Hite Jinro cuts alcohol content of Chamisul Fresh soju to 15.7%

Hite Jinro announced Tuesday it will lower the alcohol content of its flagship soju brand Chamisul Fresh from 16 percent to 15.7 percent.

The company said the reformulation — its first in two years and four months — reflects the liquor market's trend toward lower-alcohol products and growing consumer demand for a cleaner drinking experience.

Chamisul has sold 41.3 billion bottles (based on 360-milliliter units) since its launch in 1998, equivalent to roughly 47 bottles per second. Hite Jinro completed a full brand renewal in 2024 and updated its PET packaging last year.

The reformulated Chamisul Fresh will roll out through retail channels nationwide beginning in mid-June.

Meanwhile, Hite Jinro lowered the alcohol content of its soju Jinro from 16 percent to 15.7 percent in February.