Released in 1995 , Toy Story was Pixar’s first full-length feature animation, co-produced with Walt Disney . This groundbreaking film, which tells the heartfelt story of friendship and adventure among living toys, became a global phenomenon—winning over both critics and audiences alike. It marked a defining moment not only for Pixar but for the entire animation industry, ushering in a new era beyond traditional 2D animation. Featuring the voices of Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, the film broke stereotypes about computer-generated imagery. With its nuanced characters, sophisticated visual storytelling, and emotionally rich narrative, Toy Story elevated 3D animation to an art form. At its heart, the film explores the theme of “ the fate and anxiety of toys abandoned by children ”—a poignant reflection on love, loss, and identity. Far from being a genre just for kids, this animation challenged the notion that animated films are mere entertainment for the young. ...

Minions is an American animated film released in 2015, directed by Kyle Balda and produced by Illumination Entertainment , with distribution by Universal Pictures . A spin-off of the hit films Despicable Me (2010) and Despicable Me 2 (2013), this prequel explores the hilarious origins of the beloved yellow characters. Long before they met Gru, the minions existed only to serve the most powerful super-villain of their time. But one boss after another meets a disastrous end—often due to the minions’ own innocent mistakes. Depressed and lost without a leader, the brave minion Kevin sets out on a mission to save his tribe. Together with the rebellious Stuart and ever-optimistic Bob , they form the "Super Villain Expedition" and travel all the way to London in search of a new villain to serve. Inspired by this lovable story, I created a Minions Hanji Lanturn , capturing the bright yellow charm that children adore. The three characters—Kevin, Stuart, and Bob—continue thei...

Launched in 2014, the Royal Walk is a reenactment program designed to recreate the daily life and ceremonies of the Joseon Dynasty royal family . This vivid performance brings to life scenes of the King, Queen, Crown Prince, and Princesses strolling through the palace grounds, accompanied by guards and royal attendants in full regalia. Organized by the Cultural Heritage Administration , the Royal Walk takes place on the last Wednesday of each month , coinciding with Korea’s Culture Day , at Gyeongbokgung Palace . During the event, the King and Queen walk gracefully through Gyeongbokgung and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion , evoking the elegance and dignity of royal court life. Visitors—even from abroad—are welcome to apply to participate as reenactors , making this not just a performance to watch, but an experience to live. For many, it becomes an unforgettable cultural memory. The project also involves the production of historical costumes, accessories, shoes, and character doubles , addin...

I came across Dory while searching for ideas, and I found Finding Dory —the 17th animated film by Pixar—beautifully recreated in Hanji. As a beloved sequel to Finding Nemo , it has captured the hearts of children around the world. Everything you imagine becomes reality in Dory’s whimsical journey. The story follows Dory and Marlin , who became the best of friends while searching for Nemo. Together, they set off once again, this time on a quest to return to Dory’s hometown—an adventure full of twists, warmth, and unexpected emotion. In an interview, director Andrew Stanton reflected that when he looked back at Finding Nemo , he discovered a new story in Dory: one that seemed cheerful on the surface but held a quiet, profound sorrow underneath. This Dory Hanji Lanturn was exhibited at the Chungju Lake Festival . Being a fish-shaped sculpture, it naturally drew attention and affection. Although it’s a newly created lanturn, it suffered serious damage—so much so that I worry it may nee...

Robocar Poli is a beloved animated character, especially popular among children. Set in the picturesque island village of Broomstown, the story unfolds in a world where vehicles with various professions transform into robots. Each day, these heroic vehicles tackle big and small emergencies: the fast and brave police car Poli , the strong and dependable fire truck Roy , the smart and caring ambulance Amber , and the humorous and agile helicopter Helly . First airing in 2010, Robocar Poli follows this dynamic rescue team—led by Poli—as they work together with their support crew to keep the town safe and teach valuable life lessons along the way.

This lantern installation draws inspiration from a traditional Korean folktale in which a tiger, seeking to eat a young child, pursues them up into the sky—where they are transformed into the sun and the moon. This ancient story has been passed down through generations across the Korean peninsula, embedding itself into the nation’s collective imagination. In this reinterpretation, the sun and moon are represented alongside the tiger, with the entire composition suspended by a separate wire system, raising the installation to a height of 30 meters. At first glance, the unusual composition and form of the lanterns may seem mysterious, as though they carry layered meanings beneath their vivid shapes. Much like the works of Cubist painters, these lanterns attempt to reimagine familiar forms in pursuit of new beauty, merging narrative with abstraction. In traditional Korean culture, the tiger ( ho , 호) was seen as both a sacred guardian and a fearsome threat. The phrase “호환” (literally “t...

