Jennie, a member of the globally renowned girl group BLACKPINK, has recently garnered attention by naming Nongshim’s Banana Kick as her favorite snack during an appearance on a popular American talk show. This endorsement effectively positions Jennie as a ‘Banana Kick ambassador’ and is expected to invigorate Nongshim’s snack business in the U.S. market.
On March 10, Jennie appeared on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” hosted by the famous singer and actress Jennifer Hudson. The show has gained impressive ratings since its first season launched in 2022 and is now entering its third season. During the broadcast, Jennie expressed her fondness for Banana Kick, stating, “Banana Kick has been my favorite snack since I was young. It has a unique banana flavor that is unexpected.” She also showcased her enjoyment of the snack while continuing her conversation with the host and introduced various other Korean snacks, including Nongshim’s Shrimp Chips and Orion’s Whale Snack.
Nongshim’s flagship product, Shin Ramyeon, is one of the most popular ramen brands in the U.S., easily found in major supermarkets and Asian markets. As interest in K-food continues to rise, the sales of Shin Ramyeon have been steadily increasing, and recently, Nongshim’s snack products have also gained attention. Products like Banana Kick and Shrimp Chips are becoming well-known among American consumers, leading Nongshim to expect expanded local snack sales and increased brand recognition.
Thanks to Jennie’s strong fanbase in North America, Nongshim has taken to promoting Banana Kick, even uploading parody content of Jennie’s appearance on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” to their local Instagram account. Nongshim offers a range of snacks in the U.S., including Banana Kick, Shrimp Chips, and Honey Twist Snacks, available in major supermarkets and online shopping platforms.
A Nongshim representative stated, “We anticipate that Jennie’s influence will lead to increased sales of our local snacks and enhanced brand recognition,” adding, “Following our success with K-ramen, we will also focus our efforts on K-snack marketing.” With Jennie’s influence, Nongshim is poised to capture the attention of American consumers and solidify its presence in the global snack market.
