The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST) is hosting the 2025 Craft Trend Fair under the theme “Aesthetics of Craftmanship” at COEX (Gangnam-gu, Seoul) from December 11 (Thursday) to 14 (Sunday) to spotlight the diversity and market potential of contemporary craft, in collaboration with the Korea Craft and Design Foundation (KCDF). MCST First Vice Minister Kim Young-soo attended the opening ceremony on December 11 to present the Craftman of the Year awards and encourage participating artists. This year’s recipients include artist Oh Hwa-jin (textiles) in the Creative category and exhibition curator Kang Jae-young in the Theory category.

Bringing together 311 participants ranging from emerging craft artists to craft studios and intermediary organizations

Celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2025, the Craft Trend Fair has established itself as a leading platform that provides a venue for exchange between craft artists and consumers, helping to strengthen the craft distribution ecosystem. A total of 311 participants have come together for this year’s event, including emerging artists, craft studios, and galleries. Of these, 290 participants will showcase and sell a diverse range of craftworks in the fair’s main exhibition zone, including 85 new artists, 186 craft studios, and 19 intermediary organizations. Professional buyers from both home and abroad were invited for onsite sales and export consultations. In particular, the fair has upgraded its invitational international buyer program, which offers tailored 1:1 management service, to provide more detailed information about buyers and help exhibitors to reap tangible business results. Moreover, the fair has expanded its corporate and brand collaboration programs, including intermediary onboarding services to The Hyundai’s online mall, long-term interest-free installment payment through Hyundai Card, and the Maison Marie Claire × Sulwhasoo Craft Awards. These programs offered exhibitors the opportunity to market their products online and a foundation to build their brand value.

Showcasing the evolution of Korean craft with curated exhibitions – The Master, The Next, and The Collection

20^th anniversary special program Craft Forum sets strategy for the next two decades

This year’s newly established curated exhibition halls—The Master, The Next, and The Collection—presents the evolving landscape of Korean craft across emerging to mid-career artists through three exhibitions. The Master features ten leading mid-career artists across ceramics, textiles, metalwork, glass, and woodwork, including white porcelain and moon jar master Kwon Dae-seop, art-furniture pioneer Choi Byung-hoon, and Jang Yeon-soon, the winner of the 2024 Craftman of the Year award for Creative Category. Their works will showcase a mastery and refined sensibility honed over decades. The Next exhibition presents new possibilities for craft through innovative materials, techniques, and experimental forms showcased by 23 emerging craft artists aged 39 and under. The Collection brings together 21 major galleries, including Korea’s Hakgojae, Lee Hwaik Gallery, and LVS as well as overseas galleries from China and Taiwan, to present the highest-quality craft-based collectibles, contributing to the expansion of the craft collecting and distribution market.

Furthermore, to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the Craft Trend Fair, a craft forum is to be held on December 13 to discuss future directions for development. Experts from five countries—Korea, France, UAE, Taiwan, and Japan—will share insights from domestic and international craft expos and discuss strategies for the coming future under the theme “Changing Markets, Expanding Craft.” From December 12 to 14, the fair will also offer curated tours led by six professional curators, including Executive Director Seo Hyun-seok of Leeum Store, to deepen visitors’ appreciation and understanding of the craftworks on display. Each tour will accommodate 20 participants via advance or onsite registration, twice each day. More information on the 2025 Craft Trend Fair is available on the official website: www.kcdf.kr/craftrendfair.