Interview Young Entrepreneur Kim Beom-yeon, CEO of 'Aqua Mine' "Healthy Water Can Transform My Body to Be Healthy"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] The 'Mineral Maker' developed by young entrepreneur Kim Beom-yeon, CEO of 'Aqua Mine,' who has garnered attention for publishing a book titled 'Faith Creates Wealth,' is gaining explosive popularity, including participation in the '2026 KLAC (Korea Latte Art Championship)' Seoul Cafe & Bakery Fair.

CEO Kim discovered that after analyzing the secrets of people from the world's five longest-living villages, they all drink mineral water, which led him to start 'Aqua Mine.'

We met with Kim Beom-yeon, CEO of 'Aqua Mine,' who founded the company with the belief and management philosophy that "healthy water can transform my body to be healthy."

The following is a Q&A; session.

- What was the reason for participating in the '2026 KLAC (Korea Latte Art Championship)' held at Seoul SETEC exhibition hall last month?

"After learning that water helps improve gastric disorders and diabetes, I began conducting in-depth research on the positive effects water has on the human body, and as a result, developed 'Mineral Maker.' I participated in the '2026 KLAC' to expand and promote Mineral Maker."

- What led you to start 'Aqua Mine'?

"People from the world's five longest-living villages drink mineral water. The academic community has already published research results in SCIE international academic journals showing that mineral water (MARW) generated by Mineral Maker protects kidney cells damaged by high blood sugar, and it is currently being cited as an excellent paper. Furthermore, Korea Food & Drug Administration recognized that alkaline ion water helps improve gastrointestinal symptoms such as indigestion and chronic gastritis. Based on this evidence, I founded Aqua Mine."

- How did you decide to apply Mineral Maker to coffee, which our people enjoy drinking?

"Water determines 98% of coffee taste. Our life-sustaining Mineral Maker's magnesium alkaline ion water is a functional water that maximizes the unique flavors of food and is actively used in the F&B; industry. Starting in early 2023, we have also begun full-scale development of purification filters for cafes and are currently supplying them. At that time, most of the purification filters used by numerous Korean cafes were imported products from overseas. There was an absurd situation where products designed for water quality in Europe and the Americas were being used as-is in Korea's completely different water quality environment. This was when coffee machine suppliers and others didn't know that purification filters serve 'the 98% role that determines coffee taste,' going far beyond simply removing chlorine from tap water."

- I understand you have visited exhibition halls throughout the country?

"With the Mineral Maker purification filter in hand, I visited cafes across the country and communicated the necessity of magnesium minerals to improve coffee taste with Korea's mineral-deficient tap water (soft water), and provided hands-on experiences. Starting with Busan BEXCO exhibition hall in early 2024, I participated in domestic exhibitions including Suwon, Seoul SETEC, and COEX, as well as overseas coffee exhibitions in Vietnam and India."

- You also published a book called 'The Secret to Perfect Coffee Taste,' didn't you?

"I collected cases from all over the country where bland coffee came back to life as excellent-tasting coffee after meeting Mineral Maker purification filters, and published 'The Secret to Perfect Coffee Taste.' It's a 98-to-2 game; water decides. The minimum coffee knowledge needed for cafe operations, and ultimately, the most important thing for enhancing coffee taste is 'coffee beans and water.' I received roasting know-how from coffee experts with over 20 years of experience, and through 'SCA Q Instructor,' I deeply studied CVA (Coffee Value Assessment) and sensory courses to correctly evaluate coffee quality, obtaining the 'SCA Q Grader (International Coffee Taster) Certification.'"

- What are your future plans?

"By using Mineral Maker, you can increase the value of coffee, prevent leakage costs, and finally complete profits to grow into a 'cafe that continuously earns money.' I want Mineral Maker to greatly contribute to the prosperity of all those engaged in the coffee business."

Kim Beom-yeon, CEO of 'Aqua Mine' (Unit 804, F-Block, Dasan Blue Whale 2nd, Dasan Jung-ang-ro, Namyangju), is active as representative of Coffee Leaders Club and SCA Q Grader.