Milkis (Korean: 밀키스; RR: Milkiseu) is a Korean soft drink produced by Lotte Chilsung, a South Korean beverage company.
 | |
| Type | Soft drink |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Lotte Chilsung |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Introduced | 1989 |
| Color | Various milky tones |
| Flavor | Regular, strawberry, orange, muskmelon, mango, peach, pineapple, banana, apple, grape, lemon. |
| Related products | Chilsung Cider |
| Website | http://company.lottechilsung.co.kr/ |
It combines many of the common elements of traditional carbonated beverages such as sugar and carbonated water with milk to create a creamy taste; its label proclaims "New feeling of soda beverage". As of 2024, U.S.-market Milkis cans state "Korea's No. 1 Cream Soda".
Milkis is available in orange, strawberry, mango, melon, banana, peach, apple, and classic (regular) flavors; the classic flavor is also featured as a glaze in pastries.[1] It is a popular beverage in South Korea, and it is available worldwide.[2]
History
editMilkis launched in 1989 with a huge marketing campaign, notably with the appearance of Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat in its television advertisements.[3] Chow was enjoying huge popularity from the success of the film A Better Tomorrow and his saying the catchphrase "Saranghaeyo, Milkis!" (Korean: 사랑해요, 밀키스!, literally "I love you, Milkis!") in his strong accent became a huge hit; sales soared and the catchphrase remains as one of the most popular.[3][4]
Popularity abroad
editThe beverage has experienced a sharp increase in popularity in Taiwan. Chilsung began selling Milkis there in late 2020, exporting 200,000 cans. Demand increased rapidly, selling 2.3 million cans in 2021.[5] 10 million cans were sold in the first 8 months of 2022 alone.[6]
The drink has also seen success in the United States, selling 10 million cans in 2021, mainly through Asian supermarkets.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Park, Jong-gwan (2021-05-26). "'밀키스맛' 빵이 있다고?". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
- ^ "Lotte Chilsung official site". Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2010-06-22.
- ^ a b "[옛날광고] 싸랑해요, 밀키스!" [[Old Advertisement] I love you, Milkis!]. Interview 365 (in Korean). 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "Lotte Chilsung Milkis". Daehong Communications Inc (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2012-07-30.
- ^ Moon-hee, Choi (2022-09-20). "Lotte Chilsung Beverage Exports 10mn Cans of Milkis to Taiwan in 2022". Businesskorea (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Han-na, Park (2022-09-20). "Milkis sales volume grows over 800 percent in Taiwan". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Jin Young-hwa and Jenny Lee (20 September 2022). "Lotte's creamy beverage Milkis poised to become global hit - Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea". Pulse News. Retrieved 2024-01-21.