*This content was translated by AI.
KT&G's 'Essence' was selected as the number one in the tobacco category of the '2026 National Brand Competitiveness Index (NBCI)' organized by the Korea Productivity Center for the 17th consecutive year.
Launched in 1996 and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, 'Essence' has continuously introduced new products applying various technologies such as odor reduction, maintaining the number one market share in the domestic cigarette market since 2004.
KT&G launched 'Essence Change' in 2013, the world's first cigarette with a capsule in an ultra-slim format, and in 2019 and 2020, sequentially introduced 'Essence Himalaya 1mg' and 'Essence Change Frozen' equipped with odor reduction functions. This year, the brand has gained consumer response by strengthening competitiveness through differentiation, including the launch of 'Essence Himalaya Shine'. In 2025, it achieved the milestone of recording overseas sales of 1.1088 trillion won for a single brand.
A KT&G official, speaking to The Korea Economic Daily by phone, said, "'Essence' has continued product innovation to adapt to changing consumer trends over the 30th years since its launch, strengthening brand competitiveness."
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*This content was translated by AI.
