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Kwak Yeon-soo

Korea Times Digital Content Reporter

Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.

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Companies

Laneige's 2-in-1 hybrid becomes brand's bestseller

By Kwak Yeon-sooIn this photo provided by Amorepacific, Kim Yoo-jung, an actress and Laneige brand model, poses with the company's cosmetic products. / Courtesy of AmorepacificThe Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer has become the leading skincare item of cosmetic brand Laneige, run by Amorepacific, just a year after its release, the company said Tuesday.Cream Skin proved immensely popular, with 100,000 sold in the three weeks following its release in October 2018. The 2-in-1 hybrid product combines the softening effects and easy absorption of a toner with the hydrating benefits of a moisturizer.Laneige devised a “Cream Blending Technology,” which melts cream into a watery texture, to deliver hydration from the first step after cleansing. The company said it uses a high-pressure blending process to break down the cream into “nano units,” so that it can be absorbed into the toner without separating. The process results in a light formula that is absorbed quickly, according to Laneige.“We are committed to the philosophy that moisture is the foundation to so

Oct 22, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Laneige's 2-in-1 hybrid becomes brand's bestseller
Companies

'Removing wrinkles from neck'

Models promote LG Electronics' new “Derma LED Neck Care” devices at LG Pra.L's two-year anniversary event held in Seoul, Tuesday. The beauty device manufacturer said its new product helps remove wrinkles around the neck and hydrates the skin. / Yonhap

Oct 22, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Removing wrinkles from neck'
Companies

E-mart names outsider as new CEO amid downturn

By Kwak Yeon-sooE-mart's new CEO Kang Heui-seokFor the first time in its 26-year history E-mart has named an outsider as its new CEO, the company said Monday. Shinsegae Group's discount store chain said Kang Heui-seok will replace outgoing CEO Lee Gap-su who has stepped down from the role, taking responsibility for the chain's poor performance.The bold decision came after Korea's leading discount chain operator plunged into the red in the second quarter amid intensifying competition from online shopping rivals and e-commerce giants.The company swung to an operating loss of 29.9 billion won ($24.6 million) in the April-June period, its first quarterly loss since its inception in 1993.Kang had previously served as a partner of Bain & Company Seoul and Shanghai offices since 2005, leading consumer products and retail practices. Before joining the global consulting firm, he had worked at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as a director. At the ministry, he built the capacity to deal with international trade negotiations. E-mart explained that Kang's extensive retail

Oct 21, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
E-mart names outsider as new CEO amid downturn
Companies

BMW unveils facelifted MINI Clubman

MINI Korea product manager Ye Sung-jun speaks during a press conference for unveiling the facelifted MINI Clubman model in Seoul, Monday. / Courtesy of BMW Group KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooBMW Group Korea has added the facelifted MINI Clubman model to its lineup for the Korean market, the company said Monday. The third-generation version of the MINI Clubman features improvements in design as well as technology and connectivity functions. Its front design includes a newly designed radiator grille, Matrix LED headlamps and Union Jack-style wheels. The MINI Clubman's new body colors, which include Indian Summer Red, and new side mirror cap designs also help bring a refreshing look.The new car model is equipped with an infotainment screen with teleservice, Apple CarPlay, intelligent emergency call, real-time traffic updates, online search and connected services. It also comes with automatic lights and wipers, LED mood lighting and MINI logo lamps.“The brand strategy for the new MINI Clubman was to sharpen its iconic brand profile and reconnect with the creative class,” a MINI Korea

Oct 21, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
BMW unveils facelifted MINI Clubman
Tech & Science

RocketView aims to offer ultimate beauty guide

RocketView CEO Kim Hwa-kyung gives a speech at the Contents Marketing Summit 2019 held from Sept. 24 to 27. Courtesy of Kim Hwa-kyungBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe demand for cost-effective, non-toxic products has been increasing, with savvy consumers calling for greater transparency from brands and retailers.Until recently, few consumers considered that there might be harmful chemicals present in the products they used daily. However, an increasing number of consumers have become more conscious about the content of, for example, their makeup products. Nowadays, they often test cosmetic products before purchasing and check ingredients to see if they are safe for their skin. According to market research firm Embrain Trend Monitor, consumers consider ingredients as the most important factor when evaluating beauty or personal care products.About 67 percent of those surveyed believe it is important to consider ingredients when deciding which products to buy, followed by price and brand awareness. To satisfy consumers that are desperately in need of credible information about beauty products, Kim Hw

Oct 20, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
RocketView aims to offer ultimate beauty guide
Companies

Will SsangYong Motor ever be profitable again?

