Seoul Food 2025 blends tech, taste and trade

South Korea’s largest food industry showcase, Seoul Food 2025, opened Tuesday at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The four-day event features a record-breaking 1,639 companies from 45 countries and is now recognized as one of Asia’s top four food exhibitions, alongside shows in Shanghai, Bangkok and Tokyo. Global interest in Korean food, or K-Food, is driving a sharp rise in export activity this year. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, export consultations at the event

June 10, 2025

Teen spending in Korea hits W1.75m in 2024 -- see what topped the list

South Korean teenagers spent an average total of 1.75 million won ($1,200) last year, marking a significant increase in youth consumption, according to data released by NH NongHyup Bank. The figure translates to roughly 150,000 won per month, up 30 percent from 2020. The analysis was based on the bank’s financial data collected from its teenage customers. Teenagers made an average of 262 card transactions in 2024, with debit cards rising as the most common method of payment among young consumers

May 26, 2025

K-donuts go Hollywood: Knotted wins over LA foodies

Knotted, a premium dessert brand from Korea, has made a strong debut in North America, as its Los Angeles store attracted more than 30,000 customers in its first month of opening, the cafe said Monday. Located in the upscale Century City shopping mall, Knotted’s first US location has quickly become a hot spot for locals, drawing an average of 1,000 visitors per day. Its signature donuts — particularly the milk cream donut — have sparked a “K-donut” craze, with the store often selling out its dai

May 26, 2025

Dongsuh's Kanu Barista surges in capsule coffee market, eyes W100b sales

Dongsuh Foods, the dominant player in South Korea's coffee mix market, said Tuesday that its premium capsule coffee brand Kanu Barista is projected to surpass 100 billion won ($71.8 million) in cumulative sales within this year. Launched in February 2023, Kanu Barista has quickly established itself as a major player in Korea’s expanding capsule coffee market, now valued at approximately 400 billion won ($287.5 million). The brand was developed to cater to the increasing number of consumers embra

May 20, 2025

CJ CheilJedang's Bibigo appoints K-pop group Seventeen as brand ambassador

Korean food and beverage company CJ CheilJedang announced Monday that its global food brand Bibigo has selected K-pop boy band, Seventeen, as its first-ever global brand ambassador. The campaign, aimed at connecting with Gen Z consumers around the world, will roll out under the slogan “Taste What’s Beyond.” As part of the campaign, Bibigo will release a short-form video on Tuesday through its global Instagram, TikTok, and X channels, showcasing Seventeen members enjoying signature Bibigo items s

May 19, 2025

Buffets are back: Diners seek bang for their buck amid inflation

Cho Ha-eun, a woman in her 30s, waited in line for over an hour to enter a casual buffet chain in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, for lunch on a weekend in March. When she arrived around noon, more than 50 groups were waiting outside the restaurant, as it was offering strawberries as part of a seasonal event. “I expected there would be a wait because of the event, but not for 1 1/2 hours. There were several other locations of the same chain across Suwon (offering the same event),” Cho said. The chain

May 17, 2025

China's Temu fined for transfer of Korean users' personal info

Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has been fined for secretly transferring South Korean users' personal information to China and Singapore, the state data protection watchdog here said Thursday. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) said it decided to impose a fine of 1.36 billion won ($970,000) on Temu during a plenary meeting Wednesday for violating the Personal Information Protection Act. In April last year, the PIPC launched an investigation into personal data collection and u

May 15, 2025

Otoki to invest W56.5b in US subsidiary

Otoki, a major South Korean food company, said Wednesday it will invest 56.5 billion won ($40 million) in its US subsidiary to strengthen its presence in the American market. Otoki, formerly known as Ottogi, said in a regulatory filing that it plans to purchase 400,000 shares of Otoki America Holdings on June 27. "The US subsidiary is wholly owned by Otoki, and it will issue 400,000 shares next month," a company spokesperson said. In March, the company announced a target for overseas sales of 1.

May 14, 2025

APR's Medicube to launch in Ulta Beauty

Korean cosmetics company APR is accelerating its growth into the North American market as its flagship brand Medicube has officially entered US retail giant Ulta Beauty, the company said Monday. APR recently signed a supply agreement with Ulta, securing shelf space for 22 Medicube products — ranging from skin care to beauty devices — across over 1,400 online and offline locations. The official launch is set for August, following the shipment of initial stock. Unlike Ulta’s usual gradual onboardi

May 12, 2025

[Photo News] HiteJinro brings Oregon’s Prince Hill wines to Korea

HiteJinro introduced three premium wines from Oregon’s Prince Hill Vineyards to the Korean market on Friday. Now owned by acclaimed California winery Silver Oak, the vineyard produces a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir and a Single Vineyard Pinot Noir. The wines reflect Oregon’s rich terroir, with complex flavors drawn from the region’s diverse elevations and nutrient-rich, moisture-retentive Jory soil. The new offerings will be available at major department stores and wine shops nationwide. (HiteJinro)

May 9, 2025

BAT's Global Editions by Dunhill makes debut in Korea

BAT Rothmans, the South Korean subsidiary of British American Tobacco, announced on Wednesday the global launch of a new cigarette brand, Global Editions by Dunhill, with Korea serving as the first market. The release marks the debut of Dunhill’s first-ever sub-brand. Inspired by three of the world’s most iconic cities — New York, Paris and London — the Global Editions aim to capture the spirit of travel and the allure of brief escapes from everyday life. The brand is designed specifically with

May 7, 2025

Coupang adds Kiehl’s to R.LUX lineup, expands premium beauty offering

South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang announced Tuesday that it has begun offering products from global cosmetics brand Kiehl’s through R.LUX, its premium beauty product delivery platform. Founded in New York 170 years ago, Kiehl's is a globally recognized premium beauty brand owned by French beauty giant L'Oreal. It is best known for its moisturizing products, such as lip balms and facial creams. To celebrate the launch, R.LUX is running a promotional event for Kiehl’s products through Sunday.

April 22, 2025

Coway claims 2025 triple crown in brand rankings

Coway, a leading South Korean appliance company, announced Thursday that it ranked high in key brand evaluations for 2025, demonstrating strong market trust. In Brandstock’s "Korea's Top 100 Brands” for the first quarter this year, Coway ranked 32nd, climbing three spots from the previous quarter. The rankings are based on the evaluation company’s Brand Stock Top Index, which consults over 1,000 brands across 230 industries through consumer surveys and market data. Coway also dominated the 2025

April 17, 2025

Samyang's Buldak hot sauce to spice up Coachella

Samyang Foods said Thursday it has renewed the packaging for its popular hot chicken flavored Buldak hot sauce, as part of a strategy to expand its presence in global markets. The redesign is aimed at attracting a new generation of consumers — particularly younger people and new customers — by highlighting the sauce’s intense heat and enhancing its packaging with bold visual elements. The updated bottle features a striking torch graphic representing its fiery flavor, as well as a flame-shaped QR

April 10, 2025

Chilsung Cider celebrates 75th anniversary with new package design

Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co., a leading South Korean food and beverage company, has unveiled a new package design for its iconic lemon-lime soft drink, Chilsung Cider, in celebration of the brand’s 75th anniversary. The redesign, which rolled out in November 2024, marked the drink’s first major update in 24 years. The refreshed packaging features a larger central star — Chilsung’s core symbol — alongside a bold, modern font. Launched in 1950, Chilsung Cider has sold over 37.5 billion cans (250 mi

March 30, 2025