[News Space=Reporter seungwon lee] Nongshim's snack 'Banana Kick', which became famous as Blackpink Jennie's favorite snack, has been transformed into a donut in the United States.

Nongshim, in collaboration with dessert cafe 'Knotted', has introduced the signature menu 'Banana Kick Cream Donut' at Knotted's first overseas store located in Westfield, LA, USA. It features a rich cream with Banana Kick's unique soft and sweet taste and aroma, topped with Banana Kick.

Nongshim and Noted plan to launch ‘Banana Kick Cream Latte’ in the future to further expand local consumers’ interest in Banana Kick.

Nongshim Banana Kick has recently become a hot topic globally as it has been chosen as a snack preferred by famous K-pop stars. Nongshim plans to strengthen its brand awareness in the U.S. by introducing various Nongshim snack collaboration menus, such as Melon Kick, which was recently released with Noted.

On March 10 (local time), Jennie appeared on the popular North American talk show 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' and promoted her first solo album 'Ruby', mentioning Banana Kick as her "favorite snack." Jennie aroused curiosity by explaining, "It tastes like bananas, but it's an unexpected flavor."

The snacks mentioned by Jennie have gained explosive interest as they have emerged as global trends on social networking services (SNS). In particular, Nongshim enjoyed the effect of its stock price rising for four consecutive trading days, increasing its market capitalization by 264 billion won as of March 20. 

A Nongshim official said, “Banana Kick has been a hot topic recently to the point that even stores with the symbolic significance of being the first overseas store are using it as a signature menu item,” and “We will actively pursue marketing so that the Kick series, including Banana Kick, can grow into a global snack brand.”

Meanwhile, Nongshim plans to launch a new product in the Kick series, 'Melon Kick', on April 21, 50 years after the launch of Banana Kick, thanks to the recent support for Banana Kick, and to begin expanding exports to the U.S., Japan, and China markets.