"Let’s head to Gaeseong
—there is no future here."
—Mrs. Dokjeong Yun,
mother of Jangwon

As we trace the roots of today’s Pacific, there is a name that we inevitably encounter: Mrs.Dokjeong Yun. With a lively and warm-hearted nature, Mrs. Yun was none other than the mother of Jangwon. A formidable woman with a strong and upright spirit, she carved out a path in life and served as the steadfast pillar of her family, feeding and supporting them. She also played an indispensable role in Jangwon’s stewardship of Pacific and the expansion of his business. In an era when women engaging in activities beyond household chores were met with the gaze of disapproval, the decision to venture into commerce without significant capital was indeed a remarkable one. Enduring the disdain and disregard of others was no easy task, yet Mrs.Yun possessed a unique charm and composure that helped her through.
In 1932, two years after settling in Gaeseong, Jangwon’s mother began producing and selling camellia hair oil made from high-quality camellia oil. Although it was not inexpensive, given the difficulty in production and limited supply, there was demand for it in Gaeseong, and her decision to manufacture and sell the hair oil proved to be a sharp insight. What Mrs. Yun focused on most was the quality of her products and the trust she earned from consumers. Later, the reason Jangwon became a trusted figure, consistently sincere in his dealings, likely owed much to the character of Mrs. Yun that he observed in his childhood.

“You're no longer helping me out. Instead, I am giving you your own work to accomplish.”
—Mrs. Dokjeong Yun,mother of Jangwon.

The business steadily gained traction, and soon, the days became busier. The family-run shop, dubbed "Changseong Shop," gradually established itself, manufacturing and selling cosmetics such as hair treatment oil, lotions, and creams. As the shop grew, Jangwon felt the increasing demand for more helping hands and took it upon himself to help his mother, eagerly seeking out tasks she assigned and undertaking even those she didn’t. Among her many children, Mrs.Yun noticed that Jangwon had particularly immersed himself in the business, recognizing early on that they shared certain similar traits.
Trusting this intuition, she began passing on her skills, knowledge of cosmetics, and sales techniques to him. Jangwon, with a sharp judgment for identifying quality ingredients and a sincere approach to securing them, gradually began taking on a bigger and bigger role. His growth was rapid. What started as simple errands, purchasing items his mother requested, quickly expanded as he ventured into areas beyond what was taught, into realms where lessons alone could not guide him. He quickly grasped the strengths and weaknesses of each supplier, sharpening his ability to discern the quality of the goods they offered. The diligence and ambition of this young man left a strong impression on the suppliers with whom he dealt.

“You can steal techniques,
but not the commitment.”
—Mrs. Dokjeong Yun,
mother of Jangwon.

Jangwon had always been interested in his mother’s work. As he watched Mrs. Yun handle ingredients, he gradually picked up the techniques. However, the most important thing was the attitude with which she approached her work. There were things that couldn’t be taught with words—like the feel of the ingredients under one’s fingers or the texture that could only be sensed with the fingertips.
"You can steal techniques, but not the commitment." These words were etched deeply into Jangwon’s being, and rather than merely imitating his mother, he focused on developing his own approach and attitude. The patience that he cultivated as a young boy gradually made its mark, his hands becoming ever more skillful and adept, leading him to eventually create cosmetics by hand.

As the years passed and Jangwon acquired more confidence, he eventually reached the age of eighteen. In 1941, when Kimjaehyun Department Store first opened in Gaeseong, it was a triumph for Changseong Shop to have their products stocked there. The department store, the only place handling high-end cosmetics at the time, was a coveted space filled with luxurious goods, and for Changseong Shop’s goods to be sold there was a clear sign of recognition. Following his mother’s guidance, Jangwon opened the door to department store sales, and Changseong Shop, with its reliable quality and unwavering sincerity, went on to establish a cosmetics corner within the department store in 1943.
From the young boy who pedaled his bicycle through Namdaemun Market to the eighteen-year-old who secured a place for his family’s products to be sold within a department store, the layers of effort and determination that led to this moment were a deeply rewarding achievement. From 1932 to 1945, Mrs. Dokjeong Yun, who had labored tirelessly in the kitchen with Jangwon at her side, handed over the business to her son and stepped back from day-to-day operations. The source of Jangwon’s lifelong devotion to the Beautify life, Mrs. Dokjeong Yun, passed away at the age of sixty-eight, in the spring of the year when Jangwon was thirty-six, amidst a sea of flowers.

When the techniques you’ve acquired and refined on your own become part of your exclusive know-how, the valuable advice you’ve received from other people is transformed into nourishment that allows you to reflect and grow. These profound connections can be found everywhere. It could be a teacher who instructed you in school, the family or friends you’ve shared your life with, a more or less experienced colleague, or even a line from a comic book. The opportunity to receive instruction is rare. The experience of learning is equally uncommon and absorbing that knowledge to make it your own is an incredibly valuable endeavor.
Take a moment to reflect on the knowledge, know-how, and life wisdom you’ve received from other people. Thinking of the mentors who shaped your mind, body, and spirit, a sense of gratitude swells within. Value the attitude with which we approach our work and life, and the process of learning—how uniquely precious everything is. Today, let us carry forward that deep sense of gratitude for the mentors who shared their wisdom with us.