What Bohae Brewery does

Bohae Brewery (보해양조, KRX: 000890) is a South Korean alcoholic beverage manufacturer founded in 1950 by Lim Kwang-haeng and headquartered in Mokpo, with production centralized at a HACCP and ISO 9001-certified facility in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do. The company employs 101-250 people and operates 13+ domestic branch offices plus export distribution to 19 countries. Its portfolio spans premium soju (flagship Ipsaeju / 잎새주), Korea's leading bokbunja (raspberry) wine (Bohae Bokbunju / 보해복분자주, launched 2004), aged plum wine (Maechwisun / 매취순, 5-15 year variants), 23% premium soju (Bohae Gold / 보해골드), makgeolli (Sunhee / 순희), a low-alcohol carbonated RTD (Brother Soda / 부라더소다), and innovation-led SKUs including the world's first kelp soju (Dari, Majo / 다시, 마주, 2024) and a Spanish-style grape distillate (Goma Graze / 고마그라제, 2025).

Underlying the portfolio is a vertically integrated fermentation and distillation platform anchored on 253m-deep natural bedrock water from the Noryeong Mountains, with proprietary processes including the Micro Air Pocket Blowing System (MAPBS) for hangover-substance reduction, constant-temperature thermostatic fermentation, premium activated carbon distillation, and an Auto Control System at the Jangseong facility with 3-stage ultra-precision filtration. The company holds 24 patents covering manufacturing methods across soju, fruit wine, makgeolli, and hangover-relief compositions.

Bohae's business model is one-time sale of alcoholic beverages through retail distribution — Korean liquor regulations prohibit direct-to-consumer sales, so all revenue flows through licensed retail channels including major discount marts, convenience stores (GS25), supermarkets, agricultural cooperatives (Nonghyup), and KakaoTalk Gift, supplemented by export sales via regional distributors. Pricing spans mass-market soju to premium aged gift sets at ₩18,500 to ₩60,350 per unit. Customer segments are horizontal: General Consumers, a Premium Gifting segment, and Regional Specialty consumers (e.g., Yeosu Sea with endangered porpoise branding). The company pursues marketing through celebrity endorsements, YouTube/social content, CSR initiatives (44-year scholarship program, environmental campaigns), and cross-industry IP collaborations (Blizzard Entertainment's Demon's Spirit).

Name

Bohae Brewery

Legal name

보해양조(주)

Website

https://bohae.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bohae Brewery (보해양조, KRX: 000890) is a South Korean alcoholic beverage manufacturer founded in 1950, producing premium soju, fruit wines, aged plum wine, makgeolli, and RTD beverages for domestic retail and export to 19 countries, with operations centered on a HACCP/ISO 9001-certified Jangseong facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Traditional Korean Soju and Liquor Manufacturing

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Breweries (312120), Wineries (312130)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Malt Beverages (2082)

akta.pro primary industry

Sake, Soju & Other Asian Alcoholic Beverages Producers & Brands (CRADAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB)

Keywords

• Traditional Korean liquor
• Premium soju manufacturing
• Fruit wine production
• Distilled spirits brewery
• Artisan makgeolli

Headquarters

HQ city

Mokpo

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Alcoholic Beverage Sales: Bohae Brewery generates revenue primarily through the sale of alcoholic beverages including soju, fruit wines, makgeolli, and distilled spirits. Products are sold through retail chains, convenience stores, and distribution partners across South Korea and export markets.
2. Gift Sets & Premium Products: The company sells premium gift sets (e.g., 15-year aged Maechwisun set at ₩30,000, Maechwisun 15yr 3L at ₩60,350), which represent higher-margin product lines.
3. Export Sales: Products are exported to 19 countries worldwide. Export products include Ara soju to Vietnam and Won-shot soju to Singapore.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bohae Brewery manufactures and sells traditional Korean alcoholic beverages, including premium soju, fruit wines, makgeolli, and distilled spirits, produced at its Mokpo and Yeosu facilities. The company sells its own branded products (Ipsaeju, Bohae Soju, Bohae Gold, Bokbunja wine, Maechwisun, Goma Graze, Brother Soda, Sunhee makgeolli) to consumers domestically and in 19 export markets, with a focus on premium and gift segments.

