While operating Didi Motion in Cheongju, I not only carried out merchandise projects that captured local culture but also established a cooperative in Yeoyuri with young creators from Cheongju. It seems my scope of activity has expanded with the keyword 'local'.

dydymotion is a creative house based on design and video. We have been carrying out various projects in Cheongju, including visual design, video content, and exhibition production. As we planned the local goods brand GOODSYOU , we naturally came to center our work and business around the keyword 'local'.

How did Goodju, the cooperative relocation project to Yeoyuri, get started?

Goodju is a project planned as part of the 2021 Cheongju Cultural City Project. While carrying out the project at the time, I gathered feedback on citizens' needs, and one suggestion was made that "our region also needs a space to introduce and sell goods." Goodju is an online archival project designed based on that suggestion. As small-scale exhibitions received a great response, I envisioned expanding into a store format that naturally led to sales. The four-year project began when Didi Motion won the bid to operate the space.

You must have accumulated many episodes over the four years of running Good Zoo. What kind of momentum did you experience regarding your growth?

First of all, while operating Goodju, we were able to recruit and support local artists in Cheongju and grow together. After opening our first physical store, we felt that we could do much more in this space. So, we created a sales channel for local artists to join Goodju to sell and promote their goods. By planning various monthly events, citizen-participatory classes, and even local festivals, Goodju was able to establish itself as a platform where local creators and citizens meet, going beyond the boundaries of a typical store.

I heard that you also received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award in recognition of the Good Zoo Project.

I believe Goodju is an example that demonstrated that local goods are not just simple souvenirs, but can also capture the culture and tastes of the region. It has also garnered significant nationwide attention. While operating Goodju’s first and second offline stores, we have run illustration festivals that local communities can experience without having to travel to the metropolitan area, as well as artist debut training programs for citizens. We received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award in recognition of the contributions made to these projects. Because I became convinced of the potential of local content through these various processes, I also established the Yeoyuri Cooperative.

From Goodju to the Yeoyuri Cooperative, I can feel a special affection for the region of Cheongju.

Although I am not a native born and raised in Cheongju, I am a resident of 10 years who can confidently say that I know this city better than anyone, having explored it like a traveler for the past decade. I started my business while attending university in Cheongju, and as I went through marriage and childbirth, Cheongju naturally became the center of my life.

Goodju and Yeoyuri Cooperative differ in nature in that one is an individual and the other is a cooperative, so I imagine there were some concerns when expanding from Goodju to Yeoyuri Cooperative.

I do not view the journey from Goodju to the Yeoyuri Cooperative as a mere expansion. Goodju grew well over five years, garnering attention and producing many achievements. In fact, from Didi Motion's perspective, successfully concluding Goodju was a sufficient accomplishment in itself. The tangible achievements left by the Goodju brand were clear. However, for the artists who had worked with Goodju, it was not defined merely as "a single brand." The moment I heard stories that for some, it was like an oasis that allowed them to take their first steps as artists, I could not stop. I began to contemplate how to sustain the project within a more solid structure, and artists who resonated with this idea came together to establish the Yeoyuri Cooperative.

I heard that 15 young artists from Cheongju have gathered at the Yeoyuri Cooperative.

The Yeoyuri Cooperative is comprised of 15 artists working in diverse fields, ranging from design products, stationery, webtoons, living goods, jewelry, fabrics, and crafts. Although their fields differ, they share the commonality of continuing their creative work in Cheongju. In that sense, I believe the Yeoyuri Cooperative possesses an infrastructure that serves as a small map showcasing the 'spectrum of local design in Cheongju.'

What kind of work are the artists of the Yeoyuri Cooperative each continuing in Cheongju?

Didi Motion creates local design products such as Cheongju Hwatu, and 'Goni' is a calligrapher who makes dialect talismans. 'Amondeng Studio' is a stationery artist who produces couple characters, and 'Ferboae' is creating a new lineup by continuing the tradition of a fur sewing factory. 'Dear Mind' is producing psychology kits as a child psychology expert. Additionally, 'I'm' continues tufting work at a tufting workshop, 'Wooyeonhan Space' produces trendy typographic stationery, and 'Betterbee' makes fabric and knitting products. 'Fun Fun Village' creates character stationery featuring Cheongju's landmarks, 'Musim Otter' makes chenille dolls based on the otters of Musimcheon Stream, 'Hikitiki' creates natural material resin crafts and traditional Norigae, and 'Cheongju RPG' makes design lifestyle goods utilizing the sensibilities of a webtoon artist. 'Charalla' produces custom living products, 'Neupbom' makes silver jewelry, and 'Chibiko' manufactures fabric sewing and character T-shirts.

You can view and purchase artists' products directly at the Happiness Store in Connect Hyundai Cheongju, and I am also curious about how you formed a connection with Connect Hyundai Cheongju.

While working on the Good Zoo project, we created a local goods market in Cheongju and planned various activities, and it turned out that Hyundai Department Store was taking notice. They were also contemplating how to feature local brands in Cheongju ahead of the opening of Connect Hyundai Cheongju. Based on the experience and network built through Good Zoo, we discussed creating a select shop where local brands could establish a presence within the department store, and we officially opened a store at Connect Hyundai Cheongju under the current name, 'Cheongju Haengbok Sanghoe'.

Connect Hyundai bills itself as "a space that connects all the joys of the world." How would you describe the Cheongju Happiness Store, which is being created by the Yeoyuri Cooperative, as a space?

I believe Cheongju Haengbok Sanghoe serves as a channel for experiencing local values up close. While we don't have products backed by massive distribution networks like big corporate brands, we instead offer a wide variety of items crafted by artists' fingertips, designs that capture the region, and products filled with stories that blend seamlessly into everyday life. Customers visiting Cheongju Haengbok Sanghoe can experience joy that goes beyond the simple act of purchasing goods, feeling the artist's taste and dedication conveyed through their work. For the artists, it brings the happiness of seeing their art touch someone's life. I believe the role and joy of Cheongju Haengbok Sanghoe lies in creating moments where local sensibilities and stories connect with consumers.

Maker's Pick

3 Local Goods Recommended by Yeoyuri

Didimotion's 'Hogiwaryeoni Cheongju Hwatu'

Instead of Japanese Hwatu featuring natural landscapes, Cheongju Hwatu was produced featuring various Cheongju landmarks such as Musimcheon Stream, Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa, Yukgeori Market, and the airport. It is characterized by charming orange graphics.

Yeo Yu-ri's children's book <Yeou-ri, Where Are You Going? – Musimcheon Edition>

A children's book set against the backdrop of Musimcheon Stream in Cheongju. By developing the characters of the blue fox Yeouri and the food-eating fairy Muchichi, readers can fully experience the spring of Cheongju with all five senses through this book.

Uyeonhan Space's 'Dialect Sticker Set'

A Chungcheong dialect sticker set from Uyeonhan Space, which creates trendy typographic stationery. Chungcheong dialect words such as 'gyeo' and 'yu' have been produced as stickers in vibrant colors.