'Buldak' boom powers Samyang to record revenue, profit SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - South Korean noodle company Samyang Foods said it surpassed 2 trillion won in annual revenue for the first time since its founding, doubling sales in just two years on the back of strong overseas demand for its "Buldak" brand. In a regulatory filing on Friday, the company reported preliminary consolidated revenue of 2.35 trillion won for last year, up 36 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit jumped 52 percent to a record 523.9 billion won. The company attributed the results primarily to the rapid global expansion of Buldak, which it described as having evolved into a “global mega brand,” as well as to increased production capacity. Operating profit has risen more than threefold over the past two years, climbing from the 140 billion won range to above 500 billion won, it said. Samyang Foods expanded its export footprint last year, pushing Buldak products deeper into mainstream retail and distribution channels in the United States and Europe. The company also said the launch of operations at its Miryang Plant No. 2 significantly boosted production capacity, helping stabilize supply amid ongoing external uncertainties. As overseas expansion gained momentum, about 1 billion Buldak products were sold in the second half of last year alone, underscoring the brand’s competitiveness in global markets, the company said. A more robust supply system supported surging international demand. “Buldak has become a product that is consumed routinely in global markets, and demand continues to expand,” a Samyang Foods spokesperson said. “We will continue to strengthen our production and distribution infrastructure to sustain growth.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-30 08:49:07

HiteJinro Sales and Operating Profit Fall as Alcohol Demand Slumps HiteJinro said weaker alcohol consumption pushed down both revenue and operating profit last year. According to a filing on the electronic disclosure system on Tuesday, the company’s consolidated operating profit fell 17.3% from a year earlier to 172.1 billion won, down from 208.1 billion won. Revenue slipped 3.9% to 2.4986 trillion won from 2.5992 trillion won. Net profit dropped 57.3% to 408.5 billion won from 957.4 billion won. HiteJinro said the overall alcohol market shrank and its top line continued to decline, leading to a sharp fall in operating profit. It said the revenue decline was relatively limited despite the broader market downturn. A company official said, “Despite the overall contraction in alcohol consumption, we minimized the decline in revenue,” adding that it plans to pursue market-boosting efforts this year and step up its push into overseas markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 19:27:00

Samsung Welstory 2025 Operating Profit Slips 2.5% to 153 Billion Won on Higher Costs Samsung Welstory posted higher revenue last year, but operating profit edged down as cost pressures increased. According to a filing on the electronic disclosure system on Tuesday, the company’s operating profit totaled 153 billion won, down 2.5% from a year earlier. Its operating margin slipped to 4.7% from 5.0%, a decline of 0.3 percentage points. The company cited higher labor costs and rising food ingredient prices as weighing on profitability. Revenue rose 4.7% to 3.264 trillion won over the same period, driven by more catering contracts that lifted meal volumes and by expansion of its food-ingredient business. In the fourth quarter, revenue and profit moved in opposite directions. Revenue fell 2% from a year earlier to 799 billion won as fewer business days reduced demand for catering and food ingredients. Operating profit, however, rose 9.4% to 35 billion won on cost efficiencies and a focus on profitability.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:09:00

