Some Trends to Watch for in 2009
Published on | Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The year 2008 is coming to an end and it is time to look for new trends that will shine in the year 2009. From micro-celebrities to custom-made bed ware and mini-fiction, The Korea Times looks into some of the anticipated trends of 2009.
You 2.0: Micro-Celebrities
People branding is not new. Many people have franchised themselves through various channels as just another way to separate themselves from others and be recognized in the long run. While it is already a big trend in Korea, next year will see a more enthusiastic race to become famous, not as a television star, but as a micro-celebrity.
While many stars take the usual route to stardom by appearing in hit television shows and movies, there are people who became famous through the Internet.
Nowadays, it is easy to get "noticed", with the help of popular Web sites such as YouTube, Facebook, myspace and cyworld. These "celebrities" may have different purposes and ideas, but the common reason for their high popularity is that they bring a breath of fresh air among some of the cookie-cutter celebrity characters seen on television and movie screens.
Being such a high-tech savvy nation, Korea saw the rise of these micro celebrities already a few years ago. Actress Koo Hye-sun became famous for being one of the prettiest girls on the Web, and other users topped Web sites' popularity charts with their dance, vocal and other distinctive talents. By making their own brand as themselves, young and up and coming artists, actors and even comedians may be waiting to be noticed somewhere on the Web.
Discreet Chic
Many people are fond of luxury goods for various reasons: they are stylish, portray a certain status and usually come with a higher quality. So for the past years, showing off the luxury on one's feet or shoulder was a good thing, but for some it seemed a little too much.
"Discreet chic" represents people who are tired of logos explicitly shown on their bags and clothes, but are still fond of the craftsmanship some famous brands offer. Thus many brands have come out with their own version of this modest trend, from simple wallets to big bags, leaving usually overstated trademark logos behind. One popular brand that has followed the trend from the start is Bottega Veneta. Although far from affordable, the Italian brand offers hand-woven leather goods from bags to belts and shoes. A distinctive feature of its bags is that they are generally labeled only on the inside, following their slogan "When your own initials are enough".
Living the Live
When the Korean public was outraged with President Lee Myung-bak's decision regarding the import of American beef, they got together on the streets downtown and started candle-light protests, with participants ranging from middle-school students to moms. News networks hurriedly reported the demonstrations, but there were limitations due to deadlines and some unfriendly participants who did not like the idea of appearing on major broadcasters. A group of amateur networks and even participants who carried video cameras started to air the candle-light protests inside and out via the Internet, winning over people who were not able to join and those who wanted real live footage of the events.
Networks have also recognized the importance of "nowness" among television drama fans, for many of them air important press conferences of dramas and other television shows through the Internet, even interacting with users by asking questions and offering quizzes. With the help of the Internet and other mobile gadgets, the route and channels of "living the live" is expected to expand as a whole.
Bespoke
Custom-made products offer individuality. Thus, the demand for that special product that carrying one's personal preference and style will continue to thrive for the time being. Australia's bed ware brand "bespoken" offers personalized bed ware and accessories for children, while the United Kingdom's "Bespoken For" offers bridal jewelry and couture designs, following a customer's request from start to finish. The products have enlarged to apartments like Byuksan Construction's Blooming apartment and now even cars. KIA released SOUL, its new CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) Monday and offered various colors, graphic designs and exterior and interior options that enable buyers to personalize their own vehicle. Visit SOUL's Web site at http://www.soul.kia.co.kr and create your own version of SOUL.
FaSTeR
Time is of the essence nowadays, and customers and manufacturers alike are appreciating products and concepts that help them finish their work faster and more efficiently. The local literature scene has opened up to new genres like mini-fiction. Mini-fiction started in the 1990s, but the trend has reached Korea with the help of Internet Web sites and blogs. Short stories are not only fast to read, but also to write, and mini-fiction brings these two features together. Web site www.minifiction.com offers a well-known list and entries of mini-fiction writers here and abroad, complete with a message board where visitors can instantly leave comments.
