Author: Kpop News Writer

On September 1, a South Korean National Assembly discussion highlighted the impressive growth of Korean ramen exports. The key figure behind this surge? None other than BTS‘ Jin. His association with the brand Ottogi and its popular product Jin Ramen made headlines in South Korea’s economic media and gave the company’s revenue a boost.

“Starting from the 2020 award-winning movie Parasite (Jjapaguri) & the advertising model effect of Jin (Ottogi Jin Ramen), a member of BTS, we are showing a significant growth trend,” an official said. These words underscore the power of celebrity endorsements, especially when the celebrity in question is a global sensation like Jin.

The Korea Customs Service reported that ramen exports from the beginning of this year until July reached approximately 522 million KRW. This figure marked a 17.7% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. Despite industry challenges, Ottogi’s revenue surged by at least 15%. Much of this success stems from Jin‘s endorsement. Consequently, in early 2023, Ottogi finally made it into the “trillion won club” (2.43 billion USD). It was established in 1959, but the company only achieved this record-breaking sales figure shortly after partnering with Jin.

Jin, the ‘Next Generation CF King’

Jin Ramen’s export sales hit 326.4 billion won last year, a 19.2% rise from the previous year. This accounts for 10.3% of the total sales of 3.1833 trillion KRW, both domestically and internationally. Notably, the sales of Ottogi’s U.S. subsidiaries also saw a significant boost. For U.S. corporations, there was a 39% year-on-year growth, totaling 92.2 billion KRW. Jin‘s influence played a significant part in Ottogi being recognized as a Korean Representative Brand. On March 29, the BRANDSTARS Selection Committee honored Ottogi with this title.

Just last week, news broke that Ottogi’s overseas sales share surpassed 10% of its total sales for the first time ever. Jin‘s association elevated Ottogi’s status, with his celebrity influence boosting sales and enhancing brand value. In summer 2022, his partnership with video game developer Nexon proved fruitful. MapleStory witnessed a 47% sales surge in the year’s third quarter. Beyond that, Jin participated in events for the game, enhancing fan engagement and interest. This reinforced his appeal as a brand ambassador and influencer. As a testament to his impact, the South Korean media dubbed Jin the “Next Generation CF King.”

Ottogi’s marketing strategy, centered around Jin‘s sophisticated image and warm personality, was a resounding success. Jin Ramen has become a hot favorite, selling out across markets. Today, it’s hard to walk around Korea without seeing Jin‘s face promoting the product.

Beyond the ramen industry

Jin‘s influence isn’t limited to the ramen industry. His solo single “The Astronaut” has been making waves too. Recently, it was featured on the official playlist of Amazon Web Services (AWS)’s 2023 Sales Kick-Off, alongside Western legends like the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and Coldplay, who did that song with him. On September 2, “The Astronaut” ranked No. 1 on the Amazon Music Digital Song Bestseller list. It also charted at No. 10 in the Movers & Shakers category, which shows the highest sales in the past 24 hours. This recognition is even more impressive when you consider that the song dropped even before Jin’s enlistment in the military last December.

Jin‘s impact on the ramen industry and beyond is undeniable. His star power, combined with brand collaborations, has set new benchmarks in the world of endorsements. As industries continue to feel the “Jin effect,” fans and experts alike eagerly anticipate his next venture. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The face that launched a thousand ramen sales. Source: Twitter/@theJINPRINT.

Jimin of BTS made a striking appearance at the Lady Dior Celebration’ exhibit photocall held at the fashion house’s concept store in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Radiating elegance, he sported gray trousers and a white shirt. A silver necklace draped over the shirt’s collar added an exquisite touch, making fans’ hearts flutter. He further accentuated his fit with a beige, knee-length trench coat, which appeared to be made from faux leather. Combined with black boots and a center-parted hairstyle, his look had photographers’ flash bulbs popping left and right.

His personal space

Later, Jimin took to Weverse for a live broadcast, marking his presence with the words, “Hello, I’m here! Let me just get my air conditioner remote and I’ll be back. I’ve come a bit late, right? Sorry. My hand? Oh, I didn’t hurt it; it got scratched a bit from exercising.” He expressed how much he missed doing live broadcasts, saying, “It’s been a while since I’ve been live! I tried to make time to talk with you, and I was talking to the company regarding that. During that entire month, I’ve done a lot. I’ve worked a lot.”

