A young man in his 20s started his business to revitalize the rural economy. Kim Jun-sik, who is well-known for his appearances in Netflix’s original dating show Single’s Inferno, runs a company that makes health foods using local specialties. Wild Ginseng Guarana Honey — the signature product of his brand KAMEE — is receiving an enthusiastic response from home and abroad. The Hanyang Journal was able to interview Kim Jun-sik, the CEO of Colorful Solution Co., Ltd, and listen to his inspirational story about his business along with his behind story of starring in Single’s Inferno.
# Kim Jun-sik
Q. Hello. Please introduce yourself.
A. Hello. My name is Kim Jun-sik. I am the CEO of the Colorful Solution Co., Ltd, which operates the health food brand KAMEE. I graduated from Hanyang University, majoring in Electrical Engineering and Entrepreneurship. I have started my businesses in various fields, such as application development and consumer goods, and this one is my fourth start-up venture.
Q. Tell us about Colorful Solution Co., Ltd. What kind of company is this?
A. Colorful Solution Co., Ltd is a corporation established when I was a junior in university that currently runs a health food brand KAMEE. It was named KAMEE after the first letter of Korean Agriculture Makes Extreme Energy, and it also means adding flavor to health food(加味) as well as beauty (加美). My company is making health foods with local specialties. Wild Ginseng Guarana Honey, Schisandra Collagen, and Sweet Ginseng Jelly with Premium Nut Mix are manufactured using geographic indication products such as wild ginseng in Pyeongchang, Mungyeong Schisandra, and Geumsan red ginseng, respectively.
# Kim Jun-sik, in Single’s Inferno
Q. What made you decide to star in Single’s Inferno?
A. Until 2021, I was not able to make appearance on the media as the timing was a bit off. Fortunately, I have gotten around to appearing this year. I think I had a half-and-half mindset when I participated: wanting to date and hoping to maintain good companies. At the first interview, I did not know that it would air on Netflix. I was simply told that something would happen on an uninhabited island and was asked whether I was willing to join as a participant. The show caught my eye because it seemed ground-breaking compared to the existing dating programs. Since then, I was shortlisted for the program through various interviewing processes.
Q. Were there any difficulties when you appeared on the show?
A. In the beginning, I was not sure if I could fall in love again. It has been more than a year and a half since I have been in a relationship, and I have been so busy that I have not felt love well. I thought that the answer to the question of whether I could start love again could be solved by starring in the program. However, at the same time, I was worried that it could go wrong if I took the show too seriously. Furthermore, it was difficult to balance my work and the shooting schedule, since I had to take ten days off to shoot, putting aside all my work.
Q. There must have been some memorable episodes during the show.
A. On the last day of the show, everyone gathered aroung the campfire and recalled filming on an island. After a long journey of ten days, we could talk honestly with each other at that point. This moment allowed us to connect with each other. Besides, though it was not aired, the time when Yewon and I wrote letters to each other on the sandy beach was most memorable. That is when we were able to understand and get closer to one another.
Q. How did Single’s Inferno make a difference in your life?
A. I was able to take some time for introspection while experiencing internal changes. Firstly, I was able to gain insight into the way of communication. In reality, we usually communicate superficially through our phones. However, I was able to catch minute facial expressions by communicating with people face-to-face on an island. There, I realized the importance of a primitive way of communication. I could also learn the true meaning of love and felt grateful for my parents.
#Kim Jun-sik, the CEO of Colorful Solution
Q. What motivated you to dream of a life as a startupper?
A. I got inspired by a book called Rich Dad Poor Dad by Kiyosaki, Robert T., which divides people into four categories: self-employed, office workers, entrepreneurs, and investors. While self-employed and office workers are those who make money in proportion to time, entrepreneurs and investors make money regardless of time. Because my parents were always busy working as they were the former, I thought I should become the latter who earns money regardless of time. I believe entrepreneurs are people who make 0 to 1 by developing things that have never existed in the world. That is why I decided to live as an entrepreneur.
