#SoobaakVintage 4/9

The Timeless Beauty of Joseon Patchwork Bojagi

JungYeol Kim
Mar 25
1 min read

Among all things native to Joseon, my absolute favorites are bowls and patchwork bojagi. Amidst the countless unassuming pieces, there are those rare, unexpectedly beautiful ones. There's an irony to it—things created with the intention of being beautiful often feel forced, and in the end, they fail to truly be beautiful.

So far, I’ve bought four pieces of patchwork bojagi for Soobaak. Three have found new homes, and this is the last one. Of all the bojagi I’ve had, this is the largest and the one with the deepest sense of originality. When hung on a window where the light filters through, it is simply breathtaking.

In the past, even fabric scraps were cherished. People would gather these remnants and stitch them together by hand, creating patchwork bojagi. I often describe our sensibilities with the word ‘jeong-han-mak’—and I feel like this bojagi embodies that sentiment, each fragment carrying about 20% of that essence.

Just a side note—while the market determines its value, in my heart, Joseon patchwork bojagi remains one of the finest works of art. I only hope it finds a worthy home.

🍉 Native Joseon Original Patchwork Bojagi

🍉 125cm x 131cm🍉 500,000 KRW

🍉 Early 1900s American Quilting Blanket _ Tumbling Blocks

🍉 200cm x 210cm

🍉 995,000 KRW

Made in USA

Spring! Joy of Well-Worn Things

JungYeol Kim
Mar 11
1 min read

Today, it felt like spring!

Sometimes, I wonder—who is truly rich, and who is truly successful? Maybe the wealthiest person is the one who can step outside on a sunny day, bask in the light, smile, and simply feel happy.

Lately, I’ve been wanting a couple of things:_ Porsche 911 997 MK2_ Leica Q2

One costs around 50 million KRW ($37,000), the other around 5 million KRW ($3,700). Since I don’t yet have the financial freedom to buy them on a whim, I’m still happy. I spend my time browsing listings, watching related YouTube videos, and learning more about them.

Of course, I do aspire to reach a point where I can fully appreciate and be content with just the sunlight. But I don’t believe material things and consumption are meaningless. In fact, I think the physical world matters a lot. You could say I prefer a firm handshake over a metaphorical one. Well-made, well-aged, and reasonably priced items—things that reflect one’s taste—can bring joy even before the purchase, during the purchase, and long after they’ve been used over time.

Here are some items I’ve recently listed:

🍉 80s L.L. Bean Warm-Up Jacket (Olive Green/Purple, XL size, recommended for 110–105)🍉 Well-worn condition

🍉 Missing zipper head, but zipper still works

🍉 190,000 KRWMade in USA

🍉 Dr. Martens 1461 (UK 10, recommended for 285mm)🍉 Well-worn, with foot imprint inside🍉 160,000 KRWMade in England

🍉 1988 PIAGET Ref. 9251 Bark Finish 18K White Gold (Manual, 26mm x 30.5mm) Full Set

🍉 Piaget 9P2 Ultra-thin movement

🍉 6,700,000 KRW (cash only)Made in Switzerland

#SoobaakVintage

#TheJoyofObjects

#TheJoyofUsingThingsUntilTheyWearOut

Expanding Soobaak Vintage's Curation: The Timeless Rolex Explorer 1

JungYeol Kim
Feb 18
2 min read

At Soobaak Vintage, there are a few key items that have truly broadened the horizons of our curation, and one that can never be overlooked is the Rolex Explorer 1.

It was the vintage Cartier Tank that first showed us that Soobaak could sell pieces priced in the 1 million KRW range, and it was the Explorer 1 (Ref. 114270) that revealed Soobaak’s potential to offer pieces worth up to 10 million KRW.

Whether expensive or affordable, we at Soobaak have a special fondness for simple, understated pieces. Of course, there are times when we can’t resist the allure of extravagant, flashy items—like a Piaget studded with diamonds, for example!

Looking at the list of celebrities who have worn the Explorer 1 with affection, our respect for this watch only grows: from Takuya Kimura and Matt Damon to Brad Pitt. When you think of these icons, it’s hard not to notice a common thread tying them together.

Rolex Explorer 1: Ref. 14270 / 114270 / 214270

They share many similarities, but the 114270 stands out for its slightly lower dial face density compared to the other references (see the 7th photo). Personally, I love that subtle empty feeling it gives.

I’m just speculating, but I highly doubt there’s any shop in South Korea that’s sold more Explorer 1s than Soobaak Vintage. In fact, this full set is only the second one we’ve had in 3 years. If you've been eyeing the Explorer 1, this is definitely a recommendation. Please enjoy it, and thank you as always for your support.