Young Koreans 'Dig' Antique Markets to Find Unique Style
Creatrip Team
a month ago
Antique art and everyday historical objects are gaining popularity among Korea’s 20s–30s as a way to express personal taste. Items like teacups, bowls, and furniture are being collected and used as interior pieces. Seoul’s Dapsimni antique market (답십리 고미술상가), once a large hub formed in the 1970s, has seen renewed energy as boutique stalls adopt photogenic, gallery-like displays. Shops such as OF, Gobokhee, and Hobak Fork Art Gallery mix traditional Korean furniture with mid-century Western pieces, modern posters, or sneakers to create curated spaces that attract young “diggers” (collectors). Exhibitions like “Young Antiques” at Art Space Boan1942 showcased young collectors’ finds, drawing hundreds of visitors and continuing at other venues; related talks on topics like men’s hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and ornaments are scheduled. This trend reflects a broader youth interest in reinterpretating traditional objects for contemporary lifestyles.
