In 2021, four friends found themselves unexpectedly anchored in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Before the pandemic, they had been swept up in the rush of modern life—until everything came to a sudden halt. For the first time in a long while, they had space to look inwards. Amid uncertainty, stress and sleepless nights, they found comfort in the practice of learning how to sleep, travel and live well.

Among them were Dr John Lee, founder of Jolab, a leader in Taiwan’s skincare manufacturing industry, and his wife, Ula Wang, Head of Product Development at Jolab; as well as Jackson Tan, a Singaporean designer and curator behind the creative agency BLACK, and his wife, Talia Huang, who also serves as Studio Manager at BLACK. As neighbours, they began spending time together and naturally opened up about their struggles. Through these honest conversations, they shared calming rituals—whether it was a one-minute breathing exercise or ten minutes with a book, they came to recognise the restorative power hidden in life’s overlooked moments.

 A shared realisation emerged: what if they could turn everyday “Oh no!” moments into “Oh yes!” moments—through products that bring pockets of joy and gently remind people of the value of small acts of self-care? To them, this was the path to wellness. From that seed, ANOTHER LAND was born. Weekly hangouts evolved into creative camps, turning living rooms into informal studios where ideas flowed freely. But more than just self-care, the founders wanted to build a brand that felt true to their values—purposeful, effective, and kind to the planet.

At the core of ANOTHER LAND lies a commitment to naturally sourced ingredients, advanced lab technologies, and sustainable practices. One example is their innovation, ZeroDilute™—a formulation that replaces water, a common skincare ingredient, entirely with organic aloe vera extract. This not only enhances hydration (said to be four times more effective than water) but also reduces reliance on one of Earth’s most precious resources.

As the brand continues to grow, it hopes to be a quiet presence in people’s lives—celebrating contentment in micro-moments, uplifting weary souls, and gently guiding them towards a deeper connection with themselves. The first boutique in Songyan, Taiwan, offers a temporary escape, inviting visitors to explore, unwind, and reconnect through exhibitions and storytelling—each one a gentle invitation to step into another land.