Korean hanji dolls at The Podium

MANILA, Philippines - Mallgoers had the rare opportunity to get a glimpse of traditional Korean arts and crafts when the Korean Embassy recently held the “Hanji Dolls Craft” exhibit at The Podium Atrium.

A joint project of the Embassy of Korea and The Podium, the exhibit featured the works of artist Jae Hee So and her students. These cultural dolls usually made in groups depict scenes of everyday life — from children playing a game, making rice cake, gayageum recital, a boy carrying a water jar to dolls in traditional Korean costumes, including a wedding couple and scenes from the famous Korean telenovela Jewel in the Palace.

Traditional handmade paper called hanji is the essence of Korean paper craft. Made from the bark of mulberry trees, hanji is said to be strong and long-lasting. Covering the colorful and decorative paper with oil or lacquer helps to preserve it for many years. The craft is similar to the French art of papier-mâché as it also uses paste and paper to form a three-dimensional object.

Koreans have learned to use handmade paper in hundreds of ways. There are three types of mulberry trees growing in the country, and the paper, or hanji made from each differs slightly, dependent on the region where it was grown. Hanji has been used for at least 1,600 years to make official documents, books, walls, furniture, armor, and dolls.

“I hope that many of you will develop a greater interest in Korean traditional artistic heritage, which comes in varied art forms such as hanji dolls craft, and extend the same support; the same way you gave to our K-pop and Koreanovelas,” said Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Hyuk Lee.

The Ambassador and his wife Won Whasoon opened the event together with the Korean Embassy Counselor for Culture and Public Relations Seong Un Hwang, Korean Embassy General Manager Lee Duk Yung, the Korea Copyright Commission director Kim Yoon-shik, and Korean Women’s Association president Choi Young Joo.  SM executives led by SM Prime Holdings, Inc. president Hans Sy, SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia, SM Supermalls vice president for operations Steven Tan, and SM vice president for marketing Millie Dizon.

Korean cultural performances also highlighted the launch with music from the samulnori, a traditional percussion quartet; a haegeum, traditional Korean string instrument, and piano duet from the Korean Fusion Project Team; and a fan dance by the Korean Cultural Center of the Korean Embassy. Guests had a taste of Korean hors d’oeuvres from Kaya Korean Restaurant and wine from Chelsea Market and Café.