Han Jeong-hee
The Han Spirits Brewer
Introduction 
At The Han Spirits, my work involves deeply understanding a single raw ingredient and expressing its essence through liquor. Rather than focusing on building a rapidly growing brand, I prioritize establishing standards that stand the test of time.
My journey began in Austria, where I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Violin. Upon returning to Korea, I pursued an MBA and transitioned into the world of business, founding The Han Spirits in 2010. Ever since, I have dedicated myself to continuously developing premium products centered around the Korean green plum (maesil).
The Han Spirits: Wonmae 
"Wonmae (原梅)" is our signature plum liquor, crafted through the traditional method of infusing plums. Unlike some commercial products that blend in other fruit wines to lower their liquor tax burden, Wonmae is made of 100% pure plum liquor extract without any additives.
Instead of common green plums, we use only fully ripened yellow plums (hwangmae) to achieve a deeper, more concentrated aroma. For sweetness, we use pure honey instead of sugar to create a smoother, more natural texture. Through a meticulous aging process, the flavor achieves its ultimate balance and depth. Ultimately, Wonmae is not a processed fruit wine, but a premium liquor that most directly showcases the authentic characteristics of the plum itself.
Wonmae is not a spirit driven by sweetness, but by structure. It is characterized by a deep aroma and natural acidity from the ripe yellow plums, complemented by a multi-dimensional flavor profile born from aging. Sweetness acts not as the focal point, but as a subtle element to balance the overall experience. I hope customers perceive it not merely as a sweet drink, but as a liquor through which they can taste the passage of time and the structural depth of the plum.
Professional Philosophy 
I believe this work is closer to completing a piece of music than simply manufacturing a product.
To deliver a great musical performance, one cannot simply rush through the sheet music; one must fully understand the breath, the timing, and the silence. Similarly, crafting exceptional liquor requires waiting through the seasons and allowing the spirit to age, building its perfection over time. Just as rushing produces sound but not music, this work is a series of choices where we invest time to cultivate balance and depth rather than chasing quick results.
Interview
Q. What does "Nature" mean to you? 
To me, nature is a standard rather than just a raw material. The aroma, acidity, and structure of the plum are already perfectly complete in nature. I believe our role is simply to capture and bottle that perfection without damaging it.
Q. How was Wonmae first created? 
Wonmae began from a deeply personal experience. Growing up, I used to enjoy homemade plum extract and liquor made by my family. However, the commercial plum liquors I encountered as an adult were vastly different from the rich flavors I remembered.
Questioning that difference led to a desire to "create a proper plum liquor," which eventually inspired me to establish The Han Spirits. Wonmae, in particular, was heavily influenced by the traditional way my grandmother used to make it—using ripe yellow plums, adding honey, and letting it age naturally over time. Wonmae is the result of reinterpreting that traditional method for the modern palate.
Q. How do you hope people perceive Wonmae? 
I hope that through Wonmae, people experience more than just a drink—I hope they experience a moment in time. I want it to play a role in softening the atmosphere during quiet moments or natural conversations. I hope this liquor acts not as the centerpiece, but as a beautiful element that completes your time.
Inquiry for Collaboration
Han Jeong-hee
The Han Spirits Brewer
Introduction
At The Han Spirits, my work involves deeply understanding a single raw ingredient and expressing its essence through liquor. Rather than focusing on building a rapidly growing brand, I prioritize establishing standards that stand the test of time.
My journey began in Austria, where I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Violin. Upon returning to Korea, I pursued an MBA and transitioned into the world of business, founding The Han Spirits in 2010. Ever since, I have dedicated myself to continuously developing premium products centered around the Korean green plum (maesil).
The Han Spirits: Wonmae
"Wonmae (原梅)" is our signature plum liquor, crafted through the traditional method of infusing plums. Unlike some commercial products that blend in other fruit wines to lower their liquor tax burden, Wonmae is made of 100% pure plum liquor extract without any additives.
Instead of common green plums, we use only fully ripened yellow plums (hwangmae) to achieve a deeper, more concentrated aroma. For sweetness, we use pure honey instead of sugar to create a smoother, more natural texture. Through a meticulous aging process, the flavor achieves its ultimate balance and depth. Ultimately, Wonmae is not a processed fruit wine, but a premium liquor that most directly showcases the authentic characteristics of the plum itself.
Wonmae is not a spirit driven by sweetness, but by structure. It is characterized by a deep aroma and natural acidity from the ripe yellow plums, complemented by a multi-dimensional flavor profile born from aging. Sweetness acts not as the focal point, but as a subtle element to balance the overall experience. I hope customers perceive it not merely as a sweet drink, but as a liquor through which they can taste the passage of time and the structural depth of the plum.
Professional Philosophy
I believe this work is closer to completing a piece of music than simply manufacturing a product.
To deliver a great musical performance, one cannot simply rush through the sheet music; one must fully understand the breath, the timing, and the silence. Similarly, crafting exceptional liquor requires waiting through the seasons and allowing the spirit to age, building its perfection over time. Just as rushing produces sound but not music, this work is a series of choices where we invest time to cultivate balance and depth rather than chasing quick results.
Interview
Q. What does "Nature" mean to you?
To me, nature is a standard rather than just a raw material. The aroma, acidity, and structure of the plum are already perfectly complete in nature. I believe our role is simply to capture and bottle that perfection without damaging it.
Q. How was Wonmae first created?
Wonmae began from a deeply personal experience. Growing up, I used to enjoy homemade plum extract and liquor made by my family. However, the commercial plum liquors I encountered as an adult were vastly different from the rich flavors I remembered.
Questioning that difference led to a desire to "create a proper plum liquor," which eventually inspired me to establish The Han Spirits. Wonmae, in particular, was heavily influenced by the traditional way my grandmother used to make it—using ripe yellow plums, adding honey, and letting it age naturally over time. Wonmae is the result of reinterpreting that traditional method for the modern palate.
Q. How do you hope people perceive Wonmae?
I hope that through Wonmae, people experience more than just a drink—I hope they experience a moment in time. I want it to play a role in softening the atmosphere during quiet moments or natural conversations. I hope this liquor acts not as the centerpiece, but as a beautiful element that completes your time.
Inquiry for Collaboration