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Foreign students learn to play the gayageum at the National Center for Korean Traditional Arts (NCKTPA). / Courtesy of NCKTPA |
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
The popularity of the do-it-yourself culture is spreading over to traditional Korean crafts. Tourists and foreigners living in Korea are becoming more interested not just in sightseeing or watching performances, but actually participating in hands-on activities.
A growing number of traditional Korean cultural centers and shops are providing opportunities for tourists to try their hand at making maedeup, Korean knots and bojagi, wrapping cloth in just a few hours. Most places have English-speaking instructors, but in cases where they cannot speak English, most are willing to teach by example.
For foreigners who live in Seoul, there are also weeks-long classes in ceramics, Oriental ink painting and traditional Korean musical instruments. Classes are conducted in English.
These programs make sure foreigners leave Seoul not just with a suitcase of souvenirs, but priceless memories of experiencing traditional Korean culture.
Traditional Crafts
Bojagi, Korean wrapping cloth, is a simple square cloth that can be used to wrap things, or as a wall decoration. At Gagyo in Insa-dong, visitors can learn to make the bojagi, although one needs to be a bit skilled in needlework. The craft shop is open basically 365 days, closing only on Korean holidays.
The classes take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and have a basic fee of 30,000 won, but visitors must purchase the materials such as thread and ramie cloth (usually costing 10,000 won or more) from the shop.
Reservations should be made before participating in a class. Classes are available in Korean and Japanese. Teachers are willing to instruct English-speaking participants using body language if necessary. Call (02) 720-0365 or visit www.gagyo365.com.
Knots
Korean knots, known as maedeup, may look complicated to make but tourists can learn the basics in just a few hours. These decorative knots are used as ornaments for swords, belts, rituals and wedding ceremonies.
Housed in a hanok in Gahoe-dong, the Dong-Lim Museum is a place where tourists can see different kinds of Korean knotted works. Tourists can join a knot craft program to make a cellphone charm or jewelry accessory. It takes only one hour to finish.
While the cost of the program (5,000 won to 10,000 won) may be more expensive than buying the cute ready-made items for sale in Insa-dong, it is a unique learning experience to learn how to make the knots.
Admission to Dong-Lim Museum is free. Closed on Sunday. English services are available if reservations are made in advance. Visit www.shimyoungmi.com or call (02) 3673-2778.
Tea Ceremony
Samcheonggak, a traditional cultural performance center and restaurant, offers special one-day programs on the Korean tea ceremony. Visitors can choose from two tea ceremony programs, basic (50,000 won) and deluxe (70,000 won), taught at the teahouse.
Participants can wear a traditional Korean dress or hanbok while taking part in the deluxe tea ceremony program. Each program lasts for 90 minutes.
Aside from this program, there are also short courses for hangeul calligraphy and painting. A minimum number of participants are needed to register for the program. An English interpreter will be available for the participants. Reservation should be made in advance. Visit www.3pp.co.kr or call (02) 765-3700.
Hanji
Korean traditional paper or hanji is made from the bark of mulberry trees. To learn about the different applications of hanji crafts, head over to Hanji & People in Insa-dong.
There are several hanji craft programs to make accessories like picture frames, hand mirrors and dolls. Visitors need to purchase a hanji craft kit that costs between 6,000 won for hand mirror and picture frame to 40,000 won for farmer doll. The price of the lecture is not included.
Classes in English, Chinese and Japanese are available, but advance reservation is needed. Each class lasts two to three hours. Visit www.hanjipeople.co.kr or call (02) 725-9979
Traditional Music
Anyone interested in learning how to play traditional Korean instruments can sign up for classes at the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts (NCKTPA). The NCKTPA hopes the music classes help foreigners better understand traditional culture through hands-on experience.
The Korean traditional music class for foreigners is held twice a year, every spring and fall. The fall session will run from Sept. 20 to Dec. 6.
An NCKTPA official said there are plans to open five classes for janggu (hourglass shaped drum), gayageum (12 string plucked zither) beginners and intermediate, danso flute (vertical bamboo flute) and samulnori (percussion quartet). Each class will accept about 10 to 30 participants. Professional NCKTPA performers and lecturers conduct the classes in Korean and English. Classes are held every Saturday. Fees are 30,000 won. For information, call (02) 580-3054
 Ceramics Class
The Seoul Museum of Art, located in downtown Seoul, has educational programs for tourists and foreign residents. There are two courses, ceramics and Oriental ink painting, available every year.
Since Korea is famous for its ceramics, the course aims to teach the basics of Korean ceramic tradition through studio work. Students will be taught the basic skills in ceramic making such as pinching, coiling and slab building
The ceramic class has already started early this month, with 13 foreign students. Another class will start in September. Students have to pay 20,000 won to participate in the class. Visit seoulmoa.seoul.go.kr.
Crafts at the Airport
Tourists leaving Seoul don't have to spend all their time shopping at the duty-free stores at the Incheon International Airport. The Traditional Culture Center, located near Boarding Gate 40 at the airport, is one place where departing tourists can learn to make traditional crafts for free.
Visitors can choose to do different activities like painting a fan, learning to make a Korean knot or cover boxes with colorful pieces of hanji. Visitors should allot at least 40 minutes before boarding time to finish the activities.
The center's staff members can speak Chinese, Japanese and English, and are always ready to assist visitors. The Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Properties is in charge of the center. Visit www.fcpc.or.kr.
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
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