Paris Baguette debuts in the Philippines

SPC Group said Thursday its bakery chain Paris Baguette had launched its first store in the Philippines. The new Paris Baguette branch in Manila features wooden interiors, designed to create a premium European bakery ambiance, and is located on the first floor of the SM Mall of Asia, the largest shopping center in the Philippines, with a total of 90 seats available. In August, SPG Group signed a franchise agreement with a local retailer Berjaya Food Berhad. This deal falls under the so-called &q

April 18, 2024

Burger King reveals New Whopper following buzz marketing campaign

The fast-food chain Burger King unveiled the New Whopper, a revamped version of its signature item on Monday, one week after announcing the discontinuation of sales of the original Whopper. According to an announcement on the fast-food chain's Korean website Monday, the reinvention was focused on intensifying the smokey flavor in the burger patties. Compared with the original Whopper, the new version has a thicker patty to enhance its juiciness and texture, along with additional salt and pe

April 15, 2024

Coupang shares hit 18-month high on membership fee hike

The stock price of New York-listed e-commerce giant Coupang surpassed $20 a share on Friday for the first time in 18 months, following the company's announcement it would raise membership fees by nearly 60 percent. Coupang's stock price closed trading at $21.25 on Friday, marking an 11.49 percent increase from the previous day's closing price of $19.06. Its market capitalization recorded $38.1 billion. The surge in the stock price coincided with the company's announcement ear

April 14, 2024

Nongshim brings Chapagetti to the fore for global market

South Korea's leading ramyeon manufacturer Nongshim plans to prioritize the promotion of Chapagetti, its black bean-flavored ramyeon product, to diversify its overseas marketing appeal. Following Shin Ramyun, its top-selling instant noodle product, the company will now focus on promoting its 40-year-old Chapagetti as the next major brand targeting the global market, a Nongshim official said during a press conference held in eastern Seoul on Friday. "We have previously concentrated on a

April 14, 2024

[Photo News] Mental health for athletes

LG Electronics, the South Korean home appliance giant, said Wednesday it donated $100,000 to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, a US-based organization overseeing intercollegiate athletics. The contribution aims to support the NCAA's program dedicated to promoting mental health within collegiate athletics. “We hope this contribution fosters the mental well-being of young athletes, enabling them to pursue successful careers," said Jung Kyu-hwang (center), head of LG Ele

April 10, 2024

BAT unveils special McLaren design for F1 Japanese Grand Prix

BAT Rothmans, the Korean unit of British American Tobacco, said Tuesday it unveiled a special McLaren livery design inspired by its e-cigarette products for the 2024 F1 Japanese Grand Prix. According to BAT, the unveiling of the livery is part of the "Driven by Change" project, a collaboration campaign between the tobacco company and the McLaren Formula 1 Team. Launched in 2021, this collaborative initiative aims to provide emerging talents worldwide with the opportunity to design li

April 9, 2024

Big companies increase R&D investment in 2023

Big companies in South Korea increased their investments in research and development activities last year despite decreased earnings, a corporate data tracker said Tuesday. Their combined R&D investments rose 9.4 percent to 73.42 trillion won ($54 billion) in 2023 from 67.14 trillion won a year earlier, according to a recent survey of 224 firms by the data tracker CEO Score. They suffered declines in sales and operating profit due to an economic slowdown but they executed their planned R&

April 9, 2024

Goodbye to Whopper? Burger King’s marketing stunt stirs confusion

The announcement from Burger King's South Korean operator that it would stop selling its popular Whopper lineup has stirred up controversy and mixed opinions over whether it is merely a marketing stunt or not. Early Monday morning, Burger King informed customers through its website and mobile messenger KakaoTalk about the end of Whopper sales. "Whopper sales will end after 40 years," the announcement read. "We thank everyone who has loved the Whopper all this time." Acco

April 8, 2024

CJ's Tous Les Jours to set up franchisee training center in US

CJ Foodville, the operator of the South Korean bakery chain Tous Les Jours, said Monday it plans to establish a training center in the US aimed at enhancing the service and operational expertise of its local franchisees there. This initiative comes as CJ Foodville has recently experienced an increasing number of inquiries from Americans interested in operating Tous Les Jours franchise outlets in the US, the company added. According to CJ Foodville, contracts for new franchise openings have alrea

April 8, 2024

LG chairman loses suit filed to recoup part of massive inheritance taxes

LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo on Thursday lost a lawsuit he filed together with his family members to recoup part of the near 1 trillion won ($735.7 billion) in inheritance taxes imposed following the death of former Chairman Koo Bon-moon. After the former chairman's death in 2018, a combined 990 billion won in taxes were imposed on Koo Kwang-mo and other members of the owning family for their inheritance worth about 2 trillion won that included an 11.28 percent share in LG Corp., the hold

