Shinsegae Department Store unveils special chuseok gifts, from master craftwork to world travel

Shinsegae Department Store announced Wednesday it will offer a range of special chuseok gifts, including works by national intangible heritage masters and overseas travel packages.

As part of its regional partnership initiative "Local is Shinsegae," the department store is collaborating with the Cultural Heritage Administration on the "Craft Heritage" project, showcasing 42 works by 10 national intangible heritage practitioners. The pieces will be on display at the VIP lounges of the Gangnam and main branches through Sept. 23.

Among the highlights is a pair of traditional first-birthday flower shoes — one for boys and one for girls — by Hwang Hae-bong, 74, a master of "hwahyejang," the traditional Korean craft of making court shoes. Hwang has carried on a family trade spanning five generations and was designated a national intangible heritage holder in 2004. Each pair requires 72 separate production steps and is imbued with wishes for health, happiness and good fortune.

Other works showcasing traditional aesthetics include a white porcelain moon jar by celadon master Kim Gyeong-sik and a Jeonju-style two-tiered taeguek cabinet by woodworking master So Byeong-jin. Also available for purchase are everyday items such as a lacquerware Naju tray by lacquer craftsman Jeong Gi-hwan and a standing lamp in the "yuhwa" style by woodworking artisan So Jung-han.

The premium travel platform Via Shinsegae has put together a selection of travel packages for the holiday. One offering, an Egypt journey accompanied by Egyptologist Kwak Min-su, lets travelers explore 3,000 years of pharaonic history through an expert's lens. An Africa trip combining a visit to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park with a stay at an exclusive private island resort is also on offer.

A tour titled "The Architectural Aesthetics of Ando Tadao, Kagawa Prefecture" takes in art museums on the Seto Inland Sea islands of Naoshima and Teshima, along with the Japanese architect's signature works, viewed through an architectural lens. Architect Kim Ho-min will accompany the group, sharing stories about Ando and the buildings that define his legacy.