1. Tell us about Fromhere.

Fromhere is involved in discovering and connecting local intangible cultural assets and craftspeople with the world. We support artists with archiving, branding, exhibitions, and performances, and also run a curation shop that sells merchandise. We are a crew creating a variety of content about the lives and philosophies of its creators.

2. I heard there have been singing bowls in Korea for a long time.

After COVID-19, wellness trends are on the rise, and we’re actually seeing more singing bowl and meditation programs than ever before. But then I had a question. Although Korea has its own singing bowl, why don’t people know about it? That’s why we decided to brand singing bowls with the bangjja yugi artisan Lee Jong-deok.

3. Were there any difficulties in launching the product?

Every step had its challenges, but the production was the hardest. Continuous communication and coordination were necessary for collaboration with the artisan, which was challenging. Some put great crafts made by artisans and craftspeople in black plastic bags, while others argued that these crafts deserve immediate respect and appreciation. It took a long time to convince them, and after three years and several solutions, the “Korean Singing Bowl” was finally born.

4. The way you make the artisan’s products easily

recognizable through branding is impressive. We propose a number of solutions to help artisans and craftspeople sell their already great crafts to a wider audience, including making the product easy to explain, present, and buy, as well as meeting people and introducing the products to them. When someone like you comes across this craft that has been around for a long time because of its accessibility, I feel like I’ve fulfilled my role.

5. What did you learn from the contest, and do you have any stories you’d like to share?

Many traditional craftsmen are elderly and focused on their work, making it hard to reflect modern sensibilities or handle digital documentation. The field itself is unfamiliar to the general public, so it’s difficult to communicate directly with artisans. This is where a role like ours becomes essential. We want to make sure that the people who make authentic Korean souvenirs are not marginalized and that Korean traditions are more accessible to domestic and international tourists.

6. Tell us about your future plans.

We will continue to promote the “Korean Singing Bowl” in the future. The singing bowls are an ancient form of percussion that still exists today. We hope it will be a source of pride for the people of Korea that such an instrument exists in our country.