The Fairy Maiden and the Woodcutter

he Fairy Maiden and the Woodcutter is a traditional Korean folktale whose origins are believed to be quite ancient, as it bears a close relationship to Taoist thought and folk beliefs and has long been widely shared among the people. This work was staged around the poignant scene of the fairy maiden departing while holding her child in her arms.

Long, long ago, there lived a woodcutter in a village who cared devotedly for his elderly mother. One day, while cutting wood in the mountains, he happened to hide a deer that was being hunted. In gratitude, the deer revealed a secret: a pond where heavenly fairy maidens descended to bathe. The woodcutter stole the fairy maiden’s winged robe, married her, and built a life of seeming happiness, eventually having two children together.

However, when the woodcutter later took out the hidden winged robe and returned it to her, the fairy maiden put it on and ascended back to the heavens, taking the two children with her. Desperate to follow, the woodcutter climbed to the sky using a well bucket. Yet, worried about his mother, he rode a heavenly horse back down to the earth—only to fall from the horse and, in that very spot, be transformed into a rooster.

It is a tale woven with longing, devotion, and irreversible choices, reminding us that love, once tested by time and truth, does not always remain where it first took root.

Traditional Hanji Lantern Inspired by a Korean Folktale - Granny Red Bean Porridge and the Tiger

This Hanji lantern, created by Geurimtory Hanji Workshop , is inspired by a beloved traditional Korean folktale. The story chosen for this piece is “The Red Bean Porridge Granny and the Tiger” —a favorite among children. Long ago, deep in the mountains,there live d an old woman who cultivated a red bean field. She was so skilled at making delicious red bean porridge that people called her Red Bean Porridge Granny . One peaceful day, a massive tiger appeared and threatened to eat her. The granny calmly pleaded, “It’s okay if you eat me, but if I die, who will make this delicious porridge for you?” She managed to persuade the tiger to return in the winter, when the first snow falls, so he could enjoy the porridge before eating her. With no one to turn to, the granny wept in despair. But to her surprise, the objects around her— a wooden frame for carrying loads, a straw mat, an awl, some dung, an egg, and even a soft-shelled turtle —came to life, listened to her story, and...

Sungnyemun

Sungnyemun, also known as Namdaemun, was the main gate of the fortress wall that surrounded Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty. Construction began in the 4th year of King Taejo’s reign (1395) and was completed in 1398, the 7th year of his reign. Designated as National Treasure No. 1, it was the oldest wooden building remaining in Seoul. However, it was destroyed by fire in 2008 and was later restored on July 3, 2013. In 2009, it was recreated as a Hanji lantern and exhibited at the Seoul Lantern Festival . It is unlikely that Sungnyemun ever existed as a real architectural structure. Although many ancient documents reference Sungnyemun, the architecture of the lantern version of Sungnyemun defies construction logic. The structure is built with massive stones, each seemingly carved and stacked with ruler-like precision, leaving no room for even a sesame leaf between the joints. Such precision surpasses even today’s scientific capabilities. Because of this, some speculate that Sungnyemun w...

Traditional Hanji Lantern Inspired by a Korean Folktale - Granny Red Bean Porridge and the Tiger

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...

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