Somok Sobok began with a simple question: How can the beauty of traditional mother-of-pearl craftsmanship gently blend into contemporary life? Founded in 2020 by a Korean brother and sister duo, the atelier brings together woodcraft, lacquer and mother-of-pearl work in a new and collaborative way. Their well-received joint work at the Seoul Design Festival in 2018 paved the way for this fruitful collaboration. Designs begin with wood and details are gradually added. Somok Sobok's precious boxes and inlaid pieces featuring swimmers, Korean motifs and flowers have been exhibited widely in South Korea and internationally.

Unlike traditional mother-of-pearl works set on black lacquer, Somok Sobok’s mother-of-pearl inlay is worked directly onto natural wood grain, reinterpreting tradition through a modern lens. The atelier’s name means ‘the small happiness from simple wood’. It reflects the founders' hope that the small objects they make will bring a measure of quiet joy into someone’s daily life. On weekdays, the siblings focus on creating artworks together, while at weekends, they hold classes to communicate their skills to others.