How small studios stay independent in Korea

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Despite the number of small businesses in operation in Korea, it’s still a hard economy to operate within independently. Korean 재벌 Chaebol conglomerates control a huge portion of business in the country and many companies operate on contracts from them. After the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, many designers struck out on their own and there had been a successful generation of small studios, but few remain active today. Despite a healthy cultural sector, it’s hard for designers to be active outside of Korea’s dominant commercial system. Running an independent design studio is increasingly hard in any economy, but Korean designers have been responding to economic shifts in the spirit of small business. Several studios have taken their experiences in design and applied them to their own ventures. From conversations with designers and observations on the scene, the shape of independent projects varies greatly. Some designers appear to be seeking creative change, while others seriously conve

How small studios stay independent in Korea Our Seoul correspondent finds links between small business and design innovation. Words James Chae — Date 8 July 2025 Tags The View From... Work Creative Industry Product Design Society Advice Process Share Despite the number of small businesses in operation in Korea, it’s still a hard economy to operate within independently. Korean 재벌 Chaebol conglomerates control a huge portion of business in the country and many companies operate on contracts from them. After the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, many designers struck out on their own and there had bee

How small studios stay independent in Korea

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