If you like Seoul Crafts, here is a Korean Mother of Pearl Class review. The best Korean najeonchilgi (나전칠기) is the one you make yourself! Of course, the class isn't for everyone, so I share my experience below to help you decide if it is for you!
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If you're tired of the traditional Korean tourist activities, such as getting facials and hair treatments (click for my top + worst recommendations for both), maybe you'd like to try something more cultural and off-the-beaten track, such as a Kimchi Making Class (click for full review) or a Mother-of-pearl class?
Mother of pearl lacquerware is a traditional Korean craft using abalone shells known as najeonchilgi (나전칠기.) Najeon literally means Mother of Pearl (MOP) and Chilgi, lacquerware.
This MOP used to be very popular in Korea: though it's tapered in popularity in recent years, it's still a popular Korean souvenir to bring home. And what could be more meaningful than a piece you've made yourself?
There are quite a few different mother-of-pearl classes in Seoul, which I've summarised in the section below.
However, my top recommendation (personally tried-and-tested, unsponsored) is the Bukchon Mother of Pearl craft class IF you want something central- Bukchon Hanok Village is very close to Myeongdong- and run by a Master Craftsman. Sadly, they don't speak English but they'll show you what to do. If you want an English-speaking class, try this one.
They sell a lot of their own VERY beautiful work- one of my top regrets is not buying their lacquered mirror last year, but I can always do it when I'm next back in Seoul. Some (cupboards) even go for over US$800,000!
What Najeonchilgi Is
Mother-of-pearl, also known as Jagae in Korea, refers to the shells of abalones, mollusks, and clams, which have been used in Korean art for centuries.
Very thin pieces of shell are laid on the surface of lacquered objects, creating an iridescent, and pearly glow. When the light falls on the surface of these items, they almost look like they're a shining rainbow.
Classes Offered
- Mother of pearl spoon (no chopsticks)
- Click the previous link for the Klook booking link- as with all the links in this site, it is n affiliate link. At no extra cost to you, I receive a small fee if you make a booking, which supports the work of this blog 🙂 )
- The spoons can be used in daily life which is cool!
- I'll be honest though, the spoons look a bit like glitter spoons so whilst they're pretty, I prefer making other types of lacquerware.
- The class location is also a little far out- it's south of the Han River. You'll enjoy this class if you want to see a regular Seoul suburb. If not, you'll probably be bemoaning the out-of-the-way location. There's a map if you click the top of the link.
- This class only offers 1 item, the spoons.
- Bukchon Mother of pearl class (1 hour):
- This is the class to take if you want something in a central location and near Seoul's top attractions, such as Ikseon-dong and Insa-dong.
- The class is held in an actual najeonchilgi shop and the man teaching it has years of experience in the craft. He's a 3rd generation Master Craftsmen and his work has been featured in famous shows such as "Sky Castle" and "100 Days My Prince."
- This is the class for you if you want the opportunity to buy professionally made Korean lacquerware. My aunts both ended up buying the mirror, which they felt was very inexpensive given how well-crafted they were (about US$50-70.)
- Unlike some of the other classes on this list, which use smaller, broken up pieces of mother-of-pearl, you have an AMAZINGLY WIDE range of very intricate mother-of-pearl shapes to choose from. They don't restrict the number of pieces you take, so the limit is really the size of the piece you're working on. (The teaching style is very laissez-faire.) I have a full review below.
- You can make a:
- Hair Tie
- Bracelet
- Hand mirror
- Brooch & Necklace
- Business card wallet
- Unfortunately, they don't speak much English, but they'll show you what to do.
- Price ranges from (around) S$20 to S$40.
If you want a class where the instructor speaks English, try this Mother-of-pearl souvenir class. This class is a little more central, in Mapo-gu, so perfect for those who are staying at Hongdae. (There's a map at the top of the link.) In this class, you can make a: Key ring,phone pop grip, hair tie, brooch, compact mirror, ring, ornamental hairpin (Binyeo) or Ringbox. Price ranges from (approx) S$40 to S$64, depending on what you choose.
Our Bukchon Class
Note: Participants have to be over 5 years old. Kids between 5 and 9 years of age have to be accompanied by adult.s
Location
Address: B1F, 42-3, Bukchon-do, Jong no-gu, Seoul
Directions: Exit from Angus Station Exit 2 and go straight about 400m towards the direction of Bukchon-ro. “Jinjoo Shell” is on your right.
