I have long held a deep interest in traditional Korean crafts. Over the years, I have sought out masters in various disciplines—metalwork, Gyubang craft(traditional women’s needlework), Korean knots, natural dyeing, wancho craft(woven sedge craft), and Hanji(Korean traditional handmade paper)—to learn their techniques and reinterpret them through contemporary jewelry. It was through this journey of exploring materiality and tradition that I encountered Hanji and the technique of Jiseung.
Hanji, made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree using time-honored Korean methods, is breathable, strong, and highly durable. When twisted into cords and woven into forms, it becomes remarkably sturdy—even retaining its shape when wet—yet remains astonishingly light. This unique combination of qualities allowed me to explore scale and volume in jewelry without the limitations of weight. Hanji gave me extensive freedom in creation.
My jewelry is crafted with Hanji as the primary material, using the traditional Korean craft of Jiseung. Jiseung refers to the cords created by twisting long, thin strips of Hanji, and Jiseung craft refers to the technique of weaving or constructing objects from those cords. This practice, which dates back to the Joseon Dynasty, was often performed by scholars who repurposed the pages of finished books into elegant woven objects. In a time when materials were precious, these paper-crafted items were treasured by the upper classes as refined lifestyle objects. I found it disheartening that such beautiful works now live only as museum relics. I wanted to breathe new life into them and return them to daily use. This desire naturally led me to create Jiseungjewelry—expanding the craft beyond its traditional confines and offering a new expressive form of Hanji and Jiseung. Thanks to Hanji’s lightness and flexibility, I was able to experiment with bold designs and pursue creative innovation unbound by conventional forms. This impulse led me deeper into the world of contemporary art jewelry, where the artist’s unique concept and expressive values are paramount. Although my Jiseung jewelry has a modern aesthetic, it is rooted in traditional Korean craft techniques, which gives it a distinctive aura. I believe this contrast carries a special appeal.