South Korea: 2025 Trends in South Korea Food Sector

In 2025, the Korean food industry embraced three major trends: collaborations with K-culture, retro-inspired products, and health-conscious innovations. Partnerships with K-culture icons, such as Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters and K-pop stars, drove global appeal through themed snacks and branded packaging. The retro trend revived nostalgic products like Nongshim Ramyun and Ghana Chocolate, appealing to multiple generations. Meanwhile, the rise of "slow aging" and healthy living led to high-protein, low-sugar offerings like CJ CheilJedang's Hetbahn Rice Plan and Ottogi's High-Protein Cup Noodles. These trends indicate that U.S. products with strong cultural appeal, nostalgic branding, or health-focused attributes may resonate more with Korean consumers. Understanding these preferences could help U.S. producers and exporters identify areas of potential demand in the Korean market.