Black Yak
BYN Blackyak · South Korea
Black Yak is a South Korean outdoor brand run by BYN Blackyak, founded by chairman Tae Sun Kang. The company traces its start to a small shop in Seoul in the early 1970s and launched the Blackyak brand in 1995. It also distributes Karrimor in Korea and owns the US label Nau.
| Founder | Tae Sun Kang |
|---|---|
| Operator | BYN Blackyak Co., Ltd. |
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Brand launched | 1995 |
| Segment | Sportswear and outdoor |
| Website | blackyak.com |
What is Black Yak?
Black Yak, written Blackyak by the company, is a Korean outdoor clothing and equipment brand. It is run by BYN Blackyak Co., Ltd., whose chief executive is listed as Kang Tae-sun, with its head office in the Yangjae area of Seoul.
History
The company says it started in the early 1970s in a small store in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul, and marked its 50th anniversary in October 2023. Founder Tae Sun Kang had joined a Hallasan training expedition as a porter in 1969. Its first brand was Giant, followed by Pro Giant in 1976, and the Samdae backpack was its first domestic product in 1975. A distribution licence with Gore was signed in 1993 and the Blackyak brand launched in December 1995. The first Blackyak store opened in Beijing in 1998.
Brands
- Blackyak and Blackyak Kids (2013)
- Mountia, a budget-focused partner brand (2002)
- Karrimor, imported and distributed in Korea from 2007
- Nau, acquired in 2015
- Heal Creek, a Korean golf licence
Products and positioning
The range covers down and padded jackets, Gore-Tex and waterproof outerwear, tops, bottoms, footwear and accessories such as backpacks, hats and gloves. The company renamed itself BLACKYAK Co., Ltd. in 2010, opened a Kathmandu store in 2012 and a German office in 2014, and a product lab in Munich in 2019. A Blackyak product won the ISPO Asian Product of the Year in 2013.
Why it matters
Black Yak is one of the main Korean outdoor labels and has built an international presence in Asia and Europe from a domestic base.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Black Yak?
Black Yak is operated by BYN Blackyak Co., Ltd., founded by chairman Tae Sun Kang. The group also owns the Nau brand, acquired in 2015.
Where is Black Yak from?
Black Yak is from South Korea. Its roots lie in a small shop in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul, in the early 1970s.