Journalist

Kim Hyun-ah
  • Nongshim signs deal with Indian grocery delivery app
    Nongshim signs deal with Indian grocery delivery app SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Instant noodle giant Nongshim has partnered with India's leading quick-commerce platform to expand its presence in one of the world's most populous countries. Nongshim said it held a launch event in New Delhi over the weekend for its signature "Shin Ramyun" series, after signing a deal with Blinkit to distribute its products there. Blinkit is the leading player in India's quick-commerce market, with around a 50-percent market share. The event featured a pop-up booth and photo zones where local influencers and visitors could sample products and share their experiences on social media. In particular, a highlight was stir-fried noodles, tailored to local tastes and younger consumers who frequently use quick-commerce platforms. With the latest deal, Nongshim aims to leverage Blinkit's delivery infrastructure to rapidly distribute its key products in major cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai, tapping into India's booming online commerce market. According to the Korea International Trade Association, India's e-commerce market is projected to grow from US$90 billion in 2025 to $240 billion by 2030. "By cooperating with Blinkit, we plan to promote our Shin Ramyun products throughout India, ensuring that local customers can enjoy them in their daily lives," said a Nongshim staffer. 2026-05-26 15:05:37
  • Food Companies Expand Offline Presence with Permanent Locations
    Food Companies Expand Offline Presence with Permanent Locations Food manufacturers are stepping out of their factories. The trend of offline marketing, which previously focused on short-term pop-up stores and limited-edition merchandise, is evolving into permanent brand spaces. These locations are designed to allow consumers to continuously experience the company’s food culture and brand philosophy in their daily lives, establishing a presence in key commercial areas throughout Seoul. According to industry sources, Harim Industries opened a 'Jangin Ramen' snack bar near Seoul City Hall on May 8. This permanent location features a menu that includes its premium brand, featuring Jangin Ramen, bibim-myeon, and juicy dumplings. It is considered unusual for a ramen manufacturer to operate a direct snack bar centered around its own products. A Harim representative stated, "We focused on allowing consumers to naturally experience the brand by tasting finished dishes firsthand." Ottogi is offering dining, café, and bakery services through its multi-cultural space 'Rolly Polly Cotto' in Nonhyeon-dong. The venue showcases a variety of unique dishes and desserts made with Ottogi products, along with exhibitions that highlight the brand's history. This initiative is interpreted as an effort to strengthen the image of Ottogi as a food culture brand, transcending its identity as a food manufacturer. Dongseo Foods is enhancing its premium coffee expertise at 'Maxim Plant' in Hannam-dong, where it showcases the coffee roasting process and production methods. Visitors can observe the transformation of green coffee beans into roasted coffee and enjoy a selection of single-origin coffees and signature drinks. This experiential space emphasizes the company’s identity as a premium coffee specialist through its expertise and R&D capabilities. Pulmuone is focusing on promoting plant-based food culture through its vegan restaurant 'Plantude.' While offering a menu composed entirely of plant-based ingredients, the restaurant does not overtly advertise itself as vegan. It aims to connect vegan food with a sophisticated and enjoyable dining experience. A Pulmuone representative described Plantude as a space that proposes a plant-based lifestyle. A commonality among these spaces is their prioritization of building relationships with consumers over profitability. An industry insider noted, "Considering rent and operating costs, the profitability of the dining business itself is not significant, but the goal is to create experiences that allow consumers to remember the brand physically." The strategic locations of these spaces in key commercial areas such as Hannam-dong, Nonhyeon-dong, and near City Hall are particularly significant. These areas attract a large influx of the trend-sensitive 2030 demographic and are frequented by foreign tourists. Another industry source remarked, "To move away from the outdated image of manufacturing companies, we needed spaces that young consumers would voluntarily visit and stay in." Experts analyze this trend as a structural change rather than a temporary fad. In an era where differentiating brands solely based on taste and quality has become challenging, the competitive landscape is shifting towards integrating deeply into consumers' daily lives and preferences. Lee Eun-hee, a professor of consumer studies at Inha University, stated, "It is now difficult to achieve clear brand differentiation based solely on product taste or quality. The future competition in the food industry will revolve around not just 'what is being sold,' but 'how it integrates into consumers' daily lives and the experiences it offers.'"* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 10:21:00
  • Starbucks Faces Boycott and Customer Exodus Amid Tank Day Controversy
    Starbucks Faces Boycott and Customer Exodus Amid Tank Day Controversy The controversy surrounding Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" has escalated into a boycott movement, refund relays, and political and ideological disputes. Industry experts warn that this situation could undermine Starbucks' core competitive advantage, its loyal customer base, brand image, and overall revenue structure. As of May 21, posts sharing methods for refunding Starbucks cards have rapidly spread across online communities and social media platforms. Some users have encouraged participation in the boycott by posting screenshots of their membership cancellation on the Starbucks app or refund certification photos. Videos showing users smashing Starbucks tumblers and mugs with hammers, dubbed "boycott certifications," have also emerged. Additionally, tips for covering or marking out the Starbucks logo on their products with stickers have been shared. The backlash has reached the political arena and local communities, with criticism that Starbucks has belittled the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Within the Democratic Party, a directive has been issued to avoid entering Starbucks locations, and organized boycotts have begun in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions among local governments and businesses. On May 21, the city of Gwangju released a statement declaring that it views the Starbucks Korea incident not merely as a mistake by a staff member but as a significant social disaster caused by a CEO lacking historical awareness. The city announced a ban on using Starbucks gift cards at various events it organizes. Gwangju Bank, which has previously distributed Starbucks products to thousands during major events like savings and card launches, has also announced a complete halt to its distribution of Starbucks products and mobile coupons. Industry analysts are closely monitoring the potential impact of the boycott, refund requests, and app cancellations on Starbucks' customer retention structure, which has been crucial to its growth. Starbucks has employed a strategy that combines a prepaid charging system with a rewards program to keep loyal customers within its ecosystem. According to the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system, SCK Company reported a record prepaid balance of 427.6 billion won at the end of last year, with total contractual liabilities, including unused reward points, reaching 454.3 billion won. However, the growth rate of prepaid balances has noticeably slowed due to intensified competition in the café industry. The growth rate for Starbucks' prepaid balance, which reached 19.1% in 2022, dropped to 8.2% last year. Analysts suggest that the rapid penetration of low-cost coffee brands into Starbucks' core market is diminishing its appeal to loyal customers. In this context, the possibility of accelerated customer attrition due to the current situation cannot be ruled out. Above all, it seems inevitable that the brand's image will suffer. Some conservative online communities have referred to Starbucks as "Patriotbucks" and "Anti-Communist Café," launching a "support movement" alongside AI-generated images of former President Chun Doo-hwan. Concerns are rising that if the brand becomes a proxy in ideological conflicts, it could lead to a permanent loss of general customers. There are also speculations that if the situation escalates into a political issue, Starbucks' headquarters in the U.S. may intervene directly. The company has emphasized its neutrality, stating on its official website that "Starbucks is not a political organization." If the headquarters does intervene, the call option clause in the equity agreement with Shinsegae Group could be triggered. In July 2021, E-Mart acquired additional shares from Starbucks Coffee International (SCI), the U.S. parent company, and currently holds a 67.5% stake in Starbucks Korea. However, the call option held by the headquarters includes a clause that allows it to acquire all of E-Mart's shares at a 35% discount to fair value if the contract is terminated due to E-Mart's fault. If the headquarters were to reclaim management rights due to brand value deterioration, it could lose a key cash cow with annual sales of 3.238 trillion won, placing significant pressure on Shinsegae Group. Lee Jong-woo, a professor of retail marketing at Namseoul University, stated, "It is quite dangerous for a consumer-facing brand to become embroiled in political controversies. There needs to be authentic actions that consumers can understand, such as supporting content related to democratic values or contributing to education, to turn the situation around."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 21:55:13
  • CJ CheilJedang Promotes K-Food at PGAs The CJ Cup
