The South Korean boyband BTS and Disney+ Original K-drama “Moving” are among the representative brands for the 2023 Korean Wave Brands hosted by the BrandStars Selection Committee.
BTS and “Moving,” which are leading in the popularity of K-pop and K-drama, respectively, were chosen as representatives for the entertainment category.
BTS, or the Bangtan Boys, is considered as the best-selling musical act in South Korean history. A Guinness World Records hall of famer, the group has been dubbed by Time Magazine as the “Princes of Pop.” All of the group’s seven members – RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook – are now in the military. They plan to regroup in 2025.
“BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star,” a documentary series about the group’s journey, is now streaming on Disney+.
Meanwhile, “Moving,” a 20-episode drama, tells the story of a group of South Korean special agents working to protect their super-powered children from harm and exploitation by malicious government agencies.
“Moving” has also received recognitions at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asia Content Awards & Global OTT Awards and the 59th Daejong International Film Award. It was recently nominated for Best Foreign Language Series at the U.S.’s 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards.
BrandStars’ selection of Korean Wave Brands marks its sixth anniversary this year. This event to select and announce the representative Korean Wave brands concurrently through major media outlets in China and Southeast Asia aims to help consumers make better choices by providing accurate information to overseas consumers.
As the brands representing each industry, Samsung Electronics’ Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5, Hyundai Motor Company’s IONIQ, LG Electronics’ Oled TV and TROMM, Navien, Bacchus were selected.
In the shopping category, Lotte Department Store and The Shilla Duty Free were again selected this year. In the tourism and performance categories, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and “Sky Water Show” were on the list, respectively.
Amorepacific’s Sulwhasoo and LG Household and Health Care’s The History of Whoo were selected in the category of K-beauty cosmetics, and Olive Young was chosen for the category of health and beauty shop. In functional cosmetics, organic cosmetics, and mask pack categories, Derm-A’, Coszone Make9, and Scanco Ballon Blanc were selected respectively.
In the healthcare category, CheongKwanJang, a leading health functional food brand specializing in red ginseng, and FromBio, a functional food company, were selected. In the category of health examination, Samsung Medical Center was selected.
The most popular K-food brands were CJ CheilJedang’s Bibigo, Binggrae’s Banana Flavored Milk, Nongshim’s Chapaghetti, Ottogi’s Ketchup, Paris Baguette, BBQ, and Issac Toast. Sinjeon Tteok-bokki and Samyang Foods’ Buldak Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen were also selected as the brands representing spicy flavors. In the K-fashion category, LF Hazzys, and Gentle Monster, a sunglass brand, were selected. (PR Newswire)