BTS' Jin to launch liquor business IGIN with celebrity chef Paik Jong Won
BTS' Jin is brewing something this December.
According to reports, Jin and celebrity chef Paik Jong Won are joining forces to introduce a new liquor brand, IGIN, later this month, under their newly-founded agricultural corporation, Yesan Doga.
Based on the traditions of Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do, IGIN is a premium traditional Korean liquor. Additionally, the brand will introduce ready-to-drink beverages like IGIN Sweet Tonic and IGIN Tangy Tonic, crafted with Yesan's agricultural produce such as apples, watermelons, and plums.
Jin and Paik's collaborative journey began in December 2022 when they founded Jinny’s Lamp. Jinny’s Lamp handles IGIN's production, while Yesando—a part of Paik's food franchise firm The Born Korea—manages distribution.
The team has partnered with esteemed liquor master Park Rok Dam, known as "The Godfather of Korean Traditional Liquor," to enhance product development and quality.
According to allkpop, an industry insider said, “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.
Jin has openly expressed his interest in traditional Korean liquor. In 2022, the two joined liquor master Park Rok Dam on the BTS YouTube show Drunken Truth. Jin even made homemade concoctions and shared them with J-Hope, Chef Lee Yeon Bok, and others.
In the show, Paik said, “We hope the general public will be able to taste these drinks once they have been fermented and finalized. We need a famous artist [like Jin] to create traditional drinks and share these with the world. That way, we can catch up on the years we’ve forgotten about our traditional liquor.”
Paik pointed out that Japan's occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945 had a lasting impact on the country's alcohol culture. “They prohibited people from making alcohol with rice at home, which is why this entire culture of making soju at home disappeared… With more of these traditional liquors, we’ll be able to further highlight Korean food and culture.”
Paik, a prominent figure in the Korean food and beverage scene, is a renowned television personality and successful entrepreneur. His diverse business ventures include franchises like Bornga, Paik’s Noodles, Paik’s BBQ, Hanshin Pocha, Rolling Pasta, and Paik’s Coffee, which is available in Manila.
