APR, an emerging leader in Korea's beauty technology sector, has overtaken Amorepacific to become the most valuable cosmetics firm in the nation by market capitalization. This development highlights the declining dominance of the traditional "Big Two" in the K-beauty industry, as APR rapidly gains prominence.
As reported by the Korea Exchange on the 6th, APR's stock price rose significantly by ₩27,200 (14.52%) to reach ₩214,500 at 9:40 a.m. It briefly soared to a record high of ₩220,000 following the announcement of better-than-expected second-quarter earnings. Currently, APR's market capitalization is approximately ₩8.16 trillion. This reflects the company's growing influence and financial strength.
Established in 2014, APR owns several beauty brands, including Aprilskin and Forment, in addition to MediCube, a rapidly expanding brand known for its home beauty devices. Strong export performance to regions such as the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East has significantly contributed to its rapid earnings growth. To bolster its global presence, APR has recently appointed IVE’s Jang Won-young as the new ambassador for its MediCube Age-R line, succeeding actress Kim Hee-sun. This suggests a strategic move to enhance brand visibility and appeal.
APR entered the public stock exchange on February 27, 2023, with a debut share price of ₩317,500, reflecting a 27% increase from its initial public offering price of ₩250,000. At that time, its market capitalization was ₩2.41 trillion. This initial success set the stage for its rapid ascent in the cosmetics market.
On June 23 of this year, APR's market value surpassed that of LG Household & Health Care for the first time, achieving the second position in Korea’s cosmetics industry. As of the previous day, APR's market capitalization was ₩7.13 trillion, compared to LG H&H's ₩4.59 trillion, creating a gap of over ₩2.5 trillion. With its recent surge, APR has now surpassed Amorepacific as well, claiming the top position in the K-beauty market just 17 months after its public listing. This can be interpreted as a significant milestone, reflecting APR’s rapid growth and the shifting dynamics within the industry.