In a heartwarming gesture, Jimin shared a glimpse of his personal space. He introduced fans to his mood light. “Here, I have something I want to show you. I have a mood light. I’m a bit embarrassed to have a mood light when I’m almost thirty,” he chuckled. “But it’s very pretty. Let me show you. I look at this and fall asleep. It feels very real. It has a timer too.”

Jimin‘s candidness continued as he gave fans a brief tour of the rest of his home. He showed off a concert banner, framed photo, and his secret stash of cup ramen. Jimin also touched on his English lessons (“Unless you make yourself take them, you tend to end up not taking them because they’re hard”) and K-drama preferences. “I don’t usually watch dramas or movies. But I watched ‘Moving.’ It was fun. Now I want to fly too. I also watched ‘Shadow Detective.’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YUIQYPf76A

Jimin on Weverse Live today right after Dior event 230901

Jimin wants ‘a happy thirties’

Reflecting on his appearance at the Dior event, he said, “I went out to work for the first time in a while. I was able to see you guys, and that was nice.” 

He also shared an anecdote about a previous event where he couldn’t greet fans, “Many waited, but I wasn’t able to greet you. I just remembered a story behind that, so I’ll share it. There were a lot of people, so my manager hyung and I planned to greet you and have fun. We thought of opening the door like ‘jjan!’ then greet you and leave. We were so excited, saying, ‘Let’s greet them,’ and I fixed my outfit. But when the doors opened, there was no one there. We used the wrong door,” he laughed sheepishly.

Jimin‘s deep bond with his fans was evident as he emphasized, “If there’s nobody to cheer you on, you won’t be able to go far. This job is hard. You need people to cheer you on and support you. We’re able to work like this because of all of you guys supporting beyond the means.” As the third decade of his life is approaching, he shared his thoughts on that too. “I want to make a happy thirties with all of you. I’ve been thinking of stuff like that lately because this is chapter two, as Namjoon-hyung mentioned.”

Jimin expressed love and gratitude

Concluding the session, Jimin expressed his love and gratitude, “I came to see all of you because I wanted to show you the mood light, talk about the Dior event, and what I’ve been doing. Please wish Jungkook a happy birthday, and let’s see each other soon! I’m going to wash up and rest. Everyone, be well. Drink lots of water. It seems like it’s raining a lot, so be careful too. ‘Bye! I love you today and tomorrow.” – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jimin is a real vision, whether he’s dressed up or dressed down with no makeup at all. Sources: Twitter/@btspicstwt_ and @boraboravie.

On August 30, a brief live session on TikTok featured none other than BTS‘ Jungkook. Amidst his interactions, he expressed a sudden hunger and mentioned his intention to order food from a fried chicken brand named GCOVA. He promised to return after his chicken feast.

Originating in Jungkook’s hometown of Busan, this barbecue-style chicken restaurant rapidly gained popularity, leading to the opening of many branches. It primarily operates as a delivery service. But recognizing the challenges tourists might face with the Korean delivery system, GCOVA inaugurated a branch at Hongik University, a prime tourist destination in Seoul, with a dine-in space.

The brand provides two variations of chicken: bone-in and boneless. Customers have the liberty to select between spicy seasoned chicken or the simply salted variant. Their chicken pieces are grilled to perfection with a distinctive sauce. The spicy seasoned chicken stands out because it has much more kick than its counterparts. The rice cake that accompanies it is an added delight.

GCOVA isn’t just another chicken brand

For those who can’t handle spicy food, never fear: GCOVA has got you covered. It allows customers to choose from three spice levels: Less Spicy, Normal, or Very Spicy. Given the flavorful and unique seasoning GCOVA employs, many love to mix some rice with the sauce, creating a dish commonly and fondly referred to as “Chi-bob,” a delightful combination of chicken and rice.

For those unfamiliar with the term “Chi-bob,” it’s a relatively new phrase compared to “Chi-maek.” While “Chi-maek” refers to enjoying chicken with beer, “Chi-bob” translates to eating chicken with spicy or soy sauce accompanied by rice. The term “Bob” denotes rice in Korean.

GCOVA isn’t just another chicken brand. It’s an experience, a culinary journey that resonates with both locals and celebrities like Jungkook. Whether you’re in Seoul or elsewhere, GCOVA promises a taste that’s hard to forget. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook talked about his fried chicken cravings in a short TikTok live broadcast. Source: Twitter/@BTSJKHEY.