Jungyun Yoon is born on early spring of 1983 in Seoul (Republic of Korea) to very unique parents. The father, who is a dentist, enjoys various kinds of sports, such as climbing the Everest Mountain, jumping off the mountaintop with a hang-glider, windsurfing, and etc. He lives his life by challenging himself to endless adversities. The mother, who is a pharmacist, loves the Confucian philosophy, traditional literatures, and modern literatures. She believes the faith of people, and lives her life by helping out others with opening herself to the world. These unique parents influence Jungyun Yoon to appreciate various types of cultures and its people.

Jungyun Yoon believes that there is no boundary between the world and its people, and that philosophy is a universal language of the world. Jungyun Yoon, realizing this universal language, starts to develop an idea that philosophies do not necessarily require the form of literatures. As physical sports can deliver its intensity to people without words, and as beauts of this world do not require narratives, Jungyun Yoon believes that she can deliver philosophy with only of its physical form. Jungyun Yoon dedicates herself to create designs with philosophies, the universal language in physical form. 

What was your childhood like?

I was a very curious baby who ate lot of foods.  I guess you can say that I was a troublemaker when I was a baby. My mother told me that after she gave birth to me that her heart pounded everyday with thoughts of “I wonder what kind of trouble will Jungyun make today,” and “how am I going to survive another day.” 

What kind of troubles are you talking about?

Once I burnt my hand on a hot clothes iron, and I got lot of stitches for falling down here and there. I was a very curious baby. So when my parents took me out, I was busy wondering around all over the place. When I saw billboards or objects that were peculiar, I couldn’t help but to stare at it with my mouth dropped to the ground. I got lost on the street a lot because of many billboards. I also liked playing with dirt (sand, ground soil), and always played with foods, objects, or anything I could touch with my hands.

Sounds like you were a handful for your parents when you were a baby!
Now tell us about your school experience.

During primary grade school, I was quiet, gloomy, and somewhat greedy, which made me look little matured for elementary kid. I didn’t have many friends so I enjoyed playing with dirt on the playground by myself.

No friends?

Well at first, but after I became class president of student government, I learned and began to mingle with other students.


When you were in primary school, did you already know that you wanted to work with arts?

Not at first. Although I was interested in art, I spend my time in junior high school to learn piano, vocal music, calligraphy, and mathematics. I wanted to major in one of these subjects in the future. However, when I entered high school I had this one tutor who gave me a suggestion that I should study art. After that I focused my studies on art, in result, I entered Industrial Design School of Hongik University.


Tell us about what made you want to establish YOONJUNGYUN Design.

Well it goes back to the time in college. I was a bit of indecisive person, but I had stubborn personality. I am telling you this because I used to get in troubles with college professors. They weren’t bad troubles. I just had my ideology clashed with expectations of the college professors. At the time, getting hired by a large firm or corporation was very idealistic to many people. However, I didn’t want my ideas to be limited within boundaries of a corporation. I wanted to explore the world of art! So, on my senior year of college, instead of doing my internship with the corporations of Korea, I prepared portfolio to request for an internship with a small creative company in New York City. It’s funny that I was so excited when I got a response call from this company, I packed my luggage and went to New York City when the call was only let me know that I could come for an interview. I was very determined! I interned with this small creative company for about two months, and I wanted to explore the world of art more! And I got greedy! I wanted to spread my ideology to the world. I wanted to create my own design that will make people happy and warm. I wanted to deliver happiness and positive energy thru art. That’s why I started YOONJUNGYUN Design.


Wow! Great Story! What was a most memorable moment so far as a designer of YOONJUNGYUN Design?

It’s so hard to say when or what was particularly a memorable moment because I had so many memorable moments with so many nice people. I truly enjoy meeting or talking to various people of the world. And I feel grateful and thankful when people enjoy my products. There were many difficult moments while running a small firm but I feel that I was always receiving encouragements when people told me how much they love my design. One time a customer told me “you’ve made my day,” but in reality, my day was made!