① The Korean Wave in the World of Online and Mobile
The term “Korean Wave” originated in the late 1990s with the H.O.T. syndrome, when Korean idol dance groups and dramas gained popularity among Chinese-speaking teenagers.
Perhaps it’s because the term emerged with the popularity of Korean pop culture. Even now, when people think of the Korean Wave, the first things that come to mind are Korean pop culture phenomena like music, movies, and dramas becoming well-known worldwide.
Significantly, the popularity of K-dramas is unstoppable. Last year, K-webtoons surpassed K-dramas and became the most profitable Korean product, sparking discussions.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that “the average annual growth rate of consumption time over the past three years was 20.9%, clearly showing the global growth and popularity of Korean webtoons.”
They also stated, “The accessibility of webtoons has become easier as the content access route has changed to online and mobile platforms.”
In today’s world, where online and mobile platforms are indispensable, the spread of the Korean Wave, centered on popular culture content such as Korean dramas, movies, music, and webtoons, seems likely to continue.
The term Korean Wave encompasses popular culture and the spread and recognition of various aspects of South Korean culture worldwide, including fashion, cosmetics, food, tourism, and industry.
Among these, other Korean products have gained popularity worldwide, thanks to the expansion of online mobile platforms, like K-webtoons.
Today, consumers shop in offline stores and purchase products through platforms such as online shopping malls. Surprisingly, K-products receive worldwide love from the Amazon.
② Korean Products that Solved Universal Inconveniences
Among the K-products that have captured people’s hearts worldwide, a product has surpassed a global cumulative sales volume of 1 million. It is Konny Baby Carrier by Konny by Erin, an international parenting lifestyle brand.
Konny by Erin’s products are sold in over 70 countries worldwide. More than 95% of sales are made through direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels, including their mall and Amazon.
Over 70% of Konny by Erin’s total sales come from overseas. Selling baby carriers to the world, they made headlines by generating approximately US$12.6 million in revenue in just three years. But how did a Korean baby carrier gain global popularity?
Im Ee-rang, the CEO of Konny by Erin, developed a herniated disc six months after giving birth. At that time, she thought it would be convenient if a baby carrier could be easily put on and taken off like a T-shirt.
The inconvenience felt by CEO Im became the start of her business, with her idea to solve this problem. She learned everything she needed to know about making a baby carrier by carrying her baby, who had not yet turned one, around Dongdaemun market.
At that time, the market for selling baby carriers already existed, and Korea and other countries were selling baby carriers. However, CEO Im wanted to improve the uncomfortable aspects of existing baby carriers and make a good one.
Looking back on preparing for her business, CEO Im said she often said, “I am a mother of a baby, and I really want to make a good baby carrier. Please help me”.
She also explained, “The difficulties of raising a baby are universal,” and “Koreans, Americans, and Japanese all feel the same inconveniences.”
The existing large and heavy baby carriers were unattractive when worn, difficult to coordinate with clothes, and hard to wash frequently.
The baby carrier that improved these points is the ‘Konny Baby Carrier.’ As a product that solves universal inconveniences, many people overseas need this product.
Initially launched in Korea, the Konny Baby Carrier became widely known locally after Japanese mothers who traveled to Korea discovered it.
Currently centered in Japan, the largest market, the Konny Baby Carrier, is being sold in the United States, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, etc.
In 2021, it achieved significant results, including ranking in the top three in the sling baby carrier category on Amazon in the U.S., and sales jumped to approximately US$20 million.
③ Popular Korean Products on Amazon
There are several other popular Korean products on Amazon besides baby carriers. Among them, stone pots are also a representative product. Stone pots are made of stone, often used in restaurants serving Korean set meals to serve rice.
Stone pots are also used as specialty products. Jeonju is famous for bibimbap served in a stone pot. As Korean food and recipes became known overseas, stone pots also gained attention.
The stone pot, a heavy dish made of solid rock that keeps food warm for a long time, is unfamiliar to foreigners but is gaining popularity as a famous Korean product on Amazon in the U.S.
Konjac sponges are also one of the Korean products that many foreigners buy on Amazon. Unlike regular sponges, konjac sponges contain tree roots grown on Jeju Island’s volcanic island.
Known to be effective for exfoliation, konjac sponges are popular among many women overseas. It sold so much that it received more than 1,500 reviews.
By. Kim Min Jae
Most Commented