◇ Haitai Confectionery launches Pocky Ultra-Thin Melon
Haitai Confectionery has introduced the first fruit flavor in its ultra-thin Pocky line: Melon. While the original Pocky range has offered fruit, nuts and cheese varieties, this marks the first time—across Korea and Japan—that an ultra-thin stick is coated with fruit instead of chocolate. Because the Ultra-Thin sticks are about 40% slimmer than the originals, they break more easily, making it hard to replace the viscous chocolate coating. Haitai solved that by adapting its production technology locally and successfully creating a fruit-flavored Ultra-Thin stick.
The very first fruit Ultra-Thin uses melons from Naju in South Jeolla Province—Korea’s largest melon-growing region—so the flavor is distinctly sweet and fragrant. The country’s only 3mm-thick Ultra-Thin sticks are lavishly coated in melon cream to deliver a crisp, sweet bite. Because the sticks are so thin, the cream coating accounts for more than 30% more surface coverage than on the original Pocky, which makes each mouthful feel creamier and fruitier. Worldwide, only Korea and Japan (which has a Yubari melon flavor) sell melon-flavored stick snacks. For the first time, Pocky will also be carried at Olive Young, starting at the Myeong-dong store frequented by international visitors and expanding from there.
◇ Lotte Wellfood debuts LotSan Pasteur Pure Milk flavor
Lotte Wellfood has launched LotSan Pasteur Pure Milk flavor, a sandwich-style dessert that leans into the popular “pairing” trend—combining complementary tastes for a richer experience. The product features Pasteur milk, processed with low-temperature pasteurization, incorporated into both the cream and the biscuit. The result is a nutty, full-bodied milk cream paired with a biscuit that dissolves softly on the tongue.
You can also sample LotSan-inspired seasonal collaborations at Pasteur’s dessert café, Pasteur Milk Bar. From the 14th through the 12th of next month, the café will offer two limited-time items—the Milk Sand Shake and the Sandberry Yogurt—both featuring LotSan Pasteur Pure Milk flavor. To celebrate the launch, a purchase-verification promotion runs via a QR code printed on the package; customers can enter through the code through the 30th of next month.
◇ Compose Coffee unveils four matcha drinks, launches stamp promotion
Compose Coffee has introduced four new matcha-forward drinks and is marking the launch with a stamp-collecting promotion. The lineup spans pure-matcha expressions to lattes and smoothies: Authentic Matcha Latte, Aerated Honey Matcha, Matcha Shot Yuzu Smoothie, and Cream Matcha Latte.
Under the "Daily Matcha" concept, customers can customize drinks to create their own matcha moment. The Authentic Matcha Latte serves as a base you can top with honey, white pearls, matcha shots, strawberry purée, chocolate ganache or strawberry ganache—so you can tweak sweetness and texture by time of day or mood. Add honey in the morning for gentle sweetness, or go full-dessert with strawberry or chocolate ganache in the afternoon. Want more matcha intensity? Toss in an extra matcha shot.
The Aerated Honey Matcha reimagines the traditional whisking technique called geokbal (擊拂) for a modern, airy texture and clean finish. The Matcha Shot Yuzu Smoothie pairs bright yuzu with a matcha shot, making it an approachable choice for new matcha drinkers. And the Cream Matcha Latte balances matcha’s signature bitters with silky white cream for a smooth finish.
◇ T·GEN launches two new kombucha flavors
Health-beverage specialist T·GEN has released two new kombucha variants. T·GEN Kombucha Plum uses ripe Chilean plums that soaked up mild southern-hemisphere sunshine and adds 100 mg of the functional dietary fiber alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD). T·GEN Kombucha Melon features Italian cantaloupe, prized for its deeper, sweeter profile, plus 20 mg of glutathione yeast extract and 100 mg of vitamin C—100% of the daily recommended intake.
They kept the benefits of kombucha while removing added sugars; each stick has only 15 kcal. The drinks contain 12 probiotic strains plus prebiotics to feed them. T·GEN’s gentle carbonation pairs well with food, making these kombuchas a healthier alternative to conventional fizzy drinks.
The packaging got a fresh update featuring TWICE, the new faces of T·GEN Kombucha. Nayeon models the Plum flavor, while group leader Jihyo fronts the Melon flavor. T·GEN is rolling out a series of packages that match each of TWICE’s nine members to a distinct kombucha flavor.
◇ Modern tea brand CHAGEE formalizes entry into Korea
Global modern tea brand CHAGEE has officially announced its entry into the Korean market. It will open locations beginning in Gangnam, followed by branches at Yongsan I’Park Mall and Sinchon, with all three slated to open in the second quarter. The Gangnam flagship features a large hoarding on the exterior with a translucent glass façade and an arched green-plant installation. A signature oversized cup sits at the center, evoking an entrance into an urban tea grove and reinforcing the "modern tea house" concept. The Yongsan I’Park Mall and Sinchon stores will showcase graphic-focused hoardings tailored to each space.
Founded in 2017, CHAGEE has modernized traditional tea culture into a contemporary tea lifestyle, serving premium beverages that blend freshly brewed whole tea leaves with high-quality dairy.
CHAGEE is also running an on-site promotion: visitors who scan the QR code on the hoarding and complete a short brand quiz can sign up for the mini app and receive a 50% off coupon valid after the official opening. The coupon applies to CHAGEE’s signature BO·YA Jasmine Milk Tea or Peach Oolong Milk Tea and will be redeemable at the Gangnam flagship, Yongsan I’Park Mall and Sinchon locations for a limited time after opening.
◇ JTI Korea renames Ploom sticks to EVO for device-exclusive tobacco sticks
JTI Korea is rebranding the tobacco sticks for its Ploom heated-tobacco device: starting on the 10th, the MEVIUS for Ploom line will be renamed EVO. The EVO name comes from "evolution," reflecting Ploom’s vision of modern, ongoing refinement. As a premium stick line optimized for the Ploom device, EVO preserves the original flavor profiles while elevating overall quality, taste and user experience.
EVO sticks use a Clean Seal manufacturing method that seals the bottom of the stick to prevent loose tobacco particles from falling into the device, offering a tidier heated-tobacco experience. JTI also applies its proprietary ActiveBlend technology so that, combined with Ploom’s HeatFlow system, the sticks deliver deep, rich tobacco flavor.
The EVO lineup mirrors the previous MEVIUS for Ploom range with eight varieties reflecting each flavor profile. EVO Amber maintains the heavy, smooth taste of MEVIUS Deep Regular. The cooler options—EVO Arctic, EVO Green Option and EVO Jade—correspond to MEVIUS Ice Cold, MEVIUS Cold Option and MEVIUS Ice Leaf, respectively. EVO Magenta, EVO Purple Option, EVO Pink Option and EVO Bays Option carry forward the flavors of MEVIUS Shine Fresh, MEVIUS Purple Option, MEVIUS Pink Option and MEVIUS Bays Option.
Reporter: DanA Shin shindana@viva100.com
