Artisan behind Korea's legendary baduk boards

For over six decades, Shin Wan-sik has devoted his life to perfecting the art of crafting baduk boards, the strategic game boards that have become synonymous with Korean culture. The 75-year-old craftsman's right index finger, permanently bent upward from years of intense labor, serves as a testament to the physical demands of his trade. Despite this, he remains a dominant figure in Korea's baduk board market, controlling approximately 70 percent of the domestic production through his company, Six Brothers Baduk.

Shin's creations have played pivotal roles in numerous historic moments in the world of baduk. In 2025, a custom board he crafted was presented by Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during a summit in Gyeongju. The board's quality and significance were evident to even the highest political leaders. Additionally, one of Shin's boards was utilized in a momentous match between the legendary human player Lee Se-dol and the AI-powered Go program AlphaGo.

The same board also served as the personal favorite of two of the sport's most esteemed masters, Cho Hun-hyun and Lee Chang-ho, who are the real-life inspirations behind the film "The Mar" (The Magician).

Shin's influence extends far beyond the realm of competitive play. His boards have become an integral part of the cultural fabric of Korea, embodying the country's rich history and tradition of craftsmanship. As he continues to shape each new board with his bare hands, Shin ensures that the legacy of baduk endures, one meticulously crafted surface at a time.