Susu-dang

A craft space operated by artist Choi Dong-hwa, who has been working in ceramics in Cheongju, and his family. Starting with Tonghan Workshop in the early 1990s, they have continued the work of making and using ceramics while running a workshop, gallery, and restaurant. Susudang, which opened in 2020, introduces crafts by various artists, as well as in-house produced functional ceramics and tea sets. They prioritize utility and craftsmanship over trends, selecting items that allow users to discover new uses suited to their own lifestyles. Currently based in Uncheon-dong, Cheongju, they present exhibitions and programs, sharing various ways to view and use crafts.

I think usefulness begins with seeing and imagining.

Q. You have been working in pottery for a long time, operating 'Tonghan Workshop' since the early 1990s. What motivated you to open your new space, Susudang, in 2020?

Susudang is a space conceived by our entire family. My husband and I met in the crafts department and later married. We ran craft classes, a workshop for making everyday pottery, and a gallery. Afterward, we operated a restaurant for 20 years, serving refined food in the dishes we made ourselves. When we closed the restaurant due to COVID-19, we found ourselves returning to working with clay to fill the empty time and soothe our gloomy hearts. Just then, my son-in-law, an interior designer, suggested decorating a small space, and we began showcasing the works of artists our family loves all in one place. Having used pottery for many years, I knew how much a single beautiful piece of tableware can beautify daily life and how much comfort a cup of tea in a small cup can bring. I wanted to share such objects with many people.

Q. 'Susudang' is a name that uses the character 'Su' (秀), meaning 'excellent,' twice. It also reads strangely similarly to 'Susuhada,' which conveys a simple, unpretentious feeling. What meaning did you intend to convey?

By using the character *Su* (秀), meaning "excellent," twice, we created a name that embodies the meaning of "a space introducing outstanding and exceptional things." For a long time, we have experienced how ceramics imbued with the sensibilities of artists can beautify our daily lives. Sometimes, even a single cup of tea in a small cup can be a source of comfort. We wanted to share these objects that brighten everyday life with many people, and I became one of those artists.

Q. You are a ceramic artist yourself who also selects and introduces works by other craftspeople. What criteria do you use to select the pieces to bring into Susudang?

I tend to prioritize functionality and craftsmanship over trends. Since these items will be a part of my daily life, I try to choose things that are lighter and allow for various uses. My husband loves tea so much that we even imported Pu'er tea by the container. Our home is filled with a wide variety of tea tools, from tea trays and Yixing teapots to tea bowls, whisks, and cups. However, I found that if I tried to drink tea properly set up like that, I would get exhausted before I even started drinking. That is why at Susudang, we select the essential tools first and introduce items that can be added one by one to further decorate the tea setting. I have similar considerations when I create pottery as well.

Q. Susudang has also consistently held exhibitions and programs. To you, how are the 'act of using' and the 'act of viewing' crafts connected?

This is a question I always ponder. I believe that the act of using begins with appreciation. You only start thinking about how to use something if you see it and like it. Even if an artist created it as an object, someone else might use it for meditation, to hold cherished accessories, as a snack for a child, or as a bowl for a pet. I think utility begins with seeing and imagining. That is why Susudang also plans exhibitions and programs to allow visitors to fully appreciate the objects crafted with care by artists and discover new uses for them.

Q. You moved to a new space in Uncheon-dong this April. What was the most important factor you considered when designing this small space?

Susudang is a very cramped space. So, while designing it, my son-in-law put a lot of thought into finding points that allow one to experience the joy of discovery within this small area. You know the fun of finding an unexpected item in an attic when you were young, or accidentally discovering a tiny shop while traveling? I thought it would be nice if people could feel that kind of pleasure inside, even if it is a little inconvenient.

Q. It seems that how ceramics and crafts by different artists are arranged is also important. Does Susudang have its own display standards?

I tend to categorize items based on color and texture rather than by function. Many visitors to Susudang often deliberate between practicality and aesthetics before choosing items that satisfy both. Therefore, I try to arrange the space so that as you look around following your own taste within this small area, you can discover something new.

There is nothing grand about it, but small movements come together to create waves.

I think Susudang is one of them.

Q. Cheongju has long been a city where the Craft Biennale has been held. As a craftsperson active in Cheongju, what do you think are the characteristics of the region's craft culture that you have observed?

In the past, I also wondered if Cheongju truly deserved to be called the "City of Crafts." However, these days, there has been a noticeable increase in young people opening small workshops, organizing classes, hosting markets, and engaging in mutual exchange. While people still typically think of Jikji or intangible heritage first when they hear the name Cheongju, it seems that young people are now enjoying their daily lives through crafts, each with their own unique standards and tastes. Therefore, if I were to describe Cheongju's craft culture, I would call it "small movements." There is nothing grandiose about it, but these small movements come together to create waves. I believe Susudang is one of them.

