Journalist

Kim Hyun-a
  • Chinese Hot Pot, Malatang and Milk Tea Chains Rush Into South Korea
    Chinese Hot Pot, Malatang and Milk Tea Chains Rush Into South Korea Chinese-language food and beverage franchises are rapidly expanding their presence in South Korea’s dining market, with once-budget Chinese fare increasingly repositioned as trendy, premium spending through malatang, hot pot and milk tea. According to industry officials on April 29, Chinese milk tea brand Chagee plans to open stores simultaneously on April 30 in Gangnam, Sinchon and Yongsan. Chagee, which reinterprets traditional tea in a modern style, opened its first store in China’s Yunnan province in 2017 and has expanded quickly. It now operates about 7,000 stores across Greater China and in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and the United States. Other tea brands have already entered South Korea. Chinese milk tea brand Chabaidao entered in 2024 and is preparing to open its 28th store. Heytea, which arrived around the same time, has expanded from Apgujeong to major retail districts including Hongdae, Myeongdong and Garosu-gil. Milk tea brand Misher, which entered in 2022, operates 16 stores centered on university areas in Seoul. Meal-focused brands are also growing. Hot pot chain Haidilao, which entered South Korea in 2014 with its first store in Myeongdong, has expanded to locations including Jeju and Daegu and now directly operates 11 stores nationwide. Despite a per-person check of about 40,000 to 60,000 won, it has drawn strong interest among younger consumers, with waits of more than three hours reported. Its sales rose 50.9% to 117.7 billion won last year from 78.1 billion won a year earlier, topping 100 billion won. Operating profit nearly doubled to 20.2 billion won from 11.0 billion won. Malatang franchise Tanghua Kungfu, which arrived in 2013, had 560 stores as of March, becoming the first malatang brand in South Korea to surpass 500 outlets. Sales rose 14.6% last year to 25.4 billion won, and operating profit increased to 11.0 billion won from 10.5 billion won. Its operating margin was 43.5%. Analysts link the overseas push to slowing growth at home. China’s National Bureau of Statistics said 2024 restaurant revenue rose 5.3% from a year earlier to 5.5718 trillion yuan, a sharp slowdown from growth above 20% in 2023. With competition intensifying in the domestic market, brands that already run thousands of stores are increasingly looking abroad. South Korea is seen as an attractive target because of strong consumer purchasing power and the speed at which trends spread on social media, helping new brands gain traction. Industry officials also point to the deep penetration of Chinese e-commerce platforms such as AliExpress, Temu and Shein, which they say makes it easier to gauge Korean consumer preferences and data. “South Korea is a market with strong cultural influence,” a representative of a Chinese-language dining brand said. “Success in Korea is seen as a signal that a brand can work in global markets, so it is viewed as an important test bed.” Some warn the trend could add pressure to South Korea’s dining industry as competition intensifies amid weak domestic demand. The number of franchised food-service outlets in South Korea rose 1.5% last year to 183,714, while the franchise closure rate hit a record 15.8%. “Chinese franchises enter the Korean market with experience operating large-scale stores and strong cost competitiveness,” a South Korean dining franchise official said. “For domestic brands and self-employed owners, the competitive environment is bound to become even tougher.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 17:35:17
  • Ourhome to Launch New Buffet Brand TAKE With First Seoul Location
    Ourhome to Launch New Buffet Brand TAKE With First Seoul Location Ourhome is entering the buffet market with a new brand built on nearly 30 years of food-service operating experience. The company said Tuesday it will open the first location of its new buffet brand, TAKE, on May 1 on the second basement level of the Youngpoong Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The restaurant has about 823 square meters (250 pyeong) of dedicated space and is connected to Jonggak Station on Seoul Subway Line 1. Ourhome said it expects demand from nearby office workers on weekdays and from visitors and tourists on weekends, citing proximity to areas such as Gwanghwamun, Insadong and Cheonggyecheon. The name TAKE comes from the film term for a unit of shooting, reflecting the company’s aim for the dining experience to remain as memorable as a scene in a movie. The store concept is a “global food market,” bringing together dishes from around the world to create a travel-like experience, the company said. The menu centers on “global gourmet stations” featuring signature dishes from different countries, offering about 130 items on weekends and holidays. Ourhome said it plans to continue introducing new dishes at each station that reflect national characteristics and current trends. A barbecue-focused area called “TAKE Grill” uses a rotisserie method, slowly roasting