My tea appreciation at the Bukchon hanok village with filmmaker-turned-tea master, Hyeon-jae, was unforgettable. Hyeon-jae was exceptionally knowledgeable and equally generous in sharing his insight and wisdom not just on tea, but many aspects of Korean culture. He has an air of calm, and a zen-like patience. No question seemed to throw him off.
The tea preparation was meticulous, and his teaware was so beautiful to behold. I enjoyed the sweets he had prepared for the table, four different types, exclusively homemade by a pâtissier friend for his tea ceremony: lime jelly, mugwort rice cookie, black sesame rice cookie, yak-kwa (a cookie made with wheat, wild raspberry, and alcohol, then fried and glazed with rice honey). For a touch of refreshing, he also served a mugwort mocktail.
Hyeon-jae's tea appreciation was a highlight in my Seoul visit, so good I would visit again. I felt I had lost track of time, that's truly special in our culture of frenetic rushing and endless busyness.