About
Open-ended materials,
answers of your own
What we believe, why we opened this door, and what happens in 90 minutes — written down here.
We see and learn so much —
so, time to bring it out, too.
Children today see, hear and learn a great deal. I felt they also needed time to bring out, in their own way, what has gone in. in:JOYFULL is a creative studio in Hanam, Korea, where children choose their own materials, make things and talk about them, so their thoughts slowly take shape.
There was a child who hesitated for a long time in front of dozens of bead colors. Is it okay to pick this one? In the end she made a combination all her own. To a friend who cried “I ruined it!” when a drawing didn’t go as planned, I said, “An even better piece can come out of this.” Before long, that same child was comforting a friend: “You can just change the paper.” I’ve been watching these small choices and second tries up close.
So here, it’s fine to be a little clumsy or a little slow. Everyone makes things at their own pace, in their own colors.
I once heard about a five-year-old, away from her mom for the first time, who danced all the way home. Small experiences pile up, one by one, into a child’s own story.
“Teacher, I come here to breathe.” one of our Jjoi — that’s what we call the children at in:JOYFULL
Expressions that blend
We add movement with code to something shaped by hand, and build a story on top of blocks.
Expression doesn’t come in separate boxes — it mixes inside one person.
Why we have so many drawersLoose Parts
in:JOYFULL is full of drawers: clay, hanji paper, seashells, thread and twigs, bottle caps and boxes saved for reuse, papers of every texture. Materials with no fixed purpose — what educators call loose parts. The moment a child opens a drawer and stops to wonder, “What could I make with this?”, a thought begins. That’s why we keep the materials open, not hidden.
Sometimes I set out a few materials ahead of time, on days when I think it would be nice to meet them. Still, what to choose is always up to the person who comes.
90 minutes with no right answers is a small gap in the day to bring out the thoughts inside you and quietly immerse yourself in something you came up with. Choosing a material, choosing an idea, expressing it, and accepting how it turns out. I hope this is a safe place to practise choosing.
Some days things don’t go the way you pictured. That’s okay. As the courage to try builds up, so does the inner strength to trust your own choices. The same goes for adults.
What happens in 90 minutes
We gave names to what happens inside that time.
- Pause멈춤
The moment you walk through the door, the day slows down. You catch your breath and step into today’s time.
- Sense감각
See, touch and feel the materials. The senses wake up one by one, starting at the fingertips.
- Create표현
Feeling brings ideas. You design, yourself, how to bring those ideas out.
- Reflect돌아봄
With your work in front of you, you talk about what you made and why. That story makes the experience your own.
It isn’t a sequence to march through; it happens differently for every child, every day.
The changes we see in children who spend time here: a steadier inner self, sharper observation, understanding of other points of view, and a taste that is their own.
Oli Hanna
The path so far
Senses and making, coding and language, and design. The paths I’ve walked came together as in:JOYFULL.
- NowFounder of in:JOYFULL arts center · creative coding classes at a kindergarten in Hanam · graphic design
- Public workSelected for the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation / Silhak Museum “Small Experiments” grant · designed a 45-session Hangul creativity course for a multicultural school
- BeforeCoding instructor for 800+ students · communications team lead at HFC The Drill · English conversation coach
Frequently asked questions
What age can children start?
From age 5 — any child who can be apart from a parent for a little while, or would like to try.
Are sessions in English?
Sessions are held in Korean. Hanna speaks English, so English-speaking families are welcome — just let us know when you get in touch.
What if my child can’t draw well?
That’s fine. Enjoying bringing out your own ideas comes before drawing well. There’s no wrong drawing.
Do you show samples or examples?
No. The child chooses what to make and how. We set out the materials and wait. It can take a while at first, but what they make is completely their own.
Is there a free trial?
The first visit is a regular session, so there’s a fee (KRW 40,000 for one Kids POP session), materials included — nothing extra. Try once, then decide whether to continue.
How do I book?
Choose a date on Naver Booking (in Korean). If the dates don’t work or Korean booking is tricky, reach us however is easiest — Instagram DM, email, KakaoTalk or phone +82 10-2944-8023. We’ll find a time that works.
Do we need to bring anything?
All materials are ready. Just come as you are — comfortable clothes that can get a little paint on them are best.
Can adults join?
Yes. We’re preparing Creative Club ’90 for adults and will announce the opening on Instagram and KakaoTalk.
“It was my first time doing something
with no right answer.”a participant in her 30s
See this month’s programs → Message us on Instagram →
If you’re hesitating at the door, feel free to ask.