Design Korea 2016 (DK 2016), a design business exhibition highlighting “Design Hallyu” that wrapped up a five day run at KINTEX in Goyang, north of Seoul, on Nov. 13, displayed about 1,500 outstanding design products from 317 Korean and foreign companies. Under the theme “Design Korea, Beyond Asia,” DK 2016 was hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and organized by Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP). Design Korea, which offers an opportunity for local and foreign products with outstanding design to be displayed, has been held since 2003, and its official name changed from “Design Korea” to “DK” in 2014.
Among about 200 people on hand at an opening ceremony were Deputy Minister Doh Kyung-hwan of the Office of Industrial Creativity and Innovation at the MOTIE and KIDP President Jung Young-jin.
DK 2016 had pavilions under five themes ─ home and living, furniture and interior, clothes and fashion, leisure and health, and stationery and toys ─ showing off the latest design trends in Korea and abroad. The exhibition also coincided with export consultation sessions and design events that took place across the nation. The theme pavilions served as spaces to demonstrate how design contributes to better lives under the theme “A Better Life by Design.”
On on Nov. 9, the opening day, the Korea-Italy Design Forum took place. Renowned speakers including Alberto Alessi, CEO of the Italian kitchen and household product brand Alessi, and Bob Baxley, former Apple and Yahoo product designer, gave lectures on design. Spectators were given opportunities to hear overseas exporting strategies, ways of preparing startups and success stories.
Among the eye-catching exhibits were global prize-winning products designed by the “Gov. 3.0 Design Group,” which has been formed under a bottom-up decision-making process scheme to craft innovative people-oriented policies instead of the conventional top-down process.
The exhibition also coincided with Korea Consumer Goods Showcase 2016, organized by KOTRA. Many buyers of promising foreign markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and India participated in DK 2016. Korea Consumer Goods Showcase 2016 saw its coverage and scope widen to invite buyers from the former members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which have yet to produce tangible outcomes, but have future potential.
MOTIE Deputy Minister Doh and other dignitaries at the opening ceremony looked at exhibits on display at major pavilions, including KT’s booth. He met with Scherbakov Dmitriy Stanislavovich, general manager of a Russian distribution company, one of the buyers invited to Korea Consumer Goods Showcase 2016. Doh expressed hope his company would foster good business partnerships with Korean companies. In reply, Stanislavovich said, “I extend thanks for inviting me and I’m interested in meeting with Korean living goods makers.”
Spectators were also given opportunities to experience diverse programs between Nov. 12 and Nov. 13. To name a few, they included an impromptu lecture on how to make interior items, do-it-yourself programs, and other events of producing character socks, dolls and other living products.
“This event serves as an occasion to take a glance at the Hallyu trends as well as business opportunities tailored to meet needs through one-on-one meeting with foreign buyers and Korean companies,” a KIDP official said. Korea has been falling short in developing follow-up products corresponding to the fervor of Hallyu, but this event is sure to lay a corner stone to explore new Hallyu products, he added.
A view of the exhibition pavilions of the DK 2016. (Photos: MOTIE, KIDP)
