Recently, we debuted our Explosion Flag design as a part of our SS ‘22 collection. The most prominent part of the design features the eponymous Explosion Flag, featuring the Taegeukgi (Korean flag) with phrases inscribed upon it. But what’s the story behind this striking version of the Korean flag?

The flag itself dates back to 1950, when North and South Korea were embroiled in the Korean War. The Explosion Flag originally belonged to a South Korean special affairs sergeant named Lee Cheol-hui. The flag serves as a visual representation of the fierce advances of North Korean and South Korean forces during the Korean War.

Pictured above: South Korean soldiers stand at parade rest during an inspection, Jan. 1950.

The Explosion Flag features several phrases. On each of the four corners of this Taegeukgi reads the phrase 'seven incident explosion (事變爆發)', alongside the date 'Short-term 4283.6.25.日' (June 25, 1950) written at the top of the flag. On the right side of the taegeuk (yin yang) in the center is the North Korean invasion route from Uijeongbu to Daegu through Seoul, Anyang, Suwon, and Cheonan. On the left side of the flag is the South Korean march northward from Busan through Yeongcheon, Gyeongju, Chungju, Icheon, Seoul Entrance, Seungho-ri, and Pyongyang.

The Korean War was a traumatic conflict that wracked the peninsula and cost many lives. With this design, we hope to honor the lives that were lost; as well as commemorate the strength of the Korean people for not only surviving the aftermath of war, but thriving today.

Our Explosion Flag design is available now as a hoodie in the colorway Khaki and as a tee in the colorways Khaki and Black.

Interested in learning more about the Korean War? Read our blog:

6.25 "The Forgotten War"