Shoppers at Yongsan iPark Mall in Seoul were met with an unexpected sight last week — a shopping centre transformed into a public art space as part of the Seoul Origami Festival 2026.
Instead of storefront displays and hurried foot traffic, visitors encountered carefully folded paper sculptures spread across open areas of the mall. The installation showcased how ordinary sheets of paper could be shaped into detailed works of art through patience and skill.
A Mall Becomes an Art Space
The festival had started on January 23 and soon attracted families, students and art lovers. Passing through the mall, one would notice origami figures displayed neatly in open spaces. The exhibits caused individuals to break, pause and examine further. Some reported that they felt like they were in a gallery and not a shopping centre.
The adoption of the diverse range of origami artworks was also one of the highlights. There was a small blue Pegasus that seemed to be flying, and angel and devil figures were standing one next to the other. Insects too of every kind and every size, were folded carefully. Both works were patient, creative and well crafted.
Children Join in the Folding Fun
The children were provided with a special zone where they could make their own origami. The young visitors were sitting at tables with colored paper, strictly following instructions or making an invention. Parents could observe how their children learned by playing, transforming pieces of paper into animals, flowers, and simple forms.
Visitor Lee Min-jung claimed her children were eager to visit the festival. She told me that they gazed at each piece of art and even photographed. She saw that the exhibition was not just entertaining but was also educative as it showed children how to perceive art, in a practical manner.
Imagination follows Local Creativity
On another visit, Kim Do-hyun stated that he was impressed by how skilled Korean origami players were. The observation of the detailed works made him want to attempt paper folding himself. Most of the visitors expressed the same sentiments by saying that the exhibition transformed their perception of origami.
They too had themed exhibition areas in the festival. These sections specialized in hand made paper art that was made by local artists. The different zones were characterized by their own style and visitors were able to discover ideas and techniques involved in the world of origami.
A Brief Festival With Lasting Impact
The Seoul Origami Festival concluded on Wednesday and many people who were present were left with an impression.
A busy mall turned into a place of creativity and imagination and proved that art can be found everywhere even out of a piece of paper.
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