HiteJinro’s Filite Hits Record 2025 Shipments; Cass Tops Brand Hall of Fame Again HiteJinro’s Filite posts record 2025 shipments HiteJinro said Tuesday that 2025 annual shipments of Filite, the top brand in South Korea’s malt-based sparkling beer category, reached about 340 million cans (based on 350 milliliters), the highest on record. Cumulative sales totaled 2.66 billion cans, nearing 2.7 billion. According to Nielsen Korea data through December 2025, Filite kept its No. 1 position, widening its lead over the No. 2 brand by more than fourfold. It ranked first in sales across all major retail channels, including neighborhood supermarkets, convenience stores and big-box retailers. HiteJinro attributed the performance to steady sales of its flagship Filite Fresh and the April launch of Filite Clear. The company said Filite Double Cut, released as a limited run in December, was nearing an early sellout, with consumers asking for a relaunch. Filite Clear uses the company’s “Super Clear” process to deliver a cleaner taste, HiteJinro said. Filite Double Cut is positioned as a functional sparkling beer, with purines reduced by 90% and calories cut by 33% compared with existing products. Amid high inflation, HiteJinro said it lowered prices on some products to ease consumer 부담. In September, it applied price cuts to key Filite Clear items, and it also set a lower factory price for Filite Double Cut to improve affordability. A HiteJinro official said Filite has focused on developing products that reflect diverse consumer needs while working to help stabilize everyday prices. The official said the company plans to expand social contributions in 2026, including support for jjokbangchon neighborhoods and Lunar New Year sharing events. Cass named No. 1 beer brand in Korea’s Brand Hall of Fame for seventh straight year OB Beer said Tuesday that Cass was selected No. 1 in the beer category at the “2026 Korea Brand Hall of Fame” awards for the seventh consecutive year. The awards are organized by the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies and sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Winners are chosen by evaluating business performance, brand value and customer satisfaction, among other factors. OB Beer said Cass was recognized for ongoing product innovation and efforts to strengthen consumer engagement, particularly through sports and festival events. Cass has continued brand updates to match shifting consumer trends. Last year, it rolled out a new design across its lineup emphasizing a “fresh” image and introduced differentiated products including nonalcoholic Cass All Zero, Cass Lemon Squeeze 7.0 and Cass Ice. The brand has also expanded consumer experiences through activities tied to sports and culture, including the large-scale music festival CassCool and marketing supporting South Korea’s national soccer team. OB Beer said Cass plans to participate as an official partner of the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics and the North America World Cup in 2026. Seo Hye Yeon, OB Beer’s marketing vice president, said the seven-year streak reflects continued consumer support. “We will continue product innovation and consumer experience-focused activities,” she said. Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun appears on ABC’s ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Nongshim said Tuesday that Shin Ramyun appeared on ABC’s late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in an episode that aired Monday (local time). The product was shown naturally as a prop in a short skit segment. Cast member Guillermo Rodriguez is depicted eating Shin Ramyun during a tiring day and then regaining energy, in a comedic scene. After the broadcast, viewers posted positive comments on the show’s official YouTube video, including, “It’s a fresh combination of Shin Ramyun and ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’” and “Seeing Shin Ramyun late at night makes me want to eat it right now.” Industry observers said the appearance suggests Shin Ramyun has moved deeper into mainstream U.S. pop culture. Nongshim has stepped up local marketing, including digital ads tied to its collaboration with K-pop Demon Hunters, outdoor advertising in New York’s Times Square and offline campaigns. Analysts said those efforts helped lead to exposure on a major U.S. broadcast program. A Nongshim official said Shin Ramyun’s appearance on a major U.S. TV program shows it has become an icon representing K-food, beyond being a simple food product. The official said the company will continue using varied content to deliver the value of its global slogan, “Spicy Happiness In Noodles,” to consumers worldwide. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” first aired in 2003 and has remained a leading U.S. late-night talk show for more than 20 years, the company noted. It is known as a must-stop program for U.S. presidents as well as Hollywood actors and singers, and it has strong influence among adult viewers in their 20s to 40s. Sangha Farm rolls out Lunar New Year gift sets ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​ Maeil Dairies said Tuesday that Sangha Farm, a rural-experience theme park, has launched gift sets for the Lunar New Year holiday. Sangha Farm is an affiliate of Maeil Dairies and is located in Gochang County, North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province. The sets feature signature items from Sangha Farm workshops, including fermented foods, ham, cheese, sesame oil, castella and fruit, along with new fermented products, premium ingredients and seasonal winter produce. The company said the lineup emphasizes practicality for use during the holiday and afterward. The “all-purpose cooking master” set includes naturally fermented products designed to add deep savory flavor and can be used in stir-fries, braises and seasoned dishes. Other offerings include a premium ham workshop set made with handmade ham and sausages using antibiotic-free domestic pork, and a ham-and-cheese set that adds cheese made from Grade 1A milk. The lineup also includes a sesame oil and perilla oil set made with cold-press extraction and a castella set baked fresh daily. Sangha Farm also released a Jirisan fermented black dried persimmon set developed with Chef Yang Jae Jung and a mullet roe set made using natural drying. The company positioned both as premium gifts made with time and craftsmanship. A Sangha Farm official said the gift sets were planned to reflect workshop artisans’ philosophy and the time required for natural production, combining new products, premium ingredients and seasonal produce. Sangha Farm’s 2026 Lunar New Year gift sets will be sold for a limited time during the holiday season, with details available on its official website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:42:00

