What Is Korean Melon Leather?

Korean melon leather is a vegan material made from the dried peel of chamoe, a Korean melon. HLK, the material-driven line of Harlie K, co-developed it with the Chilgok County Agricultural Technology Center and material partner Green Continue. It is Korea's first vegan leather made from melon by-products.

HLK Sami Flip Crossbody Wallets in green and ivory Korean melon leather, laid on Chilgok chamoe melons

Why melons?

Every summer, farms in Chilgok County throw away tons of chamoe that never make it to market. In 2024, heavy rain made it worse. Some of the dumped fruit drifted down the Nakdong River.

How it's made

Whole fruit didn't work: too much water and sugar, not enough strength. Now the flesh goes to livestock feed, and only the peel is dried and ground into powder. That powder goes into a plant-derived coating applied over recycled fabric. Both faces of the material are finished, so our bags need no separate lining.

Vegan certificate for Korean melon leather (CHAMOE) from the Korea Vegan Standard Certification Institute, January 2026

Certified and protected

  • Vegan certified by the Korea Vegan Standard Certification Institute (January 2026)
  • Melon content 10%, up from 4% in early trials, with 22% as the next goal
  • Patents pending, co-filed with Chilgok County

Made from melon leather

Sami Flip Crossbody Wallet (Ivory, Green)

FAQ

Is melon leather real leather?

No. It contains no animal materials and is certified vegan.

Does it smell like melon?

No. The peel is dried and processed into powder before it goes into the coating.

How durable is it?

It's built for daily use. The double-faced structure holds up without a lining.

Who developed it?

HLK (Harlie K Ltd., Daegu, Korea) with the Chilgok County Agricultural Technology Center and Green Continue.

Can brands use this material?

Yes. For custom and B2B inquiries, write to info@harliek.com.

As featured in Maeil Shinmun (Nov 2026) and vegconomist (Jul 2026).

Sustainably Sourced, Designed to Last

Female founded and run, HLK is designed, sourced, and made in Korea.
We minimize carbon emissions and maximize the contributions of Korean local talent.

HLK proudly uses only sustainable materials like vegan leathers. Sourced locally in Korea – designed to be sturdy, reliable, and beautiful, without harming the environment.

All HLK items are created with intention and purpose. Our pieces are user-focused, meaning that they can be cherished for life, until they are buried in earth.

Celebrating and Empowering our Community

Revitalizing our local communities and creating foundations of empowerment are our core values.

At Harlie K, we help local seniors reclaim their autonomy, providing them with work that can bring value to their lives as well as others. 

We also strongly support the employment of women rejoining the workforce. 

Harlie K strives to become a social venture corporation that is universally inclusive and responsible, advocating for more incentives for the historically and socially excluded.

1% for the Planet

Since January 2021 Harlie K (HLK) has been a member of 1% for the Planet. We donate 1% of our annual revenue to environmental- protection and local culture and arts organizations.

Hanji (Korean Traditional Paper) Leather

Hanji is Korean traditional paper made from mulberry trees – and by adhering it with cotton, it creates a ultra-lightweight, durable, and biodegradable material. It’s a material that’s water, scratch, and stain resistant.

Korean Cactus Leather

Grown in Jeju, Korea, our local cactus leather is an ethical byproduct of upcycling, taking the scraps of cultivated cactus. Organic and pesticide-free. It also is strong against rips and humidity, and can withstand prolonged use.

Packaged with Care

Harlie K puts our heart into fulfilling your order with minimal waste. We invest in biodegradable and recyclable packaging elements such as tapeless boxes.