Deokboon gives the traditional Hanok a modern touch

DEOKBOON Korean Dining and Grill was designed by interior design studio FLYMINGO as a place full of warmth. The restaurant is located on the first floor of Mondrian Seoul Itaewon and restaurant reinterprets the traditional with a modern touch Korean Hanok houses and the villages made up of such buildings combine a cozy atmosphere. It is designed with a concept of fluidity, along with a changing sequence of introduction, development, climax, conclusion and aftertaste – ensuring an unforgettable experience at each stage.

The façade is reminiscent of a village entrance, through which visitors are greeted by a glow of Light — its textures embody the steam of freshly cooked rice — cascades from the ceiling and permeates the high and low walls. Beyond lies a light-filled courtyard that exudes a warmth akin to sunlight filtering through the leaves of an ancient tree swayed by the wind. Here, visitors can sit and converse or hold seminars alongside a unique reinterpretation of the jangdok, a central part of the Korean dining table since ancient times.

all pictures by Yongjoon Choi

flymingo contrasts charcoal textures with warm light

By taking advantage of the hotel’s existing skylight, through which sunlight penetrates during the day, and installing a polyethylene object underneath, the light coming through the object provides sufficient illumination without consuming energy. The adjoining main hall represents the courtyard, and the colorful components of the resin with which the walls are filled capture the different temperatures of each season and harmonize with the flames of the live grill.

Korean Studio FLYMINGO has set up a room in the innermost area behind the main hall where visitors can enjoy their meal in a private setting. Designed to capture the physical properties of charcoal, this room is full of warmth. Its black and white design reflects the different properties and manufacturing processes of charcoal. As the names suggest, the Baektan Room and Geomtan Room have different tones and styles. The wall at the end of the corridor leading to the room is decorated with ink stones and there is an object that embodies warmth hanging on the wall, which is further enhanced in this place. “When visitors leave the place, the elegance remains in their memory, and this is where the story of DEOKBOON ends.” notes the design team.

Interior design studio FLYMINGO completes DEOKBOON Korean Dining and Grill

The restaurant reinterprets the Hanok, a traditional Korean house, with a modern touch

The sculptural installation emits a warm glow – its textures embody the steam of freshly cooked rice