April 4, 2024

Hyosung TNC pledges W1tr to build new Vietnam plant

Hyosung TNC, the fiber production unit of South Korean industrial giant Hyosung Group, said Wednesday it will invest 1 trillion won ($740 million) in Vietnam to establish a new spandex material plant. Hyosung TNC secured approval for the investment from the Vietnamese government during a city development conference for Ba Ria-Vung Tau, a local province of the Southeast Asian country, held Saturday. With the approval, the company will commence construction of a facility in Ba Ria-Vung Tau capable

April 3, 2024

Sulwhasoo publishes first sustainability report

South Korean cosmetics giant Amorepacific said Tuesday that its premium skincare brand Sulwhasoo has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, detailing the brand's sustainability initiatives and achievements. Sulwhasoo published the first standalone sustainability report by a brand under Amorepacific. The report comprises three chapters: ginseng, the environment and culture. The first chapter explores Sulwhasoo's journey with ginseng, transitioning from its use in food to beauty produc

April 2, 2024

HiteJinro’s Kelly sells 360m bottles in first year

South Korean liquor giant HiteJinro said Tuesday that its beer brand Kelly had exceeded 360 million bottles in sales as of March 26, a significant milestone within one year of its launch in April 2023. This achievement is equivalent to selling 11.5 bottles every second, the company said. Kelly's performance has propelled HiteJinro's sales growth. Last year, the liquor manufacturer posted 823.3 billion won ($607.6 million) in beer sales, marking a 5 percent increase from the previous ye

April 2, 2024

More women break glass ceiling on financial group boards

South Korean financial groups have undergone a transition in their board composition, indicating governance changes centering on gender diversity and internal control. Given that a financial holding company’s board is the ultimate decision-making body engaging in establishing management strategies and budget planning for itself and its affiliated banking and securities units, the changes give a glimpse of the future direction that the groups are pursuing. Here are the key takeaways from

April 1, 2024

Korea Ginseng Corp. appoints global business chief as new CEO

Korea Ginseng Corp., the country's leading ginseng manufacturer, said Monday that it has appointed An Bin, the company's former global business chief, as its new CEO. “In order to transition into a global top-tier comprehensive health company, we must adopt a 'Global One Market' approach that combines both domestic and overseas markets," An, 51, said in his inauguration remarks. “We will aim to maximize profits in overseas markets while at home we will take a

April 1, 2024

CJ’s veggie dumplings hit US military shelves

South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang said Monday it has started selling plant-based dumplings at grocery stores within US military bases in Korea. These Bibigo dumpling products come in three varieties -- original, japchae and kimchi -- all featuring the company’s special vegetable protein based on beans, which provides a taste and texture similar to meat. Starting with dumplings, CJ said it plans to expand its product lineup to include frozen rice balls and gimbap. They added it aims

April 1, 2024

Google to suspend political ads in S. Korea ahead of general election

Google has decided to suspend all politics-related advertisements on its services in South Korea ahead of the upcoming general election next month, according to industry sources Sunday. According to the sources, Google recently posted a notice saying that it will not support political ads during South Korea's election period. The decision will apply uniformly across Google services, including YouTube, Google search and the Google Play Store. The decision appears to have been made to prevent

March 31, 2024

Hahn & Co shakes up Namyang Dairy's board to cement control

Private equity company Hahn & Co has taken over the boardroom of Namyang Dairy Products to put an end to 60-year family ownership of the dairy firm. During the regular shareholders meeting held at Namyang’s headquarters in southern Seoul on Friday, officials from Hahn & Co were appointed as inside directors, while Lee Myung-Chul, chair of Institut Pasteur Korea, was appointed as an outside director. Previous directors, including Hong Won-sik, chair of Namyang Dairy Products, steppe

March 29, 2024

Chilsung Cider wins global acclaim

Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co., the beverage arm of the South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group, said Tuesday its flagship product, Chilsung Cider, has received global recognition for its high-quality taste. Chilsung Cider was honored with the superior taste award, receiving three stars, the highest distinction in the soft drink category, from the Brussels-based International Taste Institute, the company said. Judged on five criteria including first impression, appearance, aroma, taste, and aftertast

March 26, 2024

Posco International CEO vows to speed up digital transformation

Lee Kye-in, formerly president of Posco International, took office as CEO of the company, having been appointed to his new position during a board meeting at the company’s headquarters in Incheon on Monday. In his inaugural speech, Lee said, "As CEO of Posco Group's second-largest company, as well as a leading trading company, I will fulfill my responsibilities" to align with the company's new vision, "materials opening the future, innovation for the top class,&quo

March 25, 2024