skewered ingredients while they turn. The company said the space is designed as a “live grill zone” where customers can watch food being prepared. Menu items include a pulled pork taco plate and smoked Texas barbecue ribs. Porchetta and chicken steak will be offered as “Golden Ticket” items for an additional 9,900 won. The restaurant will also run a content-style space called “Pop-up Table.” Ourhome said the first collaboration will be with Samyang Foods’ Buldak brand, followed by projects including collaborations with star chefs, “Meet the Celeb” featuring Ourhome’s Pyeonstorang convenience foods, and “Everyone’s Table” with long-established restaurant brands. Prices for adults are 23,900 won for weekday lunch and 29,900 won for weekday dinner; weekends and holidays are 32,900 won. To mark Family Month, Ourhome said it will run a “299 event” from May 1 to May 5, offering the weekend and holiday menu at the weekday dinner price of 29,900 won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 15:06:09
  • Haitai’s Palazo Launches P.FREDDO Gelato Line for Convenience Stores
    Haitai’s Palazo Launches P.FREDDO Gelato Line for Convenience Stores Italian gelato brand Palazo is moving into convenience-store distribution, aiming to make premium gelato easier to buy. Haitai Confectionery said on the 29th it is launching P.FREDDO, a Palazo brand made exclusively for retail distribution channels. Sales begin at GS25 on the same day, with a buy-one-get-one-free promotion running through May. The company said this is the first case of gelato, rather than ice cream, being sold at a convenience store. Haitai Confectionery plans to expand placements to additional distribution channels within the year. P.FREDDO reflects the premium identity of Palazo’s parent brand, “Palazzo del Freddo.” The company said it emphasizes originality based on the tradition and know-how of the FASSI family, a Rome gelato maker whose craft has been passed down for five generations since 1880. Palazo previously relied on handmade production methods, making large-scale distribution difficult. Haitai Confectionery said upgraded facilities and accumulated manufacturing expertise now allow mass production while maintaining gelato’s distinctive texture, enabling sales beyond specialty shops and into everyday retail outlets such as convenience stores. The initial lineup includes two flavors: “Fresh Chocolate” and “Fresh Yogurt Strawberry.” The company said both were among the top-selling menu items at its stores and are designed to appeal to a broad range of consumers. It said the products reduce air content to preserve gelato’s chewy texture and highlight the natural flavors of ingredients such as fresh chocolate and fresh yogurt. A Palazo official said consumers can enjoy the original gelato’s chewy texture and flavor by leaving it at room temperature for about three minutes. The official added that the company will broaden distribution beyond GS25 and expand the product lineup to lead South Korea’s premium gelato market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 13:54:29
  • Binggrae-Lotte Wellfood Rivalry Heats Up Ahead of Peak Summer Ice Cream Season
    Binggrae-Lotte Wellfood Rivalry Heats Up Ahead of Peak Summer Ice Cream Season With the peak summer season approaching, South Korea’s two biggest frozen-dessert makers, Binggrae and Lotte Wellfood, are stepping up a fight for market leadership. Binggrae is betting that a merger with its subsidiary Haitai Ice Cream will deliver scale and help it reclaim the top spot, while Lotte Wellfood is countering with product upgrades and a heavier focus on overseas growth. According to the industry on the 28th, Binggrae completed the merger process with Haitai Ice Cream on April 1, about five years after acquiring it in 2020. Food industry statistics show that in 2024 Binggrae held 27.6% of the domestic frozen-dessert market and Haitai Ice Cream 14.1%. Combined, that totals 41.7%, putting it ahead of market leader Lotte Wellfood at 39.9% and raising expectations of a shift in the competitive landscape. Binggrae plans to integrate sales and logistics networks that had been split across the two companies, reduce overlapping costs and improve operating efficiency. It is also reorganizing its product lineup, consolidating overlapping categories around best-known flagship items and expanding joint purchasing of raw and packaging materials to improve its cost structure. Major brands such as Melona, Together, Bravo Cone and Babamba will be run under a single corporate entity, which the company expects will create synergies. The company is also accelerating its overseas push. Binggrae plans to use its recently established Australian unit as a hub linking Oceania and Europe, adding to its presence in the United States, China and Vietnam. Its U.S. unit posted local sales of 97 billion won last year, helped by Melona’s popularity. In Europe, first-half 2024 sales of plant-based Melona were three times the total for all of 2023, the company said. Products from Haitai Ice Cream, which lacked a dedicated overseas organization, are also expected to expand exports by using