Kum Bak Yeon (Korean: 금박연; Hanja: 金箔宴), also romanized Geumbakyeon,[1][2] is a historic artisan workshop in Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul, South Korea. It is named for and specializes in geumbak, traditional Korean gold leaf imprinting. The workshop has operated since 1856, when they produced art for the kings and royal family of Joseon. It has remained a family business; by 2023 the workshop was on its fifth generation of owners.[3][2] The business is one of the oldest in Seoul, and is a designated Oraegage (store of historic value) and Seoul Future Heritage.[4]
Native name | 금박연 |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Geumbakyeon |
| Industry | Gold leaf setting |
| Founded | 1856 |
| Founder | Kim Wan-hyeong |
| Headquarters | 24-12 Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea |
| Website | kumbakyeon |
Description
editThe workshop's founder was Kim Wan-hyeong (김완형), who worked for Cheoljong of Joseon.[5][3] His successor, Kim Won-sun (김원순), served as a craftsman for Empress Myeongseong. The third generation, Kim Gyeong-yong (김경용), worked for the last Korean monarchs of the Korean Empire. The fourth generation was Kim Deok-hwan.[6] The fifth generation owner is Kim Ki-ho (김기호). Kim did not originally intend to take over the business; he majored in mechanical engineering in college and worked at Samsung Electronics in industrial robot design. After his father, who was the designated holder of the geumbakjang National Intangible Cultural Property of South Korea, fell ill, thirty-year-old Kim decided to learn the trade.[2][3] After 20 years in the business, he became the 119th holder of the National Intangible Cultural Property. Kim's wife, Park Soo-young (박수영), also learned the trade after marrying into the Kim family.[2][3] In 2006, they moved the business from Bundang, Seongnam to Jongno District in Seoul. In 2012, they moved again to Bukchon Hanok Village.[5]
Kim once created clothing for the granddaughter of King Gojong, Yi Haegyeong.[2][3] Even after the Korean royal family lost their influence, the workshop produced gold-decorated hanbok for the first ladies of South Korea, including Yuk Young-soo, Lee Soon-ja, and Lee Hee-ho.[5]
The workshop places gold leaf on a variety of materials, namely clothing.[2][3] The leaf is attached to the materials using glue made from fish;[3] instead of being applied with a brush, as is done with many other cultures, the gold is stamped on.[7] The workshop offers tours and demonstrations of the craft.[6][5][7] They have also expanded their product line to appeal to modern applications as well.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Kum Bak Yeon". visitseoul.net. 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
- ^ a b c d e f "Even after 160 years, the biggest headache of this craft remains the same". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g 홍, 지유 (2023-03-22). 삼성전자 관두고 금빛 장식 입혔다…샤넬도 인정한 한국 '왕실 장인'. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-09-07.
- ^ ""167년 전통 '금박연' 금박공예, 관람객 사로잡다"[미술전시]". 이코노믹리뷰 (in Korean). 2023-10-15. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
- ^ a b c d "5代 이은 금박 名家… 영부인 한복 도맡아". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
- ^ a b 금박공방 금박연. hanok.seoul.go.kr. Seoul Metropolitan Government. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
- ^ a b c 엄, 민용; 윤, 진근 (2017-12-19). [서울 그집 '오래가게']금박연…세계 유일의 한국전통 금박 기술. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-09-07.
External links
edit- Homepage (in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese)