A new year has begun, and South Korea is seeing a surge in purchases of diet products. From tasty protein bars to protein-rich chicken breasts, items that promote healthy weight are flying off the shelves at record speed.
Korea is no stranger to diet products, as it has long embraced a culture of wellness and health-conscious living. But what makes them such a hot commodity in 2025? Is it a shift in beauty standards, a new wave of celebrity endorsements, or something even deeper?
Letโs take a closer look at why health-conscious consumers are fueling this booming market this year.
This Is Korea's #1 Dieting Tip & It's Not What You ThinkK-Culture InsightsMar 12, 2024
Hottest Goods in South Korea Every Year
In South Korea, certain products gain significant popularity as locals welcome a new year. In the early 2000s, stores saw an increase in sales of nicotine cessation aids like gum and lozenges. Locals also regularly bought foreign language learning textbooks, including TOPIK and OPIc.
Before that, retailers sold computer textbooks in large quantities to earn certifications at the beginning of the year. However, these products gradually faded away as nicotine cessation efforts progressed and online courses for learning foreign languages became more prevalent.
Until the early 2010s, diaries, and new notebooks were the hottest items every new year. But then, they became difficult to find in the mid-2010s when smartphones evolved into a must-have.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, people were highly interested in home training supplies and in
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