2021 Wonju Hanji Festival “Sea of Imagination”

The 2021 Wonju Hanji Festival officially opened on Saturday, May 1st at the Wonju Hanji Theme Park. This year’s festival runs from May 1st (Sat) to May 30th (Sun) and is presented as a hybrid event, both online and offline. The central theme of this year’s festival is “Hanji Fantasia”, showcasing the artistic possibilities of traditional Korean paper, Hanji.

At the heart of the event is the large-scale outdoor installation and media art exhibition titled “Sea of Imagination.” Inspired by dak trees—the raw material of Hanji—the exhibit tells the story of civilization’s roots, starting from a “Tree of Civilization” and expanding into a dreamlike underwater world. Audiences can witness:

A school of 5,000 paper fish and 100 Hanji sea creatures
A 5-meter humpback whale, manta rays, and endangered Korean marine species such as finless porpoises, sea lions, and sea turtles
A giant conch shell, all expressing the excellence of Wonju Hanji through mesmerizing forms

For me, the sea has always been a symbol of longing and hope—a source of comfort that gave me strength in difficult times. With Sea of Imagination, we hoped to gift the people of Wonju a moment of healing and emotional rest, especially in these trying times of COVID-19.

This year’s festival is especially meaningful as it features a collaborative exhibition with the “Wave of Dreams”, an installation of youth-created lanterns from 1,394 Wonju students as part of the 3rd Youth Hanji Lantern Project.

Another must-see highlight is the “Undersea Tunnel of Light,” where 2,000 lanterns form a shimmering marine passageway. At the tunnel’s end, visitors will encounter “Forest of Paper 2”, a surreal immersive space crafted by artist Jung Ji-yeon, a native of Wonju, blending Hanji, light, and digital media into an enchanting sensory experience.

Other major exhibitions include:

The 21st Korea Hanji Art Competition, spotlighting Korea’s emerging Hanji artists
A special exhibition titled “Hanji is My Friend,” featuring 3,000 peace-themed artworks by students from Gangwon Province and Wonju
The Garden of Light, and various themed Hanji installations throughout the venue

Online Programs

For virtual participants, 14 different Hanji DIY kits are available for purchase, including Hanji crafts, dak paper dolls, and urban sketching kits.

Interactive events include:

A Hanji Shuttlecock Challenge to boost your immune system
A “Youth Challenge” Hanji Goods Set giveaway

Online reservations and participation applications are open now for those who wish to experience and enjoy the Wonju Hanji Festival from home.

Venue: Wonju Hanji Theme Park & Online
Dates: May 1 (Sat) – May 30 (Sun), 2021
Theme: Hanji Fantasia
Signature Exhibit: Sea of Imagination

We sincerely invite you to join us for this month-long celebration of Hanji culture in the heart of Wonju.

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