Q WHAT IS FACTORY09?

FACTORY09 refers to a factory that manufactures 09 or gonggu (tools in Korean). It’s a local brand that promotes the hidden treasures of Bukseong-ro, Daegu. It’s said that “you can even build a tank if you can find its blueprint in Bukseong-ro,” and it’s because there are master tools craftsmen with 30–40 years of experience here. We’ve collaborated with Seonil Pogeum (Seonil Foundry Co., Ltd. ) to create baking pans shaped like tools. Since then, we’ve been baking delicious madeleines representing the highly valuable Bukseong-ro and its master craftsmen.

Q WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TOOL STREET AMONG ALL THE ATTRACTIONS IN DAEGU?

We once visited Bukseong-ro to collect used wooden pallets to recycle. There were old ironworks with old machinery, and we saw the craftsmen’s hands, toughened by years of work. There are also many ironworks, once roaring with the sounds of metals and hammers late into the night, that are now closed. Bukseong-ro’s light was still flickering, and we thought tourists would be interested in it if we could recreate those memories

Q YOU MAJORED IN FASHION MARKETING AND CRAFT DESIGN, WHICH ARE VASTLY DIFFERENT FROM FOOD. IT’S VERY INTRIGUING.

My product planning and designing experience significantly helped make our brand, which aims to promote local cultures. Japan and Europe have souvenirs that can only be found in specific regions, leaving tourists with lovely memories. As young small business owners gave their genuine ideas to change the shape and add different ingredients, Korea’s regional treats became one of the unique tourism representatives that give tourists visual satisfactions. We baked the FACTORY09 to revitalize Bukseong-ro Industrial Tool Street, reinterpreting and commercializing its charm by turning it into a brand.

Q HOW DID YOU SHAPE THE BREAD LIKE TOOLS?

To reinterpret and visualize the street and its craftsmen, machinery, and techniques, we combined these whole concepts into Bukseong-ro’s symbol: tools. Our loaves of bread look like the basic components of our bodies—nuts and bolts, the basic components of machines, and monkey wrenches that tighten and combine them—and are contained into square grids.

Q HOW DID YOU JOIN THE CONTEST?

I’ve always had my eyes on it. In particular, this year’s contest expanded the range enough that even food products are recognized as tourism content, and that definitely caught my eye. I knew that I had to join the contest.

Q WHICH ADVICE FROM THE JUDGES WAS THE MOST HELPFUL?

They said that we should secure more specialized human resources in baking and other areas. We’re now planning to have more specialized and systematic operations through locally recruited talent, standardized production lines, and engaging promotions for 2022.

Q ANY FUTURE PLANS?

FACTORY09 plans to release workwear, metalcrafts, porcelain, graphic products, and more motived by Bukseong-ro and its craftsmen. There will also be a launch for the Bukseong-ro heritage line made in collaboration with the street’s seasoned craftsmen because we want to revitalize Tool Street before it loses its bright light. There are many upcoming collaborations between enterprises, like Simmons 1870 Pop-Up Store and Gompyo Beer, and we also plan to release toys shaped like tools with the toy company STANLEY Jr. Following this trend, we’re also preparing other tool-related promotional collaborations with other companies.