Cafe, concept store, pop-up shop.
Seongsu, famous for gathering all the hottest spots.
But like many parts of Seoul, Seongsu also has a history quite different from its present appearance.
The very heart of Korea’s handmade shoe industry.
After ready-made shoes reflecting rapidly changing trends gained popularity, handmade shoes crafted stitch by stitch over time gradually lost their appeal.
But no matter how the world changes, in Seongsu, there still remains…
For over half a century, there are people who have dedicated themselves solely to making ‘shoes’.
These are the master shoemakers of Seongsu.
Ancient techniques,
The determination to make fine shoes,
and a promise to the customer.
Setting everything else aside
with the resolve to uphold these three things alone,
standing firm like a straight pine tree,
layering another day’s time upon calloused hands.
The shoes born from their hands are like Cinderella’s glass slippers,
…are akin to ‘magic’ imbued with long-honed expertise and the spirit of craftsmanship.
Yoo Hong-sik – Master Craftsman No. 1 of Handmade Shoes
The title ‘First Master Craftsman of Handmade Shoes’ is not self-proclaimed.
In 2014, he was proudly selected from seven distinguished candidates after a rigorous official review. He began making shoes around age 12 and has dedicated over 60 years solely to crafting footwear.
His reputation is so high that numerous political and business figures, including former presidents, seek out his shoes.
He is most renowned for his ‘special Gaba technique’.
Drawing inspiration from traditional straw sandal-making techniques, they apply these methods to modern shoemaking, thereby inheriting Korea’s unique handmade shoe craftsmanship in a contemporary form.
He is, quite literally, a living cultural treasure.
Han Yong-heum – The ‘Shoe Fairy’ who gives new life to shoes
We, accustomed to fast fashion,
discard shoes that fall out of style,
buy new ones,
and when the soles wear out, we discard them again,
then buy again, repeating this cycle several times a year, creating waste.
But in the hands of Master Craftsman Han Yong-heum, old shoes gain new life.
He too is a master craftsman who has repaired and made shoes for nearly half a century.
In the Seongsu area, a decade or two of experience is practically considered a ‘newbie’.
In the past, his sparkling shoes made from chameleon fabric caught the eye of a YG Entertainment executive, leading him to craft stage shoes for 2NE1 and BIGBANG.
It was a symbolic moment when handmade shoes, not mass-produced ones, permeated high fashion and popular culture.
Jeon Tae-soo – The very shoes that captivated Trump’s daughter, Ivanka
The red floral shoes worn by Ivanka Trump, daughter of the U.S. President, during the 2017 U.S.-Korea Summit.
A creation by master craftsman Jeon Tae-soo. His client list is dazzling, spanning politicians, business leaders, and celebrities.
His client list is dazzling.
If Master Yoo Hong-sik is the ‘First Master Craftsman of Handmade Shoes,’ then Master Jeon Tae-soo is the person selected as the ‘First Master Craftsman of Women’s Shoes.’
His particular strength lies in designing lasts (shoe molds) tailored to the curves and body shapes of women’s feet,
and he is recognized as a master who achieves both elegance and comfort.
Jeong Yeong-su – The foundation of shoes is ‘comfort’.
Master Jung Young-soo’s shoes are renowned for their ‘comfort’.
Insisting only on natural leather and glutinous rice paste,
so the workshop is almost entirely free of the typical chemical odors found elsewhere.
Though his career may seem short compared to other masters,
that ‘short’ span is a whopping 46 years.
Based on ergonomic design, they allow no margin of error beyond 0.1mm to ensure a perfect fit.
creates ‘comfort you feel the moment you slip them on’.