First Korean Natural Perfumer Receives NPA Certification and Green Badge — Sophia Chung, Seoul
“Sophia Chung of Seoul marks a milestone for natural perfumery in Korea“
A New Chapter for Natural Perfumery in Korea
The Natural Perfume Academy is pleased to recognise Sophia Chung of Seoul, South Korea, as the first Korean natural perfumer to receive official certification from the Natural Perfume Academy (NPA).
Alongside her certification, Sophia has also been awarded the NPA Green Badge, the highest level of recognition within the NPA certification framework. This distinction reflects 95–100% alignment with natural, ethical, and sustainability-focused perfumery practice.
This moment represents an exciting milestone for the growing international community of natural perfumers and signals an important expansion of the movement into Korea.
About Sophia Chung
Sophia Chung is a natural perfumer based in Seoul, where she is developing a growing body of work dedicated to natural fragrance.
Her work connects artistic perfumery with education and cultural exploration through:
• ANPAC (Natural Perfume Culture & Arts Association)
• Kalette, her natural fragrance brand and educational platform
Through these initiatives, Sophia is helping to introduce natural perfumery to new audiences in Korea, combining traditional artistic approaches to scent with contemporary education and creative practice.
The Significance of the NPA Green Badge
The Natural Perfume Academy certification programme recognises practitioners who demonstrate alignment with the principles that underpin natural perfumery:
• sustainability
• ethical sourcing
• transparency in materials
• authenticity of practice
Badges are awarded based on the degree of alignment with these standards:
Green Badge – 95–100% natural and ethical practice
Amber Badge – 75–95% alignment
Yellow Badge – 50–75% alignment
Sophia Chung’s Green Badge places her work at the highest level of this framework.
A Growing Movement
Natural perfumery has traditionally developed through small circles of practitioners and artisans around the world. In recent years, however, interest in botanical fragrance and ethical scent creation has expanded rapidly.
South Korea, already internationally recognised for innovation in beauty and skincare through the K-Beauty movement, is now seeing growing interest in natural fragrance and artisan perfumery.
Sophia’s work represents one of the first visible steps in bringing natural perfumery education and practice into that cultural landscape.
Education and Cultural Exchange
Through ANPAC, Sophia is developing educational opportunities that introduce natural perfumery to students, artists, and fragrance enthusiasts.
These programmes explore:
• the use of botanical raw materials
• the artistic language of scent
• the cultural history of perfume
• hands-on fragrance composition
An upcoming exhibition scheduled in Seoul will showcase works created by students and emerging perfumers exploring natural fragrance.
Natural Perfumery as Art and Craft
Natural perfumery sits at the intersection of botany, chemistry, craftsmanship, and artistic expression.
Unlike conventional fragrance production, which often relies heavily on synthetic aroma chemicals, natural perfumery works primarily with materials derived from plants and natural sources.
This requires:
• deep material knowledge
• refined sensory training
• careful formulation
• respect for the character of natural ingredients
The Natural Perfume Academy was founded to support the development of these skills and to connect practitioners internationally.
The Natural Perfume Academy
Founded in Ireland, the Natural Perfume Academy (NPA) provides education, mentorship, and certification for natural perfumers around the world.
Since its founding, the academy has helped train hundreds of students internationally and continues to support a global network of practitioners dedicated to natural fragrance.
Certification is awarded to perfumers whose work demonstrates alignment with the academy’s standards for authenticity, ethics, and sustainable practice.
Looking Ahead
Sophia Chung’s certification represents more than a personal milestone. It marks an important step in the continued international growth of natural perfumery.
As interest in botanical fragrance continues to expand globally, new communities of perfumers, educators, and students are emerging in regions where natural perfumery has historically had little visibility.
The Natural Perfume Academy looks forward to following Sophia’s work in Korea and sharing future developments from this growing creative community.
Closing
Moments like this remind us that natural perfumery is not confined to one region or tradition.
It is a living craft ,one that continues to evolve through the dedication of practitioners around the world.
Sophia Chung’s work in Seoul is part of that story, and we are delighted to welcome her into the growing international community of NPA-certified natural perfumers.
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