Hanwha heir accelerates management track with new business ventures
Kim Dong-seon, the youngest son of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, is set to launch a premium ice cream brand in South Korea next month as he accelerates Hanwha Galleria’s expansion into the country’s food and beverage sector.
Hanwha Galleria affiliate Better Scoop Creamery said on April 14 it will officially debut its new brand, Benson, in May. The company said the brand would differentiate itself by using locally sourced milk and cream, increasing milk fat content, and reducing overrun — the amount of air in ice cream — to create a denser texture and richer flavor.
It added that premium ingredients, including South Korean acacia honey and single-origin Tanzanian chocolate, which are rarely found in the domestic market, would also be used.
Hanwha Galleria affiliate Better Scoop Creamery said on April 14 it will officially debut its new brand, Benson, in May. The company said the brand would differentiate itself by using locally sourced milk and cream, increasing milk fat content, and reducing overrun — the amount of air in ice cream — to create a denser texture and richer flavor.
It added that premium ingredients, including South Korean acacia honey and single-origin Tanzanian chocolate, which are rarely found in the domestic market, would also be used.
The first Benson store will open in Seoul’s affluent Apgujeong Rodeo area, a popular destination for food enthusiasts.
Better Scoop Creamery has built an ice cream production facility in Pocheon, north of Seoul, which began operations this month.
Hanwha Galleria has sought to grow its ice cream business since launching its EBA Ice Cream brand in 2018. The company formed a dedicated task force in August 2024 to pursue new opportunities in the category.
Kim, who has led the group’s food and beverage business initiatives since 2023, played a central role in driving the new ice cream venture. That same year, he introduced the U.S. burger chain Five Guys to the local market and founded wine importer Vino Galleria.
In 2024, Kim also acquired coffee chain Beans & Berries through Hanwha B&B for 5.6 billion won ($4.2 million) and purchased beverage manufacturer PurePlus for 20 billion won ($15 million). He is currently leading a bid to acquire catering firm Ourhome, valued at around 1.5 trillion won ($1.1 billion).
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Kim Dong-seon, the youngest son of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn and executive vice president of Hanwha Galleria./News1 |
Kim is also overseeing the group’s first-ever theme park development. Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, under his leadership, plans to invest 250 billion won ($182 million) to build a theme park on the site of a former Asian Games venue in Incheon. The project will feature an equestrian center, aquarium and amusement rides, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and completion targeted for 2027.
Industry sources say Kim’s aggressive push into new businesses is aimed at accelerating his track record within the group, as his entry into management came later than his two elder brothers. Hanwha Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan and Hanwha Life President Kim Dong-won began management training in 2012 and 2014, respectively.
Kim initially joined Hanwha’s E&C division in 2014 but left the group in 2017. He returned in 2020 as a senior manager at Hanwha Energy’s global strategy division. Since the spin-off of Hanwha Galleria as an independent unit in March 2023, he has overseen the group’s retail and leisure businesses and currently serves as executive vice president of Hanwha Galleria, Hanwha Hotels & Resorts and Hanwha Vision.
[Yeon Ji-yeon]
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