The Ready-to-Drink (RTD) version of "IGIN," a distilled liquor brand co-created by BTS member Jin and culinary expert Baek Jong-won, will be available at GS25 convenience stores starting January next year.
According to a report by News1 on December 12, GS25 announced the upcoming launch through its official social media channels, posting a short-form video with the caption "COMING SOON" and the tagline "GS25XIGIN." The video teases the release of two RTD flavors: “Ginny’s Lamp IGIN Tangy Tonic” (plum flavor) and “IGIN Sweet Tonic” (watermelon flavor), which will hit shelves next month.
IGIN is a traditional distilled liquor made primarily from high-sugar apples grown in Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do, Baek Jong-won’s hometown. The brand was born from the collaboration between Jin and Baek. It is produced by Ginny’s Lamp Agricultural Corporation and distributed by Yesan Distillery, an affiliate of Theborn Korea.
The news of IGIN's launch has generated significant buzz and anticipation among consumers. The promotional post by GS25 has garnered over 8,000 likes and 400 comments, with fans and customers flooding the page with inquiries. Reactions from BTS fans, including international supporters, have been especially enthusiastic.
Comments include expressions of excitement, inquiries about international shipping, requests to prevent quick sellouts, and hopes for availability in their regions. Many fans are eagerly counting down to the launch date, expressing hopes to secure the product and even collect the packaging.
The media anticipates a massive response from both BTS fans and general consumers. Experts predict the product will sell out immediately upon release, mirroring the "open run" phenomenon seen with other celebrity collaborations in the liquor industry. For instance, in October, GS25 hosted pre-orders for "Kyungtakju 12," a rice wine collaborated on by singer Sung Si-kyung, which quickly sold out. Similarly, 7-Eleven's "Call Me Later Wine," associated with actor Ha Jung-woo, sold out in just 30 minutes across approximately 30 stores after its launch in August.
Meanwhile, the collaboration between Jin and Baek Jong-won has brought significant attention to IGIN’s official social media accounts. Before the announcement, the account had only around 30 followers. By 5 PM on the day prior, the follower count had surged to 36,000 and exceeded 62,000 by 2 PM on the 12th. This overwhelming interest highlights the growing demand for celebrity-endorsed products and the global influence of BTS and Jin.