Zac

Crying in O.Y.

Business EN ↓ 7 episodes

Crying in O.Y. | Korean Beauty Retail & Market IntelligenceCrying in O.Y. is a structured weekly briefing on what’s changing inside the South Korean beauty industry — and why it matters globally. This is not a product review show. It’s analysis. Each episode breaks down:• M&A activity, IPO signals, and revenue shifts• Retail strategy inside Olive Young and global expansion channels• Margin dynamics, hero-product scaling, and device migration• Cultural drivers that turn local Korean signals into global demandReporting from Seoul, Crying in O.Y. tracks the structural shifts shaping th

Author

Zac

Episodes

APR’s $1B Pivot: From Skincare to Medical Devices 19.02.2026 6:25

APR has crossed ₩1.5 trillion KRW (over $1B USD) in revenue — and is now expanding beyond skincare into professional-grade medical devices. In this episode of Crying in O.Y. , we break down why Medicube’s parent company is moving up the value chain, shifting from mass cosmetics into energy-based clinical equipment. We cover: • How APR doubled revenue year-over-year • Why cosmetics margins eventual...

The $25B Live Commerce Shift: How Korea Moved Beyond TV Home Shopping 05.02.2026 10:45

South Korea’s retail landscape is undergoing a massive shift. In this episode, Zac explores the decline of traditional TV home shopping and the explosive growth of Live Commerce. We discuss the "Big Seven" networks, the crushing weight of transmission fees, and how platforms like Naver and Coupang are using "Rocket Delivery" and social engagement to capture the MZ generation. Plus, a look at how L...

The Mang-gom Effect: Character IP, AOV & Retail Acceleration 03.02.2026 10:50

Sorry for the late post—moving house is a full-time job! 📦 In today's episode, your host Zac explores the fascinating world of character collaborations in South Korea. We’re moving beyond the surface-level "cuteness" to look at the hard data: Why do characters like MangGOM drive a 300%–400% increase in web traffic? We analyze the shift from children’s TV icons to "Kidult" culture and how brands l...

CJ Olive Young’s $20B Wellness Pivot: Inside Olive Better 30.01.2026 11:55

In this briefing, we dissect the emergence of K-Wellness via the launch of Olive Young's newest platform, Olive Better . We analyze the 2026 F.U.L.L.M.O.O.N. framework and why the industry is pivoting toward "Wholeness" and "Healthy Pleasure." Professional Takeaways: Beyond Cosmetics: The strategic re-branding of "Health" to "Wellness" as a daily lifestyle practice. Longevity Economy: How the Gwan...

Torriden at 100B Won: LG H&H Signals & Indie Consolidation 29.01.2026 9:51

Host Zac returns to the "Crying in Olive Young" studio to dissect the success of Torriden, a brand that has mastered the middle ground between "Clean Beauty" and "Dermacosmetics." With the Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum reaching 11 million units sold as of 2025, Torriden isn't just a trend—it's a category leader. We explore the "5-D Complex" technology that makes their HA serum a glob...

Dr. Althea’s 1,415% Growth: Scaling a Hero Product Globally 27.01.2026 9:20

Episode Summary: Is Dr. Althea the next $450 million acquisition in K-beauty? In today’s episode, we step away from the hype to look at the cold, hard data behind one of 2026’s most successful skincare brands. Host Zac breaks down the operational maturity of Dr. Althea—a brand that has moved 15 million units of its hero product, the 345 Relief Cream, while maintaining a lean, high-utility SKU stra...

US Overtakes China: The Shift in K-Beauty Export Strategy 26.01.2026 20:08

The K-Beauty industry is entering its "Golden Era," but the landscape is shifting faster than ever. In the debut episode of Crying in Olive Young, your host Zac breaks down the heavy-hitting business news that industry professionals and hardcore K-Beauty fans need to know. We’re moving past the "viral product" hype to look at the numbers, export trends, and the massive corporate power shifts defin...