Founded in Seoul, South Korea in 2014, ADER error is a design collective that has garnered significant attention for its unisex apparel. Last year, they launched a cafe business in their home country, further cementing their position as a driving force in Korean culture that demands close observation. This interview celebrates the release of ADER error's BE@RBRICK.

From BTS, who topped the US Billboard charts, to "Parasite," the film that won four Academy Awards, Korean entertainment is captivating the world. In fashion, the unisex brand ADER error, which gained popularity through Instagram and has drawn attention for its collaborations with PUMA and Maison Kitsuné, is currently a major topic of conversation.

Established in Seoul, South Korea in 2014. While its true identity remains shrouded in mystery, the brand name ADER is said to mean "Aesthetic Drawing + er (one who draws aesthetics)," and error signifies "human imperfection." With the slogan "But near missed things," they continuously produce a stream of captivating products. To commemorate the release of ADER BE@RBRICK by Medicom Toy, we conducted an email interview with the members. Although they were unable to answer questions regarding their identity, the exchange offered insight into their philosophy of creation.

—ADER error started as a design collective. What has influenced you so far?

ADER errorWe draw inspiration from people who are intensely focused on something, and from the culture of those constantly discovering new things to change the world. We express this flow as "Blueism" and aim to provide inspiration through new cultural experiences and reinterpreting daily life by supporting these individuals.

—What is the meaning behind your slogan "But near missed things," and what do you value when creating your apparel?

ADER error"But near missed things" is ADER's slogan and philosophy. It embodies our desire to reinterpret the things we often overlook in daily life and to express them in a way that makes even the familiar feel fresh.

When we create clothing, we don't just produce a product; we strive to convey a message and philosophy through the medium of fashion. Based on our philosophy of "Editism," we aim to break down the boundaries of clothing and express it as a "Fusion look" that combines all elements of daily life from ADER's unique perspective.

—What is the meaning behind the blue logo you currently use?

ADER errorFor us, blue is a bright, deep, and vivid color that signifies "immersion." When people fall in love with something or are deeply focused, they are at their brightest and most vivid in life, regardless of age or gender. We call this "youth" and express it through blue.

—Can you tell us about a moment you felt was a turning point for the brand?

ADER errorEvery moment since launching the brand has felt like a turning point. In an era where even tomorrow is unpredictable, we are constantly focused on activities that shape ADER's future.

With each main collection release, we ensure we provide new enjoyment and experiences while upholding the brand's identity. Our collaborations with brands that possess their own unique stories and philosophies—such as Maison Kitsuné, PUMA, ALPHA INDUSTRIES, and EASTPAK—have consistently reaffirmed the brand's vitality.

When we celebrated our sixth anniversary last December, we released a hoodie, sweatshirt, and jacket featuring a design that divided the ADER signature logo into six parts. We wanted people to feel the journey of the brand over those six years.

—You've also collaborated with Japanese brands.

ADER errorOur first joint project with a Japanese brand was the G-SHOCK project in 2018, which concluded successfully. Since then, we have continued our partnerships with excellent Japanese select shops.

We collaborate with diverse brands not only in Japan but also across Asia, America, and Europe. We believe that the enjoyable collaborations stem from the fact that all our partners possess a clear identity and philosophy. Working with such entities allows us to gain greater energy and continue exploring new avenues.

—Tell us about your collaboration with Medicom Toy for this release. Were you familiar with BE@RBRICK?

ADER errorOf course. Medicom Toy is one of the most beloved toy manufacturers worldwide. Our time creating BE@RBRICK was a valuable experience, drawing inspiration from a brand with a solid identity rooted in its story and philosophy. Furthermore, Medicom Toy's alignment with concepts like genreless, unisex, and ageless resonated with the target models ADER pursues.

ADER views communication as connection, believing that the desire to know and understand everything in the world fosters better communication. We have long respected the BE@RBRICK brand and sought to understand it deeply. Just as we utilize diverse methods and forms—such as people, clothing, spaces, images, and video—we wanted to create better communication through the medium of toys.

—What was the concept behind the design of the ADER BE@RBRICK being released this time?

ADER errorWe perceived BE@RBRICK as an object. We then wanted to imbue it with our vision of youth. To express the state of being in love with and focused on something, we styled it in the brightest and most vivid color—ADER's signature blue.

We incorporated ADER's logo, a zigzag line that represents the failures and growth of youth—the most imperfect yet dynamic state—and adorned the entire figure in a matte finish, expressing the unadorned essence of youth solely through the BE@RBRICK silhouette.

—What would you like to do with Medicom Toy in the future?

ADER errorWe hope to create something new by intertwining the stories of ADER and Medicom Toy, rather than just designing products. Taking this collaboration as a first step, once this pandemic subsides, we would like to consider joint cultural exhibitions for customers through offline channels and truly meaningful "content" for long-term communication.

—Finally, what do you hope to express with ADER error going forward?

ADER errorADER engages in cultural communication activities based on fashion. For us, fashion is an activity that imbues meaning into discovering new things in daily life, and it serves as the medium for all our endeavors.

As part of our communication design initiatives, we are preparing new projects for different categories, including "A-ventory," a lifestyle goods platform offering witty everyday enjoyment, and "Tongue Planet Café," a lifestyle cafe brand launched last October.

Following the opening of our second flagship store, "ADER SPACE 2.0," in Seongsu-dong, Seoul last year, we plan to open a third flagship store.