In Korea, domestic consumers' interest in low-calorie sweeteners as a substitute for sugar has been gradually increasing, leading to increased commitment from market players. The share of "zero-sugar" products among carbonated beverages sold in convenience stores increased significantly from 22.5% in 2021 to 32.0% in 2022, and further to 41.3% in March 2023. These zero-sugar options derive their sweetness from alternative sweeteners rather than sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, resulting in minimal caloric intake. Initially popularized in select carbonated beverages, this trend has expanded to include coffee, isotonic drinks, energy drinks, soju, makgeolli, ice cream, tomatoes, snacks, sauces, and dressings. According to a national survey conducted in May 2023, a remarkable 73% of adult men and women expressed a preference for zero-sugar, zero-calorie, or low-sugar products.

In 2022, E-mart's sales of regular Coke and Cider decreased by 9% year-on-year, while sales of Zero Coke and Cider increased by 209%. Lotte Chilsung Beverage reintroduced "Chilsung Cider Zero" in 2021 after its initial failure in 2011. Other zero-sugar products include Hite Jinro's "Zero Sugar Jinro," Lotte Chilsung Beverage's "Saero Soju," and Mackiss Company's "Sungyang" soju. Kooksoondang's "Fresh Makgeolli," Paldo's "Paldo Bibimjang," Sempio's "Fontana," Dongwon Food's "Vivid Kitchen" oyster sauce, Peacock's "Matjjang," "Twist," "Seashell Shaped Snack," and others are also zero-sugar products. Kwangdong Pharmaceutical introduced "Bien the" zero sugar tea, while Woongjin Food launched two new products, Balance and Active, under the "Ion the Fit Zero" brand. Lara Sweet's low-sugar ice cream also holds the top spot in Korea's largest convenience store CU and online malls.

The most popular sugar substitutes in the Korean market include artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and natural sweeteners such as honey, allulose and stevia. Aspartame is the most commonly used artificial sweetener in Korea. Although its caloric content is similar to that of sugar, it is 200 times sweeter than sugar, allowing even small amounts to provide a more pungent sweet taste than sugar, thus helping to reduce caloric intake. Natural honey is the most popular natural sweetener in Korea and is known for its various health benefits such as detoxification, fatigue relief, immunity enhancement and cholesterol reduction. Allulose, a novel sweetener derived from natural enzymes, has a lower sugar content than sugar. It is often blended with other sweeteners and has a low-calorie content of only 5% of sugar. CJ CheilJedang pioneered the mass production of allulose in Korea by using natural enzyme extract in its manufacturing process.

Competition among companies for allulose, an emerging alternative sweetener in Korea, is fierce. Daesang established a dedicated production facility in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, and started production in July 2023. Similarly, Samyang Corporation is expanding its dedicated factory in Ulsan and aims to complete it in the first half of this year. Samyang Corporation received GRAS certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020. Allulose occurs naturally in trace amounts in raisins, figs, wheat and other foods. It has a 70% sweetness level compared to sugar, but only 5% of the calories. In addition, over 98% of allulose is not absorbed in the body and is excreted. CJ CheilJedang, the first company to mass-produce allulose in Korea, has developed a powder product. Allulose, a natural sugar, is a high-value-added material that is 3 to 6 times more expensive than sugar.