Song Joong Ki arrives for the 49th Paeksang Arts Awards on May 9, 2013 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo : Getty Images/Chung Sung-Jun)
Product endorsements in some of the popular South Korean dramas is an effective marketing ploy to raise product awareness and sales. Recently, a red ginseng health tonic became known across Asia after famous Korean actors Song Joong Ki and Kim Woo Bin were seen consuming the products in their respective dramas.
Korean drama lovers may have noticed the tube-shaped red ginseng product that Song and Kim both drank in the highly popular "Descendant of the Sun" series and the tear-jerker drama "Uncontrollably Fond." The said easy-to-carry health tonic, named Hongsam Jeong Everytime, is a product produced by Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC). Apart from dramas, the said product also appeared in other Korean variety programs and shows.
Sales for the tube-shaped red ginseng drink rose shortly after the product was featured in said KBS dramas, according to Korea Times. Its popularity outside of Korea also grew with an increased demand from customers in other Asian countries such as China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Aside from the red ginseng health tonic, other KGC products also enjoyed a boost in sales after the release of several promotional activities that featured famous Korean celebrities.
However, the spike in product awareness, consumer demand and sales became noticeable when the hit drama "Descendants of the Sun" was released, according to the same report. The series aired almost at the same time in both Korea and China in the early part of the year. Many Chinese viewers became interested in KGC's red ginseng health tonic after a scene in the said KBS drama featured Song drinking the tube-shaped product.
In other news, the "Battleship Island" actor was identified as the year's most influential person in the Korean entertainment industry. A survey conducted by Daily Sports, as cited by Korea Herald, asked its respondents to rank various celebrities and personalities in the industry's film, music and production sectors.
Song nabbed the first spot given his hit KBS drama, followed by "Descendants of the Sun" writer Kim Eun Sook. "Running Man" cast member and TV host Yoo Jae Suk came in at third place while "Grandpas Over Flowers" producer Na Young Seok secured the fourth spot.
Meanwhile, re-watch some of the memorable scenes from Song's hit series "Descendants of the Sun" below:
