Two Hanji Souvenirs from Jeonju: Handream and Jisum Gallery

Do you know that hanji (Korean traditional homemade mulberry paper) is speciality from Jeonju? Hanji was used even during the Koryo Dynasty (918-1392). The hanji masters of Jeonju still produce the paper using traditional methods. The durability, elegance, and quality of hanji is acknowledged even by the restoration specialists from the Louvre Museum.

​Then, if you could capture your memories in hanji, it’ll also last very long too! Today, I’ll introduce two venues for this.

Handream

The first venue is ‘Handream’, a craftwork studio specializing in making hanji flower. The venue is located on the second floor of the Korea Traditional Culture Center. Only 15mins walk from Jeonju Hanok Village, the Korea Traditional Culture Center hosts many studios offering various creative experience programs for visitors. The visitors participating in the programs can use the underground parking lot for free.

Upon stepping into the studio, I was surprised by the elaborate hanji papers. Handream runs three experience programs for making ‘hanji flower diffuser’, ‘hanji frame’, and ‘hanji mirror’. I chose the ‘hanji flower diffuser’ making course.

First, I chose the color of the hanji flower. Then, I wrinkled the hanji to fold the paper into the shape of a petal.

When the hanji petals were dry enough, I glued them to attach them to the stick. After a while, I have a beautiful hanji flower!

Then I chose the scent: lavender or clean cotton? Hanji tends to absorb liquid, so the scent will last longer. My diffuser was much nicer than I expected!

If you want to participate in the experiences of Handream, book in advance via call or text to 010-3162-1597. The experience takes about an hour and maximum 20 people can be at one session.

This experience seemed like a good choice after spending some time at Jeonju Hanok Village. With the hanji flower diffuser, your memories of Jeonju will last for longer with pleasant scent.

​Handream, Hanji Flower Craftwork Studio

Address: Hyunmu 1gil 20, Wansangu, Jeonju (2^nd floor, the Korea Traditional Culture Center)

Booking: call or text 010-3162-1597

Prices: hanji flower diffuser 20,000won; hanji frame 10,000won~15,000won; hanji mirror 10,000won

The experiences last about 1 hour

Jisum Gallery

Today’s second destination is ‘Jisum Gallery’, located near the Gyeonggijeon Palace in the Hanok Village. Jisum Gallery runs experience programs for making hanji photo postcards, hanji bookmarks, hanji notes, and hanji photos.

Inside Jisum Gallery almost felt like a museum, filled with a variety of hanji artworks. The hanji bookmarks and hanji postcards are made from the photo printed on hanji. The rough surface of hanji gives feeling of the watercolor painting. Also, their price is adequate for souvenirs or gifts.

One of the prime features of Jisum Gallery is printing your photo into a hanji paper. The sizes vary from bookmark-size to A3 paper. Also, if you print your photo, you can also purchase frame in discounted price. Printed photos tend to lose the original color as time passes, but the hanji prints from Jisum Gallery don’t lose the original color. Moreover, the hanji prints stay intact even when wet!

Choose the photo and after half an hour, the print is complete! I printed the recently taken family photo. The texture was so elegant that all my family members were happy. I highly recommend printing your photo from Jeonju Hanok Village for lasting memory of the trip.

Jisum Gallery

Address: Choimyungheegil 28, Wansangu, Jeonju

Contact: 063-231-5597

Price for hanji print: bookmark 9,000won; 3×5 print with a frame 14,400 won; 4×6 print with a frame 18,400 won

Opening hours: 10:00~20:00 every day

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