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Hobak Folk Art Gallery in Dapsimni Antique Mall Building 2

  • Writer: JungYeol Kim
    JungYeol Kim
  • 1 day ago
  • 2 min read
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Around April 2025, I suddenly had this idea about getting into the antique trade… and by August 2025, Hobak Folk Art Gallery had (soft) opened inside Building 2 of the Dapsimni Antique Mall.

The artist Cho In-sung—who used to be my antiques mentor—has now become an advisor for the gallery. One of Hobak’s small but steady dreams is to one day own a building with a store on the first floor, an artist’s studio on the second, a storage space on the third, and an office on the fourth.

[In Search of Masters #377] The GD of the Antique Scene: Artist Cho In-sung



The hardest part of running Hobak has been figuring out how to buy pieces at prices that still allow for resale. If everything cheap and popular was worth stocking, then Hobak would just buy it all and sell it right away. But then how could we ever compete with veteran shops that have been in the game for decades? Hobak needed to find its own specialty. What could Hobak’s unique strength be?


[Soobaak Skimming #337] Welcome to Antique Shopping 101: A Dapsimni Edited-Shop Vlog






Old Things / New Things / All Good Things

At Hobak, we also sell new works. Our very first “new” piece is artist Jeong Cheol-ho’s flat bottle (편병)—a reminder that Hobak is about more than just the past.







What Hobak Is (and Isn’t)

  • ✖ Just stacking up random goods with no display plan

  • ✖ Styling like a traditional antiques showroom

  • ✖ Mixing antiques with mid-century modern clichés

  • ✔ A space styled in a way only Hobak would—simple yet modern, where objects from different eras and places (mostly centered on Korea/Joseon) are subtly layered together.


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From Cartier to Piaget: A Quiet Shift in Taste

  • Writer: JungYeol Kim
    JungYeol Kim
  • Jun 11
  • 1 min read

What do you think about watches made by jewelry houses?Sure, the movements might not be as serious as those from watchmakers. But let’s be real—Cartier already beat Omega in this game. Jewelry-brand watches have their own role. Their own style. And that’s more than enough.


Same goes for suits.I used to think bespoke was the pinnacle. But lately, I find myself dreaming of a bold Tom Ford suit instead.And honestly? That desire feels exactly like wanting a solid gold Piaget on my wrist.You feel me?


If Cartier feels too crowded these days, maybe it’s time you crossed over to Piaget.In this genre, Piaget is still the OG big brother.


🍉 00s PIAGET Protocol · 18K White Gold (Quartz)

🍉 20mm x 20mm

🍉 ₩5,800,000


🍉 1988 PIAGET Ref.9251 Bark Finish · 18K White Gold · Manual Wind

🍉 26mm x 30.5mm

🍉 ₩6,700,000 – Cash only (We proudly claim: lowest on Earth)Made in Switzerland

🔍 Additional info from the consignor:

  • Model Ref.: 9251

  • Year: June 1988

  • Material: 18K White Gold

  • Movement: Piaget Cal. 9P2 – Manual wind, ultra-thin

  • Case size: 26mm wide (excluding crown) × approx. 31mm tall (excluding lugs)

  • Lug width: 16mm

  • Buckle: Original Piaget 18K White Gold (14mm width)

  • Crystal: Sapphire

  • Condition: A+ (near unworn, unpolished case, fully overhauled in 2024)

  • Features: Bark finish case · Two hands (no second hand)

  • Full Set: Box, case, and papers all included

  • Strap: Custom lizard leather in navy


 
 
 

A Work Jacket in Ramie: Soobaak Vintage × Steady State × DIPIND

  • Writer: JungYeol Kim
    JungYeol Kim
  • Jun 11
  • 2 min read

Here’s a sample of our upcoming work jacket made from traditional Korean mosi-sambae (fine ramie cloth). The blue one is dyed with jjok (natural indigo), and the black version will be finished using meok (traditional black ink dye).


This project is all about tension—the contradiction between material and form. Ramie, typically seen in breezy, summer hanbok, is now being structured into a rugged, utilitarian silhouette. That contrast is the core of the piece.


But the real challenge lies in how far we can push that tension without breaking the harmony. Where we choose to pause—how we balance tradition with wearability—is what will define the quality of this jacket. In the end, it needs to be something anyone can look at and just want to wear. No need for explanation—just instinct.


So keep an eye out for this one:

Soobaak Vintage × Steady State × DIPIND Traditional ramie chore jacket, reimagined.

@soobaak_vintage

@maisonsteadystate Dye by

@dipind_seoul


PS: It’s insanely lightweight and cool. Perfect for summer.





The story behind this project?It started, honestly, with zero intention.


  1. I bought a batch of mosi-sambae fabric purely out of impulse—fell in love with the texture at first sight. No plans, no purpose. Just heart first, wallet second.The funny part?Turns out, the fabric I was so enchanted by… was made in China.Korean-style ramie, sure—but not actually Korean.I threw it all out.A great lesson in heartbreak and authenticity.


  2. During the last Future Market Marathon at EQL, I stumbled across a small independent seller with amazing pieces at ridiculously good prices. I bought a bunch, and then casually asked, “So… what do you do?”He replied, “I work in traditional dyeing.”What are the chances?That seller turned out to be none other than Kookhyun Hwang of DIPIND. A total fateful encounter.


  3. Today, we joined Hwang at a jjok (indigo) dyeing workshop. We spent the day asking:How do we make something that doesn’t look like a folk craft souvenir?How can we stay true to the roots and make it actually fashionable?We’re aiming to launch the final pieces by July—in three colorways: raw white, indigo blue, and ink black.


  4. I’m not someone who chases “meaning” when I make clothes.I chase curiosity.And, yes, I chase sales.To put it simply, I like fun business. Lightly, truly.


That’s why we want to sell this to people who’ve never thought about traditional craft.People who don’t even know what ramie is.We want them to want it—just because it’s cool.


So stay tuned: Soobaak Vintage × Steady State × DIPIND


@soobaak_vintage

@maisonsteadystate


Dye by @dipind_seoul


PS: Still insanely lightweight and cool.

Just saying.


 
 
 
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