Singer-actress Suzy has recently found herself at the center of unfounded marriage rumors, with APR Inc. CEO Kim Byung Hoon identified as her alleged partner. While her agency has strongly denied the speculation, the attention has quickly shifted to Kim, a rising figure in Korea’s beauty industry.
On August 28, Kim Jang Kyun, head of Suzy’s management agency Management SOOP, dismissed the claims on his personal account, warning, “Anyone caught spreading false rumors will be held accountable.” The denial came after an online community post alleged that Suzy was preparing to marry a company executive and suggested that news reports would soon follow. The baseless rumor spread rapidly before being shut down.
Kim Byung Hoon, born in 1988 and now 37 years old, has become one of Korea’s most prominent young entrepreneurs. After successfully leading APR’s stock market debut last year, he elevated the company to the top of the domestic beauty industry in just 15 months, with a market capitalization of about 7.9 trillion KRW (about $5.8 billion). This rapid rise earned him the nickname of “beauty tycoon.” APR has built its influence through high-profile celebrity endorsements, partnering with stars such as Kim Hee Sun, Jung Ji So, IVE’s Wonyoung, and Yoo Jae Suk, while also featuring Girls' Generation’s Taeyeon in its fashion campaigns.
Investor confidence has followed the company’s growth. APR’s stock, which launched in the 50,000 KRW range (about $37), has since soared to the 220,000 KRW range (about $162) as of August 29, nearly quadrupling in value. Kim personally holds more than 11.95 million shares (31.35%), translating to a stake valued at approximately 2.49 trillion KRW (about $1.83 billion) at the latest closing price.
Beyond his business achievements, Kim has also drawn public interest for his image and personal presence. Often noted for his resemblance to actor Song Joong Ki, he maintains an active social media account that has become a source of buzz. A photo of him posing with Jang Wonyoung in particular has gone viral, sparking wide attention among fans.
Although the marriage rumors involving Suzy have been firmly debunked, they have inadvertently thrust Kim Byung Hoon further into the public eye, highlighting both his business success and growing influence as one of Korea’s most talked-about corporate leaders.
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