▲ Sunotchil / CEO Kim Sun-ah

Korean lacquer is a liquid extracted from lacquer tree which grows some parts of Korea, China and Japan. History of Korean lacquer goes back to prehistoric times where ancient Koreans used the extract to paint on the surface of objects or to add to medicine. 

Lacquer is known to have antibiotic and pain relief effects. It is said to remove inflammation and improve symptoms of arthralgia, fatigue, menstrual irregularity and pain. 

Sunotchil is a South Korean lacquer specialist nestled in Soha-dong, Gwangmyeong City. CEO Kim Sun-ah believes that lacquer is 'miracle matter' because it does not harm our body but kills harmful bacteria and it is also waterproof.

Entering Sunotchil, you might be wondered by a variety of lacquer works from spoons and chopsticks to ladles, bowls, plates, rice scoops and tumblers all made of wood. If you wish to have a certain kind of object, you can do so for order to made. Among many product lines, spoons and chopsticks are the best sellers for personal use or for gift to others. 

"It is very important to use the best quality lacquer and wood as it decides the perfect finish which customers know by eyes and by touch of hands."

Lacquer works require a considerable amount of time and effort. The painting-over itself should be done at least six times and the process involves drying and sandpaping over and over again. Making a set of spoon and a pair of chopsticks, for example, takes approximately a year. 

For this time consuming and hard work, lacquer works are known to be expensive. Surprisingly however, you can have lacquer works at affordable price at Sunotchil. This is because for CEO Kim, lacquer is not a ultimate tool to make money but her passion and love.

"I wish more people would know about the value of lacquer. It is healthier than plastic or metal spoons and chopsticks obviously. I feel a sense of duty as a lacquerist to spread excellence of Korean lacquer to more people. Selling my lacquer works at affordable price is part of this effort."