Ilkwang Lighting, which opened its doors in 1962, is the 'last incandescent light bulb company in Korea'. The company has faced several crises, including IMF, the penetration of low-cost Chinese products into the market, and the global incandescent light bulb retirement, but it has reoriented its business in time to become the lighting brand of choice for the MZ generation. Ilkwang Lighting redefined its business by focusing on the essential 'light' rather than the bulb. In the rebranding process, the brand pursued a ‘Long Life’ branding that could be used for a long time while stimulating nostalgia to preserve the brand's heritage. To overcome the resistance of existing employees to the change, the company justified it by demonstrating small wins. The leader's strong commitment to change also allayed their fears and bolstered their confidence.
One day in the spring of 1887, deep inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, Geoncheonggung Palace. For the first time in Joseon's history, electricity was turned on at Geoncheonggung Palace, the residence of Emperor Gojong and his Empress Myeongseong. It was about eight years after Edison invented the light bulb. It was also two years earlier than the first electric light fixture in the East, which was introduced in the Japanese palace that was supposed to lead the flowering of Asia. Court Lady Ahn, who watched the scene from the shadows, recalled in a 1936 interview with An Gyeom, a researcher on the history of light bulbs.
The machine was operated by Western hands.
It sucked up water from the pond and made a loud sound like boiling water and thunder.
A moment later, a branch-shaped glass in the palace
a brilliant light ignited in broad daylight.
Everyone was stunned.
To the Koreans, the lights were literally "unheard of" and "mysterious and terrifying," according to court lady Ahn. Someone said it was a ghost light, and others were scared and hid in dark places.
This content was translated into English by AI (using DeepL) from an article that was originally written in Korean in the DBR (Donga Business Review). Therefore, please understand that there may be some awkward expressions.
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