Product overview

Bohae Brewery (보해양조) is a Korean alcoholic beverage company established in 1950, specializing in premium spirits and traditional Korean liquors. The company's product portfolio centers on its flagship soju brand '잎새주' (Ipsaeju), complemented by fruit wines led by Korea's leading '보해복분자주' (Bohae Bokbunju) raspberry wine, and aged plum wine '매취순' (Maechwisun). The company differentiates through innovation, introducing unique products like the world's first kelp-based soju '다시, 마주', Spanish-style '고마그라제' grape distillate, and large-format BIB soju '잎새주 파티팩'. The product line spans soju (16-23% alcohol), fruit wines (11-15%), plum wines (14-18%), and low-alcohol carbonated drinks (3%), all produced at the ISO 9001 and HACCP-certified Jangseong factory using 253m underground natural rock water from the Noryeong Mountains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 잎새주: 100% 천연 감미료 사용 소주, 지하 253M 천연암반수 사용
• 보해복분자주
• 매취순
• 보해골드
• 보해소주
• 부라더소다
• 순희
• 여수바다
• 고마그라제
• 다시,마주
• 복받은부라더홍연

Products and services

• Ipsaeju (잎새주) Premium soju and Bohae Brewery's flagship brand, marketed for premium gifting and consumption; also available in a Christmas variant and party-pack (BIB) bag-in-box format.
• Bohae Soju (보해소주) Salt-based traditional soju produced using Bohae Brewery's proprietary fermentation process at its Mokpo and Yeosu facilities.
• Bohae Gold (보해골드) 23% ABV premium soju from Bohae Brewery, positioned in the higher-strength premium soju segment.
• Yeosu Sea (여수바다) Regionally-branded soju named after the coastal city of Yeosu, produced at Bohae Brewery's Yeosu facility and targeted at regional/tourism consumers.
• Dari, Majo (다시, 마주) Differentiated soju flavored with kelp (다시마), offering a novel Korean ingredient profile in Bohae Brewery's soju lineup.
• Bohae Bokbunja (보해복분자주) Signature Korean raspberry (bokbunja) fruit wine from Bohae Brewery, marketed for personal consumption and gifting.
• Maechwisun (매취순) Premium aged plum (maesil) wine from Bohae Brewery, sold in gift sets and marketed for premium gifting and ancestral-rite occasions.
• Bokbad-eun Brother Hongyeon (복받은부라더홍연) Fruit wine product under the Bohae Brewery's "Brother" brand line, complementing the low-alcohol Brother Soda offering.
• Brother Soda (부라더소다) Low-alcohol flavored drink from Bohae Brewery, targeting younger consumers and lighter-occasion consumption.
• Goma Graze (고마그라제) Spanish-style grape distillate produced at Bohae Brewery's pot-still (증류식) distillery at the Yeosu facility, showcasing the company's distillation capabilities.
• Sunhee (순희) Traditional Korean makgeolli (rice wine) listed among Bohae Brewery's manufactured product portfolio.
• Ipsaeju Party Pack (잎새주 파티팩) Bag-in-box (BIB) format offering of the flagship Ipsaeju premium soju, targeted at gatherings and party consumption.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products exported to 19 countries worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Marine Environmental Conservation OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Bohae partnered with marine environmental organizations for environmental protection campaigns and donations tied to the 'Yeosu Sea' soju brand featuring the endangered finless porpoise (상괭이) as its mascot.
• Glam (글램) - Dating AppminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 October 2025Bohae partnered with dating app Glam for a year-end romance campaign featuring 'Bokbundeodeul Brother Hongyeon x Glam Edition', targeting younger consumers through the intersection of dating culture and alcoholic beverages.
• Super Chain组合 (수퍼체인조합)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Partnership for the 50th anniversary commemorative product 'Bohae Myeongjudogam Gasiogapi', a 12-year aged fruit wine containing 11 precious medicinal plants.
• National Sejong Arboretum (국립세종수목원)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on the opening of the Maehwa-won (plum flower garden), demonstrating Bohae's commitment to environmental sustainability and local community development.