Daehan Flour Mills to Cut Flour Prices by an Average 4.6% Starting Next Month Daehan Flour Mills said Tuesday it will cut prices on some flour products by an average 4.6% starting Feb. 1, citing the government’s push to stabilize prices. The cuts apply mainly to large 20-kilogram products supplied to businesses, including Gompyo Premium Noodle Flour (Australian wheat), Gom (first-grade all-purpose) and Elephant (first-grade bread flour). They also cover 3-kilogram, 2.5-kilogram and 1-kilogram products supplied to retailers. A company official said external factors remain uncertain, including recent tariff talks with the United States, but the won-dollar exchange rate has been gradually stabilizing. The official said the company decided on the cut to align with the government’s price-stability policy and respond to consumer demand, adding that it hopes the move will help ease household grocery costs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:12:25

Lotte Wellfood Launches Premium Ghana Winter Berry Chocolates With Kim Yuna Campaign Lotte Wellfood has unveiled an ad campaign featuring Kim Yuna for its “Premium Ghana” line as it targets the winter dessert market. Lotte Wellfood said Tuesday it released the campaign alongside the launch of three limited-edition winter products. The campaign follows a teaser video released in December after Kim was named the brand ambassador. The main campaign consists of three videos highlighting the limited-edition “Triple Berry,” “Cookie Berry” and “Langue de Chat Cheese Berry.” The ads show Kim opening a large jewelry box in a snow-covered plaza and discovering the products, while emphasizing the colors of berries such as strawberries, raspberries and bokbunja (Korean black raspberry). “Premium Ghana Triple Berry” is a shell chocolate coated in rich Ghana chocolate, with a filling made from strawberries, raspberries and bokbunja, plus strawberry syrup. “Premium Ghana Cookie Berry” layers milk chocolate, triple-berry chocolate and berry powder over a chocolate butter cookie for varied flavors and textures. “Premium Ghana Langue de Chat Cheese Berry” coats a cream-cheese langue de chat cookie with strawberry chocolate. The campaign will run through Feb. 14 on TV and major platforms including YouTube, Instagram and Netflix, the company said. The three winter limited-edition products are being sold through major channels including big-box retailers, convenience stores and e-commerce sites. Lotte Wellfood launched Premium Ghana in 2023 as a higher-end line of Ghana chocolate and has expanded it beyond chocolate into desserts. Based on recipes from professional chocolatiers, the company blends cacao with other ingredients to create a deeper, balanced flavor, and has broadened the lineup to include chocolate bars, bite-size chocolates, shell chocolates, biscuits and ice cream. A Lotte Wellfood official said the campaign was designed to create synergy between Kim, “who fits the winter image,” and the three new berry-themed products, adding that the company plans to keep strengthening Premium Ghana’s image as a premium chocolate dessert brand. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 16:48:00

Binggrae to merge Haitai, tightening grip on South Korea's ice cream market SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Binggrae said Tuesday it will merge its wholly owned subsidiary, Haitai Ice Cream, into the parent company, a move aimed at improving efficiency and sharpening competitiveness in South Korea’s ice cream market. Binggrae's board has approved the merger plan, under which Binggrae will absorb Haitai Ice Cream, which it has owned outright since 2020. Binggrae plans to hold a final board vote on Feb. 12 and complete the merger on April 1. Since acquiring Haitai Ice Cream in October 2020, Binggrae has pursued joint marketing and operational integration, including shared logistics centers and sales offices. The company said Haitai returned to profitability within two years of the acquisition and has continued to post sales growth. Biggrae said the merger will allow the two firms to respond more nimbly to shifting market conditions by consolidating overlapping organizations, unifying work processes and optimizing infrastructure to improve profitability. Binggrae also plans to expand sales through overseas markets and e-commerce channels. Its ice cream portfolio includes Melona, Together and Bungeo Samanco, while Haitai Ice Cream’s brands include Bravo Cone, Nugaba, Ssangssangba and Babambar. According to data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., Binggrae and Haitai Ice Cream together held a 41.7 percent share of South Korea’s ice cream market in 2024. 2026-01-13 14:47:13

