Korean Food & Beverage Giants Unveil Spring 2025 Collabs: Health, Nostalgia, and Star Power
South Korea’s food and beverage scene is buzzing with fresh collaborations this spring. From health-conscious menus to nostalgic character partnerships and celebrity endorsements, major players like lotte GRS, SPC Paris baguette, Twosome Place, Geumyang International, and BeerK are rolling out innovative products designed to capture diverse consumer tastes. This report dives into these exciting developments, analyzing their potential impact on the U.S.market and providing insights for American businesses.
Angelinus and Chong Kun Dang Health: A Power-Up for Your Coffee Break
Lotte GRS’s coffee chain, Angelinus, is betting big on the “Health & Wellness” trend. On April 16th, they announced a collaboration with Chong Kun Dang Health, aiming to deliver both flavor and health benefits in their new menu items. this move reflects a growing consumer demand for functional foods and beverages,a trend also gaining traction in the U.S.
The collaboration features a range of items,including:
- Vitamin-infused drinks: “Impita’s multivitamin energy shot,” “Zero Sugar Apple chamomoili,” and “Zero Sugar Grapefruit Aid” all utilize a vitamin ice and mortgage base.
- Probiotic-packed options: Expect to see items featuring “Lactopit Drinking Lactic acid bacteria” and “mortgage yogurt snow.”
- Diet-friendly choices: “Mortgage protein chokes” will be available in both hot and iced versions.
- Healthier desserts: “Miscatarpone fresh cream cake” and “mortgage Belgian chocolate cake” cater to those seeking a balance between indulgence and well-being.
This partnership is a strategic play to capture health-conscious consumers. According to a 2024 report by the International Food Facts Council (IFIC), 80% of Americans have made changes to their diet with the intention of improving their health. angelinus’s move to incorporate health-focused ingredients aligns perfectly with this trend.
“This new menu is a signature lineup through Korea’s representative health functional food brand Chong Kun -ga -gang and collaboration to target customer trends that pursue healthy lifestyles,”
An official of Lotte GRS
The move could inspire U.S. coffee chains to explore similar partnerships with vitamin and supplement brands. Imagine Starbucks teaming up with a company like GNC to offer customized vitamin boosts in their beverages. This could be a game-changer in the competitive coffee market.
Paris Baguette Catches the ‘Wish Cat’ Craze
SPC Paris Baguette is tapping into the power of animation with its collaboration featuring “Wish Cat,” a character from SAMG Enter’s new series about cats who fulfill wishes. This partnership is a prime example of leveraging nostalgia and character recognition to drive sales, a strategy frequently used in the U.S.with brands like Disney and Marvel.
The centerpiece of this collaboration is the “Ihy Picnic Bag,” a product designed to resemble the main character, Ihy. This bag features:
- A design embodying Ihy’s visual characteristics, including the character’s face, large ribbon, and unique hairstyle.
- A spacious interior.
- Insulated lining to keep food and drinks cold.
Paris Baguette offered pre-orders for the “Ihy Picnic Bag” through its Pava App and Happy App until April 20th, with in-store purchases starting April 23rd. The limited availability of the bag adds to its appeal, creating a sense of urgency for consumers.
“We have recently introduced our first goods through collaboration with the animation ‘Wish Cat’, which is loved not only by children but also by teenagers and MZ generations.”
An official from Paris Baguette
This strategy aligns with the growing “kidult” market, where adults embrace nostalgic entertainment and products from their childhoods.The success of the “Wish Cat” collaboration could encourage other U.S. bakeries and cafes to explore partnerships with popular animated series to appeal to a wider demographic.
Twosome Place Sweetens the Season with “Peach Students”
Twosome Place is expanding its “fruit life” lineup with the introduction of “peach Students,” a refreshed take on their peach fresh cream cake. This move demonstrates the enduring popularity of fruit-based desserts, a trend consistently observed in the U.S. market, especially during the spring and summer months.
The “Peach Students” lineup includes:
- Peach Saint: A fruit cream cake featuring peach compote, peach plum jam, fresh cream, and cake layers, topped with fresh peach pulp.
- Floating Peach Students: A variation embodying the concept of “floating,” likely with a lighter, airier texture.
To promote the new lineup, Twosome Place launched a teaser advertisement featuring actress Shin Ye-eun, followed by a full-scale brand campaign. Celebrity endorsements remain a powerful marketing tool in the U.S.,and Twosome Place’s choice of Shin Ye-eun aims to capture attention and boost brand appeal.
“Peach Saints are fruit cream cakes that go well with the spring and summer season with sensual visuals and fresh flavors.”
An official of Twosome Place
This focus on seasonal flavors and visually appealing desserts resonates with U.S. consumers. Such as, cheesecake factory frequently updates its menu with seasonal fruit cheesecakes which often become bestsellers.Twosome Place’s “Peach Students” campaign could inspire U.S. bakeries to prioritize seasonal ingredients and eye-catching presentations in their dessert offerings.
M. Chapoutier Unveils “Villa Ocultum Rapidem”: A Taste of Southern France
Geumyang International, a mainstream importer, has announced the launch of “Villa Ocultum Rapidem,” two new wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of Southern France by the esteemed French winery M.Chapoutier. This introduction highlights the growing U.S. consumer interest in exploring diverse wine regions and sustainable winemaking practices.
M. Chapoutier is renowned for its commitment to “bio-dynamic” farming, a holistic approach that emphasizes natural brewing and sustainability without the use of chemical fertilizers or synthetic herbicides. This commitment to environmental responsibility is increasingly valued by U.S. consumers. According to a 2023 Nielsen survey, 73% of U.S. consumers say they are willing to pay more for products from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact.
The “Villa Ocultum Rapidem” lineup includes:
- Villa Ocultum rapidem Blanc: A blend of Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, offering notes of citrus, ripe pear, white flowers, lemon, and minerality.
- Villa Ocultum Rapidem Rouge: A blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan, featuring flavors of blackberry, plum, leather, graphite, and licorice.
The availability of these wines in the U.S. market provides an prospect for consumers to experience the unique terroir of the Languedoc-Roussillon region and support wineries dedicated to sustainable practices. this aligns with the growing trend of conscious consumption and the increasing demand for authentic,high-quality wines.
Qingdao and Head Serve up Refreshments and Tennis at Busan Open
BeerK, the importer of Qingdao beer, is partnering with tennis sports brand Head at the 2025 Busan Open International Challenge Tour Tennis Tournament. This collaboration demonstrates the power of associating brands with sporting events to reach a targeted audience of enthusiasts, a common practice in the U.S. with beer brands sponsoring everything from NFL games to local running events.
From April 18th to 20th, Qingdao will operate a “Head X Qingdao Noncolic Booth” at the tournament, offering on-site events, including:
- Head X Qingdao Noncolic Cita Sashimi event: A chance to win a new Head racket.
- Quiz events: Opportunities to win Qingdao Non-Colic beer.
- Special discounts: Exclusive deals for booth visitors.
Qingdao also prepared online events on Instagram and KakaoTalk channels.
“We are pleased that Qingdao can add healthy pleasure with Non -Collic at the 2025 Busan Open International Challenge Tour Tennis Tournament, full of passion and energetic energy,”
An official of the BeerK
This partnership capitalizes on the growing popularity of non-alcoholic beverages and the association of beer with sporting events. The initiative is a clever way to increase brand visibility and connect with consumers in a fun and engaging setting.
