The ShinsungHwa of Hong Jung-wook (2019)
A Brief Introduction to Hong Jung-wook’s ShinsungHwa
In Hong Jeong-wook’s ShinsungHwa, his spiritual core shares symbolic characteristics with figures like Warren Buffett. Six symbols of the cosmic principle appear in parallel arrangement, representing the energy of purpose and calling that flows through his worldly influence. While the path to the spiritual core extends upward beyond these symbols, what lies beyond remains in the realm of potential and possibility.
The Boy Who Crossed Oceans
Born into stardom in 1970, Jung-wook grew up as the son of Namgoong Won, Korea’s Gregory Peck. While most celebrity children follow familiar paths, young Hong charted different territory entirely. At 15, he made a decision that would define his future—boarding a plane to America.
This wasn’t your typical teenage rebellion. Hong enrolled at Choate Rosemary Hall, the prestigious prep school that shapes future presidents and industry titans. Trading Seoul for New England must have felt like entering an alternate universe, yet Hong flourished beyond anyone’s expectations.
Harvard Halls and Million-Dollar Tales
At Harvard, Hong didn’t just major in East Asian Studies—he embodied it. While classmates stressed over midterms and work-study jobs, Hong was crafting the narrative that would change everything. His 1993 autobiography, “Seven Acts, Seven Scenes,” exploded into a cultural phenomenon, moving over one million copies.
The book resonated with Korean families in unprecedented ways. Suddenly, affluent parents nationwide were booking flights to ship their teenagers off to American boarding schools, inspired by one young man’s compelling journey. Hong had unwittingly launched a movement.
Wall Street Warrior Turned Digital Pioneer
Fresh from Stanford Law in 1998, Hong could have coasted into corporate comfort. Instead, he plunged into Wall Street’s cutthroat world, joining Lehman Brothers’ M&A team. Yet even high-stakes finance couldn’t contain his restless energy.
By 1999, Hong had abandoned Wall Street’s security to co-found a California internet startup. This was the dot-com gold rush era, when everyone scrambled for digital fortunes. Hong dove right in, accumulating insights that would prove crucial down the road.
After completing military service, Hong targeted an unlikely prize: the struggling Herald Corporation. In 2002, he executed a textbook leveraged buyout, staking his future on a company others had abandoned.
The turnaround was remarkable. Under Hong’s stewardship, Herald Corporation didn’t merely survive—it thrived. The company diversified from traditional print into internet ventures, broadcasting, magazines, and education. The Korea Herald emerged as the nation’s premier English-language newspaper, while Herald Business became Korea’s dominant afternoon financial daily.
From Boardroom to Political Arena
Right when observers thought Hong had settled into his groove, he pivoted again. In 2008, he stepped down as Herald’s chairman to seek public office. Seoul’s Nowon District voters elected him to the National Assembly, where he served on the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee.
Hong spent four years navigating Korea’s labyrinthine political landscape, collecting awards and accolades along the way. Then in 2012, he chose not to seek reelection, returning instead to private enterprise.
Hong’s next venture stemmed from a core conviction: nature holds humanity’s cure. In 2013, he launched Organica, a premium natural food company that would spearhead Korea’s organic movement. From cold-pressed juices to organic grains, Organica’s brands like Just Juice and Season to Season redefined healthy eating standards.
Hong’s commitment to social impact runs deepest through the Olje Foundation, established in 2011. The foundation democratizes classical literature by offering curated books at accessible prices, donating 20% to schools, libraries, military bases, and prisons.
His charitable reach extends well beyond books. Hong has served on Korea’s National Museum board, founded the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra, and championed environmental causes through the World Wildlife Fund.
