Today is the first class of our new four-class set. We will start class with a speaking exercise. Our reading will focus on the companies of the 50 wealthiest people in Korea.

Forbes published a 2019 50 Wealthiest Koreans list. I want to look at the individuals and their companies. I think this will give you a better understanding of industry in Korea. Number 49 on the Forbes list is Lee Sang-rok.

• Lee Sang-rok founded cosmetics company Carver Korea, best known for its AHC brand of moisturizers, anti-aging creams, and other skincare products.

• His wealth comes from selling his stake in Carver to consumer goods giant Unilever in a deal worth $2.7 billion.

• The 2017 deal, which included other stakeholders, Goldman Sachs and Bain, was said to be the largest in South Korea's beauty industry.

• Unilever now owns more than 95% of the company.

For our listening material, we will go back to some NPR stories. Let’s try without transcripts. Listen carefully and ask your questions in class. We will continue with unit 2 in our grammar book.

Click HERE for the reading