
Innocean named Germany's leading creative agency
Innocean, a Korean marketing and advertising agency, announced Monday that its German subsidiary Innocean Berlin received the highest honors in Germany and ranked No. 2 in Europe in the latest Creative Agency Rankings.
The rankings are based on results from the Immortal Awards, hosted by Little Black Book, a global marketing platform.
Innocean Berlin's top placement was led by its campaign 'The First Speech,' created in collaboration with Reporters Without Borders. The campaign promotes press freedom with the message 'Trust the free press. Not pretty words,' and was praised for its cinematic quality and emotional resonance.
The acclaimed campaign previously won the Grand Prix for Good at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, along with major awards from the New York Festivals and the London International Awards.
Innocean has steadily expanded its European presence since establishing its regional headquarters in Germany in 2007. The agency serves major global clients, including affiliates of Hyundai Motor Group, and is known for its culturally insightful and socially driven campaigns. It is expected to achieve even greater success moving forward.
'We're very proud, as this latest ranking is a testament to our efforts,' said Innocean CEO Lee Yong-woo. 'We will continue delivering impactful messages that reflect deep cultural and social insight.'
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Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Korea Herald
From birth to death, exhibiting seasons of life through hanbok
Kumdanje, the renowned hanbok brand founded by Lee Il-soon, is celebrating over 30 years of preserving and promoting Korea's rich cultural heritage through traditional attire. Until July 27, the brand is holding a special exhibition titled "Seasons of Life: From Cradle to Sky" at Chuihantang, Samcheonggak in Seoul. The exhibition, which highlights the milestones in a person's life through traditional Korean clothing, aims to give visitors a deeper understanding of how attire can serve as a symbol of cultural values, life transitions and ancestral respect. Walk through seasons of life Lee, a celebrated hanbok designer, explains that the exhibition features a series of garments that correspond to the significant moments in life. From the first clothes worn at birth, known as "baenet jeogori" (a baby's first jacket), to the "baegilbok" (a hundred-day celebration outfit) and "dolbok" (first birthday outfit), the exhibition covers the full spectrum of Korean life stages. The garments include wedding attire and, poignantly, the "suui," a garment worn by the deceased for burial. Lee, whose life's work has revolved around preserving the tradition of hanbok, explains the significance of these garments. 'I have worked as a hanbok designer for 33 years, and in doing so, I have come to deeply appreciate the sacredness of the clothes worn during the milestones in life. From the baby's first clothes to the garments worn at one's death, these outfits are deeply ingrained in our culture and carry a profound meaning,' Lee told The Korea Herald. The exhibition aims to take visitors on a journey through these stages of life, each accompanied by a reflection on the traditions, blessings and prayers embedded in the clothing worn. The clothing not only marks the passage of time but also serves as a vessel for well-wishes and respect for the ancestors. Suui and significance of yundal One of the most captivating elements of this exhibition is the display of "suui," traditional burial clothing, made from silk. Lee Il-soon explains the significance of the suui in the context of Korean tradition: 'The suui is worn for a very specific occasion—the passing of an individual. It is, therefore, a very important garment. This year, we prepared suui for the yundal, or leap month. The leap month is seen as a time when no misfortune can occur, and it is traditionally believed to be a fortuitous time to prepare for important life events, including the preparation of the sui." She explained that while a leap month occurs in three- to four-year intervals, this year's leap month, which falls July 25-Aug. 22, is a special leap month, occurring every 100 years. Lee also highlighted the importance of yundal in Korean tradition. 'In the past, people would prepare the suui in the yundal month to ensure long life for their elders and a peaceful journey for the deceased. It's a special month, one that is believed to be free of misfortune. Preparing the suui during this time carries significant cultural and spiritual meaning,' Lee said. Cultural significance of hanbok Through the exhibition, Lee hopes to raise awareness of the deeper, spiritual meanings attached to traditional Korean attire. 'Hanbok isn't just clothing; it's part of a larger cultural framework,' she asserted. 