We have grown by continuously reflecting on what we create and how we advance. Every step of our journey has led us to where we stand today.
Every step along our journey has held its own meaning and value. Today, the world seeks not only WHAT we create and HOW we create it, but also the WHY behind it all. This shift highlights the new challenges of our time
The question of "WHY" has never been more important.
Our Beginnings
We have grown by continuously reflecting on what we create and how we advance. Every step of our journey has led us to where we stand today.
Every step along our journey has held its own meaning and value. Today, the world seeks not only WHAT we create and HOW we create it, but also the WHY behind it all. This shift highlights the new challenges of our time
The question of "WHY" has never been more important.
Why We Need New Questions
In a rapidly changing world, we now stand before new questions. Now, we must ask WHY?
Our Purpose
WHY = PURPOSE
In an era of instant answers, unseen choices, overwhelming connectivity,
and uncertainty, the answer we must hold onto is WHY—our PURPOSE.
WHY is the simplest yet most fundamental compass
we have to respond to the challenges of our time.
A Shift
FROM HOW TO WHY
Until now, we have pursued growth with HOW at the center.
Now, in balance with WHY, we must seek deeper meaning and clearer direction.
When WHY takes the center, the HOW becomes even clearer.
Mastery of HOW
Through WHAT and HOW, we have achieved rapid progress and countless human achievements. However, today’s challenges cannot be fully addressed by these methods alone.
The Need for WHY
In an age of instantaneous answers, predetermined choices, overwhelming connectivity, and uncertainty, we need deeper meaning and clear direction to move forward with purpose.
A Shift in Balance
When WHY takes the center, the HOW becomes even clearer. In this balance, our achievements gain deeper meaning and sustainability.
WHAT IS YOUR WHY
This is a question for all of us to ask.
Our Method
ASK, SHARE, CREATE
WHY:2025 is more than a conversation—
it is a shared process of asking, sharing, and creating.
These three actions lead us to discover and expand our WHY
Our Purpose
WHY = PURPOSE
In an era of instant answers, unseen choices, overwhelming connectivity,
and uncertainty, the answer we must hold onto is WHY—our PURPOSE.
WHY is the simplest yet most fundamental compass
we have to respond to the challenges of our time.
2025 : Forum Theme
MINDSET:
Thinking with Purpose
The WHY:2025 Global Forum unfolds through
the practice of Ask? Share: Create!
Our journey begins this year with the theme, ’Mindset’.
A Shift
FROM HOW TO WHY
Until now, we have pursued growth with HOW at the center.
Now, in balance with WHY, we must seek deeper meaning and clearer direction.
When WHY takes the center, the HOW becomes even clearer.
Mastery of HOW
Through WHAT and HOW, we have achieved rapid progress and countless human achievements. However, today’s challenges cannot be fully addressed by these methods alone.
The Need for WHY
In an age of instantaneous answers, predetermined choices, overwhelming connectivity, and uncertainty, we need deeper meaning and clear direction to move forward with purpose.
A Shift in Balance
When WHY takes the center, the HOW becomes even clearer.
In this balance, our achievements
gain deeper meaning and sustainability.
2025 : Forum Theme
WHY: 2025
Our First Step Together
Our journey toward WHY begins with Mindset. The Global and Design Mindsets shape how we see the world and how we connect with one another.
Together, they reveal the first step of our journey toward WHY.
A mindset is never complete on its own. It grows deeper and stronger when we listen, share, and grow together.
WHY:2025 is a place to explore and share these mindsets collectively.
"WHAT IS YOUR WHY"
This is a question for all of us to ask.
Our Method
ASK, SHARE, CREATE
WHY:2025 is more than a conversation—it is a
shared process of asking, sharing, and creating.
These three actions lead us to discover and expand our WHY
2025: Forum Theme
MINDSET:
Thinking with Purpose
The WHY:2025 Global Forum unfolds through the practice of Ask? Share: Create! Our journey begins this year with the theme, ’Mindset’.
2025: Forum Theme
WHY: 2025
Our First Step Together
Our journey toward WHY begins with Mindset. The Global and Design Mindsets shape how we see the world and how we connect with one another.
Together, they reveal the first step of our journey toward WHY.
A mindset is never complete on its own. It grows deeper and stronger when we listen, share, and grow together.
WHY:2025 is a place to explore and share these mindsets collectively.
Program Overview
November 12 - 16
Exhibition at Design Korea (COEX)
KFDA 30-Year Archive Exhibition
A visual archive tracing the path of Korean design over the past 30 years, highlighting its history, collective practices, and shared progress.
The inaugural session of the WHY:2025 Forum is dedicated to 'Design Leadership,' exploring new paradigms of leadership that connect the city with its institutions, policies, and citizens. We will examine how leadership, at the intersection where administration, industry, design, and citizens meet, can actively shape a 'City of Creativity and Inclusion.'
SE-HOON OH
Mayor of the Seoul
Vice-Chair & Steering Committee Member
C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
Visionary strategist positioning Seoul as Asia’s Design Capital and climate leader
HYUN-SUN KIM
Chair, Korea Federal Design Association
Chair of DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza)
President of KHSD (KimHyunSun Design)
Creator of urban-color identities that define Korea’s design landscape.
CATHY LEE
Professor, IDAS Hongik University
Design Management
Global Network Director, 30th KFDA Anniversary
Cross-Cultural Expert & Leadership Mentor
Member of Scientific Council of the MFI (CNMI)
SESSION 1. GLOBAL MINDSET
An Open Attitude to the World: Leadership that Learns and Grows Together
The second session of the WHY:2025 Forum is dedicated to 'Global Mindset,' exploring the common values of leadership formed across diverse backgrounds and cultures. We will seek to chart a course for leadership that learns from and grows alongside the world, built upon attitudes of diversity, inclusion, and collaboration.
JENNY MING
Rothy’s CEO
Founding President, Old Navy
Iconic retail leader now coaching global executives in purpose-driven leadership and brand growth.
EUN MEE KIM
UN Women National Ambassador
President, Ewha Womans University
Scholar-diplomat advancing inclusive development and leadership in higher education.
SØREN VESTER HALDRUP
UNDP Global Policy Centre for Governance
Policy Advisor
Applies design thinking to complex public-sector systems.
SESSION 2. DESIGN MINDSET
Perspective Transformed by Thought: Redesigning the World with Human Sensibility
The final session of the WHY:2025 Forum is dedicated to the 'Design Mindset,' exploring how creative thinking and a human-centered sensibility fundamentally redesign the relationships among the world, organizations, and society.
ENRIQUE MARTINEZ GONZÁLEZ
Founder and President of Muchieast
Strategic Designer, Former Government Innovation Advisor Drives human-centered policy and civic-service innovation.
SIMON GEOFFREY LOASBY
Senior Vice President, HMG
Head of Hyundai Global Design Center
Leading global design leadership and innovation through harmony of emotion and culture.
KEN NAH
Board Member, World Design Organization
As a WDO board member
he advances global design leadership and innovation.
Our partners are committed collaborators, sharing a design-driven mindset and working toward meaningful impact.
Their participation stands as a shared belief in the power of inquiry, discussion, and creative action.
