Haedam Aims to Popularize Korean Herbal Health Foods with Patented Technology and Local Ingredients
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Haedam, a health food company founded in 2021, aims to popularize traditional Korean herbal medicine (hanbang).
- CEO Um Soo-hyun is reinterpreting hanbang's value for modern consumers, using local Gyeongsangbuk-do ingredients.
- The company sells its products through digital channels like smart stores, bridging traditional remedies with contemporary commerce.
Haedam, a specialized hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) health food company, aims to make traditional remedies more accessible and appealing to a modern audience. Founded in Gyeongsan City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, in 2021, the company is led by CEO Um Soo-hyun, who believes that a contemporary reinterpretation of hanbang's inherent value can create significant market competitiveness. Haedam focuses on developing health foods based on traditional herbal ingredients such as red ginseng and rehmannia, effectively connecting with consumers through digital distribution channels like smart stores.
Um Soo-hyun, a graduate of Daegu Haany University, sees a natural progression from her academic background to founding a health food business. However, her vision extends beyond conventional approaches. She is committed to modernizing the perception of hanbang, which is often seen as outdated or cumbersome. By infusing traditional ingredients with innovative product development and leveraging digital platforms for sales, Haedam seeks to carve out a unique niche in the competitive health food market. The company's strategy emphasizes the use of local specialties from Gyeongsangbuk-do, further grounding its products in regional identity and quality.
Hanbang can have great competitiveness if its value and charm are reinterpreted in a modern way.
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.