Korean Ceramics: The Scholar’s Vision, The Photographer’s Eye by Yangmo Chung, Heakyum Kim, Bohnchang Koo, 2025, Hali Publications Limited

We are thrilled to share that one of our own Asia Week New York members, Heakyum Kim, director of HK Art and Antiques LLC in New York City, has just released a new publication: Korean Ceramics: The Scholar’s Vision, The Photographer’s Eye.

This remarkable book explores the contemporary significance of Korean Joseon dynasty porcelain, renowned for its beguiling minimalism. At its core, the book presents a dialogue between Yangmo Chung, expert scholar and former director of the Korean National Museum, and contemporary artist Bohnchang Koo. Their subject is Joseon dynasty white and blue-and-white porcelain—masterpieces now housed in museums around the world, celebrated for their striking minimalism. Bohnchang Koo’s sensitive photographic portraits of the vessels meet Yangmo Chung’s insightful commentary, providing a unique and nuanced perspective on Korean ceramics.

International interest in Korean art and culture has grown dramatically in the past decade, yet English-language literature on traditional Korean art forms remains limited. This publication is a timely resource for an English-speaking audience, combining rigorous art-historical scholarship with aesthetic interpretation. It explores the contemporary relevance of a classical porcelain tradition that flourished for over five centuries.

To learn more, click here.