Crafting Culture: Hands-on Workshops from the National Folk Museum of Korea

Name: Crafting Culture: Hands-on Workshops from the National Folk Museum of Korea
Start: 2026-05-27T14:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-05-27T16:00:00-04:00
Location: Korean Cultural Center, Washington D.C.

Schedule

Wed May 27 2026 at 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Korean Cultural Center, Washington D.C. | Washington, DC

Experience the timeless elegance of Korean craft with experts from the National Folk Museum of Korea!
About this Event

NOTE: This particular family-oriented workshop session is inteded for families and friends, including local Korean-heritage groups, language learners, and others!

The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) and the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) invite you to a series of hands-on workshops exploring traditional Korean crafts and cultural practices, presented in partnership with the National Folk Museum of Korea (NFMK).

Led by Youngjae Kim, former Senior Curator at the National Folk Museum of Korea, each session offers a unique opportunity to learn about Korean traditions while handling or creating your own handcrafted items including the daenggi (댕기) decorative hair ribbon, jangmyeongru (장명루) five-colored longevity bracelet, and bojagi (보자기) wrapping cloth. Participants will explore traditional materials, embedded symbolism, and crafting techniques through engaging, hands-on activities. This program is supported by and presented in cooperation with the National Folk Museum of Korea.

Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, May 27, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

This session will focus on introducing and crafting the daenggi (댕기) decorative hair ribbon and jangmyeongru (장명루) five-colored longevity bracelet.

Sew and decorate a traditional daenggi using gold foil
Make a jangmyeongru, symbolizing health and protection
Optional: Try on traditional Korean hanbok clothing

About the Instructor and Crafts

Youngjae Kim is a former Senior Curator at the National Folk Museum of Korea with over 20 years of experience in Korean traditional attire and cultural heritage. She currently leads research and cultural programs through the Hansan Research Institute.

Daenggi (댕기) is a traditional Korean ribbon used to adorn a traditional Korean hair braid for women and is often made of silk and with gold or silver foil patterns. Participants will complete stitching, apply decorative motifs, and learn how to wear the daenggi. See an example video here!

Jangmyeongru (장명루) is a five-colored braided bracelet symbolizing health, protection, and longevity. Participants will create their own bracelet that integrates this traditional color symbolism. See an example video here!

Bojagi (보자기) is an icon of traditional Korean culture. This versatile and beautiful wrapping cloth is rooted in women’s domestic culture, where many everyday household objects were carefully crafted with both form and function in mind. Influenced by royal traditions of the Joseon Dynasty, bojagi reflects both practicality and aesthetic refinement. Reusable and eco-friendly, it embodies flexibility, creativity, and the beauty of thoughtful wrapping without waste.

In this workshop, participants will explore a variety of bojagi fabrics, colors, and patterns while learning how different wrapping styles can create unique forms and expressions. Each participant will discover their own style through hands-on practice and creative experimentation. Participants will receive a mystery box to create their own magical bojagi, with each result offering a unique surprise. See example videos here and here!