Lee Yeon-woo is a financial journalist at The Korea Times. Her wide range of reporting includes policies, macroeconomics, stock market, companies and even crypto. She is passionate about connecting the dots in Korean finance and making it easier for foreign nationals to understand. Based on her previous experience as a national reporter, she also has a keen interest in social issues within the sector, including gender equality and ESG. Your tips and insights are always appreciated. You can send them to yanu@koreatimes.co.kr.
APR posts record earnings in Q2
A promotional image of APR's beauty product Medicube / Courtesy of APR
By Lee Yeon-woo
Logo of APR / Courtesy of APR
APR has posted record-breaking results for both the second quarter and the first half of 2025, reaffirming its rapid growth in the global beauty industry, industry officials said Thursday.
According to APR's preliminary earnings results, its consolidated revenue and operating profit in the second quarter of 2025 reached 327.7 billion won ($237.2 million) and 84.6 billion won, respectively.
Despite the second quarter typically being a slower season for the industry, these figures represent year-on-year increases of 111 percent and 202 percent, respectively.
The company's stellar performance was driven by its cosmetics and beauty division, fueled by continued global demand for K-beauty products. The division recorded 227 billion won in revenue during the second quarter, tripling its figure from the same period last year.
Overseas sales played a central role, accounting for 78 percent of total revenue. The U.S. emerged as APR’s largest market, outpacing even domestic revenue. Japan posted a staggering 366 percent year-on-year increase, while Europe saw a steady rise in order volume.
Buoyed by these results, APR said it is doubling down on its ambitious target of reaching 1 trillion won in annual revenue.
The company already reported 593.8 billion won in revenue and 139.1 billion won in operating profit for the first half of 2025 — the highest first-half performance in its history. That marks year-over-year growth of 95 percent and 149 percent, respectively.
The outlook remains strong as APR’s flagship Medicube product continues to perform well in global markets. Full-scale sales have launched at U.S. beauty retailer Ulta Beauty, while offline expansion is accelerating across Europe and other high-potential regions.
APR also expects additional growth in the second half of the year, which includes key shopping periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"Fueled by the enthusiastic support of consumers worldwide, we delivered strong first-half results in 2025, reaffirming our competitive edge in the beauty industry," said an APR official. "Moving forward, we remain fully committed to achieving our annual targets and enhancing long-term value for our shareholders."