Explore Korean Crafts in Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village is a well-known place among cultural enthusiasts. While it's largely a residential area, the neighborhood boasts approximately 10,000 visitors per day! Many of whom come to revel in the traditional hanok architecture seen throughout the area.
But of course, the neighborhood is more than just a photo opportunity. Bukchon prioritizes preservation of Korean cultural customs, art, and crafts. Meandering through the narrow, stone-lined alleyways will lead you to the hidden art studios that practice the same traditional crafts developed hundreds of years before.
2 Crafts to Try in Seoul
If you're someone who enjoys learning about a country's culture through activities (rather than lectures or books, or heck, maybe you like them all) getting involved with traditional crafts may teach you some interesting historical elements beyond your usual museum tour!
매듭 (pronounced "maedup") is a traditional knot-tying handicraft in Korea. The studio owner (listed below) was taught the craft by his mother through a long lineage of 매듭 artisans!
한지 (pronounced "hanji") is a paper craft using the inner bark from the paper mulberry tree, a species native to Korea. I visited a shop where I used layers of 한지 to decorate a wooden box.
Join me on this short, but delightful excursion through Bukchon Hanok Village, where I meet a few friendly cats, try my hand at Korean crafts, and meet a friend for dinner!
Locations shown on the video
Here are the places I visited:
1. Morning tea with a view: Asian Culture Art Center
2. Maedeup class: 동림매듭공방 studio
3. Hanji class: Hanji Chueok 한지추억
4. Dinner (baby octopus): 서울 마포구 백범로1길 21\
P.S. Want more ideas for a day spent in Bukchon Hanok Village or Insadong? Check out this post for more inspiration!