2025

Design Awards Silver Winner - SUM Korea Co., Ltd.

Polluck: Eco Good Luck Charm Inspired by Asian Folklore

Entrant

SUM Korea Co., Ltd.

Category

Decorative Items - Bells / Chimes

Client's Name

Country / Region:

South Korea

Polluck, named by blending “Pollack” with “Luck,” is a contemporary reinterpretation of a traditional Korean good luck symbol, the Aekmagi Myeongtae (dried pollack), long believed to ward off misfortune. Rooted in a generational shift, Polluck emerged in response to a growing trend: among Korea’s MZ (Millennial and Gen Z) generation, anxiety and uncertainty surrounding issues like job insecurity, social unrest, and climate change have led to a revival of symbolic objects that offer emotional reassurance. Lucky charms like dried pollack have reappeared in popular culture not just as nostalgic artifacts but also as personalized, talismanic objects for self-care and emotional grounding.
Polluck is crafted from PaperMarble, a unique upcycled material made from shredded post-industrial waste paper, including hard-to-recycle coated prints, combined with minerals and plant-based resins. Every piece is 100% handmade, making each one distinctive in its marbling pattern and texture, with occasional visible paper fragments celebrating material imperfection as beauty. This careful craftsmanship ensures that every Polluck has a one-of-a-kind identity.
The design merges cultural symbolism with emotional intelligence. Its wide-open mouth and round eyes reflect a spiritual guardian swallowing misfortune, while the silk-thread-wrapped body expresses wishes for enduring luck and positive energy. Available in five colors, Yellow, Blue, Purple, Orange, and White, Polluck brings a range of moods, infusing spaces with emotional value. The colors are selected to evoke peace, energy, and harmony.
Polluck is not just a decorative object; it is a hybrid piece between sculpture, craft, and design. It serves as both an amulet and a functional item. Its tactile presence allows users to emotionally connect with it, as it can function as a wind chime, doorbell, or simply a poetic interior design piece. Polluck isn’t just “owned”—it’s emotionally adopted, transforming spaces with its cultural depth and inviting moments of reflection and connection.
Through a fusion of traditional inspiration, sustainable innovation, and emotional storytelling, Polluck redefines the lucky charm as a meaningful and contemporary artifact. It allows users to engage with heritage in new ways, mindfully, joyfully, and with care for the planet, celebrating the harmony between craftsmanship, culture, and sustainability.

Credits

Jihee Baik
Duckyeon Kim
Byoungbai Lee
Joonoh Shin
Jihye Oh
Soojung Kim
Hakkwon Kim
Seokjin Seo
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