10 Beautiful Handmade Gifts to Buy in Seoul

Paper making is very old tradition in South Korea and there are various passionate artists who work hard to keep this art form alive. If you fancy trying it for yourself, why not take a hanji making class? You can simply book a tour and make your own paper lamps. They are not only unbelievably cute but also make for a perfect gift.

For those who are looking to give the taste of Korea as a gift, this makgeolli making class is a winner. Makgeolli is a Korean wine made of rice and is hugely popular all over the country. Makgeolli Mamas and Papas have created an English language Makgeolli brewing certificate course where you can make your own brew and take it home. It’s cultural, easy and a lot of fun!

Heavily influenced by Confucianism, Korean paintings are a popular gift for tourists from around the world. While there are many prints available at local markets, you can still find the unique handmade paintings passionately created by local artists. The best place to purchase one of these unique gifts is in the Namdeamun and Dongdaemun areas.

Different to hanji, dak paper is another popular form of paper craft in South Korea. It is especially used to create sculptures or dolls. The paper is made from mulberry trees and is very soft so it is very easy to reconstruct facial expressions. Dak paper has been used for doll making for centuries. The dolls look absolutely adorable and wear a Korean traditional outfit. Take a class in making dak paper dolls and you have the perfect handmade gift from South Korea.