Binggrae’s global distribution network. Lotte Wellfood is responding with a two-track product strategy centered on premium branding and an expanded wellness lineup. It is steadily broadening its zero- and low-sugar offerings to match health trends, while strengthening the premium World Cone line and expanding categories using its Pig Bar brand to raise the share of higher-priced products. Overseas, Lotte Wellfood is pursuing growth mainly in India. Its frozen-dessert sales in India rose about 3.3 times, from 58.7 billion won in 2020 to 196.6 billion won last year. With a new plant in Pune recently starting operations, the company aims to stabilize supply and expand its sales network beyond the west into the south, targeting 1 trillion won in sales by 2030. The intensifying rivalry comes as the market environment worsens. With South Korea’s low birthrate shrinking the core consumer base and prices rising for inputs such as raw milk and sugar, companies are finding it harder to grow and protect margins. Binggrae’s operating profit last year fell 32.7% from a year earlier to 88.3 billion won, while Lotte Wellfood’s dropped 30.3% to 109.5 billion won. An industry official said unpredictable weather linked to climate anomalies, a weak domestic economy and issues affecting naphtha supply are among the variables, but expectations for frozen-dessert sales remain high because heat has arrived earlier than usual and rainfall is forecast to be below average this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 18:00:12
  • Samyang Foundation Names Hwang Il-doo and Cho Sung-bae as 35th Sudang Award Winners
    Samyang Foundation Names Hwang Il-doo and Cho Sung-bae as 35th Sudang Award Winners Sudang Foundation, the scholarship foundation of Samyang Group, said on the 28th it selected Hwang Il-doo, Seokcheon Chair Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at Pohang University of Science and Technology, and Cho Sung-bae, a professor in the Department of Computer Science at Yonsei University, as winners of the 35th Sudang Award. The Sudang Award is an academic prize established in 1973 to honor the late Kim Yeon-su, founder of Samyang Corp., and his commitment to national industrial development and nurturing talent. Each year, two researchers who have contributed to academic advancement in South Korea are chosen to receive a plaque and 200 million won in prize money each. The awards ceremony will be held May 27 at Lotte Hotel Seoul. Hwang, the basic science winner, was recognized for achievements in plant developmental biology. He identified how the plant growth hormone cytokinin transmits signals and was the first in the world to show the hormone plays a key role in vascular development and the regulation of aging, a body of work credited with strengthening the theoretical foundation for understanding plant development. He also demonstrated that proteins derived from phloem, a plant tissue that transports nutrients, play an important role in determining leaf shape, helping establish a new framework for understanding the evolution of vascular plants. Hwang has previously received the Macrogen Science Award, the Cargill Academy Life Science Award and the National Academy of Sciences Award, among others. Cho, the applied science winner, was honored for using hybrid artificial intelligence technologies to help solve problems in industrial settings. He proposed a method that analyzes data patterns and shifting trends at the same time by combining convolutional neural networks with long short-term memory recurrent neural networks. In research on forecasting household energy demand, he succeeded in producing stable predictions based on real electricity-use data even across variables such as time of day, weather and living patterns. The work, cited for its potential to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs, was highly regarded in academia and was selected in 2020 as a top 1% most-cited paper in the journal "Energy." Cho has also advanced applied research including behavior recognition using smartphone sensors, mobile-based landmark detection and models for classifying vehicle noise. He has received the Korea Information Science Society Academic Award and the Order of Service Merit, and has served as chair of the Technology Innovation Subcommittee under the presidential National Artificial Intelligence Committee. The Sudang Award began in 1973 as the "Sudang Science Award" and was renamed after the launch of Sudang Foundation in 2006. It operates by accepting recommendations in basic science, humanities and social sciences, and applied science, then selecting two researchers with outstanding achievements.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 17:58:39
  • Korean Food and Dining Brands Target May Holiday Demand With Value Deals and Takeout
