Song Joong-ki fuels red ginseng's popularity in China
Popular Actor Song Joong-ki consumes a red ginseng tonic, produced by Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC), in this image captured from the KBS TV drama, “Descendants of the Sun.” / Courtesy of KGC
By Lee Hyo-sik
Red ginseng products are once again attracting keen public attention after popular actor Song Joong-ki was seen drinking a red ginseng tonic, produced by the Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC), in an episode of the KBS TV drama “Descendants of the Sun.”
KGC expects that the sales of its red ginseng extract and other products will surge both at home and abroad on the back of Song and other cast members who will continue to be seen consuming the firm’s products in the remaining episodes.
According to the company, Song, who plays a leading role in the drama, is the most searched entertainer on Chinese websites. The drama has been a sensation in China, which could be largely attributable to Song’s presence.
The Wednesday/Thursday drama series airs simultaneously in Korea and China. With six out of 16 episodes having gone to air, the episodes have been played more than 256 million times on China’s video on-demand websites.
“We expect the popular TV drama will spark interests in red ginseng and its health-boosting effects,” a KGC spokesman said. “Hongsam Jeong Everytime, the tube-shaped, easy-to-carry product that contains red ginseng tonic, has been featured in the drama as product placement advertisement. The product is really popular in Korea and its popularity has begun spreading to China.”
He said an increasing number of Chinese tourists are visiting KGC retailers at department stores and duty free stores, adding that more and more Chinese consumers visit the firm’s website to order Hongsam Jeong Everytime and other red ginseng products.
“With 10 more remaining episodes, Descendent of the Sun will attract the growing number of viewers both in Korea and China,” the spokesman said. “We expect Song will be seen with Hongsam Jeong Everytime in upcoming episodes, which will prompt more people to turn their eyes to our red ginseng products.”
According to many research studies, red ginseng’s main remedial effects include strengthening the immune system, stamina and blood circulation. Ginseng’s saponin component is known to invigorate the body.