South KoreaChina’s baijiu exports jumped 85% to $33.3 million in 9 months.

Total baijiu exports fell 46.6% in the first half, making South Korea a rare growth market.

Convenience stores sell it mixed with tonic or soda in 5%-alcohol cans, diluting the aroma that deters Western drinkers.

Korea’s January-May sorghum liquor imports rose 19.8% in value while volume stayed flat.

A 72% spirits tax, plus an education levy and 10% value-added tax, makes cheap sorghum liquor the economical mixer base.

How each outlet framed it
TMTPost
traces Yantai Highball's Korean roots to Shandong migrant restaurants in Incheon and the 1961 land law, framing baijiu as a locally owned overseas market

Sources: TMTPost