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Wrapping a gift with love, the Korean way — learn the art of bojagi for free in LA
Three gifts wrapped in the traditional Korean art form of bojagi.
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Angela Kim
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LAist
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Gift-gifting is a sign of respect, admiration and gratitude. In Korean culture, traditional gift-wrapping — or bojagi — is just as important a gesture. One Korean American artist in Los Angeles is sharing the gift of this artform in free classes this month.
Bojagi is both the name of the technique and the name of the square piece of cloth used. The artform goes back centuries, popular across society from the royal courts to regular people, according to the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. And bojagi wasn’t just used for gifts, but for carrying goods, packing food or other household items.
“In Korea we didn’t have luggage-type of carriers when Westerners had it. So, people just used a big piece of fabric and wrapped up things when they go travel,” said Ellen Lee, an L.A. based bojagi artist.
Kitchenware wrapped in bojagi.
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Angela Kim
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LAist
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Even as the art form evolves, its meaning has stayed the same.
“In Korea, people believe when you wrap something with bojagi, we really, truly believe we put our loving and caring heart in there too,” Lee said.
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On Mondays this month, Lee is teaching free bojagi workshops at the Pio Pico Koreatown branch of Los Angeles Public Library. This series of workshops has just sold out, but a waitlist is open, and plans are in the works for her to bring these workshops back to the library in the future.
The art of bojagi.
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Angela Kim
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LAist
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Learning the craft
Lee moved to Los Angeles in 2000 from South Korea, and after college, returned to the country to learn the art of bojagi.
In 2019, she moved back to Southern California to start her private workshops and online business, Nossi. Lee has also been using her skills to wrap gifts for businesses and Korean American celebrities.
Lee acknowledges that all cultures have their own gift-wrapping traditions and meanings. She said she is most appreciative of the art form’s tactile quality. “Wrapping up something precious with fabric can be just human natural love language,” she said.
How to sign up for free classes
Nossi Bojagi Korean Wrapping
Where: Los Angeles Public Library, Pio Pico Koreatown Branch
When: Mondays, July 20 and 27
Free but sold out — the waitlist is open, and you can check the LAPL events page for future workshop dates.
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A gift in and of itself
The technique is sustainable — not only could the cloth be reused, it’s a keepsake in and of itself. “When you give a gift, when you wrap the gift with bojagi, the whole thing can be a gift. You don’t waste anything,” Lee said. The wrapping can be used again for another gift, a keepsake or even a handkerchief.
In her workshops, Lee touches on some Korean history for Korean Americans and non-Korean participants, like the different techniques used by the royal court from centuries ago.
The hydrangea (suguk) knot in bojagi.
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Angela Kim
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LAist
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A bojagi sculpture made by Lew.
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Angela Kim
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LAist
)
There isn’t just one bojagi way to wrap. There are dozens of ways. The most popular ones are named after nature, like the hydrangea (suguk) knot and lotus (yeonkkot) knot. Historically, the bojagi fabric was made of natural materials such as hemp or silk. Today, people also use synthetic fibers like polyester.
No matter what, it’s a tradition that has endured.
“In Korea, people believe when you wrap something with bojagi, we really, truly believe we put our loving and caring heart in there too,” Lee said.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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