BTS member Jin collaborates with chef and CEO of The Born Korea, Baek Jong Won, to venture into the traditional liquor business.

According to reports on December 11 KST, Jin and Baek Jong Won have co-founded an agricultural corporation, ‘Yesan Doga,’ which will release a distilled liquor called ‘IGIN’ later this month.

IGIN is a premium traditional Korean liquor based on the specialties and traditions of Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do, Baek’s hometown. Alongside the distilled liquor, the company will launch ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, ‘IGIN Sweet Tonic’ and ‘IGIN Tangy Tonic,’ made with local agricultural products such as apples, watermelons, and plums.

This marks Jin’s first foray into a personal business as a BTS member, reflecting his deep interest in traditional Korean liquor. In 2022, during the BTS YouTube show ‘Drunken Truth,’ Jin joined traditional liquor master Park Rok Dam to sample and promote Korean traditional liquor. Jin has also shown interest in liquor development, gifting his homemade drinks to fellow member J-Hope, chef Lee Yeon Bok, and others.

Jin and Baek Jong Won established the agricultural corporation ‘Jin’s Lamp’ in December 2022 in Yesan to begin preparations for this venture. Jin’s Lamp handles the production of IGIN, while Yesan Doga, a subsidiary of The Born Korea, oversees distribution. Master Park Rok Dam, often referred to as “The Godfather of Korean Traditional Liquor,” serves as an advisor to enhance product development and quality.

An industry insider shared, “Jin and Baek Jong Won have been meticulously preparing for this project for a long time, exchanging ideas and collaborating extensively,” emphasizing their passion and dedication.

Fans have expressed excitement, commenting, “Jin’s long-awaited project is finally here!” “This is a great opportunity to introduce Korean traditional liquor to the world,” and “I’ll be gifting this to everyone this holiday season!”

This collaboration between a K-pop icon and a renowned culinary figure is expected to modernize traditional Korean liquor and serve as a stepping stone for its global recognition, surpassing the boundaries of typical celebrity branding.

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