    Korean Food and Dining Brands Target May Holiday Demand With Value Deals and Takeout With an early May stretch of holidays approaching and the timing of government payments to offset high fuel prices, South Korean food and dining companies are stepping up spring promotions in hopes of a pickup in spending. Companies expect more outings during the holidays and are emphasizing convenient, portable options for outdoor activities. Value-focused offers tied to May’s Family Month are also expected to influence consumer demand. Industry officials said April 28 that as applications opened for the high-fuel-price relief payments, franchise restaurants began posting signs at entrances saying the payments can be used there, aiming to draw customers. Headquarters are also promoting the option through company apps, websites and distributed marketing materials, reflecting expectations that the funds, like last year’s consumer coupons, will flow quickly into restaurants where spending is immediate. Brands are also pushing to capture customers outside stores as spring and the holiday period bring more travelers. Outback Steakhouse rolled out three “Lunch Box” sets nationwide, targeting group meals for corporate events and picnics. It also added an app-based advance reservation service so customers can pick up orders at a preferred time and location. Delivery-heavy brands, including chicken chains, are moving to lock in demand with discount promotions. KFC is running a value-menu “KFC Snack” campaign to attract grab-and-go snack purchases. Hyundai Green Food introduced “Greeting” ready-to-cook items designed for use at camping sites, positioning them for outdoor dining. Competition is also expected to intensify in the cake market, as May includes multiple gift-giving occasions. Paris Baguette introduced a “Blue Rose Cake,” symbolizing “miracles” and “hope,” along with an object-style gift item designed not to wither, and is offering a 10,000-won set discount for app preorders. Tous les Jours is selling flower-themed cakes such as “Flower Montmartre” and character cakes, while offering up to 30% off for app reservations and running a 100% payback event to boost digital orders. Twosome Place launched a “Flower Yogurt Cake” shaped like a red rose and is providing discount coupons to customers who preorder through its app. Discount campaigns aimed at gift demand are also heating up. Jung Kwan Jang is offering up to 15% off popular red ginseng products through May 16 and providing point rewards based on purchase amounts as part of a Family Month promotion. hy is running a health-food promotion that offers up to 43% off, reward points and free shipping when customers use its gifting function. The Hanwoo Self-Sufficiency Fund Management Committee is holding an “online hanwoo market” through the 30th, selling Grade 1 sirloin at a special price of 7,120 won per 100 grams and offering discounted prices on other cuts. “With holidays and the relief payments expected to help restore consumer sentiment, we will raise customer satisfaction with differentiated products and services that reflect trends,” a distribution industry official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 17:51:24
  • Global Tea Brand CHAGEE Enters South Korea, Pledges Focus on ‘Real Tea’ Experience
    Global Tea Brand CHAGEE Enters South Korea, Pledges Focus on ‘Real Tea’ Experience Global modern tea brand CHAGEE has entered the South Korean market, pitching tea’s natural flavor and an in-store experience as an alternative in a coffee-dominated beverage scene. CHAGEE on April 28 held a media day at its Gangnam flagship store in Seoul to outline its Korea launch and brand strategy. Kim Jwa-hyeon, CEO of CHAGEE Korea, and Kim Jeong-hee, the company’s chief marketing officer, presented the brand’s philosophy, products and store concept. The company says its mission is to “connect people through a good cup of tea,” positioning itself as a modern take on premium tea. Founded in China’s Yunnan province in 2017, CHAGEE now operates about 7,000 stores across China, Southeast Asia and the United States, among other markets. Kim Jwa-hyeon said the company sees growing interest in tea as more than a drink. “There is a growing trend to expand tea into an everyday experience,” he said, adding that South Korea’s high expectations for quality and experience align with CHAGEE’s direction. CHAGEE will open three stores simultaneously on April 30: the Gangnam flagship, a Sinchon location and a store at Yongsan’s I’Park Mall. The company said the Gangnam store will concentrate the brand experience, Sinchon will target younger consumers, and Yongsan will serve as a hub for a broader customer base. CHAGEE said its product strategy centers on “the natural flavor of tea,” led by milk tea made with tea brewed in-store and fresh milk. It is emphasizing balance over intense sweetness. Kim Jeong-hee said the company designed “the entire process — from selecting tea leaves to extraction to drinking — as a single experience.” The Gangnam store is built around a tea bar and is designed for customers to stay and drink, rather than focusing only on takeout. The company said it incorporated Korean architectural elements and collaborations with artists to reflect local sensibilities. For now, CHAGEE will operate directly run stores. Kim Jwa-hyeon said the company will focus first on managing customer touchpoints and delivering a consistent brand experience, adding that franchising will be considered later depending on market response. At the stores, drinks were priced at 4,900 to 5,600 won for regular sizes and 5,600 to 6,600 won for large sizes. The menu will initially follow global standards, with localized items to be introduced later to reflect Korean tastes, the company said. CHAGEE said it is prioritizing experience-led growth over short-term buzz. Under the message “Real Tea, Real Moments,” it plans to encourage organic expansion through store experiences and customer engagement. “I believe in the power of a cup of tea, and we will sincerely share that experience with Korean consumers,” Kim Jwa-hyeon said. “I ask for your interest and expectations for the journey CHAGEE will build in Korea.