As health awareness has increased in recent years, zero-sugar products have gained popularity around the world, including Korea. 
As more consumers seek to reduce their sugar intake, a wide range of zero-sugar products - from beverages and foods to traditional dishes - are available in the market. 
This is due to the new consumption trend of Healthy Treasure, where consumers want to enjoy their favorite foods and beverages in a healthier way.
In addition to Coke, the leader in the zero-sugar craze, soju, coffee, sweets, sugar and jam are using alternative sweeteners to boost sales. Korea's domestic zero-sugar soft drink market has grown more than 2.4 times in five years, from KRW 90.3 billion in 2016 to KRW 218.9 billion in 2021, according to market research firm Euromonitor. To address health concerns such as obesity and diabetes caused by excessive sugar consumption, zero-sugar products use alternative sweeteners such as sucralose, stevia, xylose and erythritol.
In Korea, allulose sweeteners are preferred over stevia, which often has a bitter aftertaste. Several alternative sweetener products suitable for home use are becoming available, such as Cheiljedang's allulose, Samyang's oligosaccharide, and NUTRICOMEON's Good Sugar Stevia.
Products using these alternative sweeteners can be found in various product categories. For example, in the soft drinks category, Lotte Wellfoods launched a sugar-free product, “ZERO,” and achieved sales of KRW 30 billion in 6 months. The zero-sugar craze led to the launch of zero-sugar soju. Andong Soju Ilpoom launched 25-degree “Ilpoom Zero Sugar” in response to the demand for zero sugar among young consumers, and Lotte Chilsung Beverage's zero soju “Chum Churum Saero” is gaining popularity among young consumers for its refreshing taste and low calorie content by adding sweeteners instead of fructose, unlike the existing product. “Saero” has achieved sales of more than KRW 10 billion since its launch, realizing the popularity of zero sugar in the alcoholic beverage sector.
The range of zero-sugar products is also expanding. From May 2022 to April this year, the total sales volume of Lotte Wellfood's six major products, including “Zero” brand snacks and ice cream, exceeded 20 million. The company has introduced zero-sugar ice creams such as “Zero Milk Monaca,” “Zero Milk Soft Corn,” and “Zero Mini Bite Milk & Chocolate.” They underwent rigorous consumer research and taste testing to ensure that the products maintained their delicious taste and flavor without sugar. As a result, the zero-sugar trend is expected to expand into more product categories through advances in food technology, with the market size projected to grow rapidly.