Baudeogi Fan Transformed into Bangjja Yugi Tableware... 25 Top Tourism Souvenirs Selected This Year

Record 1,358 Entries in Tourism Organization Contest
Awarded Items Include Dancheong Fan and Jeju Flower Anchovy Powder
Support for International Sales Channels Like Amazon

The fan of Baudeogi, the legendary clown leader of the Anseong Namsadangpae troupe, has been transformed into bangjja yugi tableware, and Jeju’s flower anchovies have become a seasoning. Products that reinterpret Korea’s traditional culture and regional stories—such as dancheong patterns, dongjaseok guardian stones, Goryeo celadon, and tiger and magpie paintings—were selected this year as souvenirs representing the Republic of Korea.

The winner of the 2026 Republic of Korea Tourism Competition Presidential Award in the Souvenirs category, "Baudeogi's Radiant Stage Unfolds on the Dining Table." This is a bangjja yugi tableware set inspired by the fan of Baudeogi from Anseong. Korea Tourism Organization

According to the Korea Tourism Organization on August 28, 25 final winners have been selected in the "2026 Republic of Korea Tourism Competition – Souvenirs Category." This year, a record high of 1,358 entries were submitted for the competition.

The Presidential Award went to “Baudeogi’s Radiant Stage Unfolds on the Dining Table,” a bangjja yugi tableware set inspired by Baudeogi’s fan, a cultural heritage that represents Anseong. The judging panel, which included both experts and foreigners, praised the use of traditional Korean materials reinterpreted as everyday tableware.

The Prime Minister's Award was given to the “Spirit of Korea Collection,” a set of traditional fans featuring modern reinterpretations of Korea’s dancheong patterns, and “Jejudasi Flower Anchovy Powder,” a seasoning made with flower anchovies from Biyangdo, Jeju.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award recognized the following: “Korean Roofs,” a doorbell that reimagines traditional roof figurines as metal objects; a set of perilla oil made with Gangwon-do mountain-grown perilla seeds—balanced and delicately roasted; and the “Jeju Dongjaseok Door Stopper,” which transforms Jeju’s traditional guardian statues into daily-use objects.

The award-winning products span a range of applications, expanding the image of traditional culture into lifestyle goods, beauty products, food items, and fashion accessories. Notable entries include the “Bangasayuu Ceramic Gua Sha,” inspired by the Bangasayuu Statue; handkerchiefs embroidered with the Irwolobongdo screen; hand and body wash inspired by Goryeo celadon; and mother-of-pearl lacquered perfumes. Additional winners feature a one-handle bag themed after Seoul’s magpies, reflective key rings featuring all 807 stations across 24 lines of the Seoul metropolitan subway, and tiger and magpie motif magnets.

The Korea Tourism Organization intends not only to support commercialization of the winning products, but also to facilitate their distribution in both domestic and overseas markets. Awardees will be provided with one-on-one consulting, business training, and connections to distribution channels, as well as the eligibility to apply for tourism fund loans. This year, collaboration with private companies will expand, and support for entering global platforms such as Amazon will increase.

Min Byungseon, Head of Tourism Industry at the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, “We will provide support so that works that reinterpret Korea’s unique traditional culture and regional characteristics with a contemporary sensibility can grow into signature K-goods beloved by tourists worldwide.” He added, “We plan to reinforce support for distribution channels through entry into overseas platforms such as Amazon and participation in global crowdfunding.”

The award-winning souvenirs will be unveiled to the public at the “2026 Republic of Korea Tourism Souvenir Expo” held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul from November 20 to 22. At the event, there will be exhibitions and sales of winning products and tourism souvenirs, business consultations to help expand the sales channels for award-winning companies, and consumer experience programs.

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