Yeoju’s New Landmark, Yeoju Ceramics World
Original Korean article posted on April 28th, 2011

-Korea’s first ceramics shopping complex for tourists opened this April 30 at the entrance to Sinreuksa Temple

-Over 100 ceramics works created by masters now on display in the eye-catching 135m diameter Octagon Hanok Gallery

A large ceramics shopping complex for tourists opened in Yeoju, a city in Gyeonggi Province well known for producing superior ceramics.

The Korea Ceramic Foundation opened Yeoju Ceramics World with over 110 masterpieces on display in its shopping gallery. The complex includes the Livingware Gallery, Doyerang, and a ceramics workshop among other cultural installations. The official opening event will take place on May 2nd according to the Foundation’s April 28th announcement.

Yeoju Ceramics World was built on a 37,623m2 lot at the entrance to Sinreuksa Temple in Yeoju. Each building features a unique design: the ceramics gallery is a traditional octagonal building; the Bandal Museum is named after its shape (bandal means ‘half-moon’); and the shopping mall’s roof is covered with traditional tiles and narrows as it rises.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo as well as the mayors of Icheon and Gwangju, and Yeosu will attend the official opening. The Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Korea Ceramic Foundation will discuss a ceramics technology support MOU with Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology branches located in Icheon, Yeoju, and Gwangju.

The Obangsaek Gateway 

The first thing you will notice at the entrance is a traditional gateway decorated with obangsaek – the five traditional colors of yellow, blue, white, red, and black – paintwork. The Doyerang has a diameter of 135 meters. Visitors can create their own ceramic tiles and accessories or attend classes on traditional cuisine presentation.

On the left of the Doyerang is the Bandal Museum where many examples of living ware ceramics are on display. All of the exhibit halls within the museum are named after the moon in some way, such as the Choseungdal (crescent moon), Sanghyeondal (young moon), Hahyeondal (waning moon), and Boreumdal (full moon) halls.

The museum will be exhibiting ceramic works alongside paintings, sculptures, lacquer ware, and flowers at MIX-UP+Exhibit, which is themed according to days of the week. The 2011 Korea Ceramics Foundation Collection and the COREYO Exhibit will also be open to visitors. COREYO is a Korean ceramics brand supported by KOTRA.

Yeoju Doja-sesang Opening Festival on until the May 15th

The Yeoju Ceramics World Opening Festival is yet another exciting event patrons can look forward to. The celebration will continue from the opening day until May 15th. Visitors can browse exhibitions of living ware and outdoor earthenware or watch demonstrations of table settings and traditional singing among other cultural activities.

Special events await families who visit the complex on weekends and public holidays. Spinning wheels will be put to work. Learn things you never knew about soil and see whose family can make the biggest dirt pile. Fusion Korean classical music concerts, b-boy performances, and art exhibitions will also take place to spice up the entertainment.

The Tableware Exhibition will be held in the gallery lobby as an introduction to the world of ceramic dining using ceramic cutlery. The exhibition will end in July.

There is a large shopping area on each side of the museum where you can purchase medium-to-low priced retail ware as well as wholesale ceramic kitchenware and accessories. Everything from readymade products produced by well-known companies such as Haengnam Chinaware, Yedam, and Dangozai to the exclusive works of master craftsmen are also available. Yeoju’s very own ceramics will be displayed at the Yeoju Ceramic Masterpiece Center, and are also available at attractive prices.

The Korea Ceramic Foundation is planning a ceramics tourist cluster along with the Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum, a traditional theme park in Gwangju, and the Icheon ceramic theme park Cerapia, which is scheduled to open in July, in order to attract local and overseas tourists. It is expected to stimulate the local economy and establish itself as the center of ceramics distribution in Korea.

Korea Ceramic Foundation Chairman Gang U-hyeon was not shy about his ambitions, stating, “We have focused on the needs of family groups. As you can see, there are plenty of spaces for cultural experiences, relaxation, and shopping. The location is easily accessible and serves as an anchor for Yeoju’s creative infrastructure. Yeoju Ceramics World will become Korea’s largest ceramic shopping and tourist attraction.”