Miss Kim lilac: the Korean plant story behind SOOYA SEOUL's Lilac Veil

Lilac Veil is inspired by Miss Kim lilac, grown from seed collected on Seoul's Bukhansan in 1947. The history, and how to read a scent inspired by it.

THE CAST editorial desk · Original guide

2026-10-29

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SOOYA SEOUL describes Lilac Veil as Miss Kim lilac after rain, inspired by Korea's short spring. The reference is more specific than it first appears, because Miss Kim is a lilac with a Korean origin and an international garden history.

Where Miss Kim lilac came from

According to Oregon State University's landscape-plant reference, the American horticulturist E. M. Meader collected seed in 1947 in the Pouk Han mountains, today's Bukhansan near Seoul. He selected a compact seedling that resisted mildew and turned burgundy in autumn, and it was released in 1954 by the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station.

Accounts of the name differ. One says it honours Kim as the most common Korean family name; another links it to a Korean helper named Kim. A 2007 Hankyung report described how the cultivar became popular abroad and was later imported back into Korea.

What the plant is known for

Garden references describe a late-spring bloom, purple buds opening to pale lilac or blue, and a sweet scent. That is the image the brand borrows: cool air after spring rain and a flower that blooms for a short season.

Inspiration is not an ingredient claim

A scent named after a plant does not mean the product contains that plant's extract. Read the ingredient list and directions on each item. The Lilac Veil name currently appears on three listings at THE CAST: a 50ml scent oil, a 400g body and hand wash and a 400g body and hand lotion.

Choosing within the Lilac Veil line

Pick the step that matters to you. The wash is rinsed off, the lotion is left on, and the oil is the brand's signature spray format. A shared scent name does not mean an identical fragrance strength or formula across the three.