#haitai

"My life wasn't special at first. In the city of Seoul where more than ten million people live, like a miracle, I met special people. Us young country bumpkins' lives became bustling and noisy, and in the end, our lives became very special. We spent very special times together at the Sinchon Boarding House. We cried. We laughed. We met. We separated. We had heartaches. Even though each of us had different memories, encounters, and loves, we were together in the same place at the same time, just like miracle.

Even though we were poor salary men who needed to suck up to the world, we were still the Generation X. Even though she's a nagging mom now. She was once a hot-blooded youth that went crazy for boys. In the history of mankind, we were the only blessed generation that experienced both analog and digital cultures. The music of 70's and '80s movies.

I'm reflecting on myself for once thinking they were old-fashioned and boring. Those music and movies were not just music and movies. Those were our youth and the good old days. I've come to realize it only after getting older. It's December 28, 2013. In four days, we're turning 40. To the all 40-year-olds in the republic of Korea, and to all of us who survived the tough '90s, I dedicate these words. We lived through such amazing days. Our youth shone bright. We were passionate about love.

Do you remember those days? We were once very hip. So as we embark on another possibly difficult time of our lives, I'm proposing that we live through it with our burning passion. We were very passionate and innocent. And I miss that time so much. Do you hear me? If you can hear me, then reply. My dear '90s."

1. Haitai 

Haitai is the longest standing and most classic of all Korean food companies! Out of its many classic products, Yeonyanggaeng has been around the longest. 

1959 - Released Supermint, the first Korean chewing gum. 

1970 - Released Bravo Cone, the first Korean Ice cream cone. 

In 1987, they started diversifying and investing in fields such as electronics, trades, and heavy industry. The financial results took a hit and they went bankrupt in 1997 during the financial crisis. In 2005, Crown acquired the company Haitai still operates as a separate entity.

2. Samyang 

The company grew under the protecting care of president Park Chung Hee. The first product they released was Samyang Ramen, initially priced at only 10 won. It aimed to help solving post-war food shortage as well as increase employment rates. 

Samyang grew steadily until a scandal exposed them of putting industrial oil in their ramen in 1989, taking a heavy hit on their reputation. After investigations, the ramen was declared safe for consumption, but the top spot had already been usurped by Nongshim. 

After Nongshim, Samyang was again surpassed by Ottogi in 2013 and Paldo in 2016. Samyang is currently looking to expand its overseas sales, strongly pushing their Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen, doubling their sales in recent years. 

3. Nongshim 

When Lotte released their own instant noodles, a rivalry unfolded between the two companies. The ever popular Shin Ramyun Ansungtangmyun and Beef Flavor Noodles all come from Nongshim. 

Although very popular, it has somewhat been a problem for them because they were all developed in the 80s. In the 80s, Nongshim temportaily enjoyed a 90% market share for instant noodles. 

@samlip.official

"There are things that you will not learn until you try them. There are things you don't see until you get there."

Haitai’s “Oh Yes” has been a steady seller in Korea for decades. Originally launched to challenge the dominance of Orion’s Choco Pie, it never quite managed to dethrone the king. I remember my childhood days when a Choco Pie and a glass of milk were all I needed to be happy. Then, suddenly, Oh Yes appeared. It was a shock to my system. Unlike the chewy marshmallow in Choco Pie, Oh Yes was armed…