"Is Your Father a Nongshim Employee?" Melon Kick Sell-Out Frenzy... A Stronger Hit Than Jennie's Favorite 'Banana Kick' [Tasted]

Nongshim's New Snack "Melon Kick"
1.44 Million Bags Sold in the First Week
Surpasses Initial Sales Record of "Meoktaekkang"
Rich Melon Aroma... Crispier "Kick" Texture

"Is your father an employee at Nongshim?"

A colleague at the company who recently sent Nongshim's new snack product, "Melon Kick," as a snack for their child at daycare, shared this reaction. The question, tinged with envy, reflects the perception that "you need a connection to a Nongshim employee to get your hands on it" due to the product's immediate sell-out following its launch.

In fact, Melon Kick sold an impressive 1.44 million bags within just one week of its release on April 21, easily surpassing the initial sales record of "Meoktaekkang" (1 million bags). As the younger sibling of the long-standing snack bestseller "Banana Kick," this product has become so popular that it has earned the nickname "Sold-Out Kick" immediately upon release.

"Banana Kick" first appeared in 1978 and has been a beloved national snack for nearly half a century. The name "Kick" itself is deeply etched in the taste memories of Koreans, which fueled high curiosity about the new product "Melon Kick," released after 50 years.

The package features a cute character named "Roni," wearing a light green melon rind. The first impression is quite striking. As soon as you open the bag, a melon aroma wafts up and tickles your nose. The scent is reminiscent of the familiar ice cream "Melona."

The appearance of the product closely resembles Banana Kick. It has a crispy, curved shape, and the surface of the snack is evenly dusted with melon juice solids (0.25%). True to the description of combining milk and melon, the flavor is tangy yet smooth, with a gentle melon taste spreading softly. While Banana Kick leaves a strong, sweet banana flavor, Melon Kick finishes with a cleaner and fresher sweetness.

The texture is also noticeably different. It is crispier and lighter than the original Banana Kick. The distinct, crunchy texture of the snack stands out, as it breaks apart crisply without any greasiness. The clean finish, which does not linger in the mouth, encourages you to finish the whole bag in one sitting.

I also tried the "unique way to eat it" that has become popular on social media. Freezing the snack intensifies the melon aroma, making it even richer. Pairing it with ice cream enhances both the tanginess and sweetness, allowing you to enjoy it as a dessert. In particular, the combination with vanilla ice cream is worthy of being called a "Kick Series Parfait."

The price is the same as Banana Kick at 1,540 won, but the quantity is a bit disappointing. While Banana Kick contains 75g, Melon Kick has 60g, which is 15g less. Melon Kick has 285 kcal, whereas Banana Kick has 320 kcal. The sugar content is also higher in Banana Kick (37g) than in Melon Kick (22g). For a lighter snack, Melon Kick is the better choice.

According to Nongshim, Melon Kick currently ranks number one in snack sales at major convenience stores and large supermarkets. "Banana Kick" is also enjoying renewed attention. This resurgence was sparked when Jennie from Blackpink appeared on a popular American talk show and introduced Banana Kick as her favorite childhood snack. As a result, Banana Kick's sales volume has increased by about 50% compared to the same period last year.