When you think of LG, you probably picture sleek smartphones, high-tech refrigerators, or state-of-the-art OLED TVs. But what if I told you that this global tech giant—now a household name in electronics—actually started as a facial cream company? Yes, you read that right! Before LG became synonymous with innovation, it was a cosmetics brand selling face cream in post-war Korea. This is the fascinating story of how a humble skincare product laid the foundation for one of the world’s most influential technology companies. <h3 class="ql-align-justify">The Birth of LG: Beauty Before Technology</h3><h3 class="ql-align-justify"> </h3>It all began in 1947, when a young entrepreneur named Koo In-hwoi founded a company called Lak Hui Chemical Industrial Corp. in South Korea. The country was still recovering from World War II, and daily necessities—especially personal care products—were hard to come by.Koo saw an opportunity and launched Lak Hui Cream, one of Korea’s very first locally made facial creams. The product quickly gained popularity, offering Korean consumers an affordable, high-quality skincare option in a market dominated by expensive foreign brands.Lak Hui Cream’s success gave Koo the confidence to expand. By the 1950s, his company was producing a range of household goods, including soaps and detergents. But Koo wasn’t done yet—his vision extended far beyond cosmetics. <h3 class="ql-align-justify">From Chemicals to Consumer Goods</h3><h3 class="ql-align-justify"> </h3>As South Korea industrialized, Koo realized that plastics and chemicals would be the building blocks of the future. In 1958, he founded Goldstar, a company focused on manufacturing electrical goods, including South Korea’s first-ever radio.Goldstar quickly expanded its product line, producing fans, refrigerators, televisions, and washing machines. The company’s success in consumer electronics, combined with Lak Hui’s strength in household goods, led to an important decision—a merger. <h3 class="ql-align-justify">A New Era Begins</h3><h3 class="ql-align-justify"> </h3>In 1959, Lak Hui (which means "Lucky" in Korean) and Goldstar joined forces to create Lucky-Goldstar, the company that would later be known simply as LG.With this merger, LG transitioned from a chemical company to a full-fledged electronics powerhouse. Over the following decades, it expanded globally, launching innovative products in home appliances, mobile devices, and display technology. <h3 class="ql-align-justify">LG’s Legacy of Innovation</h3><h3 class="ql-align-justify"> </h3>Today, LG is a global leader in electronics, home appliances, and telecommunications, with a presence in over 100 countries. It’s hard to believe that a simple jar of facial cream was the starting point of this multi-billion-dollar empire.LG’s journey is proof that great companies don’t just follow trends—they evolve, adapt, and redefine industries. What started as a skincare business turned into one of the most recognizable names in technology, proving that vision, adaptability, and innovation are the true ingredients of success. <h3 class="ql-align-justify">The Power of Reinvention</h3><h3 class="ql-align-justify"> </h3>The story of LG teaches us an important lesson: Every great company starts somewhere—often in the most unexpected places.So, the next time you use an LG device, remember—you’re not just using technology. You’re holding a piece of history, one that started with a simple beauty product and transformed into a global tech empire.

Explore LG's incredible journey from a cosmetics company to a global tech leader.

From Facial Cream to Tech Giant: The Unbelievable Origin of LG

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Strategy Soda

From Facial Cream to Tech Giant: The Unbelievable Origin of LG

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