SsangYong Motor's plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province / Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooSsangYong Motor is facing growing doubts over whether it will ever make a profit as it struggles to sell its cars at home and abroad, according to industry analysts, Sunday.The automaker, owned by Indian carmaker Mahindra, recorded its worst quarterly performance since the 2009 financial crisis in the third quarter of the year, and has been losing money for 11 straight quarters.Much of the decline has been attributed to weak sales and increased operating costs amid intensified market competition, and larger depreciation costs from expanding investment, the company explained.According to SsangYong, its operating losses more than doubled to 105.2 billion won ($89 million) in the July-September period from 49.1 billion won in the same period last year. “Despite the launch of new models, the losses widened in the third quarter due to lower industrial demand and tougher competition,” a SsangYong Motor official said.SsangYong, after launching three new models ― the Rexton Sports Kahn SUV,

Oct 20, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Will SsangYong Motor ever be profitable again?
Companies

Retailers face leadership changes amid downturn

By Kwak Yeon-sooBrick-and-mortar retailers are facing major leadership changes as they are struggling to deal with dwindling profits and intensifying competition, according to industry officials Sunday.Shinsegae Group confirmed that Lee Gap-su, CEO of its affiliate E-mart, will step down after running the company for six years. His replacement will come from outside the company and is expected to be named in the coming weeks, according to the retailer.“Lee will be stepping down, but his replacement hasn't been finalized yet,” a Shinsegae Group official said. “However, Lee will still serve as a full-time adviser for the next three years.”Lee joined Shinsegae Group in 1982 and then moved to E-mart in 1999, where he held key positions in terms of sales, product management and customer service. Since 2014, he has been leading the discount store chain.Lee reportedly bid farewell to employees, saying “It was an honor to work for Shinsegae for the last 37 years.” However, the company swung to an operating loss of 29.9 billion won ($24.6 million) in the Ap

Oct 20, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Retailers face leadership changes amid downturn
Companies

Starbucks Korea to leave 'Shinsegae nest'

By Kwak Yeon-sooStarbucks Korea Sogongdong, Seoul / Korea Times fileStarbucks Korea may soon move its headquarters to State Tower Namsan from the current location near Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul to accommodate an increasing number of employees, according to industry sources Monday. The local unit of the global coffee chain is reportedly in talks with the owner of State Tower Namsan to use two floors of the 30-story building with a floor space of 67,000 square meters, according to a real estate agent who requested anonymity.Starbucks Korea said it is true that the company is looking for a new location for its headquarters, but nothing has been confirmed about the exact location or timing of the move. “State Tower Namsan is one of several options for the new office. At the moment, we cannot confirm the exact location because it's undecided,” a company official said. Founded in 1999, Starbucks Korea was initially headquartered in Daechi-dong, Seoul. The coffee company then moved its headquarters to Sogong-dong near Westin Chosun Hotel in 2005.Surrounding the planned reloca

Oct 14, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Starbucks Korea to leave 'Shinsegae nest'
Companies

Hite Jinro expects turnaround on robust beer sales

By Kwak Yeon-sooHite Jinro's new lager Terra / Courtesy of Hite JinroHite Jinro is expecting a turnaround in its unprofitable beer business for the third quarter on the back of strong sales of its new lager Terra, according to company officials Monday.Hite Jinro's beer business has been losing money for the past five years. The company posted a 22.5 billion won ($19 million) operating loss in 2014, and since then continued to suffer losses due to fierce competition and costs related to promotional activities.However, its launch of new lager Terra in March has created a stir in the beer market. According to Hite Jinro, it sold 202 million bottles (330 milliliters) of Terra as of Aug. 27, surpassing the 200 million bottle mark just 160 days after its launch. This means 14.6 bottles of Terra were sold per second, the company said.Terra surpassed the 100 million bottle mark 101 days after its launch, but took only 59 days to add another 100 million bottles, meaning the pace has picked up, the brewery said.Terra's fast growth has also contributed to the overall growth of the domestic beer

Oct 14, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hite Jinro expects turnaround on robust beer sales
Companies

Celebrating founder's day

McDonald's Korea Managing Director Melanie Joh, right, poses with an employee who has delivered “feel-good moments” to serve customers at the McDonald's Seoul Station store, Friday. Joh made a surprise visit to the restaurant to express her gratitude to the 31-year-old employee and celebrate the birthday of Ray Kroc, who turned McDonald's into a global franchise. / Courtesy of McDonald's Korea

Oct 11, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Celebrating founder's day
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