Shin Hong-soon, former CEO of LG Fashion, passes away... Age 85

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Chung-won = Shin Hong-soon, former CEO of LG Fashion, who appeared in the company's commercial (CF) in the mid-1990s and became a hot topic with the words, "We will create a country that will be remembered through fashion!", passed away from old age at Yongin Severance Hospital at Yonsei University at around 10:50 a.m. on the 27th, his family reported on the 28th. Age 85.

The deceased, who was born in Seoul, graduated from Gyeonggi High School and Yonsei University's Department of Political Science and Engineering before joining Lucky Co., Ltd. (now LG Chem) in 1966. After serving as head of export department and branch manager in Hamburg, Germany, he served as president of LG International and LG Fashion from 1991 to 1999. He served as vice president of the Korea Fashion Association from 1992 to 1999.

In 1995, when LG International Bando Fashion changed its company name to LG Fashion, it appeared in newspaper advertisements and TV commercials to promote the new brand. Unlike the CEOs and chairman of large corporations at the time who usually appeared in corporate promotions dressed in suits and looking dignified and authoritative, the deceased appeared in overalls and a brightly colored shirt. Even in the advertisement, it was widely talked about that it did not say, "Our products are good," but rather raised macro and cultural topics such as "We will create a country that is remembered through fashion," or "Fashion transformation, the fruits of which belong to the customers."

After retirement, he worked as an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Industrial Arts at Hongik University, an advisor to the Korea Fashion Association, dean of the Graduate School of Culture and Media Entrepreneurship at Yewon Arts University, and president of the Seoul Arts Center (2008-2009). Since 2002, it has held the ‘Jazz Park Concert’, the only regular jazz performance in Korea, at the Textile Center Event Hall in Samseong-dong, Seoul, and supported jazz artists such as Woongsan.

He received the Stone Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit (1994), the Korea Textile Awards (1995), the Best Dressed Swan Award in the cultural business category (1995), the Seoul Fashion Executive Award (1997), and the Proud Yonsei Executive Award (1997).

Survivors include his wife, Nam Hye-sook, one son and four daughters (Shin Soo-hwa, Shin Soo-hyeon, Shin Soo-kyung, Shin Su-hye, and Shin Nyun-soo (LG Electronics Chief)), and sons-in-law Kim Young-soo (Amore Pacific advisor) and Chae Won-seok (Aon Korea managing director). The funeral will be held in a special room at Yonsei University's Yongin Funeral Home, and the funeral will be held at 7 a.m. on the 30th.

The following is a condolence message sent by jazz singer Woongsan on the 29th.

▲ Woongsan = The deceased contributed greatly to the development of Korean jazz. (Jazz singer) Park Seong-yeon (1943-2020) has supported Korean jazz musicians and set the stage for them for over 20 years, including helping them without anyone knowing when they were going through difficult times. I became acquainted with the deceased through free performances held at the LG Fashion building every month since my debut in 1996 to expand the jazz base. When I held my first solo concert at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall in 2012, I remember the person who came and saw the performance and said it was so touching that he had tears in his eyes. Thanks to the deceased's efforts to promote Korea's great artists overseas, I was able to perform several times in Vladivostok, Russia. The deceased's every step, every thought, and every word he said gave me so much warmth and strength. I'm just sorry that I couldn't come to pay my respects because I heard the news of his passing during a performance in the US.