KF Koreana Autumn Issue: The Expansion of K-Culture Seen Through Goods

The Korea Foundation (KF · Chairperson Song Gi-do) announced that it will publish the autumn issue of Koreana, a quarterly culture and arts magazine that features a special report on Korea's goods culture, on September 29.

Koreana is a foreign-language quarterly magazine launched in 1987 that introduces Korean culture and arts to the world. This issue deals with the cultural significance of goods that go beyond mere souvenirs to reveal individual tastes and identities, connecting traditional culture and K-culture to everyday life.

The special feature provides in-depth introductions to museum goods that combine cultural heritage with modern design, K-pop goods that are expanding beyond music into other fields, goods that have evolved from fandom items into mediums for daily life and solidarity, artist goods that support creative activities, and local goods that offer new interpretations of regional stories and resources.

Additionally, it examines the growth and success factors of the representative museum product brand MU:DS. It also introduces items such as the Maitreya triad miniatures, Dancheong keyboards, the "Drunken Scholar 3-person Soju Glass Set," and collaboration products with BTS. Amidst the stagnation of the physical album market, it also highlights the changes in K-pop goods, which have expanded into fashion, lifestyle, CD player albums, and pop-up stores.

In addition, artist goods from creators such as Dodo Bird's Kim Sun-woo, Kang Na-nan, and Park Ji-eun are featured, along with Te monje 1779, a traditional liquor from Gyeongju's Gyochon Doga, Meodeul Crayon from the Jeju brand ODUJEJ, and Gamtae desserts from Seosan Badasup. On the webzine (www.koreana.or.kr), viewing and subscription applications are available in both Korean and English, and the paper book can also be purchased on Naver Smart Store. A KF official stated that through this issue, they hope domestic and international readers will discover the diverse aspects of K-culture and the value of traditional cultural heritage as it is newly revealed in contemporary daily life.

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