MADE IN, 2013-

"In order to understand how present society is fueled by capital and culture, it is critical to consider Asia. The younger generation, quick to sense worldwide changes, is open to accepting foreign cultures. Once foreign culture is accepted and embraced, the traditional ceases to operate. [...] To me, examining Asian history was a way to understand Korea from a different angle as well as an attempt at understanding our complex world from diverse perspectives." Lee Wan

Sugar

Taiwan
Investment: 3,000 USD
Distance traveled: 3,063,880m
Duration: 2months






Coffee

Vietnam
Investment: 2,000USD
Distance traveled: 6,163,060m
Duration: 2weeks




Wooden Table & Batic Tablecloth

Indonesia
Investment: 4,500USD
Distance traveled: 9,258,140m
Duration: 1month





Sugar

Taiwan
Investment: 3,000 USD
Distance traveled: 3,063,880m
Duration: 2months






Rubber

Vietnam
Investment: 2,000USD
Distance traveled: 6,163,060m
Duration: 2weeks





Silk

Thailand
Investment: 2,500USD
Distance traveled: 6,783,320m
Duration: 2months




VIVIAN

b. 1965, Thailand
Silk Weaver

“I sent my daughter to college and paid for her wedding with the money I made from weaving. I work every day. My mother taught me how to weave when I was young and that skill gave me a job. It’s skill that my mother left behind for me.”




Straw Shoes

Korea
Investment: 1,000USD
Distance traveled: 86,300m
Duration: 3months






Wig

Korea
Investment: 1,000USD
Distance traveled: 14,120m
Duration: 3months




SOONNAM KIM

b.1954, South Korea
Wig Maker

“I started making wigs forty years ago. There was a huge wig factory then. We specialized in men’s wigs and they were exported to Japan and the United States. There were so many wig factories in Gurogongdan back then, and a lot of people worked there. Most factories are gone now. Only small factories with five to ten workers remain today. Large orders are processed overseas. Labor costs are relatively cheap in China, so most companies have factories there now. I eventually left the wig factory that I used to work for and started a custom-made wig shop in Korea. Major wig-makers like Milan and Hi-MO also relocated their factories to China. I used to make wigs by hand for the film star Lee Deok-hwa and the famous singer Sul Woon-Do, both of whom are now models for these companies. But independent workers like me gradually fell behind in the price competition. These days, wigs are made not only in China but also in Indonesia and Myanmar, so the industry in Korea is shrinking even more rapidly. We made much more money back in the days than we do today. We have less work now and the economy’s not doing well either. I don’t think there will be skilled wigmakers in Korea after our generation.”




Palm Oil

Malaysia
Investment: 2,500USD
Distance traveled: 7,159,240m
Duration: 1week





Wooden Chopsticks

China
Investment: 3,000USD
Distance traveled: 4,395,420m
Duration: 1week