Soju Alcohol Content Just Dropped Below 16% — Again
On September 1, 2026, Lotte Chilsung told Edaily it was cutting Chum Churum's alcohol content from 16% to 15.7%. That wasn't a one-off. Hite Jinro had already taken Chamisul Fresh from 16% to 15.7%, rolling that out from mid-June, according to Asia Economy . By the end of this month, OB's new "Chalrang" soju launches at 15%, and Hite Jinro's low-calorie "Jinro Light," on shelves since July, already sits at 11.7%, the lowest ABV a mainstream green-bottle brand has carried. Hankook Ilbo laid all four out in a piece published September 20. Brand Product Old ABV New ABV When Lotte Chilsung Chum Churum 16% 15.7% Announced Sept 1, 2026 Hite Jinro Chamisul Fresh 16% 15.7% Rolled out mid-June 2026 OB Chalrang (new) n/a 15% Launching late Sept 2026 Hite Jinro Jinro Light (new) n/a 11.7% On shelves since July 1, 2026 A Century Headed the Same Direction Soju wasn't always this gentle. Jinro's original 1924 r...