20th Anniversary 'Craft Trend Fair' Opens in Seoul Highlighting Diversity and Market Potential of Crafts
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
The 2025 Craft Trend Fair runs May 11–14 at COEX in Seoul under the theme “Aesthetics at Fingertips,” marking its 20th year as a platform connecting makers and consumers. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation organized the event, featuring 311 participants including 85 emerging artists, 186 craft workshops (gongbang), and 19 intermediary organizations. The fair includes sales and export consultations with invited domestic and international buyers, expanded buyer management services, and newly curated sections: “The Master” (10 established artisans in ceramics, textiles, metal, glass, and wood), “The Next” (23 artists under 39 experimenting with new materials and techniques), and “The Collection” (21 high-end galleries from Korea and abroad). Winners of the annual Craft Prize were textile artist Oh Hwa-jin and curator Kang Jae-young. A 20th-anniversary forum on May 13 gathers experts from Korea, France, the UAE, Taiwan, and Japan to discuss market changes and future strategies, while curator-led guided tours run daily to deepen visitor appreciation. The ministry emphasized support for craft creators to strengthen craft’s role within K-culture.
