"I want to break away from the narrow channel that I have been on all my life and look around advanced countries overseas, and witness their progress. New learning experiences will help me mature and shape my dreams into a bigger and clearer vision. To travel to France and neighboring European countries after visiting Japan and Hong Kong-this is indeed the journey of life time."

In July 1960, at the age of thirty-six, Jangwon felt a stirring in his heart as he accepted an invitation from an affiliate for a 40-day trip to Europe. Just the thought of this journey sent waves of excitement through him, yet it wasn’t a decision made lightly. The year 1960 was marked by turmoil in South Korea, with the fraudulent March 15th elections followed by the April 19th Revolution, leading to a period of political instability.
Any minor disruption in the economy could have significant repercussions for Pacific, and Jangwon naturally considered the impact his absence might have on the company during such a precarious time. Besides, he was confident that his absence would not create a big problem for the company. After all, this was an adventure that thrilled him to the core, particularly since it involved visiting the headquarters of Coty, the manufacturer of Coty Facial Powder. As he held his passport and made his way to the airport, the excitement within him began to surge.

"Among the Korean cosmetic companies, those made by Pacific were acclaimed as truly great products.
But we cannot rest on our laurels. Defective products are beginning to emerge.
The solution lies in securing technology, and we must seek out such technology overseas."

One of the reasons Jangwon decided to embark on this journey was his desire to explore technologies that would not only meet but exceed the current capabilities of Pacific. Although the company had already established a strong foothold in the Korean market, Jangwon never allowed himself to become complacent. He was always focused on understanding market trends and consumer reaction. Amidst countless successes, he had an acute awareness of even the company’s few defective products, which fueled his ardent desire for better technology and ultimately led him to board that plane.
After passing through Japan and Hong Kong, Jangwon arrived in Paris, where the sheer scale of the airport widened his eyes and quickened his heartbeat. During his two-week stay in Paris, he was deeply impressed by the smiles and courtesy of Coty's executives. On the day he arrived at Coty’s headquarters, situated along the banks of the River Seine, he had to take a deep breath. The Coty building, standing on a site that seemed to cover eight acres easily, was as spacious as a major factory in Korea, exuding a quiet, dignified atmosphere while maintaining its commanding presence. Jangwon felt both overwhelmed and invigorated by the powerful waves of inspiration surging within him.

“There are no words to describe what went through my mind.
Only those who are in the same business would understand how I felt when they visit this place and see everything with their own eyes.”

During his time in Paris, the dreams within Jangwon became even more clearly delineated. What had been a vague hope began to take on a clear, tangible shape in his mind and heart. Ideas that might have remained mere dreams in Korea began to crystallize into a concrete blueprint. After completing his itinerary in Paris, Jangwon traveled with a much lighter heart to Grasse, a small city in southern France nestled against gentle hills. There, he encountered another world he had never imagined.
It wasn’t just the exotic scenery that captivated him. The clear, transparent landscape, the sweet air carried by the gentle breeze, and the blend of beauty and abundance in nature—it all left a lasting impression on him. The enchanting atmosphere of the flower farms, teeming with vibrant colors and fragrances, left a long-lasting impression. These farms, dedicated to growing flowers, were part of Grasse, the global capital of perfume. The harmony of the natural world, human initiative, culture, and labor created a world paramount to yet another natural manifestation of beauty he had never before imagined.
Moved by the realization that the labor of farming and cultivating plants could simultaneously pursue economic, cultural, and even aesthetic beauty, he found himself yearning for Pacific to also embrace such a natural connection. As the vivid colors of the flower clouds swirled in his mind, a ray of sunlight broke through the stormy waves within his heart, and a small, yet firm seed began to take root within him. Quietly, he whispered to himself, in a voice both resolute and unyielding, "Pacific, too, must come into contact with plants. This is attractive work."

Dreams take many forms. They can be something cherished for a long time or something that emerges unexpectedly. Sometimes, an unfulfilled dream from childhood may suddenly resurface, or a dream may unexpectedly burst forth from a place we never gave much thought to. At the age of thirty-six, after encountering the flower clouds of Grasse, the world capital of perfume, Jangwon dreamed of linking Pacific’s destiny with plants and the natural world. Age and temporal epoch had no influence over the act of dreaming.
There are moments when a dream unexpectedly blossoms—perhaps at the peak of work-related stress, during a challenging moment in a personal relationship, after receiving recognition from a superior or mentor, or even just while walking down the street. Some dreams may seem so far-fetched that they bring a smile to our faces. But whether vague or clear in shape and direction, dreams undoubtedly provide us with comfort and courage. Sixteen years after Jangwon’s passing, in the spring of 2019, the Amorepacific Botanic Garden finally opened. The vibrant world that Jangwon envisioned took root on this land, even after his passing. Let us imbue the dreams we hold dear with steadfast courage, even if they do not materialize immediately.