There is a wide entrance path to the studio from the main road which is wheelchair accessible- we wheeled my Aunt up that ramp. From the 1st floor (reception and retail shop), there are wide steps down to the basement, which my Aunt could manage, with help. (She's not disabled, but she finds walking difficult, after her knee and hip operation.) After the class, the proprietor even helped to wheel my aunt to the car!!
Day + Timing
Days: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Time: 10.30 am or 2 pm
The class is meant to run for one hour but we took much longer than that and they didn't chase us.
Tip: I recommend the 10.30 class. Your work will need time to dry, so if you go for the earlier class, you can go for lunch in the nearby Bukchon Village during this time then come back to collect your masterpieces later! I've even walked all the way to MyeongDong from Bukchon before. (Or you can go for a Korean traditional Knotting Class in the same area.)
Cancellation Policy
- 3 days before the reserved date : 100% refundable
- 1 - 2 days before the reserved date: 70% refundable
- On the reserved date: Non- refundable
Classroom
Note: The class workshop was in the basement- the ground floor is the retail unit- ao you will have to be able to walk down a flight of stairs.
The workshop in which we worked was a a very spacious room lined with some spectacular big pieces of their MOP work, such as wide cabinets, screens, and side tables, to name a few.
There were a few rows of work tables and chairs. Some were covered with rows of trays holding the mother-of-pearl materials that we would work with.
Another was stacked high with the base that the Mother-of-pearl shells would be applied to: trays, coasters, coffee tables etc for the students to choose from.
Note: if nature calls, there is a spacious toilet in the basement.
What We Did
The 4 of us were the only people taking the class on that day, so we had a ton of space.
We were asked to choose from the wide selection of “mother-of-pearl” designs, available in different colours, such as pearl, light pink, and light blue, that we want to decorate our chosen piece with. (This could be a tray, coaster or hand mirror etc- if you choose a different item from what you booked, such as a coaster, you may need to top up, if your chosen item is more expensive.)
Honestly, there was so much choice, and the teacher was so generous in letting us pick-and-choose, that that made the class worthwhile in itself! (One of my Aunts felt that the way to get her money's worth was to fill her tray up with shells, and the guy didn't stop her!)
Another Aunt had difficulty designing, so the teacher offered her some guidance. (But you're mostly left to your own devices- I wouldn't really call it a "class." It's more like an art jamming session?) He was very patient, considering that he had 4 demanding women to cater to, all clamouring for his attention!
We then placed our pieces on our chosen base, arranged according to our chosen design. Most of the time is spent here- choosing your pieces, and fussing with the design. (If improvements can be made, the 3rd-generation Master Artisan Teacher would suggest some slight changes.) Once you're happy with your design, you paint it with some glue to set it in place.
After the pieces were all glued down, we applied a polish on it- in a fashion similar to applying nail polish!- and then the pieces were dried by the teacher. The drying process takes at least an hour so, unless you want to sit around, you'll need to come back to pick up your pieces.
We went to Insa-dong for lunch then came back to collect.
Do I Recommend?
Yes! The class was so much fun- well, I love crafting- that I went slightly overboard, and came home with 1 tray and 2 coasters! (Thankfully, I do use them, if not I'd cry after spending all that money.)
I would recommend this class to:
- people who would want to make their own memorable keepsake of their holiday in Korea
- anyone interested in Korean culture and history
- someone who wants to do something different in Seoul
- people who enjoy crafts!
Note: instead of choosing to make their own hand mirrors, my 2 aunties chose to buy a hand mirror which is bigger in size and the polish was better done than the items that we made. It cost US$50. I regret not getting one too.
Who should NOT take this
In all the classes, you are not making the real traditional laquerware. That involves 30 or so steps!
Instead, we're making a pared-down version. Still pretty to look at but the finishing isn't quite as smooth. (They don't add enough layers of varnish at the end. No time for the drying, I'm guessing.)
If you're expecting something of the same quality as you've seen in the Seoul Craft Museum, then these classes are not for you.
Things to Do Nearby
On the way to or after the class, don't forget to head into Bukchon Hanok Village, where you can find many traditional Korean houses called “Hanok”, that date back to the Joseon dynasty. This village is still a residential one, although there are many cute cafes, shops, and restaurants now. Remember to be respectful when you visit!
Any questions about craft classes in Seoul? Let me know in the comments!
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