E-Land started as a 6 square metres clothing shop on a fashion street in front of Ewha University in Sinchon in 1980.

Carrefour Korea, despite its global presence and experiences overseas, struggled to understand the local Korean culture.

On 14 May 2008, the British retail group Tesco, which already operated in Korea, agreed to purchase 36 hypermarkets with a combination of food and non-food products from E-Land for $1.9 billion (976 million pounds) in its biggest single acquisition, making Tesco the second largest retailer in the country.

[3][4] On 16 December 2011, E-Land purchased Elizabeth Taylor's Krupp Diamond ring for $8,818,500 (including buyer's premium).

[7] The E-Land Group focuses on the production and distribution of consumer goods that include apparel, groceries and housewares.

The company operates product shops and the outlet and retail chain of Korean department stores.

[8][clarification needed] In January 2017, due to controversy over unpaid wages for part-timers, he issued an apology and dismissed the CEO of E-Land Park, an affiliate.