Boeun’s Cheongmok Gallery, Painted with the Flame of a Soldering Iron
Cheongmok Gallery Traditional Nakhwa Research Institute in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do, is the studio and exhibition space of Kim Young-jo, a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage title of Nakhwajang. Admission and hands-on activities are free, but information on public transportation, closed days, and reservations is not publicly available, so contacting the venue by phone before visiting is recommended.
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Kim Yeong-jo’s Boeun Nakwha Workshop Continuing Since 1979
Cheongmok Gallery Traditional Nakwha Research Institute opened in 1979. After Kim Yeong-jo began learning nakwha in 1972 and opened Cheongmok Gallery in 1979, it developed into the current studio and exhibition space. On the official Heritage Transmission Support Platform, both the workshop manager and the holder of the Nakwhajang tradition are registered as Kim Yeong-jo.
Kim Yeong-jo was designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Chungcheongbuk-do in 2010 and elevated to a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018. The official platform currently lists the category as National Intangible Heritage Nakwhajang; the exhibition hall is identified as a “workshop,” and the workshop covers 495㎡.
Nakwha, Creating Shading by Burning Paper and Wood with a Soldering Iron
Nakwha is a traditional painting field in which images, writing, and patterns are expressed by scorching surfaces such as paper, wood, silk, and leather with a soldering iron. Light and dark gradations are created through hand movements that move the iron quickly or slowly and press deeply or lightly.
Records related to nakwha appear in Yi Gyu-gyeong’s 《Ojuyeonmunjangjeonsango》 and O Se-chang’s 《Geunyeok Seohwajing》. 《Geunyeok Seohwajing》 records that the Jang family of Andong was skilled in nakwha, and also states that Susan Bak Chang-gyu created the hwahwabeop (fire-painting method) in 1837. Thus, when viewing these works, it is more accurate to understand them as paintings using fire and manual technique rather than simply as woodcraft.
Wooden Buddha Images and Hanji Folding Screens Found in the Workshop
Among the officially registered works, “Nakwha Sinseonam Rock-carved Bodhisattva Half-seated Image” is a wooden work produced by Kim Yeong-jo, measuring 120*1470. It depicts the Rock-carved Bodhisattva Half-seated Image at Sinseonam on Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, Treasure No. 119, using the focused-point technique and hyperrealistic technique.
“Nakwha Peony Painting” is a wooden work measuring 650*205; “Painting of Living in Buchun Mountain” is on hanji and measures 1180*365; and “Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land” is on hanji and measures 1045*425. Since the materials are divided between wood and hanji, examining the surface and dimensions together makes it easier to compare the expressive range of nakwha.
A Collection of 100 Works and Annual Production of 20 Works
The officially registered area of the Cheongmok Gallery workshop is 495㎡, with approximately 20 works produced annually and approximately 100 works held in storage. Since exhibitions and production share the character of the same space, visitors should not assume that every area is open to visitor circulation as in a conventional art museum; viewing should take place without disrupting workshop operations.
Registered works include the wooden “Seokguram Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva” measuring 510*1480, “Nakwha Egret” on hanji measuring 390*1450, and “Landscape of the Sacred Music and Scenic Forest” on hanji measuring 560*1260. The work list also includes “Nakwha Tiger” on hanji measuring 685*1345 and the wooden “Main Buddha of Seokguram” measuring 540*830.
Visits and Hands-on Activities Available at the Boeun Traditional Craft Experience School
Cheongmok Gallery is introduced as both master artisan Kim Yeong-jo’s studio and an exhibition space where visitors can view and experience traditional nakwha works. Available facilities are listed as an activity area and exhibition space, with a capacity of 40 people.
The Boeun Traditional Craft Experience School, which opened in September 2017, is used as both a workspace for training younger artisans and an exhibition venue. In addition to nakwha, experiences involving Boeun hanji, gyubang crafts, natural dyeing, and sagyeong are introduced. However, publicly available materials do not state whether reservations are required or provide operating days and duration, so groups should first contact the Boeun Traditional Culture Preservation Association at 070-7795-3989. Korean-language guidance is available.
Free Admission from 10:00 to 17:00, but Confirm Conditions by Phone
The workshop’s operating hours are listed as 10:00–17:00, although other materials also state 10:00–16:00, so confirmation is necessary before visiting. Admission is listed as free. Closing days and the admission cutoff time could not be confirmed in publicly available materials, and free hands-on activities are mentioned only in older introductory materials, so visitors should inquire before visiting to determine whether activities are currently offered.
