[Next K-Startup] 'Bark' Reducing Foot Pain... Created by a Rehabilitation Medicine Doctor

'Recovery Shoes' Created by Rehabilitation Medicine Doctors
Reducing Fatigue by Varying Shoe Hardness and Materials
Focused on Design Improvement Based on Feedback

Editor's NoteMore than 430 startups applied for the 2nd program of Next Elevation, a startup accelerator established by Asia Economy. This is more than three times the number of applicants for last year's inaugural acceleration program. Among them, six startups were finally selected. These startups, which overcame a competition rate of 71 to 1, are currently honing their innovations. For the demo day to be held next month, each company is working on business advancement tasks such as setting key performance indicators (KPIs) and establishing product strategies with customized mentors. We visited the scene.

About 250,000 people visit hospitals annually due to plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition caused by inflammation from damage to the plantar fascia, a membrane on the sole of the foot, accompanied by foot pain. It frequently occurs not only in athletes but also in those who wear shoes that do not absorb shock well, such as high heels or hard shoes. This condition can also lead to knee and back pain. BARC is a startup where rehabilitation medicine doctors directly create 'recovery shoes' to solve these problems.

Next Elevation - Byeon Hee-jun, CEO of Bark, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at First Hospital in Jung-gu, Incheon. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

On the 17th, Byeon Hee-jun, CEO of BARC, said, "We want to make those who have discomfort somewhere in their feet, knees, or back feel even a little better," adding, "BARC shoes are designed with ergonomic design that minimizes foot fatigue and pain." BARC, which is both the company and brand name, was created by taking the first letters of the words Balance, Arch, Rehabilitation, and Comfort. CEO Byeon and CTO Ahn Kwang-ho are rehabilitation medicine doctors. They directly handle everything from design to development and production of BARC based on clinical experience and medical knowledge acquired while treating patients complaining of pelvic, back, knee, and foot pain in medical settings.

BARC slippers are meticulously divided into the parts that touch the ground, the top of the foot, and the front and heel areas. The hardness of the parts that wrap the foot and the sole are made differently. High cushioning OrthoLite heel pads are inserted in the front and heel areas, which bear the most force. This allows the arch to naturally rise when walking, distributing the load according to the shape of the foot, thereby reducing foot fatigue and pain. CEO Byeon said, "Most slippers are made using a mold like a fish-shaped bread pan, so the hardness of the sole and the top of the foot are the same, which is not good for foot health," adding, "People who stand for long hours, such as chefs and hairdressers, have given a lot of feedback that their feet feel comfortable after wearing BARC."

Medical professionals are also seeking BARC. Severance Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, and others use BARC recovery slippers through memorandums of understanding (MOUs). CEO Byeon said, "It is difficult for startups to sell something in general hospitals, but some general hospitals contacted us first, and pediatric and obstetrics clinics among private hospitals have also reached out," adding, "This year, we want to try selling at clinic level and promote more actively to secondary hospitals."

Next Elevation - Byeon Hee-jun, CEO of Bark, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at First Hospital in Jung-gu, Incheon. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Recently, the focus has been on design improvement. The model with an open front was upgraded in design and launched on the online homepage on the 13th. Next month, a product with a band added to the closed-front model will be released. CEO Byeon explained, "There were comments that the design was rough," adding, "Since it is not our major, the design was inevitably lacking, but we are making it better by reflecting experts' opinions."

They also plan to expand the product lineup to include insoles, slip-ons, and sneakers. Insoles and slip-ons are being developed simultaneously, with plans to release one each in the second half of this year and the first half of next year. They are also preparing to enter overseas markets. A hospital in the United States contacted them wanting to purchase BARC, and they are planning to enter Amazon US.

BARC's short-term goal is to steadily double its sales indicators. BARC, which started selling products in 2022, saw its sales jump from about 350 million KRW in 2022 to about 700 million KRW last year. CEO Byeon emphasized, "If we grow twofold every year, we can grow steadily and stably, and if we keep going, it could eventually become 100 times bigger," adding, "We want to become a shoe brand representing Korea."