Have you ever reached for a savory or salty snack, only to find it unexpectedly sweet? This happens to me all the time, especially with Korean snacks.
South Korean snacks are ubiquitous these days. Honey Butter Chips, Orion Turtle Chips, and other popular treats have found their way into the U.S. supermarkets, riding the wave of K-pop and K-dramas.
But behind their global popularity lies a hidden health cost: most Korean snacks are loaded with at least 10-15g of added sugar per serving– even the ones marketed as savory. If you haven’t noticed, you’re not alone. Most Koreans don’t either.
What’s more alarming is how Korea’s hyper-convenience culture is quietly fueling sugar addiction, especially among Gen Z. And the government isn’t doing much about it.
At first glance, Korea’s average sugar consumption appears to be dropping, with daily intake falling from 76.9g in 2015 to 57.2g by 2020. But, this so-called “decline” masks a deeper issue.
While overall sugar intake is down, consumption remains alarmingly high among the younger generation. Adolescents (12-18 years old) and young adults (19-34 years old) still consume an average of over 60g of sugar daily.
To put this into perspective, the average American consumes 68g of added sugar per day, meaning Korean Gen Z are right up there with the U.S. in sugar consumption.
So, what’s driving this sugar overload? The sheer density of convenience stores. With over 55,000 locations across the country, these stores are everywhere, making it incredibly easy to grab a quick snack or drink, most of which are packed with sugar.
This convenience is a lifeline for students cramming late into the night at afterschool programs and young professionals stuck in Korea’s grind culture. And what do they reach for? Sweetened drinks, sugary snacks, and processed meals.
Carbonated beverages, in particular, are a major culprit. Research shows that soda accounts for
over 16% of daily sugar intake among Korean adolescents and young adults, with Coke and Cider (Korea’s version of Sprite) being the biggest offenders. Excess sugar consumption, especially through these drinks, has been linked to rising obesity rates among Korean adolescents as well as metabolic disorders and other chronic diseases.
Despite the clear public health risks, S. Korea has been slow to regulate sugar consumption. Many countries, including the U.K., France, Mexico, Thailand, and even several cities in the U.S., have implemented sugar taxes to discourage excessive intake. Korea, however, has yet to follow suit.
In 2021, lawmakers proposed a sugar tax through an amendment to the National Health Promotion Act, aiming to impose levies on sweetened beverages. The proposal, however, was never enacted. In 2022, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety attempted a different approach by
introducing the “Healthy Choice” initiative, which aimed to make healthier food options more visible by labeling low-sugar products in select convenience stores near schools.
While some convenience stores have started stocking more zero-calorie drinks and healthier alternatives, these efforts barely scratch the surface. And let’s be honest–just because
something is labeled “low-sugar” or “zero-calorie” doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Artificial sweeteners have their own set of concerns.
So would a sugar tax even work in Korea? Other countries have had mixed results. Some studies show that taxing sugary drinks leads to reduced consumption, while others suggest people simply switch to other sources of sugar. The real issue isn’t just regulation; it’s changing consumer behavior.
Korea’s food culture is deeply tied to convenience, and that won’t change overnight. But awareness matters. If more people start paying attention to how much sugar they’re consuming, they might think twice before grabbing that extra soda or snack.
That doesn’t mean the government shouldn’t do anything—meaningful change requires both policy intervention and consumer awareness. A sugar tax, paired with better labeling and incentives for healthier options, could push food manufacturers to cut back on excessive sugar in processed foods and drinks.
S. Korea’s so-called decline in sugar consumption hides the reality of a growing addiction among Gen Z, fueled by convenience and marketing. If the government fails to step in, Korea will continue down this path, jeopardizing the health of its younger generations. However, at the end of the day, individuals also have to make their own choices.
So next time you grab a Korean or even just a generic snack or a drink, ask yourself: do you really need that extra sugar?
Diane Rhim is a graduate student studying Design at the Stanford d.school with a passion for women’s health and nutrition.