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 17:09:48
  • BR Korea Names Cho Yoon-sang CEO
    BR Korea Names Cho Yoon-sang CEO BR Korea, which operates Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin, said April 28 it has appointed Cho Yoon-sang as its new CEO. Cho is a management specialist with 27 years of experience in marketing and digital strategy at major companies in South Korea and abroad. He previously led the marketing communications group at LG Electronics and served as marketing director at YUM! Global, a global franchise operator of Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell, overseeing assessments of brands’ digital competitiveness, organizational management and marketing strategy. He later served as chief marketing officer for the Asia-Pacific region, leading product innovation and marketing strategy. During the pandemic, he was credited with advancing new channel strategies centered on delivery apps to respond to rapid shifts in the dining market. Most recently, Cho served as CEO of Pizza Hut Korea, where he led efforts to strengthen the organization. The company said he reinforced cooperation through direct communication with franchisees while pursuing digital transformation and performance-based restructuring, shifting the business model toward profitability. BR Korea said the appointment is aimed at strengthening its management foundation and accelerating efforts to boost brand competitiveness and digital transformation. A BR Korea official said Cho is a leader with broad market understanding, experience and strong on-the-ground execution, adding that the company expects him to raise the brand value of Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin and further advance its business model through digital innovation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 14:06:17
  • Dining Industry Eyes Short-Term Boost as High Fuel Price Relief Payments Roll Out
    Dining Industry Eyes Short-Term Boost as High Fuel Price Relief Payments Roll Out High fuel price relief payments have begun rolling out, and expectations are rising across South Korea’s dining industry. Because the payments can be used only at neighborhood businesses and small-merchant franchise outlets, the industry expects spending to flow to everyday dining such as fried chicken and snack foods. According to the industry on the 27th, dining franchises allow the relief payments to be used at franchisee-run stores, but not at company-owned outlets. Franchise operators have moved quickly, posting signs at entrances saying the payments are accepted. Headquarters are also supporting stores by distributing promotional materials, aiming to capture customers as the funds enter the market. The optimism reflects last year’s experience with government-issued consumer coupons. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said that during last year’s livelihood recovery coupon program, restaurants accounted for 40.3% of total spending, or 3.6419 trillion won, making dining out a leading beneficiary. Major brands also reported measurable gains. Kyochon Chicken posted operating profit of 11.3 billion won in the third quarter of last year, up 47.2% from a year earlier, during the period when coupons were issued. BBQ and bhc said weekly sales rose by 18% and more than 25%, respectively, right after the payouts. Industry officials expect a similar pattern this time, noting that time-limited payments tend to be spent quickly on services such as dining out and delivery. “When payments are issued, the pattern has been that people first spend them on dining they can buy immediately near home,” one industry official said. “This time, too, we expect a noticeable improvement in sales, especially at franchise outlets.” The timing is also seen as favorable, with the spring and summer peak season for outdoor activity approaching and the professional baseball season underway, which could lift delivery and takeout demand, particularly for chicken, the industry said. Still, some analysts cautioned against overly rosy expectations. The payments are expected to be about 100,000 to 150,000 won per person for most people, excluding basic livelihood recipients and near-poverty households — about 40% of last year’s minimum consumer coupon amount of 250,000 won — raising doubts that the boost will match last year’s. With ingredient costs rising over the past year and labor costs still high, some also say the net benefit to franchise owners may be limited. “A temporary rebound is possible from the policy effect, but in a high-inflation environment, it remains to be seen whether it will lead to a real recovery in consumption,” another industry official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 18:23:10
