[Maison&Objet] Furmin: “Bringing Korean Traditional Folk Art to the World Through Living Art”

The Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP) participates annually in Maison&Objet Paris, the international fair showcasing "decoration, design, and lifestyle" consumer goods. KIDP's Design Korea Exhibition Hall at the event has served as a steppingstone for small and medium-sized businesses with design excellence to reach broader exposure and market opportunities.
This year, KIDP is participating from September 5 to September 9, joined by Korean design businesses showcasing furniture, stationery, tableware, and more. In collaboration with IT Donga, we are introducing 23 design-driven small and medium enterprises participating in Maison&Objet Design Korea.


People around the world have a deep interest in the traditional cultures of other countries. Many fall in love with a country after encountering its traditional culture, captivated by the beauty, distinctiveness, and understanding of its history and the people’s beliefs embedded within the culture.

Korea’s traditional culture, shaped over five millennia, has also captured the hearts of people globally. In recent years, companies that blend traditional Korean culture with modern design and trends to create new value have begun to emerge. One such company is Furmin, a K-heritage living art brand led by CEO Cho Eunjung.

CEO Cho Eunjung explaining Furmin's artistic vision/ Source: Furmin

Cho Eunjung is not only the CEO but also a Korean folk painter. She focuses on reinterpreting Korean folk paintings with a contemporary touch, creating a variety of useful, lifestyle art objects. By applying modern design to the unique colors, symbolism, and beauty of traditional culture found in Korean folk paintings, Furmin fully embodies Korea's splendid history, beautiful art, craftsmanship, and the individuality of Korean artists in the company’s products.

The concept that sustains Furmin, along with traditional culture, is "the sustainability of uniqueness." The company aims to create products that remain close to consumers for a long time, sharing their life's moments, memories, and history, rather than being disposable items that are easily discarded. To reflect this timeless aesthetic in their products, Furmin designs with values that are universally shared, rather than subjective perspectives and emotions.

Furmin's Korean folk painting-inspired furniture / Source: Furmin

Cho Eunjung chose traditional culture as the element to create the sustainability of uniqueness. By infusing Korea's uniqueness with a modern perspective, she creates a new value that breathes historical vitality. This value, in turn, fosters the essence and presence of people, forming the foundation for sustainable design.

Furmin will participate in Maison&Objet in September 2024 in France, showcasing the company’s concepts and products. The first to catch the eye is the "Heritage Lineup." To reflect the sustainability of uniqueness, Furmin selected the weaving technique, which has been used in Korea for over a century for solidity, to create this product line.

FAF Collection - 8 Blessings - 3. Butterfly (The Blessing of Our Meeting) / Source: Furmin

Next, the FAF Collection (FURMIN Artwork Fabric Collection) is worth noting. Among them, the 8 Blessings - Dalhangari (moon jar) Collection captures the essence of the beauty of the Dalhangari, a traditional Korean moon jar cherished by Korean artists. CEO Cho Eunjung emphasizes that this product is a precious object that embodies the value of Korean tradition and culture.

Since its founding in 2019, Furmin has steadily participated in Maison&Objet, starting in 2022. In January 2023, Furmin exhibited the company’s products in the prestigious "Craft" hall, often referred to as the highlight of the event. In September of the same year, Furmin participated again, this time collaborating with the Korea Institute of Design Promotion to promote their products. Building on the success of participating in Maison&Objet three times, Furmin collaborated with Starbucks Korea on an art project, participating in the Cherry Blossom promotion in March 2024, where the company introduced cherry blossom-themed products like the Cherry Blossom Wood Tray and Wood Coaster. CEO Cho Eunjung expressed her determination to achieve great results at this year's Maison&Objet, which she considers both a dream and a driving force in her life.

FAF Collection - 8 Blessings - 1. Herb of Immortality (Health) / Source: Furmin

CEO Cho Eunjung stated, "The philosophy and essence of the Furmin brand are to globalize the aesthetics of Korea. We aim to be a company that designs and creates value from Korean culture and art and showcases it to the world, a company that communicates with the world through culture and art. We will fulfill our social responsibility as both an artist and a company, leading with timeless designs that naturally harmonize nature, space, products, and people."

Cha JuKyung (racingcar@itdonga.com)