[…] In pre-modern times, and even up to the end of the 20th century, identity was connected to classes or grown social contexts. This identity could also combine contradictory elements and it was extended and colored by the individuals within the context.
Late capitalism with it’s market principles fragmented and flattened this. Social contexts became more or less liquid peer groups and identity is reduced to its basic idea: difference. But this difference doesn’t imply complexity or contradiction anymore. It becomes as clean, simple, and logic as brand identities should be. And identity and individuality become somehow synonyms.
Maybe this simplicity and shallowness, which doesn’t connect to human needs, makes people long for something deeper and more complex again.
But after all…“cultural identity" is an invention by capitalism that adheres to the concept of the nation-state.  Kiyonori Muroga

The old generation of graphic designers was rather passive and felt comfortable within the hierarchies and structures of Korean society. But the younger generation questions these structures and strives for more independence. The younger generation wants to express their thoughts in order to actively contribute and change society. So, next to designing, they’re starting to become authors, generate their own contents, and open independent businesses and small publishing houses. Kwangchul Kim

Individuality is very important for me. You might think that this clashes with the general appreciation of collectiveness in Japan, China, or Korea. But I’m not talking about creating a distinctive and witty profile of myself. I’m talking about deciding for myself. A lot of people in Japan don’t think for themselves. They conduct their lives according to what others expect or do. Tetsuya Goto 

Notions like true democracy and human rights are rarely understood here. It’s not that Japan is less individualistic than other industrialized nation, but the pre-modern structure of classes and stakeholder groups still echoes throughout our society and mindset. […] This is a great deal of pressure to conform, and the sense of discipline provides order in Japanese society. […] There’s this cliché saying in Japan: a protruding nail must be hammered down. As I said earlier, Japanese society is not less individualistic than other industrialized nations. The mechanisms of the market and consumption are responsible for this. But there is still an appreciation for discipline, solidarity, and social control. Kiyonori Muroga

I really like the internet