  • Daesang Chungjungone Marks 30th Anniversary at Seoul Spring Festival; Woongjin, KGC Launch Promotions
    Daesang Chungjungone Marks 30th Anniversary at Seoul Spring Festival; Woongjin, KGC Launch Promotions Daesang Chungjungone runs '30th anniversary' brand booth at Seoul Spring Festival Daesang’s Chungjungone brand is taking part in the “2026 Seoul Spring Festival” to expand consumer engagement, the company said Sunday. The city-center culture and tourism festival is co-hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Organization. It began on April 10 and runs through May 5 along the Han River. About 820,000 people attended last year, including about 22% foreign tourists. Chungjungone is operating a brand booth at Yeouido Hangang Park in two phases: April 24-26 and May 1-5. The booth offers tastings and event-based activities aimed at direct interaction with domestic and overseas visitors. The booth is built around the brand’s 30th anniversary campaign message, “Today We Wanted.” It features a “30th anniversary emblem” using Chungjungone’s signature colors and shapes, alongside key products, the company said. On-site programs focus on low-sugar and low-calorie items. After completing participation steps via QR code, visitors can sample “Low-Sugar Hongcho” and choose products such as “Kongdam Baekmyeon Bibim Guksu” and “Grainbow Tuna & Crab.” A social media verification event also offers a roulette-style giveaway of items including low-sugar ketchup, pork cutlet sauce and oyster sauce. About 6,500 people visited during the first three-day run, April 24-26, the company said. It expects additional traffic during the May holiday period. Woongjin Foods to hold 50th anniversary online appreciation sale Woongjin Foods said it will launch a large-scale discount event to mark its 50th anniversary and thank customers. The company said the “50th Anniversary Appreciation Sale” will run from Sunday through May 24 on its Naver Brand Store, offering discounts of up to 56% across a broad lineup, from long-running brands to newer products reflecting recent trends. It will sell 24-count, two-item selection sets bundling products such as The Victoria sparkling water and tea drinks including Haneulbori, Achimhaetsal and Chorokmaesil, aiming to improve shopping convenience through curated packages, the company said. A separate special package will focus on newer items, combining products such as “Jayeoneun The Dried Peach,” “Teazle Zero Peach Oolong Tea,” and fresh-brew green tea and hojicha, using the same selection format. All packages include a scratch coupon for additional benefits. A consumer event, titled “Our 50 Years, Your Story,” will invite customers to share brand-related experiences in comments. Winners will be selected by drawing to receive new products or discount coupons. On the first day, Woongjin Foods will also run a live commerce broadcast at 10 a.m. tied to Naver Brand Day, offering extra benefits on top of the discounts. “We prepared this event to repay the support customers have shown over the past 50 years,” a Woongjin Foods official said. “We will continue to expand customer touchpoints through various promotions.” KGC JungKwanJang unveils new Everytime campaign with actor Park Bo-gum KGC said Sunday it has released a new advertising campaign for Everytime featuring actor Park Bo-gum as the model. The campaign promotes a daily health routine for moments when people need energy. In the ads, Park is shown managing his health with Everytime whenever he feels low on energy, emphasizing steady, everyday habits rather than a one-time boost. The campaign includes three spots — an office worker version, a baseball cheering version and a combined version — portraying relatable situations when energy dips. KGC said the ads highlight Everytime’s differentiated value, framed as clearing fatigue and replenishing energy based on the scientific functionality of red ginseng. JungKwanJang’s Everytime, launched in 2012, has recorded cumulative sales of 2 trillion won, KGC said. It has exported more than 7 million units to 22 countries and has expanded formats including sticks, ampoules and films, along with product lines ranging from the premium “Limited” to the milder “Soft” and fruit-flavored “Flavor.” To mark the ad launch and Family Month, KGC Korea Ginseng Corp. said it will run promotions through May 16 at JungKwanJang franchise stores nationwide, department stores, Jung Mall and Naver Store. Major products including “Everytime Original” and “Film” will be sold at discounts of at least 10%. New customers who visit stores and sign up for Members during the period will receive an “Everytime Energy Pack” (three-day trial) worth 10,000 won, the company said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 18:12:13