So Jung Lee

Born in Seoul, South Korea

As a child, I remember being surrounded by children's toys and stationeries that my father’s company created. There were little dolls that changed hair color, ones that drank orange juice, ones that made funny noises, small collapsible pencil cases that turned into robots and tiny doll houses, colorful erasers shaped after forest animals and cartoon characters. 

I spent a lot of time experiencing a little magic everyday.

At age nine, my family and I immigrated to the United States. There is a fond memory of us driving and passing through endless roads, sometimes up to 20 hours a day.

I watched sunrises and sunsets, I saw endless mountain peaks, I listened to the sound of creeks in the night and the flickers of wood fire burning. These moments consoled us, away from the place we used to call home, severed from our families and relatives. 

In this space, I want to take a moment, pause, and reflect on what deeply motivates me to create. I founded KÓKILI PROJECTS, a design studio focused on interiors, furniture, and products, to create environments that inspire wonder. I seek to capture powerful experiences, by traveling widely for inspirations, grounding ourselves in historical context, and finding solutions to create beauty that leave indelible impressions.