The 31 pieces of the '2020 Outstanding Craft Products,' which have also passed hazardous-substance testing, have been selected and announced.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Park Yang-woo) and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation (President Kim Tae-hoon) operate the 'Outstanding Craft Product Designation System' (hereinafter Outstanding Craft Products), which selects mass-producible craft products with the aim of expanding the distribution of crafts. This system was established to build the trust of domestic and overseas consumers through the safe distribution of craft products by enhancing their quality and market competitiveness.
For this year's Outstanding Craft Products, a total of 249 pieces were submitted through an open call held from February 5 to April 5, and experts in each craft field participated in a three-stage evaluation to make the selections. Among these, the final stage was a safety assessment of the craft products, in which a quality inspection was conducted to check for the presence of hazardous chemical substances. Including craft products that consumers can use with peace of mind in the selection criteria is a major difference from other competitions.
As a result, a total of 31 products across various craft fields were selected as the 2020 Outstanding Craft Products, and the designated items can be viewed on the official website (https://www.kcdf.kr/kcraft) starting in October, once copyright registration is complete.
The benefits of Outstanding Craft Product designation include the issuance of a certificate in the name of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the awarding of the designation mark 'K-RIBBON.' In addition, recipients can enjoy benefits such as exhibition and distribution support, copyright registration support to secure intellectual property rights, promotion and marketing support, and support for participation in events hosted by the Foundation.
Kim Tae-hoon, President of the Korea Craft & Design Foundation, said, "Through the Outstanding Craft Product Designation System, we hope to provide accurate information about our excellent and safe craft products and to create a turning point that revitalizes the domestic craft market, which has been stagnant due to the flood of low-priced foreign craft products," adding, "We will provide support in various ways to promote the excellence of the selected crafts, and together with the designated crafts, we will strive to spread craft culture and revitalize the distribution of craft products."
▲ Iinhwa / Kim Deok-ho, Lee In-hwa / Soman Daryeok Dish Series
A daryeok (tea-snack) dish series harmoniously composed of hexahedral forms with neat, calm lines suited to a tea ceremony, given softness through flowing glaze.
▲ Park Su-i / Lacquer Flower Daryeok Dish & Eave, Lacquer Dish
Tableware reinterpreted in a modern way using the traditional craft technique of 'hyeopjeo-taltae-chil' (dry-lacquer). A lacquer dish that captures both the unique texture created by the lacquering technique and modern design,
while also achieving practicality with consideration for moisture resistance and durability.
▲ Mujagi / Sim Bo-geun / Paldeokseon Fan Tray Set
A dessert plate set that borrows the form of the traditional fan (paldeokseon). A product that reinterprets the fan—which lost its use to portable electric fans—so that it can be used in everyday life.
▲ Kim Byeol-hui / Ongi Tea Set & White Porcelain Soban
A tableware and tea set reborn by giving new uses to 'traditional objects' that are losing their purpose as modern lifestyles change.
▲ Felt & Felter / Lee Jae-beom / Chrysanthemum Vase ▲ Glassmings / Park Seon-min / Reantique Glass Series (3 types)
A vase that fuses 3D printing and felt technology, reflecting Cups and coasters reborn from discarded glass bottles that are processed so they can be used again.
modern sensibility and lifestyle with a motif of the chrysanthemum-flower doors of Daeungjeon Hall at Daeseungsa Temple, a traditional Korean building. A product whose matte-finished, tone-down colors create an elegant atmosphere.