First generation
From hardship to a lifetime of candy making
The story behind Cheongwon Food began with a young man determined to escape hunger. In his mid-to-late teens, he joined a Japanese-run candy factory. Over nearly a decade, he learned candy production and later expanded his skills to jelly, yakgwa (a traditional Korean honey pastry) and ice cream.
A setback and a fresh start
In the 1970s, he ran his own factory. Unexpected business difficulties eventually forced it to close, but he remained committed to candy making.
In the mid-1980s, he opened Narae Food, a small factory making dalgona, peppermint candy, eyeball candies and lollipops. These familiar sweets remain part of many people’s childhood memories. The 50-piece Golden Dalgona pack sold in South Korea today is made in China and imported by Cheongwon Food.
Second generation
A second generation on the production floor
In the early 1990s, his youngest son joined the factory, beginning the next generation of the family’s candy-making tradition. He started at entry level, cleaning production equipment.
He spent about fifteen years working alongside his father, learning production processes, ingredient blending, manufacturing techniques and production management. That hands-on experience laid the foundation for Cheongwon Food.
8 June 2010: Cheongwon Food is founded
On 8 June 2010, he established Cheongwon Food as his own manufacturing business. His father stepped back from day-to-day production and continued to share his experience as a mentor.
Golden Dalgona: a new direction during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic brought another crisis. Trade and distribution slowed, making production and sales difficult and bringing Cheongwon Food close to closure.
To secure the company’s future, the second-generation owner pursued a new production method and product: Golden Dalgona Candy. It combines the familiar taste of traditional dalgona with a new approach to manufacturing.
About three years of equipment development
Developing the product required capabilities that existing machines could not provide. Cheongwon Food spent about three years developing the manufacturing technology and equipment needed to bring Golden Dalgona to market.
Philosophy
Learning, perseverance and a fresh start
Cheongwon Food’s history is a story of perseverance as much as candy making: learning a craft, overcoming setbacks and passing knowledge and values from father to son.
Preserve the taste of tradition. Reinterpret it for today’s consumers.
We remain committed to preserving traditional flavors, exploring new manufacturing methods and working toward becoming a leading Korean confectionery company.
Registration · Trademark · Awards
Business registration, trademark and awards
Business registration
Cheongwon Food business registration
- Business name
- Cheongwon Food
- Date established
- 8 June 2010
Trademark
Golden Dalgona trademark
Golden Dalgona was registered as Trademark No. 1723901 in Class 30 on 6 May 2021. The registered owner is Kim Tae-hee. The register extract and the Korean Intellectual Property Office registration gazette document the same trademark.
Awards
Awards received in 2022
On 27 May 2022, Cheongwon Food’s representative received a commendation from the chair of the National Assembly’s Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, recognizing contributions to the national economy through food product development. On the same day, Cheongwon Food received the 2022 Korea Global Power Brand Award, recognizing its contribution to the national economy through customer satisfaction. The award plaque bears the Golden Dalgona name.