Bottle Bunker Zetaflex to Introduce Popular US Makgeolli 'Maku' in Korea for the First Time

Three types of Maku presented at Bottle Bunker.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Bottle Bunker announced on the 17th that it will be the first in Korea to introduce Makoo, a Makgeolli popular in the United States.

Makoo is a Makgeolli that has captured the taste of American consumers in their 20s and 30s, achieving sales of over 1 million cans since its launch in the US in 2019. While maintaining the traditional Makgeolli brewing methods and ingredients, it adds blueberry and mango flavors favored by Westerners. Additionally, reflecting trends in the US liquor market, the Makgeolli is packaged in a sleek and simple can design for easy enjoyment.

To celebrate the Korean launch of Makoo, Bottle Bunker will hold a launch event on the 23rd at the Zetaflex store. Carol Park, a Korean-American CEO who developed Makoo, will personally introduce the product, and tastings of the three Makoo varieties?Original, Blueberry, and Mango?will be held at Burrata Lab inside Bottle Bunker. Bottle Bunker attracted CEO Park’s attention as a space that can quickly grasp the reactions of consumers in their 20s and 30s who are enthusiastic about traditional liquor.

In fact, Lotte Mart’s cumulative sales of traditional liquor from January to July 2022 increased by more than 60% compared to the previous year, with Makgeolli gaining particular popularity. Accordingly, Bottle Bunker plans to introduce various traditional liquor products, including unique Makgeolli, in line with liquor trends beyond just wine and whiskey. In July, they launched sparkling Makgeolli called “Makpain (Makgeolli + Champagne),” selling about 2,000 bottles in three weeks.

Lee Eungsu, a merchandise planner (MD) for Lotte Mart’s liquor team, said, “We wanted to create an opportunity to introduce Makoo to Korean consumers because it is a Korean traditional Makgeolli recognized first in the US market, and it has a sophisticated design and sweet taste that appeal to the eyes and palate of consumers in their 20s and 30s. We are proud to present Makoo for the first time in Korea at Bottle Bunker, which has become a trendy cultural space, and we plan to continuously develop unique traditional liquor products that will captivate the 20s and 30s demographic, so we ask for your great interest.”