Choi Hae-won

Choi began as an apprentice at age 16 under a traditional carpenter in Jeonju. She faced significant challenges as one of few women in the field but persevered to become one of Korea's most respected joiners. She joined Hana Traditional Woodworks eight years ago, bringing rare expertise in complex traditional joint systems.

Experience: Master craftswoman with 25 years of specialized experience (9/10)

Favorite Jobs

• Intricate decorative joints
• Traditional bracket systems
• Teaching traditional techniques

Traditional Korean joinery achieved structural perfection through observation and refinement over centuries. My hands remember shapes that my mind doesn't need to calculate—this bodily knowledge is what I hope to pass on before modern methods make it extinct.

Physical Condition

Choi has developed exceptional hand strength and dexterity from decades of precise cutting and chiseling. Today she is healthy and focused, though she carefully paces herself when doing repetitive detailed work to prevent strain.

Favorite Place

The small personal workshop she maintains at her home where she experiments with innovative joint designs during evenings and weekends. This space contains a collection of antique tools inherited from her first master alongside her own innovations. The workshop represents her personal journey of honoring tradition while contributing her own chapter to Korean woodworking history.

Links

Works at Hana Traditional Woodworks