where the story begins
In 1975, Lee Min Joo began his entrepreneurial journey in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. With four sewing machines in a rented semi-underground workshop, he founded Chosun Trading Co., Ltd. with a group of partners who shared his vision.
Reached a major milestone
In 1978, Chosun Trading Co., Ltd. opened its own factory with 200 employees, marking a significant milestone in its development. The company began mass production and launched toys under its own brand, gaining recognition in the toy industry.
A Christmas Bear went viral
In 1979, Chosun Trading created the Christmas-themed white teddy bear, a warm and comforting toy that quickly became a market success.
With 200,000 units sold initially and over one million units sold by 1986, the bear became one of Chosun’s flagship products and a symbol of its early success in the global toy mark.
the Hear to heart Bear became a success
In 1984, Chosun Trading launched the innovative Heartbeat Bear, designed to recreate the comforting rhythm of a real heartbeat. Loved by customers in the U.S. and Europe, the bear sold 800,000 units annually until 1995.
More than just a toy, it became a source of comfort, companionship, and emotional connection for children and families.
Chosun International (HK) Toys LTD
In 1987, As the business continued to grow, Lee Min Joo established Chosun International (HK) Toys LTD in Hong Kong . Leveraging Hong Kong’s international environment, the company began exploring broader global opportunities.
Export Trade Award at the Blue House
In the same year, Chosun Trading received the Export Trade Award at the Blue House from the Korean government, recognizing the company’s achievements and dedication to global expansion.
opened a factory in Shenzhen
In 1988, Chosun International (HK) Toys LTD established a factory in Shenzhen, taking advantage of the region’s resources and manufacturing capabilities. This expansion improved production efficiency, strengthened quality control, and supported the company’s growing global customer base.
Partnering with Global Brands
From 1992 to 1998, Chosun Toys collaborated with renowned brands worldwide, designing and manufacturing toys for companies such as Walmart, Costco, Harrods, Disney, and more.
These partnerships brought Chosun’s toys into thousands of households while demonstrating the company’s commitment to quality, creativity, and craftsmanship.
cooperated with well-known brands
From 1999 to 2007, Chosun Toys partnered with innovative brands including Build-A-Bear Workshop, Victoria’s Secret, Bandai, and others. The company continued expanding its product range, creating more personalized and diverse toy solutions for different markets.
CS International (HK) Toys LTD
In 2008, Lee Min Joo retired at the age of 60 and passed leadership to Kim Hong Goo, his long-time partner who joined Chosun in 1984.
Having worked alongside Lee for many years, Kim understood the company’s vision and values. Under his leadership, Chosun International (HK) Toys LTD was renamed CS International (HK) Toys LTD, continuing its journey toward new growth.
Embracing Digital Transformation
In 2019, Kim Hong Goo retired and returned to South Korea. Leadership was passed to Liu Wen Wei, a young and innovative leader.
After taking over, Liu focused on the digital transformation of the enterprise, using digital intelligent management to produce the process, attracting many talents, and improving the competitiveness and efficiency of the enterprise. His efforts made CS INT Toys maintain a leading position in the toy industry, and also won the recognition and praise of customers and industry.
Supporting the Winter Olympics Mascot Bing Dwen Dwen
In 2022, CS INT Toys’s Shenzhen factory, Chiva Toys assisted in designing and producing the Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen, a panda symbolizing the Olympic spirit and Chinese culture.
Loved by people around the world, Bing Dwen Dwen became one of the highlights of the Winter Olympics and represented another milestone in CS INT Toys’ history.
Launching the Chosun Toys Website
As the world entered the post-COVID era and the Fourth Industrial Revolution continued to reshape industries, the toy industry faced new opportunities and challenges.
With a commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship while embracing innovation, Chosun Toys launched its official website in 2023. The website serves as a platform to showcase our products and stories, connect with customers worldwide, and explore new possibilities for the future.