The Korean Cultural Center in Sweden is presenting "Four Corners: Korean Designers in Sweden," a comprehensive exhibition running from May 8 to August 29, 2025. The showcase brings together four talented Korean designers who are currently making their mark in Sweden's prestigious design studios, highlighting the diverse ways Korean creativity intersects with Scandinavian design culture.
The exhibition features four distinct voices, each representing different aspects of contemporary design while drawing from their Korean heritage and professional expertise gained in leading Swedish design studios. Their collective work demonstrates how personal histories and cultural backgrounds can be transformed into innovative design solutions that resonate across cultural boundaries.
Joong Han Lee from Note Design Studio presents the "Giwa Modular Shelf," a sophisticated furniture system that reinterprets the rhythmic patterns found in traditional Korean hanok rooftops in Seoul's historic Seochon neighborhood. Lee's modular design transforms deeply personal architectural memories into adaptable, contemporary living structures that can be configured to meet modern lifestyle needs.
Jingyu Lee, working at Stockholm Design Lab, contributes "Times Hangul," an innovative Myeongjo typeface specifically designed to harmonize seamlessly with the widely-used Times New Roman font. Drawing inspiration from the influential typographic work of Choi Jungho, Lee's project addresses the visual gaps that often exist between Korean Hangul characters and Latin typography, creating a bridge between two distinct writing systems.
Subum Lee from Polestar offers visitors a glimpse into "Art of Craftsmanship," exploring the intricate creative process behind automotive design. His presentation reveals the journey from initial pencil sketches and sophisticated digital renderings to detailed clay modeling, demonstrating how car design represents both precise engineering calculations and sculptural artistry that appeals to aesthetic sensibilities.
Agnes Yeojin Kim from Tiger of Sweden presents "Two Selves, Beyond the Gaze," a multimedia installation featuring sculptural silhouettes inspired by traditional Korean hanbok garments and bojagi wrapping cloths. Enhanced with carefully crafted ambient soundscapes, Kim's work embodies the complexity of cross-cultural memory while creating moments of quiet resonance that speak to the immigrant experience.
Together, these four distinctive works illustrate the diverse approaches Korean designers are taking as they engage with Sweden's renowned design culture. The exhibition offers fresh perspectives on how cultural heritage and contemporary innovation can converge, creating new design languages that honor tradition while pushing creative boundaries forward in the global design landscape.