Staff Reporter
The year 2008 is coming to an end and it is time to look for new trends that will shine in the year 2009. From micro-celebrities to custom-made bed ware and mini-fiction, The Korea Times looks into some of the anticipated trends of 2009.
You 2.0: Micro-Celebrities
People branding is not new. Many people have franchised themselves through various channels as just another way to separate themselves from others and be recognized in the long run. While it is already a big trend in Korea, next year will see a more enthusiastic race to become famous, not as a television star, but as a micro-celebrity.
While many stars take the usual route to stardom by appearing in hit television shows and movies, there are people who became famous through the Internet.
Nowadays, it is easy to get "noticed", with the help of popular Web sites such as YouTube, Facebook, myspace and cyworld. These "celebrities" may have different purposes and ideas, but the common reason for their high popularity is that they bring a breath of fresh air among some of the cookie-cutter celebrity characters seen on television and movie screens.
Being such a high-tech savvy nation, Korea saw the rise of these micro celebrities already a few years ago. Actress Koo Hye-sun became famous for being one of the prettiest girls on the Web, and other users topped Web sites' popularity charts with their dance, vocal and other distinctive talents. By making their own brand as themselves, young and up and coming artists, actors and even comedians may be waiting to be noticed somewhere on the Web.
Discreet Chic
Many people are fond of luxury goods for various reasons: they are stylish, portray a certain status and usually come with a higher quality. So for the past years, showing off the luxury on one's feet or shoulder was a good thing, but for some it seemed a little too much.
"Discreet chic" represents people who are tired of logos explicitly shown on their bags and clothes, but are still fond of the craftsmanship some famous brands offer. Thus many brands have come out with their own version of this modest trend, from simple wallets to big bags, leaving usually overstated trademark logos behind. One popular brand that has followed the trend from the start is Bottega Veneta. Although far from affordable, the Italian brand offers hand-woven leather goods from bags to belts and shoes. A distinctive feature of its bags is that they are generally labeled only on the inside, following their slogan "When your own initials are enough".
Living the Live
When the Korean public was outraged with President Lee Myung-bak's decision regarding the import of American beef, they got together on the streets downtown and started candle-light protests, with participants ranging from middle-school students to moms. News networks hurriedly reported the demonstrations, but there were limitations due to deadlines and some unfriendly participants who did not like the idea of appearing on major broadcasters. A group of amateur networks and even participants who carried video cameras started to air the candle-light protests inside and out via the Internet, winning over people who were not able to join and those who wanted real live footage of the events.
Networks have also recognized the importance of "nowness" among television drama fans, for many of them air important press conferences of dramas and other television shows through the Internet, even interacting with users by asking questions and offering quizzes. With the help of the Internet and other mobile gadgets, the route and channels of "living the live" is expected to expand as a whole.
Bespoke
Custom-made products offer individuality. Thus, the demand for that special product that carrying one's personal preference and style will continue to thrive for the time being. Australia's bed ware brand "bespoken" offers personalized bed ware and accessories for children, while the United Kingdom's "Bespoken For" offers bridal jewelry and couture designs, following a customer's request from start to finish. The products have enlarged to apartments like Byuksan Construction's Blooming apartment and now even cars. KIA released SOUL, its new CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) Monday and offered various colors, graphic designs and exterior and interior options that enable buyers to personalize their own vehicle. Visit SOUL's Web site at http://www.soul.kia.co.kr and create your own version of SOUL.
FaSTeR
Time is of the essence nowadays, and customers and manufacturers alike are appreciating products and concepts that help them finish their work faster and more efficiently. The local literature scene has opened up to new genres like mini-fiction. Mini-fiction started in the 1990s, but the trend has reached Korea with the help of Internet Web sites and blogs. Short stories are not only fast to read, but also to write, and mini-fiction brings these two features together. Web site www.minifiction.com offers a well-known list and entries of mini-fiction writers here and abroad, complete with a message board where visitors can instantly leave comments.
Advertisement