On the 24th, on the first floor of Yuhan Willow House in Dongjak District, Seoul, visitors could experience a mind-diagnosis exhibit. Music that puts emotions at ease and media art shaped like nature flowed through the space.
Here, it is also possible to assess one's personality type. A device in the exhibition hall posed questions such as "I greet and try to talk to someone I'm meeting for the first time." After answering "strongly agree," the interpretation came out as "Tree with embers type: leads situations and considers others' emotions." A Willow House official said, "You can assess your emotions and interpersonal relationships."
Yuhan unveiled Willow House that day to mark its 100th anniversary. The company revived its old headquarters, which Yuhan used for 35 years starting in 1962, as a multiuse cultural space. The intent is that if it has contributed to the public's physical health until now, people can take a break here and look after their mental health as well.
◇Old headquarters used for 35 years… into a multiuse cultural space for citizens
Yuhan was founded in 1926 by the late Dr. Yu Il-han. Yuhan prepared this space to return corporations' profits to society and to share its philosophy. Chief Executive Cho Uk-je of Yuhan said, "We are unveiling Willow House to carry on the founder's spirit," adding, "a place for civil society."
Willow House refers to the willow that symbolizes the company. The occasion came when Dr. Yu Il-han presented the late Dr. Seo Jae-pil with a woodblock print engraved with a willow. It is said to now carry the meaning of becoming a corporation that people can lean on like a willow.
Willow House has one basement level and four floors above ground. The first floor is an interactive exhibition hall, and the second floor is a space introducing Yuhan's history and its founder. There are books related to Dr. Yu Il-han and personal belongings he used in his lifetime, such as a hat and a watch. The third floor introduces various medicines and health functional foods, including the lung cancer drug Leclaza that cleared the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hurdle. The fourth floor has a rooftop garden.
◇The 11th listed Korean corporation to mark its 100th anniversary
Yuhan is the 11th listed corporation in Korea to mark its 100th anniversary. Dr. Yu Il-han founded the company on the belief that the people must be healthy to defend their sovereignty, and in 1957 it produced the country's first antibiotic. When he passed away in 1971, he left $10,000 to his granddaughter and returned the rest of his assets to society.
As of the first-quarter business report this year, Yuhan Foundation holds 15.93% of common shares and 0.04% of preferred shares of Yuhan's equity. Board Chair Lee Jeong-hee of Yuhan holds 0.07%, and Chief Executive Cho Uk-je of Yuhan holds 0.03%. The company uses a structure in which professional managers, rather than the founder's family, are in charge.
Powered by the lung cancer drug Leclaza, Yuhan surpassed 2 trillion won in consolidation sales last year. It is currently developing candidates such as the allergy treatment Lesigercept. The company plans to focus on three strategic areas: cancer; cardiovascular, cardiac, and metabolic diseases; and immune and inflammatory diseases.