DH Global’s 150L compact kimchi refrigerator
U2 System’s Purisoo Plus
KIDP Logo
Operates the DESIGN KOREA Pavilion alongside 13 Design-Led Manufacturers and 4 Design Innovators, Supporting Commercial Success through Business Consultations and Matchmaking
BERLIN, GERMANY, September 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Korea Institute of Design Promotion (President: Yoon Joo Kang, hereinafter KIDP) is set to take part in the world’s foremost consumer electronics and technology event, the ‘Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin 2026 (IFA 2026),’ taking place in Berlin, Germany from September 4 through 8, and will run the DESIGN KOREA Pavilion.
IFA is acknowledged as one of the globe’s top three consumer electronics and technology shows, sitting alongside CES in the United States and MWC in Spain. It functions as a commercial hub where cutting-edge technologies, startups, and novel products converge, drawing more than 200,000 international buyers and visitors every year.
Now in its second year following its initial launch in 2025, the DESIGN KOREA Pavilion features 17 companies: 13 manufacturers showcasing design-led, innovative items and 4 Korean design innovators with world-class design consulting expertise. The pavilion intends to illustrate that Korean design goes beyond mere product creation to delivering full-spectrum solutions and design advisory services.
Among the manufacturers, DH Global presents a newly reimagined 150L compact kimchi refrigerator, adapted from an existing soju refrigerator and utilizing high-efficiency cooling, exact temperature management, and low-noise design technology. Meanwhile, U2 System applies its UX R&D strengths to introduce ‘Purisoo Plus,’ an design-led, innovative product that filters contaminated water using a pump-action filter.
The design studios take part in the ‘Korea’s Design Innovator’s Program.’ This program was established to help leading Korean design studios build global businesses and enter overseas markets by selecting design firms with strong international potential and providing support through exhibitions, B2B meetings, and networking. During the exhibition, a B2B networking event called ‘Korean Design Meets Berlin: Built for Real Life’ will take place to foster collaboration and uncover new business prospects with German firms.
Among the design studios, ABOVE is an integrated design consultancy covering products, spaces, and branding. Drawing on its experience contributing to the development of ‘Moovin Tracing,’ a motion capture solution from the startup Moovin—which created the world’s first system combining LiDAR sensors and AI—ABOVE intends to evaluate global demand and explore partnership opportunities with international clients at this show. Additionally, BDCI, Second White, and intenxiv are also participating.
KIDP will also organize on-site business consultations and matchmaking programs throughout the exhibition. This allows participating companies to engage directly with global buyers and customers while gaining insights into local market dynamics, culture, and design trends.
After the exhibition ends, 1:1 customized consulting with export and legal specialists will be offered to companies that lack overseas expansion experience, aiding them in follow-up negotiations with buyers, sample shipments, and contract reviews—thus boosting their chances of successfully entering international markets.
Yoon Joo Kang, President of the Korea Institute of Design Promotion, commented, “IFA is a global business stage where world-class home appliance and tech companies, buyers, and investors come together, providing a vital opportunity for our firms to present their innovative design products and capabilities to the global market. We will continue to actively support domestic businesses in expanding their opportunities for global collaboration.”
□ Overview of DESIGN KOREA Pavilion
ㅇ Exhibition Name: DESIGN KOREA 2026
ㅇ Location: IFA Next Hall H25-361
ㅇ Scale: 170.5㎡
ㅇ Participating Companies: 17 beneficiary companies of KIDP enterprise support projects
* Manufacturers: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation Project Participants (12 companies)
* Manufacturers: Design x Tech Project Participants (1 company)
* Design Firms: Korea’s Design Innovators (4 companies)
* Total: 17 companies
DESIGN KOREA Pavilion Poster
List of Participating Companies in the DESIGN KOREA Pavilion
□ Manufacturers (Enterprise Support Project Beneficiaries)
1. SM
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: Premium Nail Dust Collector
* Developed for European market entry
* Captures 99.9% of fine dust
2. Hexainnoheal
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: Amber Q
* Device for acute and chronic pain relief
* Compact, lightweight design with wearable straps applicable to wrists, elbows, knees, shoulders, etc.