    CJ CheilJedang Promotes K-Food at PGA's The CJ Cup CJ CheilJedang is set to promote K-Food and Korean culinary culture at the PGA Tour's The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, taking place from May 20 to 24 at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. The company announced on May 21 that it will operate a Bibigo brand experience space and food booths at the event. This year’s event features an expanded scale and enhanced interactive content. Attendees will find the "House of CJ" and two Bibigo concessions throughout the course. The "House of CJ" will be a large pantry-themed space showcasing Bibigo products, complete with a display area, photo opportunities, and tasting events for new products. A casual dining area designed to reflect the atmosphere of Hangang Park will be set up at the 7th hole, allowing spectators to enjoy Bibigo menu items while watching the tournament. Collaborative menus featuring both domestic and international chefs will also be highlighted. Notable participants include Chef Bo McMillan, winner of the American cooking show "Iron Chef"; Chef Park Jung-hyun from the New York fine dining restaurant "Atomix"; and Chef Yoo Yong-wook, who appeared on "Black and White Chef Season 2." Each day, the chefs will present different dishes using Bibigo dumplings, kimchi, K-sauces, and soba chicken. At the 17th hole, a grab-and-go menu will offer convenient meal options, featuring snacks made with Bibigo dumplings and gochujang in both original and spicy versions. Cocktails made with Korean distilled spirits will also be available. CJ CheilJedang plans to showcase four cocktail varieties using Munbaeju and Gamuchisoju through its premium distilled spirit brand "Jari," which is set to launch in the U.S. market later this year after collaborating with local breweries. Since 2018, CJ CheilJedang has introduced the Bibigo brand and Korean cuisine to the global market through The CJ Cup. The players' dining area has been recognized as the "best dining spot" on the PGA Tour, becoming a signature feature of the tournament. A CJ CheilJedang representative stated, "This year, we have prepared a wider range of content and an expanded scale to allow global audiences to experience Korean culinary culture. We plan to continue promoting the appeal of K-Food in the future." The CJ Cup is a PGA Tour event hosted by CJ Group. Launched in 2017 as the first PGA Tour event in South Korea, it has provided local golf fans with the opportunity to watch global star players. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament moved to the U.S. and has been held under the name "The CJ Cup Byron Nelson" since merging with the 80-year-old Byron Nelson tournament in 2024.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 20:54:21
  • Rising Demand for Health Supplements During Family Month
    Rising Demand for Health Supplements During Family Month As Family Month and Couples' Day approach, the demand for health supplements aimed at caring for parents and spouses is on the rise. Recently, the consumption of health supplements has expanded beyond simple gifts to focus on health management across generations. According to KGC, during this year's Family Month promotion period from April 23 to May 16, sales of its menopause health brand 'Hwaerak' increased by 1.3 times compared to the previous year. Sales of the men's vitality brand 'RXGIN' also rose by 1.4 times during the same period. Notably, there was a significant increase in sales among consumers in their 20s and those aged 50 and older. Consumers in their 20s showed a strong demand for gifts focused on their parents' health, while those over 50 demonstrated a higher proportion of purchases aimed at their own health management. KGC's women's health brand 'Hwaerak' focuses on products for managing menopause. Since its launch in 2003, it has continued research on women's health and has received recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for its effectiveness in menopause health. The brand targets overall women's health based on functions such as immune enhancement, fatigue improvement, and blood circulation and memory enhancement. The flagship product, 'Hwaerak Jin Total Solution,' combines red ginseng with KGC's patented women's health formulation, deer antler extract, saffron extract, and low-molecular collagen peptides. It aims to address the complex health concerns of menopausal women while minimizing calorie content. The RXGIN men's vitality brand has also seen increased sales due to the rising demand for health gifts during Family Month. The recently renewed 'RXGIN Hongcheon-Woong' combines KGC's red ginseng concentrate with Rhodiola extract (SHR-5) and a blend of plant extracts including deer antler, goji berry, black raspberry, and five-flavor fruit, enhancing its formulation for men. Industry experts note that the consumption of health supplements is shifting from traditional 'filial gifts' to a lifestyle focused on meticulous family health management. Consumers in their 20s are seeking practical gifts for their parents' health, while the active senior demographic over 50 is increasingly investing in their current vitality and condition management rather than just preparing for old age. A KGC representative stated, "As Family Month and Couples' Day approach, more consumers are looking to care for the health of their parents and spouses. We plan to strengthen our product competitiveness tailored to health concerns across different life stages." Meanwhile, the Korea Health Supplements Association reported that the domestic health supplements market size reached 5.9626 trillion won last year. The purchase rate of health supplements within the past year hit 83.6%, the highest level recorded in the last five years.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 20:34:30
