Seoul, South Korea – Food companies are tapping into consumers' nostalgic cravings by reintroducing discontinued products that were once beloved by the masses. From the iconic 'Nongshim Ramen' of the 1970s to the popular 'Minos Banana Milk' of the 1990s, these familiar flavors are making a triumphant return to supermarket shelves.

Seoul Milk recently announced the return of 'Minos Banana Milk' after a 12-year hiatus. Initially launched in 1993, the product gained immense popularity but was discontinued in 2012. Despite its absence, consumer requests for its return persisted, leading to its much-anticipated comeback.

"We decided to bring back Minos Banana Milk in response to the 'newtro' trend, which reinterprets the past in a contemporary way, and the growing demand from 'voisumers' who actively voice their desire for discontinued products," explained a Seoul Milk spokesperson.

Nongshim also joined the trend by reintroducing 'Nongshim Ramen,' which was first launched in 1975. The ramen gained immense popularity during its initial release, thanks to its catchy slogan, "Hyungnim myeonjeo, au myeonjeo" (Older brother first, younger brother second). In fact, the product played a pivotal role in the company's decision to change its name from Lotte Gongyup to Nongshim in 1978.

To further engage with consumers, Nongshim is considering reintroducing two more popular products from its past during the first half of the year.

Orion, another major food company, also joined the nostalgia wave by bringing back its limited edition 'Strawberry Songi' after a three-year absence. Initially released as a limited edition in 2022, the product garnered significant attention and was met with numerous requests for its return.

Last year, Orion reintroduced 'Pokchip Sweet Cheese' after an eight-year hiatus. The product was initially discontinued in 2016 but was brought back due to persistent consumer demand on social media and through customer service channels.

"There's a consistent demand from consumers who miss discontinued products," said a food industry official. "For manufacturers, it's a win-win situation as they can achieve high marketing impact with relatively low investment. This is why companies are selecting products with high consumer demand and reintroducing them to the market."

As consumers continue to seek comfort in familiar flavors and brands, it is likely that we will see more discontinued products making a comeback in the future.

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