From Scholar's Stationery to Coffee Tools: The Craft of "Honoring the Old and Embracing the New"

231 of Korea's Finest Crafts Gather in Cheongju
Korea Craft Competition Brings Together Artisans from Sixteen Regions

The Precious Writer's "Yeonhwa," Winner of the Presidential Award

The National Heritage Administration, in collaboration with the Korea Craft Cooperative Federation, will hold the Korea Craft Competition at the Culture Factory Gallery in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, for three days starting on November 21.

This is the nation's top craft competition, aimed at discovering outstanding crafts from across the country and highlighting their creativity and artistry. This year, 231 works were selected as award winners from among 425 finalists who advanced through the preliminary rounds in sixteen cities and provinces, following a rigorous evaluation process.

The President's Award was given to "Yeonhwa" by the artist So Joong-han. This work reinterprets the beauty of traditional scholar's stationery with a modern purpose. The Prime Minister's Award went to "Unhakmun Coffee Tool Set" by artist Park Wonho, which was praised for embellishing coffee tools with the Unhakmun pattern, thus elevating the dignity of traditional motifs through contemporary design.

The National Heritage Administration Director's Award went to "Samseok Gujeolham," decorated with dyed barley stalks; "Buncheong Inhwa Sipjangsaengmun Hap," adorned with inhwa and sipjangsaeng patterns; "Hakmunui Maetbangseok," engraved with crane motifs; and "Memories of Childhood," which captures underwater scenery. For group awards, Gyeongsangnam-do received the top prize, while Gyeonggi-do and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province each received excellence awards.

'Unhakmun Coffee Tool Set' by artist Wonho Park, winner of the Prime Minister's Award

The awards ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on November 21 at the Culture Factory, coinciding with the exhibition's opening. The exhibition of award-winning works will continue for three days until November 23.

The National Heritage Administration will also operate an exhibition and sales hall for outstanding crafts from the sixteen cities and provinces, as well as an open craft market. Visitors can view and purchase a variety of crafts and interact with artisans. Admission is free.

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