What is included in Seoul and CheongKwanJang’s new royal tea souvenir set?

The Royal Legacy Assorted includes two Court Secret Tea varieties, 14 pieces of Seoul Okchundang, and a three-dimensional refrigerator magnet of Gwanghwamun. The teas come in single-serve stick pouches inside a mint-toned gift box modeled after Gwanghwamun.

Why did Seoul and KGC create the Royal Legacy Assorted souvenir set?

Seoul said the set is meant to merge historical court traditions with Korea’s wellness culture and appeal to international travelers. Kim Hyeong-rae said the goal is to create memorable gifts that let global tourists savor Seoul’s cultural narrative after their trip ends.

How did Seoul’s earlier collaboration with CheongKwanJang perform?

A previous Seoul-KGC collaboration launched in 2025 sold more than 31,000 units. It also expanded into duty-free shops in Australia, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

Seoul, CheongKwanJang debut royal tea, snack souvenir set

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Summary

Seoul Metropolitan Government and Korea Ginseng Corp. are launching The Royal Legacy Assorted on Friday as a premium souvenir set inspired by Joseon Dynasty royal tea culture. The package includes two Court Secret Tea blends, Seoul Okchundang candies, and a Gwanghwamun refrigerator magnet. The collaboration is the second between Seoul and CheongKwanJang, following a 2025 release that sold over 31,000 units and expanded into duty-free shops abroad.

Key Facts

The Court Secret Tea blend called Ginseng Giyul uses 6-year-old red ginseng concentrate with citrus peel and draws inspiration from medical remedies linked to Heo Jun.
The Ginseng Onyul blend combines red ginseng with mugwort and motherwort and was recreated from a tonic originally prepared for King Jeongjo.
The souvenir set includes 14 pieces of Seoul Okchundang, a traditional hard candy co-developed with the Seoul Museum of History.
Each package also contains a three-dimensional refrigerator magnet depicting Gwanghwamun.
Seoul said a previous collaboration with KGC launched in 2025 has sold over 31,000 units and expanded into duty-free shops in Australia, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Published Aug 27, 2026 2:46 pm KST

A newly unveiled souvenir collection resulting from a collaboration between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Korea Ginseng Corp. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

What was once the pinnacle of hospitality reserved exclusively for Joseon Dynasty royalty is now finding new life as a premier global souvenir. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that it is partnering with Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC) to launch The Royal Legacy Assorted, a high-end souvenir set that reimagines traditional royal tea culture for international travelers.

Slated for release Friday, the premium package marks the second collaboration between municipal brand strategists and KGC’s flagship red ginseng brand, CheongKwanJang. The partnership merges historical court traditions with Korea’s world-renowned wellness culture, presenting a curated tasting experience housed inside a sleek, mint-toned gift box modeled after the architectural lines of Gwanghwamun.

When opened, the package reveals two specialized varieties of CheongKwanJang’s Court Secret Tea. The first, Ginseng Giyul, blends 6-year-old red ginseng concentrate with citrus peel, drawing inspiration from classical medical remedies documented by Joseon Dynasty court physician Heo Jun. The second, Ginseng Onyul, combines red ginseng with mugwort and motherwort, recreating a soothing herbal tonic originally prepared for King Jeongjo. Both blends are packaged in convenient single-serve stick pouches tailored for modern lifestyle needs.

Alongside the herbal teas, the set includes 14 pieces of Seoul Okchundang, vibrant traditional hard candies historically served during royal banquets and ancestor rites, co-developed with the Seoul Museum of History. To complete the cultural keepsake, each package contains a three-dimensional refrigerator magnet depicting Gwanghwamun, allowing travelers to bring a physical piece of Seoul’s royal heritage home.

The municipal government has actively expanded public-private partnerships to elevate local city branding through high-quality food and lifestyle merchandise. A previous collaboration with KGC launched in 2025 has already sold over 31,000 units and expanded into duty-free shops across Australia, Hong Kong and Vietnam. The city has also recently partnered with domestic brands like CU and Pungsimdang to introduce low-sugar snacks and regional rice chips.

"Royal tea tables represented the ultimate gesture of respect for honored guests," said Kim Hyeong-rae, director general of communications for Seoul. "By blending Seoul's unique cultural narratives with competitive private sector design, we are creating unforgettable gifts that allow global tourists to savor the spirit of our capital long after their journey ends."

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.

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