▲ This photo provided by the Korea Heritage Agency shows a K-Heritage merchandise store inside Deoksu Palace in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, July 14 (Yonhap) -- Sales of cultural merchandise inspired by Korea's national heritage rose sharply in the first half of the year amid growing global interest in traditional culture fueled by the popularity of K-culture, data showed Tuesday.

 

According to the Korea Heritage Agency, sales of its "K-Heritage" cultural merchandise brand reached approximately 9.09 billion won (US$6.6 million) through online and offline channels in the January-June period.

 

The figure marks a 49.7 percent increase from about 6.07 billion won recorded in the same period last year.

 

Growth was particularly strong at the brand's online store and retail outlets at Incheon International Airport.

 

▲ This photo provided by the Korea Heritage Agency shows a K-Heritage merchandise store at the Korea House in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

The agency develops cultural products based on national heritage content, including traditional patterns and paintings, and sells them at major royal palaces, the National Palace Museum of Korea and Incheon International Airport.

 

Sales at the online "K-Heritage Store" nearly doubled to about 2.2 billion won in the first half from 1.18 billion won a year earlier.

 

Sales at the Korea Traditional Culture Center at Incheon International Airport rose from about 1.4 billion won to 2.66 billion won, while sales of collaborative products developed with brands and companies increased by nearly 61.3 percent from a year earlier.

 

The agency attributed the strong performance to the popularity of newly introduced special merchandise.

 

▲ This photo provided by the Korea Heritage Agency shows some of the best-selling K-Heritage merchandise. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

In March, when K-pop supergroup BTS held its comeback concert at Gwanghwamun, the agency released key rings featuring the stone guardian statues at the restored Woldae platform in front of Gwanghwamun Gate, along with "Arirang" handkerchiefs.

 

To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of independence activist Kim Gu (1876-1949), it also launched badges inspired by the glasses and traditional overcoat he frequently wore, as well as light sticks modeled after Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbok Palace.

 

"The best-selling items included fans and handkerchiefs featuring the painting 'Irworobongdo,' wine stoppers inspired by motifs from the Joseon royal court and the 'Palace Perfume' collection," an agency official said.

 

Given the recent trend, the agency said annual sales could exceed 20 billion won this year, surpassing the previous record of about 16.1 billion won set in 2025.

 

▲ This photo provided by the Korea Heritage Agency shows a K-Heritage merchandise store at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

Annual sales of the "K-Heritage" brand have risen steadily from about 4.76 billion won in 2021 to 8.37 billion won, 11.08 billion won, 11.88 billion won and 16.1 billion won in subsequent years.

 

The agency recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Museum Foundation of Korea, which operates the museum merchandise brand "MU:DS," to promote and expand sales of Korean cultural products.

 

Later this month, the agency will operate a merchandise pavilion during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to be held in Busan from July 19 to 29, showcasing products featuring Korea's traditional culture.

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