The fan dance is a modern creative form that uses vibrant fans as its central motif, yet it has come to symbolize the elegance and grace of traditional Korean dance. Although developed in contemporary times, its spirited movements and lighthearted rhythm—often set to cheerful folk melodies—blend harmoniously with Korea’s traditional aesthetic. Dancers, clad in hanbok or ceremonial garments ( dangui ), hold colorful fans adorned with floral patterns or feathers in both hands. Through graceful choreography, they create a variety of striking shapes—flowers blooming, waves crashing, butterflies fluttering—transforming the stage into a living painting. The dance also gained popularity in large-scale ensemble forms, reminiscent of mass performances or military-style group displays. The fan dance is typically accompanied by instrumental arrangements of folk songs such as “ Changbu Taryeong ” or “ Hangangsu Taryeong ,” which enhance its festive and dynamic mood. This art form was first chor...

We were commissioned to create a Hanji lantern in the shape of the iconic Adidas Superstar sneaker to celebrate the opening of the new Adidas flagship store in Myeong-dong—one of Seoul’s hottest retail spots. This wasn’t our first encounter with Adidas; we had previously collaborated during the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu, where we helped operate the brand's interactive promotion booth. It wasn’t a perfect experience, but looking back, it certainly felt like the beginning of a lasting connection. Drawing on our prior experience designing a 4-meter-tall sneaker lantern for the 2016 National Sports Festival for All, this project was technically familiar. However, what stood out most was the incredible attention to detail shown by the Adidas project manager. Their sense of responsibility and eye for design left a strong impression—qualities that clearly contribute to exceptional results. Although I haven’t had the chance to visit the installation in person due to a busy sc...

To commemorate the 2016 National Sports Festival for All, we created a large-scale sneaker-shaped lantern installation, allowing Seoul citizens to enjoy the display even at night. Each sneaker measures 4.5 meters in width and 1.5 meters in height, with the rear sneaker standing at 3.5 meters tall. The accompanying cylindrical pillar reaches a height of 8 meters. Designed as an interactive installation, visitors could step inside the sneaker to take photos—transforming it from a passive photo zone into an immersive experience. Traditionally, major sports festivals such as the National Sports Festival, the National Para Games, and similar events have featured grand floral sculptures as centerpiece decorations. This time, we took a different approach. By shifting the motif from large-scale floral arrangements to a symbolic piece crafted from Hanji, we highlighted everyday sports through the familiar and relatable shape of sneakers. Installed along the main road near Jamsil Olympic Main...

For this project, I crafted an owl-shaped lantern using traditional Hanji paper. Interestingly, during this process, I learned the difference between owls and eagle owls—something I hadn’t known before. At first glance, they look very similar, but did you know that they can be distinguished by their ear tufts? Eagle owls (called “bu-ung-i” in Korean) have prominent ear tufts on their heads, while typical owls (“ol-baem-i”) do not. Their rounder appearance gives them a softer look. Both are nocturnal birds of prey, and this makes them a great example when explaining how animals that seem alike can have distinct physical features. One fascinating fact is that this distinction between “owl” and “eagle owl” is unique to the Korean language. In English, they are all simply called “owls.” Interestingly, there are no owl species officially named “bu-ung-i” in scientific taxonomy. However, Korean names such as Eurasian Eagle Owl ( Suri-buung-i ), Brown Fish Owl ( Chilk-buung-i ), Long-eared...

This year’s lantern is a traditional Hanji lantern inspired by one of the most beloved Korean folktales among children: Granny Red Bean Porridge and the Tiger . Once upon a time, deep in the mountains, there lived an old woman who cultivated red beans. She was so skilled at making red bean porridge that people called her “Granny Red Bean Porridge.” One peaceful day, a tiger the size of a house suddenly appeared and threatened to eat her. Granny pleaded, “I don’t mind dying, but if I do, who will make this delicious porridge? Come back in the snowy winter. You can enjoy the porridge then—and eat me if you still want to.” She barely managed to persuade the tiger to leave. Left with no one to turn to, the old woman wept alone. Just then, the items in her home—her carrying frame, a straw mat, an awl, some dung, an egg, and even a softshell turtle—gathered around and told her not to worry. When winter came and the tiger returned on the day of the winter solstice, Granny and her loyal “fri...