A humble Korean table is getting a high-tech second life in Seoul, where 17 designers are turning the traditional "soban" into sculptural objects shaped by 3D printing, lacquer and mother-of-pearl. The Seoul Design Foundation is presenting SEOUL LIFE 2026: Heritage Reimagined, Soban from Monday through Oct. 8 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza’s (DDP) Design Dullegil Gallery, bringing works first shown in April during Milan Design Week to a Korean audience. A soban is a small, portable Korean tray-table traditionally used as an individual dining table. Combining the functions of a tray and a table, it stands roughly 30 centimeters off the floor and is designed to hold a single meal. The exhibition drew 20,346 visitors at ADI Design Museum in Milan, where its combination of traditional Korean craft and contemporary design received favorable attention, according to the foundation. "Soban is a design asset that holds Korea's traditional lifestyle culture while flexibly connecting to contemporary life," said Cha Kang-hee, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation. "Through this exhibition, we want to sha