In Korea, the AD 1960s are considered the beginning of contemporary ceramics. At this time a small group of intellectuals tried to revive Korea’s past ceramic traditions. Korea’s magnificent ceramic heritage had been suppressed and forgotten during Japan’s occupation of Korea (1910-45) and the devastation caused by the Korean War (1950-53). As a result the search for past traditions and the confirmation of 'Koreanness' became hugely important to potters.

Two groups of potters emerged. One was centred in Ichŏn, in Kyŏnggi province to the southeast of Seoul, home of the official kilns during the Chosŏn period (1392-1910). The members of this group tended to be traditional artisans who passed on their craft from generation to generation. The workshops produced celadon, porcelains and punch'ŏng wares by following past styles and techniques.

The second group of potters emerged in universities where the study of ceramics had become an established subject in 1958. Foremost among these are Hongik, Seoul National and Ehwa Universities. The artists showed strong pride in carrying on and exposing past traditions and they first concentrated on preserving traditional methods by mastering past ceramic techniques. Such traditions were then reinterpreted through their own individual works. Cho Chung-hyon’s ceramics, for example, evokes both Three Kingdoms tomb wares and later domestic storage jars (onggi).