Q. Were there any new aspects of Cheongju you discovered while moving to Uncheon-dong?

Since moving here, I have come across many small workshops in the area. There are glass, ceramics, and metal workshops, and nearby are the Cheongju Metal Type Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center * and the Cheongju Ancient Printing Museum. Even though I have lived in Cheongju for a long time, I used to think of the Ancient Printing Museum and the Heungdeoksa Temple Site merely as places to learn about the Jikji Simche Yojeol. However, as I walked along the street, I found it filled with workshops run by young artists. It was fascinating to see that a craft culture spanning different eras coexists in Uncheon-dong. As I strolled along the path, I also wondered, "In what other city would there be a craft street that preserves 1,500 years of history like this?"

* Metal Type Intangible Heritage Transmission Center: A space established to preserve and transmit Korea's traditional metal type production technology.

Q. What do you think is the most deeply reflected locality in your brand and space?

That is a difficult question. As you mentioned earlier, I think it might be 'simplicity.' Cheongju is not a flashy city with strong characteristics like Seoul, Busan, or Gyeongju. However, it is a city steeped in long history, quiet, and possessing a subtle charm. It is also a place you never get tired of, even if you visit every day. I believe Susudang is such a space as well. It started as Tonghan Gongbang, a place where people who connected recognized one another, and has now become Susudang, a gathering place for those who appreciate beauty even in unpretentious forms. Having continued for 30 years, I feel that the unpretentious charm of Susudang closely resembles this region.

After getting to know the brand first, I thought, 'Oh, so it started in this region.'

Wouldn't a good local brand be one that brings the region to life as well ?

Q. In that case, what kind of brand do you consider a 'good local brand'?

Although we have stayed in one region for a long time, we do not consider our activities to be centered solely on that area. We regard Cheongju as our base camp. In the 1990s, we supplied to hotels in Seoul, and recently, we have been preparing for a pop-up event for tea tools at a department store in Taiwan. I do not believe that a good local brand is one that is limited to a specific region. Isn't a good local brand one that allows people to discover the brand first and then realize, "Oh, it started here," thereby getting to know the region as well?

Q. What motivated you to participate in this <Edit Debt: Neo Local>, and what aspect of the project's purpose resonated with you the most?

The term 'Neo-Local' itself was interesting. While the term 'regional color' can sometimes sound somewhat negative, every region has its own unique character. I found it appealing that brands reinterpreting this in new ways could resonate with and empower new audiences.

Q. Susudang, which has been introducing craftspeople and their works in a small space in Cheongju, is now meeting new audiences at a department store. What kind of image do you wish to present?

I have spent 30 years in Cheongju making pottery, teaching classes, and even running a restaurant featuring my own creations. There has been a long story leading up to the opening of this space called Susudang. I am curious to see how those meeting me for the first time will interpret that journey. I am also excited to see if I, at over sixty, can ride this new wave.

Q. Please introduce any artists or artworks you would like us to pay particular attention to in this pop-up.

I plan to introduce my own series of functional ceramics and the tea bowl series by Singaporean ceramic artist Alvin Ng. Alvin Ng is an artist who started out as a designer but fell in love with tea culture and has been making ceramics professionally for nearly 10 years. The tea bowls have a wonderful feel in the hand, and he insists on using a wood-fired kiln. Therefore, unlike ceramics with vivid colors, they possess natural hues created by the wood and fire inside the kiln. Since I love matcha, I mainly make tea bowls for it, but ultimately, how they are used is something you find to suit your own daily life. I also use them to serve porridge. It gives me a warm and affectionate feeling.

Q. You have spent a long time with crafts, from Tonghan Workshop to Susudang. What kind of crafts would you like to continue introducing in the future?

I hope that at Susudang, everyone discovers crafts they wish to incorporate into their daily lives. There is a saying, "Geomibullu Hwaibulchi," which means being frugal without being shabby and splendid without being extravagant. I want to continue introducing crafts that can accompany you every day with that very spirit.

Maker's Pick

White porcelain plate

Handmade by Susudang, this item serves as a coaster for tea utensils during teatime, a table mat during meals, or can be used to place snacks directly on it. Artist Choi Dong-hwa's family also keeps it on their dining table and uses it frequently. It is easy to maintain as it can be wiped with a dishcloth, and the fact that its purpose varies depending on the user aligns with Susudang's perspective on crafts. Rather than being defined by a single use, it is an object that finds its own purpose within daily life.

COMING SOON!

In the upcoming September, Susudang

Meet them in person at!

September 17 - 30, 2026, The Hyundai Seoul POP-UP ICONIC B1

fin.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗲 xiuxiudang

Seeum Kim

Edeit Seulgi Lee