Q. What was your motivation to feel a great interest in rural problems and local produce?
A. While working for Samsung C&T and POSCO International as an intern, I was able to see the figures such as a decrease in domestic agricultural consumption and farm income after the FTA was signed. If this problem persists in Korea, where 70 percent of the land is mountainous, I thought that dependence on imported agricultural products would increase and rural areas might disappear. I was wondering if there was a way to solve this problem. I thought that the rural economy could be activated if local specialties were made into processed products. With this idea in mind, I decided to make products that could be enjoyed by people of all ages and embodied the ideas.
Q. Could you give us a brief explanation of the product ‘Wild Ginseng Guarana Honey’?
A. Wild Ginseng Guarana Honey is a health food that is designed to absorb all substances in the plant cell walls completely well by finely grinding the 55th Pyeongchang wild ginseng registered with the Korea Forest Service's geographic labeling system. By adding guarana to wild ginseng, it helps boost immunity and energy. Plus, honey and persimmons are added to catch the bitter taste of wild ginseng. Due to its luxurious glass bottle products and octagonal jars, these products are popular for holiday gifts and are currently being delivered to the company’s online and offline malls and department stores.
Q. Were there any difficulties when launching a new product on the market?
A. Since it was my first start-up in health foods, there were difficulties in product development and price setting. When it comes to product development, the color of honey changed every time it was produced. The color of honey varied depending on the type of flower, so the color of the product was bound to change despite the constant color of other materials. Since transparent packages are a key element of branding, I tried caramelizing to adjust sterilization time and temperature to finally match the color consistently. Next, there was a problem regarding price setting. Although I won the government support project, it was difficult to find a factory that could meet the minimum order quantity with small capital. It was difficult to meet the unit cost as it was inevitably increased due to the small quantity.
Q. There must have been moments when you felt proud to develop products with local specialties. When were those moments?
A. It is very difficult to step into local specialties since farmers are experts in that field and have been doing it for a long time. However, I was so honored when my products were recognized by local farmers and institutional officials through many trials and errors. Furthermore, I felt proud of myself when I won the Seoul Mayor’s Award and Minister Award from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In addition, I am happy to be introduced in the famous book Trend Korea 2022.
Q. Please tell us about the goals of your company.
A. The name of my company, Colorful Solution, has two meanings: a variety of resolutions and healthy food liquid. I want to solve the rural problem by developing an easy-to-eat liquid type healthy food that not only captures the color of agricultural products well, but is also tailored to consumers’ tastes. In the future, my goal is to make Colorful Solution a brand that makes delicious and beautiful health foods based on various agricultural products and exports them throughout the world.
# Kim Jun-sik, From Now On
Q. How was your 2021?
A. Last year was eventful, but I think I have grown the most. I have been busy with my business and broadcasting activities. Further, I was busy working out and managing my diet. I believe that the role of the representative, the face of the brand, is important to convey the story of the brand. I have strict self-discipline since the question ends up being who the CEO is and what kind of person he is. Accordingly, I have focused on promoting my brand and myself through effective marketing.
Q. Is there anything you want to try or achieve in the future?
A. Focusing on my original intention, I want to make health foods by processing various local specialties and revitalizing the local economy through them. I want to set an example for teenagers living in rural areas while solving rural problems. Moreover, similar to how O’sulloc sells green tea, I want to create an offline cultural space to widely promote the brand as well as sell drinks and desserts. I expect healthy drink cafes to become highly sought out in ten years.
Q. Thank you for the interview. Do you have any last words for your Hanyang University juniors?
A. After I got back from the Single’s Inferno and re-started my real life, I realized that if you find someone’s unmet need and fill it in a way that was never filled before, you will be successful in falling in love. Taking responsibility for society with all our hearts is the duty and joy of the intellectuals living on this land. With the motto of Hanyang University — Practice of Love — in mind, be a person who could fill someone’s heart with your love. You will be loved by the love that you have given to your beloved ones.
