Kim Hongdo's "Jumak" Turned into a Tray... MU:DS Products Launched for "Our Table" Exhibition

National Museum Cultural Foundation Unveils Tableware Inspired by Ho-jokban and Genre Paintings
Rice Bowls, Plates, Lunchbox Sets and More... Available at Online Museum Shop

The National Museum Cultural Foundation announced on July 1 that it has launched new MU:DS products in connection with the National Museum of Korea’s special exhibition “Our Table.”

‘Jumak’ from Kim Hongdo's Album of Genre Paintings. This piece depicts the table setting and dining culture of a jumak (tavern) in the late Joseon Dynasty and was used as a key motif for the special exhibition “Our Dining Table.” National Museum of Korea

This product line was designed mainly around tableware inspired by the exhibition’s representative artifact, the hojokban (tiger-leg tray table), and the table settings depicted in genre paintings. The collection includes everyday items such as rice bowls, soup bowls, plates, table mats, and lunchbox sets. The products also reflect both social value and practicality, achieved through collaborations with artists with developmental disabilities and leading Korean brands.

The highlight of the collection is a series of trays created in collaboration with four artists with developmental disabilities from Heart-Heart Art & Culture. Artist Lee Joomin reinterpreted the figures from Kim Hongdo’s genre painting “Jumak” with dynamic brushstrokes. Park Sejong expressed the “Grilling Meat” scene from Seonghyeop’s Album of Genre Paintings with clean lines and calm colors. Jung Hyein presented a hojokban adorned with images of flowers, while Choi Heemin reimagined traditional relics with contemporary patterns and colors.

Collaborative products with domestic brands were also introduced. The foundation, together with Korea Ceramic, unveiled sets of plates, rice bowls, and soup bowls. With the cutlery brand Kostick, they developed table mats and Korean-Western tableware sets inspired by the twelve-sided hojokban, as well as a set of dessert tableware that gives a modern interpretation to the bronze spoon excavated from the Tomb of King Muryeong. In collaboration with the living design brand Ssuim, a lunchbox and insulated bag set was released.

Representative products of Muiz linked to the National Museum of Korea special exhibition "Our Table." Composed of tableware, trays, and lunchbox sets inspired by genre paintings and traditional relics. National Museum Cultural Foundation

The line also includes products reflecting sustainability. The foundation, in partnership with the Korean Food Promotion Institute, developed traditional liquor cups made from recycled glass, incorporating eco-friendly materials into the museum's merchandise.

Jung Yongseok, President of the National Museum Cultural Foundation, said, “These new products were designed to allow visitors to naturally carry the meaning of Korean food culture conveyed by the special exhibition ‘Our Table’ into their everyday lives. We have included not only modern reinterpretations of traditional relics, but also collaborations with artists with developmental disabilities, and considerations for sustainability.”

The foundation also produced stickers featuring artwork by Park Sejong. These stickers will be given as a limited edition of 10,000 on a first-come, first-served basis to customers who purchase products related to the special exhibition. The items are available for purchase at the special exhibition shop in the National Museum of Korea and through the online museum shop.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.