Forest Partners is a leading, independent venture capital firm in South Korea focused on investing in Korean founder-led, early-stage to growth companies. The firm has three major businesses: Venture Capital, Growth/Private Equity, and Public Equity.
Our unique platform with full-stack capabilities allows us to outperform across cycles. It also enables cross-over collaboration between our Venture Capital, Growth/Private Equity, and Public Equity teams to make strategic investment decisions as our private companies crossover into the public market.
Our vision is to grow together with great companies so that we can become the go-to alternative investment firm in Asia.
Based on trust-based partnerships, our team is committed to enabling growth and creative outcomes for all our partners. Our team is driven by the following values:
Passion for excellence permeates every investment decision and the long-term supporting role we play for the founders we back in order to secure maximized, solid returns for our investors.
Our investment decisions are driven by independent thinking and we aim to make a lasting impact for companies at their pivotal moments of growth.
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of professional integrity in everything we do and are committed to transparency.
ashan@forestgp.com
Founding Partner & CEO
skim@forestgp.com
Growth/PE Partner
Prior to joining Forest Partners, Hoyon was Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Tiger Pacific Capital, a long/short equity fundamental driven Asia focused hedge fund based in New York. He founded the fund in October 2012 backed by Julien Robertson and Tiger Management. As Managing Partner, he focused on investments in internet, media and auto sectors in North East Asia. Hoyon was an integral part of institutionalizing the firm and led external relationships with brokers and other counter parties.
Previously Hoyon was Managing Director at Tiger Asia Management in New York. He helped the fund grow to over $10bn at peak, becoming the largest Asia dedicated hedge fund in history at the time. Prior to that, Hoyon worked at Bain & Company as a management consultant in both their Seoul and Chicago office.
Hoyon holds a B.A. from Seoul National University and MBA degree from Stanford Graduate School of Business. In his spare time, Hoyon enjoys travelling and is an avid wine lover.
hhwang@forestgp.com
VC Partner & CSO
Dong Yeol received his B.A. from Korea University. In his free time, he enjoys listening to house music and watching movies.
dyoo@forestgp.com
VC Managing Director
Hyunjin received his B.B.A. from Seoul National University. In his free time he enjoys various sports activities including baseball and golf.
hjkim@forestgp.com
Growth/PE Executive Director
ychi@forestgp.com
VC Executive Director
Junsu received his B.B.A. from George Washington University and MBA degree from Columbia University. Outside of work, he is a big fan of Formula One racing.
jpark@forestgp.com
Growth/PE Director
akim@forestgp.com
VC Senior Associate
Young Chan received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). In his free time, he enjoys searching for value wines and playing golf and tennis.
ycho@forestgp.com
Growth/PE Senior Associate
shyoon@forestgp.com
VC Associate
slee@forestgp.com
Growth/PE Senior Analyst
She received her B.A. from Yonsei University. She usually spends her free time travelling and going to concerts.
yjjang@forestgp.com
VC Senior Analyst
mjkim@forestgp.com
General Manager
Before joining Forest Partners, he founded the lifestyle company Doable and was a founding member of the design studio Area Plus, where he led the early growth of the company. Prior to that, he worked at SK Networks and Neowiz Mobile, handling business operations across various industries and roles.
He received his B.A. from Hanyang University. In his leisure time, he enjoys traveling and appreciating coffee and wine.
whhan@forestgp.com
Senior Manager
kspark@forestgp.com
Manager
Heejin holds a B.A. from Dankook University. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and going to concerts and festivals.
hjbae@forestgp.com
Manager
Forest Asset Management Partner
Hyungsoo holds a B.A. and M.A. in Psychology from Wesleyan University and an MBA degree from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Venture Advisory Partner
Venture Advisory Partner