South Korea's 'gat' craftsmanship to take centre stage at UNESCO heritage meet in Busan
Synopsis
South Korea is turning the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session — the first it has ever hosted — into a live showcase of endangered traditional crafts, from gat hat-making to metal engraving. The timing is no accident: global interest in Korean culture, amplified by the animated hit 'KPop Demon Hunters', gives these centuries-old skills an unusually wide audience.
Key Takeaways
The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) will host the 'Living Heritage X ICH' showcase at BEXCO, Busan from 20 to 29 July 2025 .
The event coincides with the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session — the first ever hosted by South Korea .
Traditional crafts on display include gat -making, embroidery, mother-of-pearl inlay, bow making, and metal engraving, led by recognised master artisans.
Free hands-on sessions run four times daily , accommodating up to 365 on-site registrations per day.
The gat hat gained fresh international attention through its appearance in the animation 'KPop Demon Hunters' .
South Korea will spotlight its traditional hat-making art of gat — famously associated with the fictional idol group Saja Boys from the megahit animation 'KPop Demon Hunters' — before foreign delegates and visitors gathering for a landmark UNESCO committee session in Busan, officials announced on Monday, 13 July 2025. The showcase marks the first time South Korea has hosted the prestigious annual meeting.
What the Showcase Covers
The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) has announced a public exhibition titled 'Living Heritage X ICH', running from 20 July to 29 July at the BEXCO convention centre in Busan, approximately 330 kilometres southeast of Seoul. The event coincides with the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which is being held at the same venue.
Recognised masters of traditional Korean crafts — operating under the Korea Heritage Agency, a body within the KHS — will lead all demonstrations. The programme is co-organised by the two institutions.
Day-by-Day Programme
The showcase is structured across three thematic phases. Gat-making, embroidery, and traditional sewing will open the event from 20 to 22 July. An exhibition-only day follows on 23 July. From 24 to 26 July, visitors can observe mother-of-pearl inlay, traditional wooden furniture making, and headgear craftsmanship. The final stretch, 27 to 29 July, features wood carving, bow making, wood sculpture, and metal engraving.
Daily demonstrations will run in two slots: 10 am to 11:30 am and 1:30 pm to 6 pm, within overall exhibition hours of 10 am to 6 pm.
Hands-On Sessions for Visitors
Beyond observation, the event offers interactive programmes where participants can craft miniature gats, hanbok-themed key rings, and mother-of-pearl tumblers. These free sessions run four times daily, each lasting 90 minutes. Up to 120 participants can register in advance via the Korea Heritage Agency website, while on-site registration accommodates up to 365 people per day.
Why This Moment Matters
The gat — a black horsehair hat historically worn by Korean noblemen during the Joseon dynasty — has seen renewed global curiosity partly through its appearance in 'KPop Demon Hunters', where the animated Saja Boys wear the headgear as a cultural marker. Hosting the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session for the first time gives South Korea a rare platform to present its intangible cultural heritage directly to an international audience of policymakers and cultural officials. The 'Living Heritage X ICH' showcase is designed to bridge that historical legacy with contemporary global interest.
Point of View
In many cases, held alive by a handful of ageing masters.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Living Heritage X ICH' showcase in Busan?
It is a public exhibition of traditional Korean crafts organised by the Korea Heritage Service at the BEXCO convention centre in Busan, running from 20 to 29 July 2025. The event is timed to coincide with the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the first such session hosted by South Korea.
What is a 'gat' and why is it in the spotlight?
A gat is a traditional Korean hat historically worn by noblemen during the Joseon dynasty, crafted from horsehair and bamboo. It has gained renewed global attention after featuring in the megahit animation 'KPop Demon Hunters', where the fictional idol group Saja Boys wear it as a cultural symbol.
Which traditional crafts will be demonstrated at the event?
The showcase covers gat-making, embroidery, traditional sewing, mother-of-pearl inlay, wooden furniture making, headgear craftsmanship, wood carving, bow making, wood sculpture, and metal engraving — spread across different days from 20 to 29 July.
How can visitors participate in the hands-on sessions?
Free hands-on sessions run four times daily, each lasting 90 minutes. Up to 120 participants can register in advance through the Korea Heritage Agency website, with additional on-site registration available for up to 365 people per day.
Why is South Korea hosting the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session for the first time?
The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee at BEXCO, Busan marks the first time South Korea has been selected to host the annual gathering of international heritage policymakers. The country is using the occasion to present its intangible cultural heritage to a global audience of delegates and officials.
