Yoon  Marymond is a company that aims to recover dignity through design contents. The first partner of Marymond is the military sex slave victims. We used floral patterns that are derived from their paintings, or used flower patterns that remind us of their characters. Through this project, we are trying to rediscover them not simply as victims, but human rights activists.

 

Yoon There are currently numerous programs like the “Impact Run” and weekly protests held on Wednesdays. A memorial forest is also being planted in China. Listening to their stories and paying close attention to related activities will be a great help.

 

Yoon  Definitely. We are planning on partnering with another group of people and rediscovering their human dignity next year. We also collaborate with several non-governmental agencies, participate in campaigns, and design special products.

 

 

Yoon  We, the Marymond team, are very thankful for our customers who are willing to purchase our products and listen to the stories that we are enthusiastic to tell the world. We view them as supporters of Marymond. We are trying to give back to them by hosting interesting programs and places where their stories can be heard and shared also.

 

Yoon  As the leader of Marymond, my job is to ensure our teammates have the best working environment. I believe that for a person to come up with creative products and innovative ideas, one should make enough money to sustain a high quality of life. The idea of making a living is important to me and I try my best to provide appropriate rewards for my teammates’ achievements. Furthermore, a comfortable working environment is crucial. When a teammate is most efficient when they listen to music, I buy speakers for him or her. I think of these ideas to support our team and make the best out of our work when I am alone with my thoughts. The commute time when I walk to our office is when I get most of my thinking done.

 

Yoon  The time when I visited the historical museum of the military sex slave victims is a hard memory to forget. I got to indirectly experience the fear they may have felt as young girls. Also, when I met them in person, it was invigorating that they all had very diverse and special characteristics. I learned that it is in fact an arrogant idea that what I am doing is helping them. I am simply running a business that is frankly a fan club of them. (Smiles)

 

 

Yoon  I feel like the people I met during my university days were the most precious gift I received from college life. I am especially grateful to have met my mentor, Professor Kim Jae Wook (Department of Business Administration) who helped me to think critically and challenge myself.

 

Yoon  I feel like the satisfaction overall is high but it depends on the situation. As a startup company, there are 90 times when I feel discouraged and challenged, but there are also the 10 times that I feel exhilarated and satisfied. Those times are usually when the families of our partners thank us or when I feel our team has grown and improved.

 

GT  What is your future dream?

Yoon  My future dream cannot exclude Marymond unless I get old and retire. It is a huge part of my life. I hope that Marymond develops more as a business and partners with various people to rediscover their worth and dignity. We hope to create a platform that can connect people and provide meaningful products and services.

 

Yoon  Originally, I did not have any, but as working as the representative of Marymond, the motto of our company, “You are beautiful as you are” became my motto. As I continue this work, I resonate with this idea even more. I would like to tell KU students to remember this, too. What you are is enough and you deserve the dignity of existence. Whatever failures or challenges that you encounter in life, please remember that you are precious and special no matter what.