54th Myung-in, Minsoo Seo

Grand Master of Traditional Korean Foods

(명인 myung-in) is a distinguished title given to individuals in recognition of their extraordinary contributions in protecting and preserving the nation’s traditional agricultural methods, manufacturing processes and unique tastes of Korean culture. Since 1994, in effort to protect and preserve Korean food traditions, the South Korea Ministry of Agriculture has recognized individuals.

(*The above current Korea Grand Master logo was updated from a previous version in 2019)

대한민국 (Daehan-Minguk) = Republic of Korea (South Korea)
식품 (shik-poom) = food products
명인 (myung-in) = master (person with excellent skills)
농림축산식품부 (nong-lim-chook-san-shik-poom-boo) = Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (aka MAFRA)
제54호 (jae-54-ho) = the 54th
서민수 = Seo, Minsoo
차류 (cha-ryu) =tea
황차, 말차 (hwang cha, malcha) = Hwang Cha (partially oxidized tea), Malcha (powdered green tea
제조 (jae-jo) = production/manufacturing

In 2008, founder and late CEO of Hankook Tea Company Yang Won Seo, was recognized as the 34th Grand Master of Traditional Korean Foods by the government for being a “master” at his craft, for his skillful technique in developing and crafting the artisan Hwang Cha (partially oxidized tea) and superior production of Malcha (powdered green tea). The complete list of all the myung-in's can be found here.

After his passing in 2012, Hankook Tea Company was succeeded by his son Minsoo Seo (picture above and below), the current CEO.

Only one person may hold the title of myung-in for a specific traditional food at any given time. Following the passing of the late CEO, the titles for Hwang Cha and Malcha did not simply pass down; they required a rigorous national re-evaluation. After an intensive application and confirmation process, Minsoo Seo was officially appointed in 2013 as the 54th Grand Master of Traditional Korean Foods by the Republic of Korea, continuing his father’s legacy through the superior production of Hwang Cha (partially oxidized tea) and Malcha (powdered green tea).