A deadly cab crash near Jonggak station in Seoul kills 1, injures 9, 4 of them foreigners SEOUL, January 03 (AJP) -A taxi sped onto a sidewalk near Jonggak Station in central Seoul on Friday evening, striking pedestrians and two vehicles to leave one dead and nine injured, officials said. The crash happened about 6:05 p.m. on a road in front of Jonggak Station on Seoul Subway Line 1, according to the Jongno Fire Station and other authorities. The taxi hit people in a crosswalk and then collided with two vehicles, they said. Nine people, including four foreigners, suffered injuries ranging from serious to minor. A woman in her 40s was found in cardiac arrest and was taken to a nearby hospital while receiving CPR but later died. Another woman in her 30s with a pelvic injury was also hospitalized. Four of the injured were passengers in the taxi, officials said. One was an Indian, and three others Indonesians. The taxi came to a stop after hitting a roadside barrier on the sidewalk. A fire was reported in one vehicle during the collisions, officials said. Police restricted access to the area, citing concerns about a possible explosion based on the condition of the vehicles. Police said the taxi driver, in his late 70s, showed no signs of alcohol or drug use. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-03 07:54:18

South Korea's Daesang to buy German amino-acid maker for $36 million SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - South Korea's Daesang Corp. said on Thursday it will enter the pharmaceutical biotechnology sector through the acquisition of AMINO GmbH, a German company specializing in pharmaceutical-grade amino acids. In a regulatory filing, Daesang said it will acquire a 100 percent stake in AMINO for about 50.2 billion won ($36 million). The company said it is in the process of securing the necessary regulatory approvals and aims to complete the transaction by March 2026. Founded in 1958, AMINO manufactures pharmaceutical amino acids used in intravenous solutions, clinical nutrition products and cell culture media, as well as excipients used in biopharmaceutical production. The company operates a research center and three manufacturing facilities in the Prellstedt area of northern Germany and supplies major global biopharmaceutical companies and medical nutrition specialists. Daesang said the acquisition will allow it to enter the high-value pharmaceutical amino-acid market, citing steady growth in demand for IV solutions and patient nutrition. The company also pointed to rising demand for inputs linked to the growth of biopharmaceuticals, including protein-, gene- and cell-based therapies. AMINO’s purification technology, manufacturing infrastructure and experience navigating European regulatory requirements are expected to be key assets as Daesang expands into pharmaceutical biotechnology, the company said. “This acquisition is a strategic investment that enables Daesang to expand beyond its existing materials business into the high-value pharmaceutical biotech market,” CEO Lim Jung-bae said in a press release. “We will strengthen our competitiveness in pharmaceutical amino acids by leveraging AMINO’s technology and global network.” 2025-12-18 15:29:38

South Korean food firms tap K-beauty boom for new growth SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - South Korean food companies are accelerating their push into cosmetics and “inner beauty” products as slowing consumption and rising costs squeeze margins in their core businesses. The globally recognized K-beauty sector — supported by steady global demand and a strong manufacturing base — is emerging as an attractive diversification route. Industry sources say hy has expanded its probiotics research into skincare, developing products that use its HY7714 skin probiotic strain. Since debuting its first ampoule in 2023, the company has rolled out sunscreen and modeling packs, reinforcing a brand strategy that links nutritional supplements with topical skincare. Other firms are securing manufacturing capabilities directly. HiteJinro Group, best known for its alcoholic beverages, acquired cosmetics ODM producer B&B Korea — maker of brands such as d’Alba and Medicube — through its subsidiary Seoyoung E&T. The move enables the group to extend its portfolio into broader lifestyle businesses. Shinsegae Food has opted for an investment-led approach, committing 50 billion won to C&C International, a color cosmetics ODM company. Through participation in the “Beauty Synergy 2025 Private Equity Fund” established by Ascent Equity Partners, the company secured a 36.9 percent stake. The investment is aimed at establishing a stable revenue source without taking on direct manufacturing or sales operations. Companies are drawn to the beauty sector’s different profit structure. Food production is vulnerable to swings in global grain prices and logistics costs, while cosmetics typically face lower cost volatility. Premium and high-functionality products also tend to deliver higher gross margins, with branding and channel strategy playing an outsized role. Food companies, analysts say, can leverage strengths in raw-material development, quality control and marketing as they expand into beauty. K-beauty’s global growth is another factor. South Korean cosmetics exports reached a record $5.5 billion in the first half of the year, up 14.8 percent from a year earlier, according to customs data. Markets are diversifying beyond China and the United States, with exports to South America climbing from $15.3 million in 2020 to $70.2 million last year, driven by rising demand in Brazil, Chile and other emerging markets. “With domestic food consumption stagnating, there’s mounting urgency around finding new growth drivers,” an industry official said. “K-beauty, with its expanding global footprint, is increasingly seen as a promising option.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-27 14:23:38