From May 23 to 25, I visited the Craft Tea Festival 2025, held at BOAN1942, a cultural space converted from the historic Boan Inn, just across from the Yeongchumun Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Now in its eighth year, the festival has quietly become one of the most anticipated tea events in Korea—celebrating not only fine teas, but also the artistry of handcrafted teaware.
As I stepped into the courtyard of BOAN1942, time seemed to soften. The festival unfolded like a quiet flea market, filled with the scent of tea and the calm presence of carefully crafted objects. A total of 41 brands participated this year, presenting a wide range of teas and teaware—each booth telling its own story through taste, texture, and form.
What stood out was the growing presence of younger generations—many in their 20s and 30s—who now shape Korea’s evolving tea scene. Their ease in exploring new blends, engaging with makers, and appreciating the quiet joy of a shared cup reflected a shifting cultural rhythm. It was equally moving to see international visitors, seated with care, gently lifting teacups and savoring each sip with reverence. The atmosphere was inclusive yet deeply rooted in something timeless.
The festival’s location in Tongui-dong, with its low-slung rooftops, tucked-away galleries, and slow cafés, added another layer of poetry to the experience. After exploring the event, I wandered the surrounding neighborhood like one would stroll through a living gallery—where culture and calm coexist.
One of the most memorable aspects of the day was meeting the makers themselves.
Foh Studio, a metalcraft artist whose works evoke the textures and stillness of nature, left a quiet but lasting impression. And ceramic artist Euna Ko, whose pieces explore the subtleties of human emotion and connection through clay, shared insights that lingered long after I left her table. Her works speak gently of vulnerability, chance, and the invisible ties between people. With every touch, her ceramics seem to whisper something deeply personal.
A Reflection
More than a marketplace, the Craft Tea Festival felt like a living space where tea, craft, and people meet in quiet dialogue. In each cup, in each handmade vessel, there was a story—not just of tradition, but of presence.
It was a day steeped in beauty, stillness, and human connection. And as I walked away through the old streets of Tongui-dong, I knew that something from that day had steeped within me too—softly, but lastingly.
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