"What Luxury Means to Me" Samsung Cultural Foundation Publishes Magazine Wana Issue 5 'Luxury and Me'

"Diverse Definitions of Luxury: 'Discovery or Overlap'
Aiming to Be a 'Platform Where People and Art Meet'"

Samsung Foundation of Culture (Chairman Kim Hwang-sik) announced on the 12th that it has published the 5th issue of the cultural arts magazine WANA, titled 'Luxury Wa Na.'

Wana No. 5_Cover.
[Photo by Samsung Cultural Foundation]

WANA is a cultural arts magazine that aims to tell stories created by creators for creators. Since its launch in May last year, it has covered themes such as crafts, body (dance), writing, and food.

This issue, themed 'What Luxury Means to Me,' features fashion stylist and creative director Seo Young-hee as the guest editor-in-chief.

'Luxury Wa Na' introduces a new perspective on luxury through seven individuals. It asks what luxury means to designer Kim Ji-yong of the menswear brand JiyongKim, Lim Tae-hee, head of Lim Tae-hee Design Studio, Park Sun-ah, art director of Nudeik, Korea’s first-generation fashion designer Jin Tae-ok, film director Hong Ji-young, Lee Seok-jin of Baker, who runs Single Bakery, and guest editor-in-chief Seo Young-hee.

For them, luxury exists not as a specific object or brand but as a kind of 'state (-ity),' newly defined with keywords such as 示 (indication), 記好 (sign), 解 (interpretation), 無 (nothingness), 怖捉 (capture), 品 (quality), and 結 (connection).

The interview format is multidimensional, including monologues, diaries, letters and conversations, docent guides for readers, or a collection of stories, highlighting the individuality of each person and their narrative.

The cover artwork was created by artist Lee Yoon-ho, who has captured everyday scenes with a small camera, photographing 'luxury' as found around us. The editorial design was handled by Shin Shin (designers Shin Hae-ok and Shin Dong-hyuk), who have been involved since the inaugural issue.

Wana No. 5_Inside.
Photo by Samsung Cultural Foundation

Guest editor Seo Young-hee said, “There is no need to read in order or focus intensely. I hope readers can relax their thoughts and absentmindedly ask themselves, ‘What was luxury to me?’ I would be happy if somewhere in this book you find a subtle connection that resembles you.”

'WANA' is a ‘One-Theme’ magazine that selects one topic in the arts field per issue and highlights people at its center. Each issue invites a new guest editor to introduce fresh perspectives and inspiring artists.

Published three times a year with 5,000 copies per issue, it is available at libraries, independent bookstores, and complex cultural spaces nationwide. Individual readers can subscribe for free by applying through the Samsung Foundation of Culture website. Various content such as magazine release news, interview videos, and behind-the-scenes footage can be found on the Instagram account (@wana_culture).