The story
Hyom wanted Sokcho to have character goods of its own. With a local creator grant she started the brand in November 2019, selling online and through other shops before opening her first space in 2022. A move to Jungang-ro followed in 2023; since March 2026, the shop has been in Saemaeul.
What they stand for
The name joins the artist name Hyom with the character 喜, meaning joy, whose shape reminded her of the Hangul spelling 횸. She hopes the pleasure of making the work passes on to the person who picks it up. A design may carry the word Sokcho, or let the local story inside its character do the talking; either way, she wants it to feel at home in everyday life.
Behind the signature
Dalgomi imagines that Seoraksan's vanished moon bears might still be hiding deep in the mountains. Rangbeomi began with a playful thought: what if Yeongnangho's great Beombawi Rock were a tiger at rest? A giant island seagull and birds seen around the monument plaza inspired other friends. Their faces turn up on practical paper goods and on magnets, some finished by hand so no two expressions are quite alike.
Local tip
Find the second-floor shop at 17 Saemaeul 9-gil beside Odaengdang. The steps are high, so climb carefully. Saemaeul's independent shops sit along an easy route toward the beach; drivers should use nearby public parking.
For travelers
Ask which Sokcho place inspired the character you chose. The artist uses a translation app for spoken explanations. When she is in the shop, she writes a buyer's name in Hangul calligraphy on the product bag; international visitors have especially enjoyed taking that small personal detail home.