  • Paik Da Bang Launches Two Smoothies Inspired by Webtoon Nyanhan Namja
    Paik Da Bang Launches Two Smoothies Inspired by Webtoon 'Nyanhan Namja' The coffee brand Paik Da Bang, under The Born Korea, has teamed up with the Naver Webtoon characters 'Chunbae and Friends' to introduce limited-time summer beverages and fan merchandise. On May 21, Paik Da Bang announced the launch of two new menu items inspired by the webtoon 'Nyanhan Namja-Chunbae and Friends.' The new offerings include smoothies that reflect the characters' essence. The 'Nyangnyang! Chunbae Punch Chocolate Smoothie' combines a milk smoothie with chocolate sauce and chocolate balls for a rich, sweet flavor and crunchy texture. The 'Nyangnyang! Chunbae Punch Strawberry Smoothie' features a milk smoothie with a strawberry base, highlighting a refreshing taste. Both products are topped with whipped cream and white chocolate shaped like cat paw prints to enhance the character concept. In addition to the collaboration beverages, Paik Da Bang will also sell character merchandise, including a random keycap keychain set and a temperature cup, totaling three items. Customers who purchase the collaboration beverages can buy the random keycap keychain for 200 won per drink. Starting June 1, the plush keychain set and temperature cup will also be available for purchase. From now until May 27, Paik Da Bang is offering discounts on the collaboration beverages for customers using the membership app pickup order. The two collaboration beverages will be discounted by 900 won, and customers purchasing a beverage and keychain set will receive an 1100 won discount. The collaboration menu and merchandise will be available at all Paik Da Bang locations nationwide, except for select stores and at Paik Da Bang Bread Research Institute. A representative from Paik Da Bang stated, "We have captured the lovable and friendly character essence of Chunbae and Friends in our summer beverages and merchandise. We hope customers can enjoy a unique experience in their daily lives." Recently, the food industry has seen a surge in collaboration marketing utilizing popular intellectual properties (IPs). Previously, Lotte Wellfood introduced seven snack items in collaboration with Nexon’s game 'MapleStory,' and Baskin-Robbins launched collaboration ice cream and merchandise to celebrate the 30th anniversary of 'Pokémon.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 11:21:24
  • Lotteria to Raise Menu Prices by Average 2.9% Starting May 28
    Lotteria to Raise Menu Prices by Average 2.9% Starting May 28 Lotteria will increase prices for some menu items starting at the end of this month. Lotteria GRS announced on May 20 that it will raise prices by an average of 2.9% beginning May 28. The price adjustments will affect 22 types of individual burgers, with increases ranging from 100 to 300 won per item. The popular 'Ria Bulgogi' and 'Ria Shrimp' burgers will each see a 100 won increase, bringing their prices to 5,100 won. The company cited rising exchange rates due to domestic and international instability, global raw material supply issues, and increased logistics costs as reasons for the price hike. However, it noted that the increases are lower than the recent hikes in minimum wage and delivery fees to minimize the burden on consumers. A Lotteria GRS representative stated, "We decided to adjust prices after discussions with franchisee associations to protect franchise profitability. We also plan to implement discount promotions to alleviate the burden on consumers." Earlier this year, Burger King raised its burger prices by 200 won and side menu items by 100 won in February. McDonald's also increased prices for 35 menu items by an average of 2.4% during the same month, while Mom's Touch raised prices for 43 individual items by an average of 2.8% starting in March.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 10:58:22
  • Starbucks Korea CEO Apologizes for Inappropriate Reference to May 18 Movement
    Starbucks Korea CEO Apologizes for Inappropriate Reference to May 18 Movement Starbucks Korea issued an additional apology after facing backlash for using language associated with the May 18 Democratic Movement in an online event. On May 18, CEO Son Jeong-hyeon released a statement saying, "We deeply apologize to the spirits of the May 18 Movement, the May organizations, the citizens of Gwangju, and the families of the late Park Jong-cheol, as well as all those who have contributed to Korea's democratization, for the inappropriate expression used in our marketing related to the May 18 Democratic Movement." Earlier that day, Starbucks faced criticism for using language that evoked the May 18 Movement during an online tumbler sales event. As the controversy grew, the company halted the event and issued an initial apology, followed by a second apology from the CEO. In his statement, Son acknowledged, "I recognized that content related to the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement was used inappropriately, and I immediately halted the event." He added, "I sincerely apologize again for causing this issue on a day that honors the noble spirit of the May 18 Movement and the sacrifices of those who lost their lives." Starbucks plans to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify accountability, while also improving internal processes to prevent a recurrence. Son expressed, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility and the seriousness of this matter," and stated that the company will conduct education on historical awareness and ethical standards for all employees, as well as implement more thorough review procedures in all event preparations, including marketing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 23:08:08
