APR (278470.KS) has become the first K-beauty company to be named to TIME magazine's list of "100 Most Influential Companies in the World." The company has rapidly expanded its global recognition in recent years, with both its earnings and market capitalization surging in tandem.
APR said Monday that it was named to TIME's "2026 World's 100 Most Influential Companies," which the U.S. weekly magazine published on the 30th of last month local time.
TIME selects 100 companies each year across five categories — Titans, Leaders, Innovators, Disruptors and Pioneers — based on a comprehensive evaluation of influence, innovation and leadership. This year, APR was named in the Titans category alongside Alphabet, Nvidia, Meta and SpaceX. Korean companies previously named to the list include Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group and Hanwha Group. Of the 100 companies announced this year, APR was the only Korean firm to make the list.
TIME introduced APR as "a company leading the next wave of K-beauty's global growth." Calling APR "a global K-beauty phenom," the magazine said the company "is driving the next growth wave of K-beauty worldwide." Regarding APR's "Medicube" brand, TIME highlighted its rapid growth in the U.S. market and overwhelming popularity on social networking services such as TikTok, noting that major influencers including Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner have recommended the products.
"Being named to TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies is recognition of the innovation and global competitiveness of beauty tech that APR has pursued," an APR official said. "We will continue to strive to become a global anti-aging company that transforms the lives of consumers worldwide."
APR's market capitalization stood at 15.89 trillion won ($11.6 billion) as of the 30th of last month, ranking first among Asian beauty companies. On the same day, it surpassed the market caps of Amorepacific (7.91 trillion won) and LG Household & Health Care (3.89 trillion won). It also exceeded those of Japan's leading cosmetics company Shiseido (1.27 trillion yen, or approximately 11.76 trillion won) and China's largest beauty firm Proya (24.44 billion yuan, or approximately 5.27 trillion won). APR's shares rose 82.2% from the start of this year through the 30th of last month, outpacing Shiseido's 37.7% gain over the same period.
Earnings have also grown rapidly. APR posted consolidated revenue of 1.53 trillion won ($1.12 billion) and operating profit of 365.5 billion won last year. Revenue rose 111% and operating profit jumped 198% from a year earlier, marking record highs. Notably, combined annual sales from Medicube's cosmetics division and the AGE-R beauty device division exceeded 1.4 trillion won. Medicube also succeeded in surpassing 1 trillion won in overseas sales.
APR's global growth is expected to accelerate further. This year, the company launched Medicube at Sephora stores in 17 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Through this, APR is showcasing Medicube's flagship skincare products, including the "Zero Pore Pad," "PDRN Pink Peptide Ampoule," "Collagen Night Wrapping Mask" and "Collagen Gel Cream." APR began expanding its sales channels in Europe last year through local specialized distributors. Last month, APR participated as an official sponsor of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, operating a booth that drew approximately 54,000 visitors over six days. This marked the first time a K-beauty brand has participated as an official Coachella sponsor.
