“It’s too pretty to just be a scrubbing towel!”
“It’s amazing how it removes dead skin so gently that even kids like it. Oh look! There’s a design of Gamcheon Culture Village, too!”
These were the reactions of residents viewing products displayed in the main building of the district office. When people think of scrubbing towels, they typically imagine the yellow piece of fabric with three black stripes. But the idea that a soft, fabric-like material can gently remove dead skin feels refreshingly innovative.
Hwangsil Towel (2F, 451 Jangpyeong-ro / +82-51-902-5250) began in 2010 as a Busan-style preliminary social enterprise (Sahapumasi Songi Atti Project Group) and transitioned into a corporation in 2015. Founded and steadily grown in Saha-gu, the company continues to develop as one of the district’s representative enterprises.
Its origin story is fascinating as well: inspired by records from the Joseon dynasty royal court, which mention bathing with red bean soap and silk, the company developed bath towels using artificial silk (viscose rayon), a material most similar in texture and properties to silk.
Hwangsil Towel products are crafted using a patented weaving technique with viscose rayon extracted from trees and feature a variety of printed designs. The lineup includes different types of products, such as square towels, back scrub towels, and facial towels, available both as individual items and gift sets. The products are sold on almost all major online shopping platforms and are also available as Hometown Love gifts. All products have passed textile safety tests and are certified child-safe, ensuring they can be safely used even by infants under three years old.
Recently, to expand into overseas markets, the company launched its K-Culture series, featuring designs inspired by royal weddings, traditional folk performances, Bongsan Talchum (mask dance), and Dongnae Hakchum (crane dance). The company also introduced the Busan Edition, highlighting local icons such as Haeundae, Gwangalli, Gamcheon Culture Village, and Jagalchi Market, becoming popular among visitors to Busan.
Although exports are still in the early stages, Hwangsil Towel products are already available on international platforms such as Amazon, Qoo10, and AliExpress.
