Bite into CU Candy to Hear Idol Songs... The Convenience Store's Quirky K-Pop Products

Third edition of "singing candy" uses bone-conduction technology
Features songs by three idol acts
From albums to collaboration bread
Expanding products tailored to K-pop fans

Pop idol songs can be heard when you bite down on candy at a convenience store. CU is turning its stores into spaces where customers can enjoy K-pop content, offering everything from novelty candies that play music to bread made in collaboration with idol groups.

CU, the convenience store chain operated by BGF Retail, said on Oct. 13 that it will release the third edition of its “singing candy” on Oct. 14. Priced at 5,000 won, each candy contains one randomly selected song: “Runaway” by RESCENE, “XO, My Cyberlove” by Chuu, or “Baeteo” by EVNNE.

The product uses bone-conduction technology. When the candy is held in the mouth, vibrations travel through the jawbone to the cochlea, allowing users to listen to music for about 40 seconds. The included earplugs provide a clearer listening experience.

The first edition, released earlier, featured “Sudden Shower,” an OST track from the drama “Lovely Runner,” and ranked No. 1 in CU’s toy candy sales in July. The second edition, released last month, also ranked among the top sellers.

CU is also expanding its sales of idol albums and artist collaboration products. It sells albums by ENHYPEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and CORTIS, among others, while bread made in collaboration with its official model, RESCENE, has surpassed 1 million units in cumulative sales.

Interest among foreign customers is also growing. During this year’s Chinese National Day holiday, idol albums recorded the highest year-on-year sales growth among products purchased by Chinese customers.

CU plans to continue expanding opportunities for customers to experience K-pop in new ways at its convenience stores through differentiated products.

“CU offers products that let customers engage with K-pop in a variety of ways, from idol albums and artist collaborations to singing candy that plays music,” said Song Yunseon, manager of BGF Retail’s Snack and Food Team. “We will continue to reflect customers’ interests and trends in our differentiated products and strive to help them experience K-pop in even more novel ways at CU.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.