In 1973, a small shop named "Dongjin" opened its doors in Jongno 5-ga, a district known for military supplies. This was the humble beginning of BYN Blackyak, one of South Korea's leading outdoor apparel companies. Founded by Kang Tae-sun at the tender age of 24, the shop was a mere 3-pyeong (approximately 10 square meters) space selling mountaineering equipment.
Like many self-made entrepreneurs, Kang's journey was fraught with challenges. When he first started, the idea of selling mountaineering gear in Jongno was met with skepticism. After all, in the early 1970s, mountaineering was far from a mainstream activity in Korea. Despite the uncertainties, Kang's passion for mountains and his vision to create high-quality domestic equipment drove him forward.
Kang was disheartened by the poor quality and limited availability of mountaineering gear in the market. Most equipment was either repurposed military gear or expensive imported products. Determined to change this, he adopted a "3-no, 3-don't" strategy, promising to never say "no," "don't know," or "can't" to customers. He spent countless hours studying American backpacks and hiking mountains to understand the needs of mountaineers. This dedication led to the launch of the "Giant" brand and its flagship product, the "Giant backpack."
The growing interest in mountaineering, which culminated in the historic ascent of Mount Everest by South Korean climber Go Sang-don in 1977, propelled Giant to unprecedented success. However, the industry faced a major setback in 1992 when camping and cooking were banned in national parks and major mountains. Undeterred, Kang embarked on a Himalayan expedition and returned with a new vision: to enter the mountaineering apparel business. This led to the birth of the Blackyak brand.
Blackyak quickly became the flagship brand of Dongjin Leisure. The Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s actually boosted the brand's popularity as more people turned to nature for solace. With the rise of the middle class and a growing interest in outdoor activities, Blackyak successfully positioned itself as a fashion-forward outdoor brand.
Kang Tae-sun often says that he is a mountaineer first and a businessman second. For him, mountains have always been a source of inspiration and solace. His philosophy is simple: "Don't blame the environment, create your own path." This belief has guided him through numerous challenges and has been the driving force behind BYN Blackyak's success.
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