3. EKLEER
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: Smart Display
* Creates a hybrid desktop environment powered solely by smartphone connection (provides business infrastructure by supporting smartphone mirroring and desktop mode)
4. Yeomyung Lighting
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: LED Smart Streetlight
* Automatically adjusts illumination brightness according to human motion using dimming sensors
5. Eflow
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: HyDee
* High-efficiency power generation device based on compact hydrogen fuel cells (generates electricity with hydrogen alone)
* Provides stable power supply in diverse outdoor environments
6. DARAM
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: Caesar
* Healthcare product in male urology/orthopedics
* CES 2024 Innovation Award Honoree
7. EMSONIC
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: Lumio
* 230g ultra-lightweight portable Bluetooth speaker
* Easily attachable to metal surfaces via built-in magnet at the bottom of the product
8. U2 System
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: Purisoo Plus
* Portable water purifying bottle
* Composed of 3 modular filters, adaptable to various environments and water conditions
* Removes 99.9% of waterborne bacteria causing human diseases
9. DH Global
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: 150L Compact Kimchi Refrigerator
* 100% domestically produced small refrigerator
* Compact 150L capacity suitable for single-person households, pensions, offices, etc.
* Multi-purpose usage modes applied
10. Bokuk Electronics
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: Humidifier
* Improves energy efficiency and achieves rapid humidification with localized heating system
* Hygienic management facilitated by dishwasher-safe stainless steel inner pot
11. PTG Company
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: Bartooler
* Modular coffee/beverage dispenser machine
* Equipped with DID display for advertising playback
12. MOTOWAY
* Project: Design-driven Manufacturing Innovation
* Exhibit Product: SeraCam
* Designed to overcome video recording challenges caused by dust and damage in heavy equipment industrial sites
* Emits warning alarm when people approach danger zones
13. FRT Robotics
* Project: Design-Technology Full Lifecycle Collaboration Support
* Exhibit Product: Upper Limb Power-Assisted Soft Exo-Gear
* Lightweight wearable robot to reduce repetitive waist work strain in industrial environments
□ Design Studios (Korea’s Design Innovators)
1. BDCI
* Founded: 2015
* Specialty: Product, Visual, Digital Design
* Company Profile: Executing projects in medical/bio and electronics with domestic and international enterprises including Samsung Electronics, Kyowon, Haier (China), Nama (USA), etc.
* Website: [www.bdcidesign.com](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bdcidesign.com)
* Representative Project: Hybrid CT (JPI Healthcare)
2. Second White
* Founded: 2016
* Specialty: Product, Visual Design
* Company Profile: Executing design development projects in electronics, home appliances, and tech with domestic and global companies including LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor, Lotte, Xiaomi (China), etc.
* Website: [www.secondwhite.com](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.secondwhite.com)
* Representative Project: HoloKit X AR Headset (Collaboration with HoloKit/Apple)
3. ABOVE
* Founded: 2019
* Specialty: Product, Visual, Spatial, Service Design
* Company Profile: Executed numerous projects with domestic and global brands including L’Oréal skin beauty device product design, COEX Starfield Library spatial design, etc.
* Website: www.above.studio
* Representative Project: Snow Pavilion (COEX Starfield Library)
4. Intenxiv
* Founded: 2014
* Specialty: Product Design
* Company Profile: Executing various projects in electronics and small home appliances with domestic and international enterprises including Hyundai Motor, KT, Samsung Electronics, Coway, Haier (China), etc.
* Website: [www.intenxiv.com](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.intenxiv.com)
* Representative Project: Air Purifier (CESCO)
Overview of Korea’s Design Innovators B2B Networking Event
□ Overview of Design Business Consultations and Networking Event
ㅇ (Event Name) Korean Design Meets Berlin: Built for Real Life
* Human-Centred products designed for the way people live and work
ㅇ (Objective) Expanding business contact points and discovering new collaboration opportunities with German companies to create overseas business for Korean design firms
ㅇ (Date/Venue) September 3 (Thu), 2026, 18:00 ~ 21:00 / JUNI Mitte
* JUNI Mitte: A startup factory supporting science and technology-based entrepreneurship in the Berlin-Brandenburg region, assisting the expansion of scientific research outcomes from research institutes, universities, and industry into real businesses and global markets.
ㅇ (Attendees) Approx. 40 attendees, including design-driven enterprises such as local startups and designers.
ㅇ (Program Configuration) Design enterprise pitching & networking, showcase exhibition
ㅇ (Order of Events)
* 18:00~19:00: Registration and Pre-dinner Networking
* 19:00~19:10: Welcome Address and Opening Remarks
* 19:10~19:20: Opening Keynote (Cross-Border Design Collaboration between Korea and Germany) – HERE Technologies, Jan Michaelis
* 19:20~19:40: Group Photo and Design Company Pitching – 4 Design Firms
* 19:40~20:00: Q&A
* 20:00~21:00: Exhibition Viewing and Networking
* HERE Technologies: A global company specializing in mapping and location technology for automotive, mobility, and logistics sectors
Nara SUH
Korea Institute of Design Promotion
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