Backpacker CEO Kim Dong-hwan Upholds 'Author Success' as Top Priority

Backpacker CEO Kim Dong-hwan, at the 'Handmade Awards 2025', likened 2025 to 'formation flying', emphasizing that a bird flying alone may be fast but cannot go far, and only birds flying together can fly further. At this event, attended by over 300 creators, customers, and employees, he deeply explored the values of co-prosperity and mutual growth. Indeed, over the past year, this spirit of 'togetherness' led to remarkable achievements. They received the 'Artwork of the Year Award' from Disney, and 156 new products were launched through IP collaborations with Disney and Sanrio. A creator achieved 100 million KRW in monthly sales through a collaboration with Haitai Ice, and 'Seiri's Polapo perfume garnered enthusiastic reactions, with many questioning if it was an April Fool's event, making it the center of attention. Diverse collaborations with partners like Ottogi and Cookie Run not only gave wings to creators' imaginations but were also clearly demonstrated through actual sales and revenue. The 'Star Creator Project' is a program designed to discover hidden gem creators and support them with the goal of achieving 10 million KRW in monthly sales. It led the creator 'Libeyu', who had an average monthly sales of 60,000 KRW, to 10.81 million KRW in sales in just one month, and 83% of the 58 selected creators achieved their goals, realizing miraculous growth. This was one of the most moving stories Idus created together with its creators. Going beyond mere business, Backpacker is also genuinely committed to social contribution, expanding 'Songil Workshop', a craft class for the hearing impaired, and raising over 1 billion KRW through the 'Intangible Infinity Project' for intangible heritage preservation. This fund is particularly meaningful as it was gathered through the voluntary participation of d+ membership customers. Backpacker's service ecosystem, encompassing Idus, Tumblbug, and 10x10, has surpassed 2.8 trillion KRW in cumulative transaction value (Idus alone accounts for 1.3 trillion KRW) and 5 million monthly visitors, showcasing an overwhelming presence. The organic linkage between each platform provides new opportunities for creators, generating infinite synergy. In 2026, Backpacker will focus on four key areas: 'enhancing the gifting experience', 'expanding IP collaborations', 'deepening d+ membership', and 'global market (focus on Japan)'. Gifts that fully convey the value of handmade crafts, new IP opportunities such as the UNHCR-Peanuts collaboration, encouraging membership participation beyond quantitative growth, and continuous challenges in the Japanese market are strategic steps to 'fly further together'. CEO Kim's message, emphasizing the MOU with the National Heritage Administration by stating that "Handmade craft creators are the heritage of the Republic of Korea," reveals that their vision extends beyond simple business expansion to charting the future of Korean craft culture. CEO Kim once again emphasized an unchanging principle for the second consecutive year. "Creators may succeed without Idus. But Idus can never succeed without the success of its creators." His voice, empathizing with the loneliness of creators working alone until dawn and reminding them that they have walked that path 'together' for over 10 years, conveyed deep trust and a commitment to companionship. Thus, Backpacker's philosophy that 'birds flying together go further than those flying alone' is proven not by mere slogans but by actual actions and achievements.