Notable Roles | - Chairman and CEO, AmorePacific Corporation |
Key Recognition | - Forbes Asia Businessman of the Year (2015) |
Background and Early Foundations
Suh Kyung‑bae was born on 14 January 1963 in Seoul, South Korea, the second son among six children of Suh Sung‑whan and Yun Dok‑jeong. He earned a BBA at Yonsei University and an MBA at Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School. Joining the family firm in the late 1980s, he trained in planning and operations before succeeding as CEO in 1997. He spearheaded AmorePacific’s transformation, creating international beauty brands blending tradition and innovation, expanding global footprint, and positioning the group within top global cosmetic corporations. His philanthropic legacy includes founding the science foundation and leading corporate social responsibility initiatives in arts, education, and environmental stewardship.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
1997 | Succeeded his father Suh Sung‑whan as CEO and began global expansion of AmorePacific brands |
2000s | Launched flagship brands such as Innisfree, Mamonde, IOPE; emphasized natural ingredients and R&D-led strategy |
2006 | Received France’s Legion of Honour for promoting Korean beauty and art internationally |
2013 | Appointed Chairman of newly formed AmorePacific Group Holdings and strategic diversification of the conglomerate |
2016 | Founded Suh Kyung‑bae Science Foundation supporting basic scientific research; awarded charitable contributions to youth and women entrepreneurs |
- Net Worth: Approx USD $1.5 B as of mid‑2025; ranked #28 richest person in South Korea
- Revenue (2024): ~USD 3 B, operating income KRW 220.5 B
- Global Brand Portfolio:Over 30 beauty and skincare brands including Sulwhasoo, Laneige, Innisfree, IOPE, Mamonde, O’Sulloc
- Philanthropy: Suh Kyung‑bae Science Foundation awarded grants to over 14 scientists (₩1.5–2.5 B each) since 2016; also supports youth entrepreneurship
Leadership Style and Influence
Suh Kyung‑bae is known for blending heritage rooted in botanical science with modern global branding strategy. Under his leadership, AmorePacific expanded globally via eco‑inspired skincare (Innisfree), heritage luxury (Sulwhasoo), and hydration-focused innovation (Laneige). He is also an art patron and cultural ambassador, sponsoring Korean art institutions and elevating K‑Beauty as a cultural phenomenon. His vision centers on beauty as a vessel for human well‑being and global empathy.
Legacy and Future Focus
Suh’s legacy includes transforming a family jewel into Asia’s largest cosmetics conglomerate while maintaining Korean aesthetics, botanical heritage, and design-forward innovation. His institutional leadership invests in R&D, sustainable packaging, and cultural branding. The foundation he launched aims to expand science capacity in Korea. Future expansion includes deeper North American and European penetration, growth of premium skincare categories, and evolving digital personalization in beauty tech.
