Island: A Soju Glass Inspired by Korean Islands

Dohwa's Unique Glassware Design Marries Korean Culture with Premium Drinking Experience

The design's inspiration stems from a trip to Ulleung Island. Amid the growing demand for high-end spirits, the designers noticed the upside-down glass resembled an island floating in the sea. This observation, combined with the Korean language Hangul, led to the creation of a new type of glassware.

Unlike the uniform shape of traditional soju glasses, Island takes its form from the Korean islands, Dokdo and Ulleungdo. The name of the island is engraved in Korean at the bottom of the glass, further enhancing its uniqueness. The glass is designed to resemble an island turned upside down, adding a touch of novelty to the drinking experience.

To realize this design, Dohwa used unleaded crystal materials, known for their superior refraction and bright colors. This material is ideal for detailed representations of artifacts and is both healthy and environmentally friendly. The glass stands 57mm tall, with a diameter of 61mm, and weighs 105 grams. It has a total capacity of approximately 50ml, with a recommended pour of 30 to 40ml.

The design process started in July 2017 in Seoul, South Korea, with the development of unleaded crystal materials in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. The final molds and designs were completed in November 2019, with the first sample arriving in the same month. The project exceeded its funding target by more than 2000% in early December 2019.

Island faced several challenges during its development, the most significant being the balancing of the bottom of the glass. The designers had to ensure that the letters placed at the bottom were uniform, a task that required many trials and errors. Despite these challenges, Island was awarded the Golden A' Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware, and Cookware Design Award in 2021, a testament to its outstanding design and innovation.