  • Lotte Chilsung Beverage Collects One Ton of Marine Waste at Geomundo
    Lotte Chilsung Beverage Collects One Ton of Marine Waste at Geomundo Lotte Chilsung Beverage has partnered with the National Park Service to engage in environmental activities that promote marine ecosystem conservation and plastic resource recycling. The company announced on May 18 that it conducted a marine cleanup on Geomundo, located in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, on May 14-15. Employees from Lotte Chilsung Beverage, along with officials from the National Park Service and the Korea National Trust for Nature, participated in the efforts. The volunteer team collected approximately one ton of marine debris, including discarded plastic, nets, and other waste, from the Mokneungore coast. Restoration work was also carried out on damaged rocky shores in the Dongdo and Seodo areas. This involved inserting a restoration material made from a mixture of stone powder and plant-based adhesive into the holes in the rocks. After the cleanup, the team visited the Geomundo Marine Climate Change Station to learn about the current status of marine environmental changes and the importance of climate change research. On the same day, a "Transparent PET Bottle Resource Recycling Campaign" was held at the Dobong Visitor Center in Bukhansan National Park. Lotte Chilsung Beverage supported the event by providing 2,000 bottles of its Isis water brand. Participants encouraged hikers to return the bottles to designated recycling bins at the trailhead upon their descent. The collected transparent PET bottles will be utilized in a "Bottle-to-Bottle" recycling system for food containers. This initiative is part of a memorandum of understanding signed in January by Lotte Chilsung Beverage and five other organizations to establish a transparent PET bottle resource recycling ecosystem. A representative from Lotte Chilsung Beverage stated, "Ecosystem conservation and resource recycling are core tasks of ESG activities that companies must continuously pursue. We will expand our ESG management practices through collaboration with various organizations." According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, an estimated 145,000 tons of marine waste is generated annually in South Korea, with over 80% of it being plastic waste.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 22:06:00
  • DBKorea Opens First Hong Kong Banjum Location in Mongolia
    DBKorea Opens First 'Hong Kong Banjum' Location in Mongolia DBKorea, led by CEO Baek Jong-won, has opened its first Korean-style Chinese restaurant, 'Hong Kong Banjum,' in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. On May 9, DBKorea announced the opening of the first Hong Kong Banjum location in Mongolia. This marks the company's second brand expansion in the country, following the launch of Saemaul Restaurant in 2023, which currently operates five locations in Mongolia. DBKorea chose to expand with Hong Kong Banjum due to the growing demand for Korean-style Chinese dishes, such as jajangmyeon and jjamppong, in the local market. Ulaanbaatar, home to over 2.5 million of Mongolia's approximately 3.5 million residents, is the largest consumer market in the country, with increasing interest in Korean food culture fueled by the popularity of Korean content and OTT platforms. The first Hong Kong Banjum location has received a warm reception since its opening. Following the initial rush of customers on May 9, the restaurant temporarily limited operations due to the overwhelming demand. By the next day, sales had nearly doubled compared to the opening day. Local media outlets also visited the restaurant for coverage, highlighting Hong Kong Banjum as Mongolia's first Korean-style Chinese food franchise. DBKorea is planning to open a second Hong Kong Banjum location in the Ayud Tower, where the fifth Saemaul Restaurant is located, aiming for a launch in the second half of this year. As of the end of March, DBKorea operates a total of 154 stores across seven brands, including its flagship, Hong Kong Banjum, Saemaul Restaurant, Baekdabang, and Hanshin Pocha, in 13 countries. The company plans to expand its international presence, starting with the opening of its first Baekdabang location in Japan later this year. A DBKorea representative stated, "As global interest in Korean cuisine grows, requests for localization of various Korean-style menus are increasing in different countries. We will continue our global expansion by reflecting the characteristics of each market and consumer trends based on our multi-brand operational expertise." Meanwhile, the trend of South Korean food companies expanding overseas is gaining momentum. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), out of 4,156 surveyed companies, 122 have ventured abroad, with a total of 139 overseas brands and 4,644 stores across 56 countries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 20:54:51