Welcome to a space unlike any other in the world, where leather is not only an essential element of interior design, but a defining cultural and identity factor. It is called GACH, it is much more than a “leather bar,” and it is located in the heart of Sinseol-dong, Seoul’s leather district. Telling its story is its CEO, Yoon Jung Won
Interview by Jean Kim
At the end of November 2026, we were in South Korea and, in Seoul, we discovered a space that—to the best of our knowledge—has no equal anywhere in the world. It is located in the heart of the leather streets of Sinseol-dong. Its name is GACH and, in a somewhat cursory way, it could be described as a “leather bar.” In reality, it is much more than that, because inside it leather is far more than a material or a furnishing element (even though it is used in particularly interesting and unprecedented ways).
It is a cultural, identity-defining factor which, not by chance, has attracted the interest of brands especially attentive to this dimension (for example, Polène) as well as key hubs of the global supply chain such as Lineapelle, and has led to ongoing collaborations and small-scale exhibitions with various Korean leather goods brands. Given the sense of wonder it generates as both a project and a space, telling the story of GACH would be very easy—and at the same time very complex—for those who, like us, arrived there on a cold, rainy afternoon at the end of November. So it is better to let its CEO, Yoon Jung Won, tell it himself. (LF)
What does GACH mean?
“Gat” is an old Korean word for leather. In English, it may be written simply as “GACH,” which can feel rather plain, but in Korean the name Gat itself is an old term used to refer to leather. This word remains in Korean expressions such as sal-gat, meaning “skin,” and in the traditional job title gat-bachi, referring to artisans who make leather shoes and work with leather, some of whom are officially recognized as holders of Intangible Cultural Heritage in contemporary Korean society.
Perché nasce GACH?
GACH didn’t begin with any grand plan to “build a brand.” When I was young, I used to follow my father through the leather districts of Sinseol-dong and Dongmyo, and the scenes I saw back then are still vivid in my mind. Every shop was filled with the smell of leather, the merchants all knew one another, and the streets were crowded with people dreaming of making bags and building brands. It wasn’t just an industrial area; it was a living place of dreams, livelihoods, and craftsmanship.
But over time, the streets grew quiet. As more production moved overseas, the industry left, and the old leather district started to look like just another cheap vintage market. It was heartbreaking. Watching this neighborhood slowly fade, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. That’s when a thought settled in my mind: “Before this street disappears completely, is there a way to bring its memory back to life?” That feeling became the starting point of GACH.
How does it fit into the context of Seoul’s leather district?
GACH is less a shop that sells products and more a gateway that connects the leather industry of Sinseol-dong and Dongmyo with a new generation, international visitors and global brands. Most people who visit here end up saying things like: “Can you really create a space like this with leather?”; “I never knew leather could be such an emotional material.” Those moments mean the most to me. Even people who have no interest in the industry begin to care once they can feel the charm of the material. Emotion moves industry. There is another role that is just as important. Designers, companies and brands still come to this leather district to source materials.
But I always felt it was a shame to see important discussions happening while standing in the middle of the street. That’s why GACH was created as a place where designers and brands can sit down comfortably, share ideas, and use it as a gateway for proposing, imagining, and planning together. The hope is that this natural flow leads back to fabric and leather purchases; to production in workshops and factories; and ultimately to revitalizing the industry. But there is one more thing GACH cares about deeply.
Which one?
The leather and fabric coasters we offer here are not made from newly purchased materials. They are upcycled from leather and textiles that were about to be discarded in the Sinseol-dong and Dongmyo leather district. In this neighborhood, a huge amount of fabric and leather is thrown away during sampling and production. It’s wasteful, harmful to the environment, and even costs money to dispose of. So GACH directly collects these materials from local merchants and cuts them, embosses the logo, and finishes them into new pieces.
Even though this process costs money, I never feel it’s a waste. My hope is that when someone takes a coaster home or gives it as a gift, it becomes a small device that lets them recall, in everyday life, the value of leather and fabric as materials. I believe that this single moment of reflection can lead to interest, exploration, learning, and eventually a connection back to the industry. In the longer term, our goal is to turn these once-discarded materials into new products, offer them at more accessible prices, and donate a portion of the proceeds to arts and cultural foundations.
Within the leather district, GACH stands out for its project quality, design care, and the culture of design it expresses. How can all these characteristics contribute to the redevelopment of the leather district? Is this redevelopment one of its objectives?
GACH is not a space that shows the function of leather, but the emotion of leather. People only move when they are moved. That’s why the entire space carries a single message: “Leather and textiles are not just materials lying on a factory floor, nor simply the luxury bags and wallets we carry. They are materials that have shaped eras and created emotions.” You need that one emotional spark for people to start seeking out materials walk into stores, learn, create and finally connect back to the industry. I believe the revitalization of an industry doesn’t come from promotion, but from the very moment someone becomes truly captivated. Just as I was captivated by that charm and created this space.
Since the project began, has GACH also attracted people/customers to the leather district who previously knew nothing about the tanning industry, thus increasing its visibility and awareness?
When someone who didn’t know anything about leather reaches the point where they say, “I want to buy leather,” it makes me truly happy. In fact, many walk in regular customers, foreigners just to have a coffee, but when they leave, they’re carrying our leather map with them. Later, they send me messages with photos of the products they’ve made themselves, or follow-up questions they’ve been thinking about. Every time I see that, I feel it again: “Creating people who love leather is the same as keeping the industry alive.” I believe it’s exactly these actions that eventually lead to the revitalization of the industry.
Can GACH be defined as a “cultural project”?
Yes, GACH is a cultural project. Culture is driven by memory and emotion, and an industry only truly comes alive when people themselves start to move. Coffee, desserts, and cocktails are simply tools to help people stay a little longer. In those moments when they eat, drink, and enjoy themselves and when natural conversations begin to flow. We are able to reinterpret, in a contemporary way, the layers of time and identity that have accumulated on this street and gently awaken their senses.
What are its development goals?
To become a kind of landmark within the Sinseol-dong leather district a place that shows, “the history of this street is distilled here.” To create a culture where anyone can learn about leather, an environment where not only designers and entrepreneurs, but also everyday people can feel, “I could make something with leather too.” In addition: global expansion. We’ve already received a proposal for a GACH project in Chengdu, China, and are in discussions. I don’t want this to be “export” in the conventional sense, but a form of expansion that shares our cultural philosophy and sensibility. And this is a very personal dream, but One day, I hope this street will be officially designated as “Gat-gil (갗路)”. The years spent here by the merchants and artisans of this district fully deserve that honor.
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