• Lee Yeon-hee Ethanol (이연희 창해에탄올)minorOthers · 1 January 2025Donation to the Bohae Scholarship Foundation by Lee Yeon-hee, CEO of Changhae Ethanol, in addition to the regular scholarship fund.
• Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative (전남농협)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Rice purchase agreement of 210 tons worth 500 million KRW to support local farmers during rice price decline, under the 'Together (함께)' community contribution project.
• Blizzard EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 November 2024Bohae partnered with global game company Blizzard Entertainment to launch 'Demon's Spirit' (악마의 영혼), a 25-degree distilled spirit inspired by Diablo game lore, featuring game story-themed packaging.
• Wando Fishery Products Cooperative (완도금일수협)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration with Wando Fishery Products Cooperative to use Wando kelp (완도산 다시마) in the world-first kelp-based soju 'Dashi, Maju', supporting local fishermen and the regional economy.
• Wando County (완도군)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Bohae partnered with Wando County government to create the 'Dashi, Maju' kelp soju, promoting local specialty products and the 'loconomics' trend.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Daesun Distillers: Traditional Korean distilled spirits producer with a focus on aged and specialty soju; comparable to Bohae's aged Maechwisun and Bohae Gold premium spirits lines.
• Muhak Co., Ltd. Mid-sized Korean soju producer with a premium-positioned lineup and similar distribution patterns; one of the closest direct peers to Bohae in scale, channel mix, and premium soju positioning.
• Kook Soon Dang Brewery: Traditional Korean brewer and distiller known for makgeolli, soju, and rice wines; comparable to Bohae in traditional fermentation expertise, regional ingredient sourcing, and domestic premium positioning.
• Charm Soju (Chum Churum): Mid-tier Korean soju brand (now under Lotte Chilsung) competing for the same shelf space and consumer occasions as Bohae's Ipsaeju, including convenience store and discount mart channels.
• San Soju (Sansung/distillers): Traditional Korean rice soju producer with regional identity and ingredient-driven marketing; closely comparable to Bohae's premium traditional soju positioning and export ambitions.
• Hallasan Soju (Jeju): Jeju-based regional soju producer using local water and traditional methods, mirroring Bohae's regional terroir-driven positioning strategy and small-batch premium narrative.

Broad incumbents

• HiteJinro: Korea's largest soju manufacturer (Jinro, Chamisul) and a major brewer; competes with Bohae across mainstream soju, RTDs, and fruit wines but at materially larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Lotte Chilsung Beverage: Diversified Korean beverage giant producing soju (Cheoeumcheoreom/Charm, Cheoeum), beer, and soft drinks; directly comparable to Bohae in soju and overlapping in fruit-flavored alcoholic beverages at a much larger scale.

Regional players

• Doosanju / Hwaseong Traditional Soju: Regional Korean traditional soju producer focused on local heritage ingredients; overlapping with Bohae's regional terroir and Wando/Yeosu partnerships in a comparable niche, but with primarily domestic distribution focus.

Emerging players

• Baekseju (manufacturer / Kwangdong): Heritage Korean traditional herbal liquor (Baekseju family) with strong gifting-channel presence; comparable to Bohae's Maechwisun and Bohae Myeongjudogam aged gift-set products targeting the premium traditional Korean liquor segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubebohae.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=tl_movie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bohae-brewery-co-ltd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bohae Brewery