Lee Seung-hoon
Sommelier
Introduction
Hello. I am Seung-hoon Lee, a sommelier who serves happiness in a wine glass. I operate 'CLIMAT', a multi-cultural wine space in Busan, and co-manage 'WINER', a wine import company specializing in French wines, alongside my wife. Through wine, I strive to bring joyful moments and a culturally enriched life to people.
Highlights
I majored in International Trade at university. Although I didn't start out studying wine, my growing passion for it naturally led me to pursue it as a career.
When I first began my journey, there weren't many professional wine education institutions in Korea. Therefore, I paved my own path by competing in national sommelier competitions, using them as a way to study independently and gain hands-on experience. Preparing for these competitions served as my greatest education, allowing me to systematically build my professional wine knowledge.
I also expanded my horizons through various educational programs abroad. In 2008, I completed a short-term course at the Université du Vin in the Rhône region of France. In 2010, I attended classes at the Ecole du Vin de Bordeaux to prepare for the Bordeaux Wine Bureau (CIVB) certified instructor credential. Since then, I have continued to enhance my expertise by earning several sommelier and wine educator certifications recognized in both the U.S. and Europe.
Most notably, winning the Korea Sommelier Championship for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012 brought me official recognition as a wine expert. Today, I am actively working as a sommelier, wine educator, and professional in wine import and distribution.
My Philosophy
I believe being a sommelier is about much more than just introducing beverages. A single glass of wine encapsulates the history and culture of its region, the winemaker’s philosophy, and an artistic sensibility.
This is why I personally meet with numerous winemakers to deepen my understanding of wine. Listening to their thoughts and philosophies reminds me that wine is not just an alcoholic drink, but a living culture and a story.
Above all, my greatest reward comes from delivering happiness to someone through a glass of wine. If a wine I introduce can make someone's time a little more special, then this work becomes profoundly meaningful in itself.
Interview
Q. What is your most memorable place and experience in Korea’s nature?
I was born in Haeundae and grew up near Gwangalli. Because of this, the sea of Busan is both the most familiar and the most special piece of nature in my life. To me, Busan's sea is like a wonderful friend always cheering me on. Running, dining, and having tea with the ocean as my backdrop brings me immense comfort. In particular, the moments spent enjoying wine while looking out at the sea remain my happiest memories. When a glass of wine meets the Busan sea, I feel the true joy of living in this city. Since the wine culture and business in Korea mostly revolve around Seoul, there are certainly things I’ve had to compromise on by staying in Busan. However, because the ocean is here, I find my life in Busan perfectly fulfilling and happy.
Q. What does nature mean to you?
To me, nature is a great teacher. I believe humans have a responsibility to love, respect, and protect nature. Working in the wine industry, I get to meet many producers who cultivate grapes with deep respect for the environment. Through them, I learn how to understand the rhythms of nature and how to live in harmony with it. Ultimately, a great wine begins with how deeply one understands and respects nature. Therefore, nature is a source of continuous learning for me, and something that always reminds me to stay humble.
Q. How do you wish to be remembered as a sommelier?
Rather than simply being remembered as a sommelier who knows a lot of good wines, I want to be remembered as someone who delivers wonderful moments to people through wine. I believe wine is a medium that connects people. A single bottle contains nature, time, the winemaker's philosophy, and the stories of the people sharing it. Moving forward, I want to be a sommelier who conveys the culture and emotion within the bottle, rather than just explaining it with technical knowledge. If I can help someone understand wine a bit more warmly and look at their own life with a bit more richness, that alone is meaningful enough.
Q. What kind of experience do you hope people have when they meet you?
The process of a grape turning into wine requires time. Just as wine deepens and develops a beautiful aroma as time passes, I believe humans also mature and discover their own unique fragrance through time. I hope the people I meet can perceive wine not just as a drink, but as a culture that enriches their lives. Living a life loving wine is not just about drinking expensive bottles; it is about discovering life's leisure, beauty, and depth. Through my work, I hope many people can appreciate the value of creating their own beautiful fragrance in life, rather than solely chasing material goals.
Inquire for Collaboration
Lee Seung-hoon
Sommelier
Introduction
Hello. I am Seung-hoon Lee, a sommelier who serves happiness in a wine glass. I operate 'CLIMAT', a multi-cultural wine space in Busan, and co-manage 'WINER', a wine import company specializing in French wines, alongside my wife. Through wine, I strive to bring joyful moments and a culturally enriched life to people.
Highlights
I majored in International Trade at university. Although I didn't start out studying wine, my growing passion for it naturally led me to pursue it as a career.
When I first began my journey, there weren't many professional wine education institutions in Korea. Therefore, I paved my own path by competing in national sommelier competitions, using them as a way to study independently and gain hands-on experience. Preparing for these competitions served as my greatest education, allowing me to systematically build my professional wine knowledge.
I also expanded my horizons through various educational programs abroad. In 2008, I completed a short-term course at the Université du Vin in the Rhône region of France. In 2010, I attended classes at the Ecole du Vin de Bordeaux to prepare for the Bordeaux Wine Bureau (CIVB) certified instructor credential. Since then, I have continued to enhance my expertise by earning several sommelier and wine educator certifications recognized in both the U.S. and Europe.
Most notably, winning the Korea Sommelier Championship for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012 brought me official recognition as a wine expert. Today, I am actively working as a sommelier, wine educator, and professional in wine import and distribution.
My Philosophy
I believe being a sommelier is about much more than just introducing beverages. A single glass of wine encapsulates the history and culture of its region, the winemaker’s philosophy, and an artistic sensibility.
This is why I personally meet with numerous winemakers to deepen my understanding of wine. Listening to their thoughts and philosophies reminds me that wine is not just an alcoholic drink, but a living culture and a story.
Above all, my greatest reward comes from delivering happiness to someone through a glass of wine. If a wine I introduce can make someone's time a little more special, then this work becomes profoundly meaningful in itself.
Interview
Q. What is your most memorable place and experience in Korea’s nature?
I was born in Haeundae and grew up near Gwangalli. Because of this, the sea of Busan is both the most familiar and the most special piece of nature in my life. To me, Busan's sea is like a wonderful friend always cheering me on. Running, dining, and having tea with the ocean as my backdrop brings me immense comfort. In particular, the moments spent enjoying wine while looking out at the sea remain my happiest memories. When a glass of wine meets the Busan sea, I feel the true joy of living in this city. Since the wine culture and business in Korea mostly revolve around Seoul, there are certainly things I’ve had to compromise on by staying in Busan. However, because the ocean is here, I find my life in Busan perfectly fulfilling and happy.
Q. What does nature mean to you?
To me, nature is a great teacher. I believe humans have a responsibility to love, respect, and protect nature. Working in the wine industry, I get to meet many producers who cultivate grapes with deep respect for the environment. Through them, I learn how to understand the rhythms of nature and how to live in harmony with it. Ultimately, a great wine begins with how deeply one understands and respects nature. Therefore, nature is a source of continuous learning for me, and something that always reminds me to stay humble.
Q. How do you wish to be remembered as a sommelier?
Rather than simply being remembered as a sommelier who knows a lot of good wines, I want to be remembered as someone who delivers wonderful moments to people through wine. I believe wine is a medium that connects people. A single bottle contains nature, time, the winemaker's philosophy, and the stories of the people sharing it. Moving forward, I want to be a sommelier who conveys the culture and emotion within the bottle, rather than just explaining it with technical knowledge. If I can help someone understand wine a bit more warmly and look at their own life with a bit more richness, that alone is meaningful enough.
Q. What kind of experience do you hope people have when they meet you?
The process of a grape turning into wine requires time. Just as wine deepens and develops a beautiful aroma as time passes, I believe humans also mature and discover their own unique fragrance through time. I hope the people I meet can perceive wine not just as a drink, but as a culture that enriches their lives. Living a life loving wine is not just about drinking expensive bottles; it is about discovering life's leisure, beauty, and depth. Through my work, I hope many people can appreciate the value of creating their own beautiful fragrance in life, rather than solely chasing material goals.
Inquire for Collaboration