'Each garment has a story to tell and a purpose beyond what is seen on the surface. Hanbok represents our culture's values of respect, dignity and the acknowledgment of life's transience.' Visitors to the exhibition will have the chance to explore how Korean traditional clothing serves as a medium of communication, conveying wishes for prosperity, good health and longevity. Lee believes that these garments are not merely for ceremonial occasions but are integral to understanding the Korean worldview and spiritual life. Lee's contribution to the global understanding of Korean culture extends beyond this exhibition. She has showcased hanbok on international stages, including in the US and Italy. Her role as a cultural ambassador has made her a key figure in the promotion of traditional Korean fashion worldwide. Lee recalled a particularly poignant moment during a fashion show in Rome when critics described the hanbok collection as 'unimaginably beautiful.' As the designer explains, the connection between Korean tradition and modern fashion has become a defining theme of her career. "Through my work, I have witnessed how the global fashion world embraces and admires the beauty of hanbok. At the same time, I feel a responsibility to preserve and share the deep cultural significance of these garments.' She continued, 'One of my proudest moments was during the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy, where I had the honor of presenting hanbok at a fashion show in Rome. The experience solidified my belief in the global appeal of our cultural heritage.' Future beyond tradition The current exhibition offers a glimpse into Lee's vision for the future of hanbok. The designer's daughter Chang Ha-eun, who runs the contemporary hanbok brand OUWR, is working to bridge the gap between traditional and modern fashion. 'My daughter is leading a new wave of innovation, bringing hanbok into the modern era by working with famous K-pop artists such as Blackpink and NewJeans while still honoring its traditional roots. The fusion of past and future is something I am very proud of,' Lee said. With this exhibition, Lee hopes to create a lasting dialogue between the past and the future, inviting both Koreans and foreigners to engage with and appreciate the deeper meaning embedded in the clothing that shapes a person's journey through life. The exhibition is open to the public at Chuihandang in Samcheonggak, Seoul.


Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Rainy music for early monsoon
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Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
Kazakhstan eyes more connection with Korean capital markets: AIFC governor
Kazakhstan is looking for South Korea's capital markets to position the country as a gateway to Central Asia for Korean investors, said Renat Bekturov, governor of the Astana International Financial Center, in an interview with The Korea Herald. The Korean market is one of the most advanced and liquid globally. And with blue-chip companies such as Samsung, the Korea Exchange ranks among the top five worldwide for initial public offering activity, Bekturov noted. He hopes to build institutional links between the capital markets of Kazakhstan and Korea. "We are especially interested in connecting our capital markets, offering Korean investors streamlined access to our financial ecosystem," Bekturov said. According to Bekturov, Korean firms have yet to join AIFC's broker community, but interest from Asian financial institutions — particularly from Hong Kong — is growing, with several firms already joining AIX as trading members. He was in Seoul in April to promote the Kazakh capital market among Korean investors. Beyond finance, Bekturov highlighted Korea's growing industrial presence in Kazakhstan, pointing to Doosan's 300 megawatt gas power plant and upcoming plans to develop a 1,000 MW facility. Hyundai Engineering is participating in multiple regional energy projects, and the AIFC is expanding its outreach through AIFC Connect, aiming to strengthen ties between Asia, Central Asia and the Gulf, with events in Seoul and Hong Kong, according to Bekturov. 'We're here to open doors,' he underlined. 'Korea and South Asia have large, self-sufficient markets, but they're now looking outward for new opportunities and higher returns. Central Asia — and Kazakhstan in particular — offers that.' Citing examples of strong local performance, Bekturov mentioned the IPO of uranium producer Kazatomprom. 'Launched at $11, it peaked at $47 and now trades around $30-35. Including dividends, it's delivered roughly 20-30 percent annual returns,' he said. He also referenced KazMunayGas, a state-owned oil company, whose 2022 IPO has returned close to 40 percent annually. Nearly 4,000 companies are registered in the AIFC, including around 18 Korean firms. 'Many large Korean players like Samsung and Hyundai had already entered the Kazakhstani market before AIFC's launch, but we see growing interest from smaller companies and financial institutions,' Bekturov said. He also highlighted the AIFC's access to regional markets via the Tabadul initiative — a network of exchanges led by Abu Dhabi Exchange. 'Our brokers now offer access to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Moscow markets. Through Tabadul, firms in Astana can trade seamlessly across these exchanges,' he explained. The initiative includes the Astana International Exchange and Armenia's Stock Exchange, among others. 'This means that Korean investors connected to AIFC can now access ADX markets, all without leaving their desks,' Bekturov concluded.