‘The Proud’ take bows as Korea’s hot products

Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC) on Monday tipped its hat to 100 Korean products that have become popular and received good reviews from consumers. The products now have the label “The Proud.”

The products included a new smartphone, the Galaxy S6 by Samsung Electronics; a smartphone app, Kakao Taxi; and the daily knowledge information provider app developed by CJ E&M. Also included were the educational television station EBS, several drinks and beverages, apartments and financial products.

The 100 products were selected by an online and in-person survey of 23,700 consumers living in the greater Seoul area in the age range of 20 to 50. The survey was conducted in April and May.

KMAC said the major characteristics of this year’s winning products were that they not only addressed the actual needs of consumers but also reinterpreted existing products to focus on the well-being of the users. The institution dubbed that trend “Reshow” - reinterpretation, sharing life, observing customers and well-being.