2011`s bestsellers: white ramen soup, KakaoTalk, Jobs` bio

Why is spicy ramen (instant noodle) soup always red? Why are instant messengers on computers? Why is a flatscreen TV more than 1 million won (868.8 U.S. dollars)? Why, why, why?

Those who ask why succeed eventually. This year, Korean consumers have been fascinated by the spicy white ramen soup "Kokomyeon" and sent free text messages through the smartphone instant messenger KakaoTalk. A flatscreen TV priced at more than 1 million won (868.8 dollars) was reborn as a "half-priced TV" via joint efforts by small businesses and large retailers. The common thread of hit products this year was "thinking out of the box."

The Dong-A Ilbo ranked the most popular products of 2011 based on the top 10 hit products selected by Samsung Economic Research Institute and recommendations from department stores and large retailers.

○ Out-of-the-box thinking, brand new products

When Kokomyeon was launched in August, consumers complained that the ramen was all sold out. Manufacturer Korea Yakult said enthusiastically, "We cannot catch up demand though our factories are running at full capacity."

Competitors introduced similar white ramen soups such as “Nakasaki Zzampong” and “Gismyeon.” The idea that such soup can be hot and spice was the key to success.

Hyundai Motor has sold this year 99,767 New Grandeurs, or 2.2 times the figure last year. The model also outsold the Hyundai Sonata, a lower grade sedan, for the first time.

Forecasts had said consumers who considered buying an imported car or mid-size sedan would not buy the New Grandeur, but the model absorbed the demand of potential import cars and Sonatas.

KakaoTalk hit a milestone with 10 million users in April this year and 30 million in November. By embedding the instant messenger program in smartphones, the app was recognized as a free text messaging program, which was key to its success.

Another product made via out-of-the-box thinking was "Dreamview TV," a half-priced flatscreen TV sold for 499,000 won (433.5 dollars) at E-Mart, a Korean discount chain. The low price was thanks to reduced marketing expenses and guaranteed sales volume by large retailers. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics sell a 32" flatscreen TV for 800,000 won (695 dollars).

○ This year`s hot items

Other hot items included the Samsung Galaxy S smartphone, which saw sales of 150 million units globally to top the world smartphone market for the first time this year.

Steve Jobs` biography was another bestselling item with sales of 400,000 copies in the first month of publication in Korea. The book also got the attention of 30-something Korean male office workers, most of whom tend not to read books. In addition, the Apple iPad2 was a bestseller.

Thanks to its fast speed, the 4G long-term evolution or LTE service offered by SK Telecom and LG U+ has been popular enough to attract a million subscribers since July.

Furthermore, Namyang Dairy’s French Cafe became a big player in the coffee mix market by replacing sodium caseinate, a synthetic chemical, with non-fat milk creamer.

Korean Air introduced the A380 as the largest plane in the world.

Other items grabbed attention though they did not rank among the top 10 products. For example, a budget gas station that the government tried to introduce to lower fuel prices was surprising but had a tough time due to opposition by oil refineries.

Heating devices that consume a lot of energy should not be bestsellers given the power shortage in winter but made the hot item list thanks to low electricity use.

sanhkim@donga.com