connected to Life... Hope It Gets More Popular"

Interior view of 'Mujagi Cafe' located in Haebangchon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Various types of ceramics are displayed on the shelves.
Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Is art something distant from the scene of life, existing on the other side of everyday life? If you are an outsider, you might easily conclude so. Generally, people perceive art as difficult to understand and highly sophisticated. However, if art were something detached from our lives, many artworks would not provide people with enlightenment and inspiration. Therefore, in fact, art should be seen as familiar with the very ordinary spaces and objects, rather than a special and unique domain or experience.

The reason why spaces where daily life and art coexist have recently gained attention can be understood in this context. The ‘Mujagi Cafe,’ a space combining ‘ceramics’ and ‘cafe,’ also aligns with this perspective. Located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, this place is a complex cultural space where visitors can experience the somewhat unfamiliar combination of pottery and cafe together.

Climbing the hill of Haebangchon and passing through small alleys, you arrive at a gray brick building where Mujagi Cafe is located. Opening the door on the first floor, guests are greeted by quietly playing music and neatly displayed ceramics. The space filled with a subtle coffee aroma harmonizes with the wooden interior, giving a calm feeling. Sitting by the floor-to-ceiling glass window seats and looking out at the open view of Namsan Tower, one feels inclined to pause their train of thought and indulge in contemplation.

On one side of the cafe is the workshop of the ceramic brand ‘Mujagi.’ Artist Shim Bogeun, who majored in ceramics, established Mujagi Studio in 2018 and has been operating the cafe together since February last year. As a combined workshop and cafe, shelves are filled with Shim’s works such as bowls, cups, and plates. Visitors can also enjoy coffee and desserts served in cups and bowls made by Shim here.

Interior view of 'Mujagi Cafe' located in Haebangchon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The central table decorated with broken ceramics catches the eye. Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

The workshop that makes ceramics is also a cafe where people can relax while drinking coffee, and a gallery where Shim’s designed and crafted ceramics can be appreciated. What might have motivated Shim to open the workspace, which could be the most important place for an artist, to the public? Shim explained the purpose as "to introduce ceramic culture to many people."

He said, "For convenience, people often use Corelle dishes or plastic tableware that are hard to break, and I also grew up in such an era. Perhaps because of that, I felt a lot of regret that Koreans are not as familiar with ceramic culture as expected," adding, "I believe the fastest way to understand culture is through ‘experience,’ so I created a space where people can directly use ceramics."

Shim fell in love with ceramics because it is ‘art closely connected to daily life.’ He said, "Ceramics can become an object if left alone, but in real life, we frequently encounter them while eating," and added, "I think art that naturally blends into people’s lives while allowing them to feel beauty is beautiful."

The name ‘Mujagi’ reflects Shim’s thoughts on his works. It is inspired by the word ‘mujakwi,’ meaning ‘without deliberate decoration or added meaning,’ and also emphasizes how well the Mujagi dishes, which give a comfortable feeling and suit anywhere, align with this meaning. He particularly pointed out the Korean elements embedded in Mujagi’s charm. He explained, "I hope people constantly think about why they should use our dishes," and added, "The unique characteristics that harmonize with Korea’s regional food culture and continue ceramic culture are what differentiate us from mass-produced products."

The view seen upon entering the entrance of 'Mujagi Cafe' located in Haebangchon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Bowls of Mujagi displayed in the center.
Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

Mujagi Cafe is popular as a comfortable space for people who work on their projects. Shim said, "I created the cafe inside the workshop with the idea of providing an atmosphere where people can slowly appreciate artworks away from their busy daily lives, and many who want ‘a moment of relaxation with a cup of coffee,’ as the advertising copy says, visit often."

While running the cafe, Shim focuses more on making it a place where visitors can feel at ease rather than on profitability. This confidence is based on the profits earned from selling Mujagi ceramics both online and offline. The small platform of the cafe serves as a good workspace for visitors and simultaneously promotes ceramics, acting as a driving force to grow his Mujagi brand. It is a virtuous cycle where the cafe and workshop harmonize.

Shim emphasized that he will actively work to make ceramics that combine beauty and practicality more widely used. He wants to start by changing the reality where many ordinary restaurants nearby use plastic or stainless steel products. In fact, even people not working in restaurants often are sensitive to slightly chipped dishes or avoid them because they feel heavy.

He stressed the deep implications for Korea, a country with a rich ceramic tradition, saying, "No matter which country you visit, even inexpensive food is often served in ceramic dishes, which might mean that a meal is prepared with that much care and effort."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.