Spanning five centuries, the Joseon Dynasty was Korea’s longest reigning kingdom, and it was a right hotbed for arts and sciences, leading to some cracking innovations. Hak Playing Cards takes you on a cheeky jaunt through the designs, traditions, and architecture of this period, offering a unique peek into Korea's golden age (no time travel required!).
The front of the tuck case shows off the word 'hak', which means crane in Korean — written in Hangul, the nifty alphabet that popped up during the Joseon Dynasty. At the top and bottom of the case, you’ll spot two cranes, symbols of longevity and good luck in East Asia (because who doesn’t want a bit of luck?). This crane motif struts its stuff throughout the deck. And let’s not forget the sides, where you’ll find the animal statues known as Japsang. These little guardians perched atop royal palace rooftops were there to keep the evil spirits at bay — very handy, I’d say. The mirrored back design features the two cranes and eight japsang alongside Irworobongdo(Ir-wor-o-bong-do), a folding screen that sat behind the royal throne. It depicts the sun, moon, and five peaks, symbolising cosmic balance (and probably making sure the king didn’t lose his cool).
Now, let’s talk about production — no corners were cut here. This luxury deck is the highest funded Studio K campaign ever, raking in over £13,000 on Kickstarter. It’s not just a pretty face; it’s a proper statement piece for any collector who knows their cards and appreciates a good shuffle (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?).
