Tech meets tradition as 17 designers reimagine Korea's 'soban' table
A humble Korean table is getting a high-tech second life in Seoul, where 17 designers are turning the traditional "soban" into sculptural objects shaped by 3D printing, lacquer and mother-of-pearl. The Seoul Design Foundation is presenting SEOUL LIFE 2026: Heritage Reimagined, Soban from Monday through Oct. 8 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza’s (DDP) Design Dullegil Gallery, bringing works first shown…
In Seoul, 17 designers are breathing new life into the traditional Korean table known as the soban. The Seoul Design Foundation is showcasing the redesigned soban as part of the exhibition "SEOUL LIFE 2026: Heritage Reimagined, Soban" at Dongdaemun Design Plaza's Design Dullegil Gallery. The soban is a small, portable tray-table traditionally used for individual dining, standing roughly 30 centimeters off the ground and designed to hold a single meal.
The exhibition, which first debuted at Milan Design Week in April, has attracted 20,346 visitors in Seoul. The soban's combination of traditional Korean craftsmanship and contemporary design has been well-received, according to Cha Kang-hee, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation. He emphasized that the soban is a design asset that preserves Korea's traditional lifestyle culture while seamlessly connecting to modern life.
Through this exhibition, the foundation aims to showcase the soban's potential as a symbol of Korea's rich cultural heritage, reimagined through innovative design.
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