Lotte Chilsung Beverage's fruit-flavored carbonated drink brand, Sunhari Jin, has achieved cumulative sales of 82 million cans (based on 355ml) within five years of its launch.
According to Lotte Chilsung Beverage on May 28, Sunhari Jin recorded approximately 82 million cans sold since the launch of Sunhari Lemon Jin in May 2021, averaging about 45,000 cans sold daily.
The growth of Sunhari Jin is also reflected in its revenue. After generating 5.1 billion won in its first year, the brand has seen an average annual growth rate of about 34% through last year.
This year, growth has accelerated even further. The company reported that sales in the ready-to-drink (RTD) category reached 6.5 billion won in the first quarter, a 74.4% increase compared to the same period last year. They expect sales for the first half of this year to surpass last year's total annual sales.
Lotte Chilsung Beverage attributes this growth to the rising culture of solo drinking and low-alcohol beverages, as well as the trend of mixology, where various alcoholic drinks and beverages are combined. The popularity of highball culture has also contributed to the increased demand for fruit-flavored carbonated drinks.
Differentiation in taste and production methods is a key competitive advantage. Instead of using artificial flavors, the company employs a "freeze-extraction method," which involves freezing whole fruits and slowly extracting their essence over 15 days to capture the natural flavors.
During a renewal in November 2025, the extraction method was upgraded from "whole lemon extraction" to freeze-extraction, enhancing the flavor and aroma of lemons nearly twofold. At the same time, all products were converted to zero sugar in line with the healthy pleasure trend.
The expansion of the product lineup has also been rapid. Following the introduction of Sunhari Grapefruit Jin in November 2025, the company launched Sunhari Yuzu Jin and Sunhari Sangria Jin in March of this year, broadening consumer choices. The alcohol content has been segmented into 4.5%, 7%, and 9% to cater to individual preferences.
Marketing efforts have gained momentum as well. A pop-up store titled "Sunhari Jin Island," held in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, attracted over 10,000 visitors in just 11 days. The store featured four zones: "Not Cut Island, Frozen Island, Richly Brewed Island, and Sugar-Free Island," allowing visitors to experience the product features such as freeze-extraction and zero sugar.
A new advertising video featuring model Ahn Yoo-jin for the launch of two new products surpassed 24 million views as of May 20, generating significant buzz.
A representative from Lotte Chilsung Beverage stated, "This is the result of our continuous efforts to accurately understand changing consumer lifestyles and trends while delivering the true taste and refreshment of real fruit. We plan to solidify our position as the leading fruit-flavored carbonated beverage brand in Korea and continue marketing that satisfies diverse consumer preferences."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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