[비즈한국] WowPlay has been incorporated as an affiliate of Welcome Financial Group. This is because Koramduol, which previously held a 20% stake in WowPlay, recently increased its shareholding to approximately 45%. Koramduol is 100% owned by Son Da-hye, the daughter of Welcome Financial Group Chairman Son Jong-joo.
According to the Enforcement Decree of the Fair Trade Act, a company is classified as an affiliate if the group's head or persons related to the head own 30% or more of the shares and are the largest shareholders. Therefore, WowPlay's incorporation as a Welcome Financial Group affiliate signifies that Koramduol has become the largest shareholder of WowPlay.
WowPlay is based in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, and is a company whose business purpose is the sale of sports and athletic equipment. In March of this year, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Yeongju City to promote the "Yeongju National Athlete Golf Training Center and Park In-bee Golf Park Development Project." The main contents include the construction of a national and youth golf training center in Yeongju, a 27-hole public golf course capable of hosting international tournaments, and the Park In-bee Golf Museum and Golf Academy. Yeongju City announced that it would also pursue the development of lodging facilities such as hotels, local specialty sales facilities, camping sites, and experience and entertainment facilities.
Welcome Financial Group has a keen interest in golf. Welcome Savings Bank hosts the "Welcome Savings Bank Welcome Champions Cup" golf tournament every year and signed a partnership with the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) in May of this year.
Park Jong-sung, CEO of Welcome Savings Bank, stated at the time of the partnership, "I find it very meaningful that Welcome Savings Bank is joining as a partner for the KLPGA Player of the Year points." He added, "With this partnership, we will contribute to further advancing the KLPGA points system through the expertise of our sports ranking platform, 'Welcome Top Ranking'."
Koramduol, controlled by Son Da-hye, the daughter of Welcome Financial Group Chairman Son Jong-joo, is a small investment firm established in 2017. According to audit reports, its performance has been poor, recording net losses of 9.7 billion won and 10.8 billion won in 2024 and 2025, respectively. However, it holds a 41.67% stake in Welix Rental and a 12.32% stake in Welcome Crediline, both of which are major affiliates of Welcome Financial Group.
Son Da-hye has not previously shown any significant activity within Welcome Financial Group. This is in contrast to her brother, President Son Dae-hee, who was appointed CEO of Welcome Savings Bank in March of this year. However, there is room for Son Da-hye's influence to expand as Koramduol grows in the future. BizHankook inquired with Koramduol for their position on the matter but did not receive a response.