"Design Seoul Story" Features Interviews with 37 Korean Designers Leading the Way

Exploring 100 Years of Design in Korea: Insights from 37 Designers

Korean culture has been making waves around the world, from movies and dramas to pop music, fashion, and products. Design, in particular, has emerged as a hidden force behind this cultural phenomenon. Korean design has expanded its reach to include urban life, industry, and even everyday style. Recently, Rhee Kyung-don, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, released a video series entitled "Design Seoul Interior - Interviewing 100 Years of Design," featuring 37 designers on the foundation's website (www.seouldesign.or.kr). 

▲ Kwon Young Gull, Chairman of the Seoul Design Foundation, Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation

The videos explore how design has influenced city life and industry in Korea since the concept first landed in the country. The designers are asked six questions about their role as designers, how they define themselves, the standards they uphold in their work, their daily habits and practices to maintain those standards, and to introduce their own works. They showcase their projects related to Seoul's history, places, and trends, and explain how the design has naturally brought about changes to the city and the everyday lives of its citizens. The special interview also features Kwon Young Gull, Chairman of the Seoul Design Foundation, who says, "Design is about creating civilization. We need to establish new principles of design that will create a new civilization, rather than simply duplicating our old one."

 

▲ YOON HOSEOB, Professor Emeritus at Kookmin University, Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation

The designers featured in the 100-year interview videos mention their various experiences and present new directions for Korean design. YOON HOSEOB, Professor Emeritus at Kookmin University, says, "In the past, I thought 'good ideas are the best,' but over time, I began to question my responsibility as a designer." LEE SUNJONG, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, claims, "The most important role of a designer is to innovate life and create a sustainable foundation for life." KIM CHOUNGZA, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, who introduced design to the university curriculum in the 1960s, says, "I returned to my home country with the desire to teach students one day, and used the word 'design' for the first time. At that time, the concept of design did not exist."

▲ LEE SUNJONG, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation

The designers also explain the process of how the design industry took root in Korea. The interview videos feature Korea's first-generation designers who made efforts to introduce traditional Korean design to the world. 

▲ KIM CHOUNGZA, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation

Rhee Kyung-don, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, says, "Our goal is to document 100 years of design history, and we plan to produce 20 new video interviews this year. Through these efforts, the foundation will continue to provide design insights both domestically and internationally."

 

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