The Beauty of Embroidery and Royal Court Flower Arrangement: Kim Youngi, Kim Younghee, and Seongwoo Choi Recognized as Intangible Heritage Holders

Outstanding Skills and Diverse Efforts for the Transmission of Tradition

Two artisans who have continued the tradition of embroidery by stitching patterns with colored threads, along with an artisan who has preserved royal court culture by creating 'silk flowers,' have been recognized as holders of National Intangible Heritage.

Kim Youngi, Holder of the National Intangible Heritage 'Embroidery Artisan'

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on June 9 that, following the final review by the Intangible Heritage Committee, Kim Youngi (age 72) and Kim Younghee (age 75) have each been recognized as holders of 'Embroidery Artisan,' and Seongwoo Choi (age 65) as the holder of 'Royal Court Flower Arrangement.' All three were deemed to possess outstanding skills in their respective fields and to have made various efforts to ensure the transmission of their crafts.

'Embroidery Artisan' refers to the craft or the artisan who creates patterns by threading needles with various colored threads and embroidering them onto fabric. This is considered a formative activity that goes beyond simply decorating the surface of textiles, offering insights into people's lives and customs.

Kim Younghee, Holder of the National Intangible Heritage 'Embroidery Artisan'

Kim Youngi, who has been recognized as a holder, learned embroidery skills from the late holder Han Sangsu in 1970 and has honed her craft for 55 years. Since becoming an embroidery artisan transmission educator in 2008, she has devoted herself to transmission activities. Kim Younghee learned embroidery crafts from holder Choi Yuhyun in 1966 and has focused on continuing and promoting the tradition of Korean embroidery for 59 years.

'Royal Court Flower Arrangement' refers to flowers made for court performances or ceremonies. Various materials such as silk, ramie, beeswax, and feathers are carefully crafted and dyed to intricately recreate auspicious flowers like peonies and lotuses, as well as insects and animals. A Cultural Heritage Administration official explained, "Royal Court Flower Arrangement served as an important ornament symbolizing the authority, hierarchy, and dignity of the royal court, and represented peace, longevity, and health."

National Intangible Heritage Holder of 'Royal Court Flower Arrangement' Seongwoo Choi

Seongwoo Choi is the son of master artisan Hwang Suro (real name Hwang Eulsun), who became a holder in 2013. He naturally acquired the skills of royal court flower arrangement while assisting his mother with her work and became a trainee of National Intangible Heritage in 2016. Since 2020, he has been serving as the director of the Korea Royal Court Flower Museum and has been active in various fields. He has also worked as a cultural planner and co-authored the book 'A Glimpse at Flower Arrangement.'

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