Gwangbokjeol (광복절)
Gwangbokjeol (광복절) is a three-part book series exploring Korea’s path to independence through a visual language inspired by the colors and symbolism of the Korean flag. Reflecting on the 35 years of Japanese colonial rule and the meaning of Gwangbok, or “restoration of light,” the project asks how design can serve as a form of remembrance. Each book centers on one color of the flag and the meanings of Yin and Yang and its trigrams, inviting readers to engage more actively with history.
Focus:
↳ Book
↳ Editorial Design
Year
/
2024
Client
/
Tida Tep
The Blue Book
The first in the series. Blue in the Korean flag represents Yin, darkness, stillness, and sorrow. This book focuses on the negative space in Korean history: colonization, violence, and sacrifice. Through detailed texts, I guide the reader through the struggles of the 35 year occupation and the resistance that ultimately led to freedom.
It acknowledges pain as part of the path to independence.
The Red Book
The second in the series. Red represents Yang: brightness, energy, and life.
This book is a visual album of images taken before, during, and after colonization.
There are joyful moments and painful ones, but they exist together in a dynamic, image driven layout. Without words, the images speak and document the spirit of a people pushing forward.
The Black & White Book
The final book in the series. Black, as used in the flag’s trigrams, symbolizes balance, harmony, and power. This book is dedicated to Kim Ku, one of the most important figures in Korea’s independence movement. His legacy drives this final piece, which uses a freer, more energetic composition style. It is my tribute to a leader and a reminder of his vision that helped build a new future.