Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.
JungKwanJang emerges as unexpected beneficiary of Nvidia CEO’s Korea visit
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang poses with a hallabong-flavored JungKwanJang Everytime red ginseng extract stick during a meeting with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy by a reader.
By Kang Seung-woo
Korean red ginseng brand JungKwanJang has unexpectedly found itself in the global spotlight during Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s visit to Korea, after a fan handed him a hallabong-flavored JungKwanJang Everytime red ginseng extract stick.
Hallabong is a Korean winter citrus fruit, famously grown on Jeju Island, and its sweet, tangy taste makes it a popular flavor for health supplements. The lighthearted moment quickly went viral, turning the product into an unforeseen star of the visit.
On Thursday, Huang, visiting Korea for the first time in 15 years, joined Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun for a casual gathering over fried chicken and beer at Kkanbu Chicken in western Seoul. Hundreds of people gathered outside the restaurant to catch a glimpse of the tech CEO, who spent about five minutes taking photos and greeting fans.
Among the crowd, one citizen held up a tablet displaying Huang’s photo while offering him a ginseng stick. Curious, Huang asked, “What is this? Is this good for my health?” The fan explained in English that it was Korean red ginseng and good for wellness. Huang responded with an enthusiastic “Wow!” and pocketed the gift, prompting laughter and cheers from the crowd. The scene earned him the playful title of “K-health ambassador” for the day.
JungKwanJang’s Everytime line is a global bestseller, exported to more than 40 countries. Designed for convenient health care anytime and anywhere, it is available in formats such as sticks, films, and ampoules. In addition to the hallabong flavor gifted to Huang, the lineup includes mango, pear and mint options, reflecting the brand’s effort to diversify both taste and function. The moment with Huang not only delighted fans but also highlighted the global appeal of Korean health products in a charming and unexpected way.