K-goods go global: 25 Korean tourism souvenirs named best of 2026

Korea Tourism Organization announces 25 winning souvenirs

Baudegi tableware takes presidential prize

Record 1,358 entries submitted this year

Dancheong fan and Jeju seasoning win prime minister honors

Winners to get support for listings on Amazon and other global platforms

The presidential prize winner at the 2026 Korea Representative Tourism Souvenir competition — a banjja-yugi (bronze alloy) tableware set inspired by the fans of Anseong's Baudegi performance tradition [Korea Tourism Organization]

Twenty-five tourism souvenirs capturing Korea's traditional culture and regional character have been named the "2026 Korea Representative Tourism Souvenirs." The presidential prize went to a banjja-yugi (bronze alloy) tableware set inspired by the fan motif of Baudegi, Anseong's celebrated folk performance tradition.

The Korea Tourism Organization announced the 25 final winners of the 2026 Korea Tourism Competition's souvenir category. This year's contest drew a record 1,358 entries, the highest in the competition's history. The presidential prize went to "Baudegi's Brilliant Stage, Spread Across the Table" — a banjja-yugi tableware set evoking the fans associated with Baudegi, a representative cultural heritage of Anseong. A panel of judges that included foreign evaluators and industry experts gave the product high marks.

The prime minister's prize winner at the 2026 Korea Representative Tourism Souvenir competition — "Han-guk-ui Gyeol" collection [Korea Tourism Organization]

The prime minister's prize went to two products: "Han-guk-ui Gyeol Collection," a traditional fan reinterpreting Korea's dancheong (decorative architectural painting) patterns in a contemporary style, and "Jejudasi Kkotmeljeot Powder," a seasoning made from flower anchovies caught off Jeju's Biyang Island. Among the 25 winners receiving the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism minister's prize were "Han-guk-ui Jibung" (Korea's Rooftop), a metal-object doorbell reimagining the decorative roof figurines found on traditional Korean buildings; a domestically sourced perilla oil set made from Gangwon Province perilla seeds; and "Jeju Dongja-seok Door Stopper," a lifestyle accessory modeled on the traditional guardian stone figures of Jeju Island.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism minister's prize winner at the 2026 Korea Representative Tourism Souvenir competition — "Han-guk-ui Jibung" (Korea's Rooftop) [Korea Tourism Organization]

The Korea Tourism Organization plans to strengthen the global competitiveness of winning products through tailored support, including one-on-one consulting, business education, retail channel connections and eligibility for tourism fund loans. This year, the organization will also expand collaboration with private-sector companies and step up efforts to help winners list their products on overseas platforms such as Amazon.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism minister's prize winner at the 2026 Korea Representative Tourism Souvenir competition — "Jeju Dongja-seok Door Stopper" [Korea Tourism Organization]

Min Byeong-seon, head of the Korea Tourism Organization's tourism industry division, said the organization would spare no effort in helping the winning works — which reinterpret Korea's traditional culture and regional character with a modern sensibility — grow into beloved K-goods among visitors from around the world. "We plan to further strengthen distribution support for the winners through collaboration with sponsors such as Hyundai Department Store, Lotte Duty-Free and the National Museum of Korea Cultural Foundation, as well as through listings on overseas platforms like Amazon and global crowdfunding campaigns this year," Min said.

The Korea Tourism Organization president's prize winner at the 2026 Korea Representative Tourism Souvenir competition — "Chwi: Goryeo Celadon Temple" [Korea Tourism Organization]

The organization will also hold the "2026 Korea Tourism Souvenir Fair" at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22. The fair will feature exhibitions and sales of competition winners and other tourism souvenirs, along with business consultations to help winning companies expand their distribution channels. Hands-on programs and on-site events for general visitors will also be offered.

terry@heraldcorp.com