1. What inspired you to create the unique Buttumak Incense Package?

Incense is not just about burning a fragrance; it influences the atmosphere of a space, provides mental stability, deodorizes, and affects spatial design. I realized that the role of the incense holder is also becoming increasingly important. I expected that collaborating on traditional incense and ceramics would lead to innovative creations. While brainstorming ideas with Incenseworld and MIC-B, we thought of the smell of rice cooking in a buttumak in the countryside we saw as children, and decided to try and capture this.

2. What aspect did you focus on the most when developing the product?

I paid close attention to making the product eco-friendly using traditional materials like incense and ceramics. We used upcycled rice bran, a byproduct of The incense was developed using upcycled rice bran, a byproduct of Icheon rice, and used 100% biodegradable bagasse pulp paper for the pack considering the environment. For the exterior packaging, we used high-quality sustainable boxes to reduce breakage rates and enhance durability. In designing the holder, we focused on the natural form of the buttumak made entirely by hand, the harmony between the incense and the buttumak objet, and beautifully depicting the smoke rising from the chimney and pot.

3. It seems the production process was not easy.

The initial planning was challenging because there were no prior cases of using rice to make incense. To preserve the unique, nutty aroma reminiscent of scorched rice, I experimented with roasting and steaming multiple times to find the optimal balance. Developing a modular buttumak that retains its characteristics was no simple task. Special efforts were required to optimize the design through burn testing, ensuring that the smoke rising from the chimney and pot appeared beautifully.

4. What was the memorable moment during the contest?

From our very first meeting with Incenseworld and MIC-B, we felt that this project was going to be special. Every moment of the competition was memorable as we participated with the completely new product born after multiple failed attempts during the initial creation process.

5. What are your future plans?

We are currently near completion of Incenseworld’s second factory, aiming to create more jobs and expand our educational programs to establish Korea’s incense culture while nurturing young talents. Through our award achievement in this year’s Korea Tourism Souvenir Competition, we will work to promote the Buttumak Incense Package to become the representative incense tourism product of Korea, and explore new markets to enter the global market. Lastly, we also plan to develop additional collaborative works between Incenseworld and MIC-B, so I ask for your continued interest and anticipation.