Cider vs Sprite: 120 Years of Carbonated Beverage Rivalry

From a Beverage That Lost Its Name to the Zero-Calorie War: The Rivalry of Two Giants

The Secret Behind the Name “Cider”

Before we begin, let me offer you an experience that slightly twists the world you take for granted. Think of a can of ‘cider’ in your refrigerator right now. Clear and transparent liquid, lemon and lime aroma, and the sharp carbonation that hits your throat. Right? But what if I told you, “That is not cider.”

Originally, in Europe, ‘cider’ refers to a golden alcoholic drink made by fermenting apples. The word derives from Latin meaning “strong liquor.” The reason this word came to have a completely different meaning in Korea dates back to the mid-19th century, when Western culture entered East Asia through Japan.

A British merchant in Yokohama, Japan, began selling carbonated water mixed with flavoring as ‘Champagne Cider,’ which was eventually shortened and settled as ‘cider (サイダー)’ in Japan. This new meaning of ‘cider’ then crossed over to the Korean Peninsula through Japan. The name of the cider we drink is more than a simple misunderstanding; it is a ‘historical artifact’ reflecting the flow of Western culture entering through Japan during modernization.

The First Cider Star Born in Incheon

The year was 1905, in the port city of Incheon. A Japanese businessman named Hirayama Matsutaro established the ‘Incheon Carbonated Water Factory’ and began producing the Korean Peninsula’s first cider, ‘Seonginpyo (Star Mark) Cider.’ Because of the star shape in the center of the label, people called it ‘Star Brand Cider.’

With its sweet and refreshing fizz, ‘Star Brand Cider’ became wildly popular, even featuring full advertisements on the Gyeongin Line trains. This ‘star’ legacy continued in 1937 with ‘Star Cider’ from Gyeongin Joint Beverage, and comedian Seo Youngchun’s catchphrase “Even if cider floats on the Incheon sea, without a cup, you can’t drink it!” turned it into a cultural phenomenon.

Seven Stars of Seoul: The Birth of the National Cider

In 1949, Seoul, amid the pain of liberation and division. Seven displaced people from the North founded ‘Dongbang Soft Drink Partnership’ with the determination to “make cider with our own hands.”

Inspired by the fact that the seven founders all had different surnames, they named it ‘Chilseong (Seven Stars),’ meaning ‘seven surnames.’ Thus, ‘Chilsung Cider’ was born, symbolically inheriting the ‘star (星)’ from Incheon as ‘seven stars (七星).’

The first product was released on May 9, 1950, but the factory had to close within a month due to the Korean War. Rising from the ruins of war, Chilsung Cider’s history parallels modern Korean history. Since then, Chilsung Cider has deeply embedded itself in Korean life as the refreshing coolness of bathhouses, the crispness of holidays, and a digestive aid for bloated stomachs, firmly establishing itself as the ’national cider.’

The Arrival of a Global Giant: Sprite

At the same time, on the other side of the globe, the ‘cola wars’ were raging. The Coca-Cola Company needed a weapon to counter the lemon-lime soda market leader ‘7 Up.’

The answer was ‘clear lemon Fanta (Fanta Klare Zitrone),’ developed in West Germany in 1959. This drink landed in the U.S. market in 1961 under the sleek name ‘Sprite,’ meaning a water or air spirit.

Sprite’s origin story fundamentally differs from Chilsung Cider’s. It was not a ‘creation’ born from national pain and hope for revival but a meticulous ‘corporate strategy’ to capture market share. From the late 1980s, Sprite aligned with subcultures like hip-hop and basketball, promoting the provocative slogan “Obey Your Thirst” and quickly became a symbol of ‘coolness.’

The 1992 Battle: The First Encounter of Cider and Sprite

In 1992, Sprite, having conquered the Asian market, finally landed in Korea. Lotte Chilsung, owner of the ’national cider’ Chilsung Cider, executed a bold strategy rarely seen in global beverage history: they launched a copycat product called ‘Sprint.’

The name, design, and taste were similar to Sprite, but legend has it that Lotte Chilsung intentionally made the taste somewhat lacking. Using its powerful distribution network, Lotte Chilsung flooded the market with ‘Sprint’ before Sprite could establish itself. Consumers mistook ‘Sprint’ for Sprite and, after tasting it, concluded disappointingly, “Sprite is nothing special.”

This surprise attack dealt a fatal blow to Sprite, which withdrew humiliatingly from the Korean market without a proper fight. This became a legendary example of ‘guerrilla warfare’ where a local champion’s distribution network and ingenuity defeated a global giant’s capital.

The Unfinished War: The Zero-Calorie Battle

Years later, Sprite returned with a different strategy. Instead of trying to take the ’national cider’ spot, it built its own young and trendy territory by featuring the era’s most ‘hip’ artists like Chungha and Jay Park as models.

In the 2020s, the war entered a new phase in the ‘zero-calorie’ market. ‘Chilsung Cider Zero’ and ‘Sprite Zero’ clashed once again to capture health-conscious consumers.

The tastes of the two ‘zeros’ differ subtly. ‘Chilsung Cider Zero’ preserves the original identity with stronger and sharper carbonation, while ‘Sprite Zero’ differentiates itself with a relatively sweeter and smoother taste.

Comparison / Alternatives

Chilsung Cider vs Sprite: A Head-to-Head Rivalry of the Century

The two drinks show clear differences in origin, identity, and taste.

Conclusion

From a small factory in Incheon to the global zero-calorie battlefield, the 120-year history of Korean cider reflects modern Korean history itself. This sparkling rivalry offers us several important insights:

• Key Summary:

  1. Historical Name: The ‘cider’ we drink today diverges from its original meaning (apple wine) and carries a unique history redefined through Japan during modernization.
  2. Contrasting Identities: Chilsung Cider grew alongside the nation’s history as a ’national brand,’ while Sprite developed as a ‘global brand’ through strategic corporate and cultural marketing.
  3. Ongoing Rivalry: From the 1992 ‘Sprint’ incident to today’s zero-calorie market competition, the duel between these two giants continues to evolve with the times.

Thanks to this steadfast ’national cider’ and the sophisticated ‘global challenger,’ the world of clear and transparent carbonated beverages will never be dull. Which side do you choose?