Mediheal Is Fully Committed to Its Golf Team

Founded Golf Team in 2017, Boosting Domestic Golf
Chairman Kwon Oseop Sponsors LPGA and KLPGA Players
Major Signings: Kim Arim, Kim Seyoung, Lee Yewon, Park Hyunkyung
Bold Investments to Expand Junior Development Programs

The domestic women's golf scene is still facing a crisis. Due to the economic downturn, companies such as Hanwha Group and KB Financial Group have begun to withdraw their sponsorships of players. Golf teams have also reduced in size, making it difficult for players to find sponsors. Hanwha Group has distanced itself from golf to the extent that it even gave up hosting the major tournament Hanwha Classic this year. There was a general trend of many companies pulling out of golf marketing.

However, a 'savior' has emerged for players struggling through these tough economic times. Global derma cosmetic brand Mediheal (corporate name L&P Cosmetic) has extended its support to players without sponsors. Amid a domestic economic slump where companies are ending golf sponsorships or cutting back on support for overseas tours, Mediheal made a bold decision. Mediheal signed sponsorship contracts with Kim Arim and Kim Seyoung, both winners on the US-based LPGA Tour.

Kim Arim, who had no sponsor, received support from Mediheal and won the opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Photo by UPI Yonhap News

Chairman Kwon Oseop stated, "In the past, the competitiveness and status of Korean women players on the LPGA Tour gave great strength and comfort to our people. Now, with the competitiveness of Korean players on the LPGA Tour declining and players facing the crisis of entering the tour without any sponsors, I decided to provide support, hoping to be of at least some help."

Kim Arim shocked the world by winning the 2020 US Women's Open. After claiming three victories on the Korean Women's Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, she chose to move to the United States immediately after her US Women's Open win. In November last year, she achieved a wire-to-wire victory at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii, but nearly became an 'unaffiliated player' after Hanwha Q CELLS withdrew its sponsorship. Fortunately, Mediheal extended its hand, and she responded by winning the opening event of this year, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, in February.

In her victory interview at the time, Kim Arim said, "I am truly grateful to Chairman Kwon Oseop of Mediheal for believing in me and supporting me even during difficult times. I will not be satisfied with this win and will continue to aim for top finishes to repay the trust with my performance."

Domestic players active on the KLPGA Tour are taking a commemorative photo after joining the Mediheal Golf Team. Mediheal Golf Team

Mediheal has also recruited a number of top players from the domestic tour. This year, Lee Yewon, who has three wins on the KLPGA Tour (nine career wins), Park Hyunkyung (seven wins), Bae Sohyun (three wins), and Han Jinsun (two wins) have all joined the team. The new members expressed their gratitude, saying, "We sincerely thank Mediheal for recognizing our value and abilities as players and for presenting a wonderful vision as a partner in our golf careers. We will do our best to live up to this trust and show our best selves."

That's not all. Mediheal also renewed contracts with existing members Lee Dayeon, Lee Chaeun, Kim Nayoung, and Jung Jiho. Additionally, contracts were extended with Ahn Jihyun and Hong Yeeun, who are currently competing on the second-tier tour this year.

Chairman Kwon is deeply committed to golf marketing. Since founding the Mediheal Golf Team in 2017, he has contributed to the revitalization of golf sports in Korea. Mediheal has drawn attention by actively sponsoring both LPGA and KLPGA Tour players. Until 2021, it was the first domestic cosmetic brand to host the LPGA Tour Mediheal Championship, and since 2022, it has supported the KLPGA Tour Mediheal·Korea Daily Championship. This year, the tournament will be held on August 14 at Montvert Country Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Kwon Oseop, chairman of L&P Cosmetic (left), has been working to expand the base of domestic golf by sponsoring the Mediheal KLPGA Chairman's Cup Women's Amateur Championship since last year. Mediheal Golf Team

Mediheal is striving to continue its corporate values of revitalizing the sports industry and promoting mutual growth. In addition to recruiting KLPGA and LPGA players, Mediheal has made bold investments for the advancement of Korean women's golf by supporting second-tier tour players and launching junior development programs. Mediheal has established a junior mentoring program, with Choi Hyeyong, a former KLPGA Rookie of the Year, serving as a mentor. Six top middle school students are selected to receive field lessons and course management know-how through practical rounds.

Since last year, Mediheal has sponsored the Mediheal KLPGA Chairman's Cup Women's Amateur Championship. This year, Jung Jiho and Cho Hyeji, who placed in the tournament, are competing on the regular tour. Mediheal is also involved in various philanthropic activities, including title sponsorship of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Futures League, and donations through the Mediheal Foundation and Mediheal Scholarship Foundation.

Mediheal is the leading brand in mask packs and pads, achieving new records such as 3 billion cumulative mask packs sold, the 'one mask pack a day' syndrome, and surpassing $100 million in exports. Mediheal exports to 45 countries worldwide. In order to make the Mediheal brand more familiar to consumers, the company is also making bold investments in golf-related businesses.