The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) successfully hosted the inaugural official meeting of the UK branch of the Korean Designers Network Worldwide (KDNEW) on September 10, marking a significant milestone in connecting Korean design professionals working internationally. The groundbreaking event brought together more than 50 Korean designers and industry representatives, creating a dynamic platform for strengthening professional relationships and facilitating the exchange of innovative ideas within the global design community.

KDNEW represents a comprehensive global initiative established in 2016 by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP) to create meaningful connections among Korean designers working across international markets. The network serves as a crucial bridge linking Korean design talent with international creative professionals, while actively promoting Korean design as an essential and influential force within the global creative industries. Through this initiative, Korean designers worldwide can collaborate, share resources, and collectively elevate the profile of Korean design on the international stage.

Dr. Seunghye Sun, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, delivered inspiring remarks that highlighted the growing significance of Korean design in the cultural landscape. "Korean design is the new growth engine of K-culture," Dr. Sun commented during the event. "This modern-day aesthetic, combined with practicality, will be a heritage in the future, completing Korean aesthetics. I am proud to host an event where K-design meets global soft power and emerges as the new turbine of the cultural industry."

The comprehensive program featured a well-structured agenda that began with detailed introductions to both KIDP and KDNEW, providing attendees with essential background information about these influential organizations. Following the introductory sessions, participants received important policy briefings that outlined current initiatives and future directions for Korean design promotion. The program then transitioned to engaging case presentations delivered by accomplished UK-based Korean designers who shared their professional experiences and valuable insights.

Four distinguished speakers took the stage to present their unique perspectives and career journeys to the assembled audience. Saejin Lee, who serves as Senior Experience Design Lead at PwC, shared expertise in user experience design within the corporate consulting environment. Minwook Paeng, working as an Industrial Designer at BAT, provided insights into product design and development in the consumer goods sector. Yujin Jeong, currently serving as HRI Design Lead at Humanoid, discussed cutting-edge developments in human-robot interaction design. Joohee Lee, Head of Furniture at forpeople, concluded the presentations by exploring contemporary furniture design trends and sustainable practices.

The event reached its culmination with an extensive open networking session that provided all participants with invaluable opportunities to establish new professional connections, share specialized expertise, and explore collaborative possibilities for enhancing Korean design's global presence. This interactive segment allowed designers from various disciplines to engage in meaningful conversations, exchange contact information, and discuss potential future projects that could showcase Korean design excellence on the international stage.

This comprehensive program, developed and led by KIDP, established an essential networking platform specifically designed to serve Korean designers working throughout the UK while simultaneously highlighting the rapidly growing presence and increasing influence of Korean design within the global creative community. The successful launch of the UK branch represents a significant step forward in KDNEW's mission to connect Korean designers worldwide and promote Korean design as a vital component of international creative culture.