Parking is listed as available, but parking fees could not be confirmed. Restrooms are available, and stroller rental is not. Credit card payment is listed as unavailable, so it is better to carry cash for paid activities or local transportation; however, whether current activity fees can be paid in cash should be confirmed separately.
Gaps in Information When Traveling to 1471 Bocheong-daero in Boeun-eup
The address is 1471 Bocheong-daero, Boeun-eup, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, and it is also registered on the official Heritage Transmission Support Platform as 226-4 Nucheong-ri, Boeun-eup, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, and as the Boeun Traditional Craft Experience School. The postal code is 28916. When entering the destination in a map app, using both the road-name address and the lot-number address makes it easier to locate.
The official “Directions” section does not separately provide a station name, exit, bus route, stop, or walking-distance information. Therefore, it is difficult to plan on the assumption that one can walk directly from a railway station or terminal. Public transportation users should call 070-7795-3989 to ask about connections from their departure point to 1471 Bocheong-daero, Boeun-eup. Public materials also do not provide information about wheelchair accessibility, slopes or stairs, permitted photography, English guidance, or the availability of an audio guide.
Access and Viewing Restrictions to Know Before Visiting
Public materials describe the facilities as a studio, exhibition space, and activity area and state that admission is free, but they do not specify the access range within the production area, whether there are glass partitions or restricted zones, or whether photography is prohibited. Visitors should not assume that they can touch works up close or watch soldering work directly; on-site staff instructions should take priority.
Pets are listed as not permitted. No separate official website is registered, and the Heritage Transmission Support telephone number is 063-280-1455. The site is better suited to visitors who want to see both nakwha techniques and the maker’s workspace than to those planning only a brief exhibition visit. Travelers who must navigate using only English or require a fixed activity schedule may find a visit inconvenient without calling ahead.
A Final Viewing Sequence Based on Officially Registered Works
A good viewing sequence is to first see the wooden “Main Buddha of Seokguram,” 540*830, and “Seokguram Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,” 510*1480, then compare them with the hanji works “Painting of Living in Buchun Mountain,” 1180*365, and “Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land,” 1045*425. Finally, viewing the hanji “Nakwha Flower-and-bird Folding Screen,” 1680*1405, allows visitors to compare flat and folding-screen formats in one place.
The workshop produces approximately 20 works annually and stores approximately 100 works; admission is free. However, the recommended viewing duration, closing days, activity reservations and operating hours, and public transportation routes have not been made public. The most practical plan is therefore to arrive between 10:00 and 17:00 and communicate the purpose of the visit and the number of visitors by phone.
Before You Go
- Address
- 226-4 Nucheong-ri, Boeun-eup, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do / 1471 Bocheong-daero, Boeun-eup, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
- Hours
- 10:00–17:00
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 070-7795-3989 / 063-280-1455
- Official site
- https://support.nihc.go.kr/iptl/wshop/wshopV.do?page=5&wshopUid=60
- Transport
- The official Heritage Transmission Support Platform’s “Directions” section does not provide confirmed public transportation routes, stops, station names, or walking-distance information. Address: 1471 Bocheong-daero, Boeun-eup, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do; postal code 28916.
- Parking
- Available; parking fee unavailable
- Accessibility
- No stroller rental; slopes, stairs, and wheelchair accessibility unavailable
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
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1
Boeun Samnyeonsanseong FortressA place to explore the fortress walls and the scenery of Boeun along the stone-built mountain fortress dating from the Silla period -
2
Boeun-gun Agricultural Culture CenterA place where traditional farming tools are displayed, and visitors can learn about rural life and experience traditional blacksmithing. -
3
Maltijae ObservatoryAn observatory overlooking the twelve hairpin bends of Maltigogae Pass and the scenery of Songnisan Mountain
Food & Dining 3
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4
Gangseo MyeonokA naengmyeon specialty restaurant serving buckwheat mul-naengmyeon and bibim-naengmyeon, along with Korean beef suyuk. -
5
Hwaseong GardenA Korean restaurant serving Boeun local specialties such as jujube set meals, Korean beef, and whole chicken soup. -
6
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