Hello Soju
Hello Soju is a Los Angeles-based craft spirits brand under The Hello Group that produces and sells premium Korean-style soju, including a 33% ABV flagship spirit and a five-flavor 7% ABV sparkling soju line, primarily direct-to-consumer to U.S. legal-drinking-age adults across 38 states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hello Soju does
Hello Soju is a Los Angeles-based wine and spirits company that develops, brands, and retails premium soju products targeted at U.S. legal-drinking-age consumers. Founded in 2023 as a subsidiary of The Hello Group (THG), a global entertainment and media conglomerate, the company positions itself at the intersection of Korean tradition and California craft production. Its product line comprises a 33% ABV Flagship Spirit distilled in copper pot stills from California non-GMO rice using the traditional Korean method ($40 per 750ml bottle), and a five-flavor sparkling soju RTD range at 7% ABV (Lemon Yuzu, Green Grape, Lychee, Asian Pear, Peach) sold as 4-packs at $20 per flavor or an 8-pack variety sampler at $35, plus limited-edition branded merchandise.
The company sells primarily direct-to-consumer through hellosoju.com with a $30 minimum order, fulfilling alcohol orders across 38 U.S. states via AccelPay's licensed retailer network using GLS and UPS carriers. Secondary distribution channels include stadium concessions at BMO Stadium through the LAFC partnership and a retail store finder network. Marketing combines sports sponsorships, cultural event sponsorships (KALH Honors 2025), social media on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, and PR coverage in outlets such as AdAge. The brand has accumulated significant 2026 industry recognition including Double Gold at CHILLED 100 Awards, Platinum at L.A. Spirits Awards, and recognition as Breakout Brand 2026 and Innovative Brand 2026.
Hello Soju is privately held and venture-backed, having raised approximately $13.7M total, including an October 2024 SEC exempt offering of approximately $6.9M and a $6.8M April 2025 seed round co-led by Kleiner Perkins and Ballistic Ventures. Leadership comprises CEO Elisabeth Baron, appointed in mid-2025 to lead the nationwide relaunch, and Creative Director Peter Bae. The company operates with 1-10 employees from its Hollywood, California headquarters and is in active nationwide scaling mode.
Hello Soju firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hello Soju
- Legal name
- Hello Soju, LLC
- Website
- https://hellosoju.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Hello Soju is a Los Angeles-based craft spirits brand under The Hello Group that produces and sells premium Korean-style soju, including a 33% ABV flagship spirit and a five-flavor 7% ABV sparkling soju line, primarily direct-to-consumer to U.S. legal-drinking-age adults across 38 states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hello Soju industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Spirits
- NAICS
- Distilleries (312140), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sake, Soju & Other Asian Alcoholic Beverages Producers & Brands (CRADAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverage Production (Canned Cocktails, Hard Seltzer) (AFAFAAAE), Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC), Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Sake & Traditional Rice Wine Production (AFAFAAAG)
Keywords
Where Hello Soju is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hello Soju business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- E-commerce Direct Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through hellosoju.com selling flagship spirit ($40), sparkling soju varieties ($20 for 4-pack, $35 for 8-pack variety), and merchandise (hoodies at $100). Orders fulfilled via AccelPay's licensed retailer network with $30 minimum.
- Retail Distribution: Wholesale distribution through retail stores across 38 U.S. states, including in-stadium sales through LAFC partnership at BMO Stadium.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Flagship Spirit - 750ml bottle at $40 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sparkling Soju 4-Pack at $20 per flavor |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Variety Pack (8-pack) at $35 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lunar New Year Limited Edition Hoodie at $100 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Hello Soju product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hello Soju develops and retails ultra-premium rice-based soju spirits and a line of sparkling soju seltzer beverages. The flagship is a 33% ABV spirit distilled in Korean copper pots and filtered through bamboo charcoal, while the seltzer line comes in multiple real-fruit flavors with no added sugar.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hello Soju Flagship Spirit: Premium rice-based soju spirit distilled in copper pot stills using traditional Korean method, 33% ABV
- Hello Soju Sparkling Soju
- Hello Soju Merch
Products and services
- Hello Soju Flagship Spirit
- Lemon Yuzu Sparkling Soju
- Green Grape Sparkling Soju
- Lychee Sparkling Soju
- Asian Pear Sparkling Soju
- Peach Sparkling Soju
- Sparkling Soju Variety Pack
- Lunar New Year Limited Edition Cotton Hoodie
Quantifiable outcome
- Double Gold award at CHILLED 100 Awards 2026 for Flagship Spirit
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Hello Soju
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Hello Soju technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature3 records
Hello Soju partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC)flagshipLandmark partnership making Hello Soju the official soju partner and spirit-based ready-to-drink partner of MLS club LAFC. Hello Soju will be available throughout BMO Stadium during LAFC home matches, with co-branded retail promotions planned across Southern California. The partnership capitalizes on rising soccer popularity ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The Hello Group (THG)coreParent company and award-winning global entertainment and media company with 16 businesses spanning music, live touring, TV/film, marketing, tech, and consumer products. THG has worked with top K-pop acts including BTS, SuperM, and ITZY. Created Hello Soju to celebrate Korean culture and bring premium soju to the U.S. market.
- AccelPaycoreFulfillment partner providing licensed retailer network to fulfill all alcohol orders in compliance with state and local laws across 38 U.S. states.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hello Soju competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Jinro (HiteJinro): The world's largest soju producer by volume, dominant in the U.S. with mass-market positioning. Directly comparable as a soju brand targeting American consumers, though at the opposite end of the premium/scale spectrum.
- Chum Churum: Lotte Chilsung's premium soju brand positioned as a smoother, more refined alternative to Jinro. Comparable to Hello Soju as a U.S.-targeted, premium-priced Korean soju brand competing for the same shelf and consumer.
- Hwayo (Halla San Soju): Premium traditionally-distilled Korean soju brand targeting export markets including the U.S. Closely comparable to Hello Soju's flagship spirit in craft positioning, traditional distillation method, and premium price tier.
- SoGood (Korean Soju brand): U.S.-targeted Korean soju brand competing in the mid-premium tier. Comparable to Hello Soju as a Korean soju brand explicitly built for the American market, including flavored and traditional variants.
Emerging players
- Tokki Soju: U.S.-based craft soju brand targeting the same premium-segment, Korean-heritage-conscious drinker as Hello Soju. Comparable as a small, premium-positioned soju startup competing for early-stage U.S. soju category share.
- Hana Soju: U.S.-distributed premium soju brand with a flavor-forward lineup (including fruit-infused expressions). Comparable to Hello Soju's Sparkling line in offering flavored, lower-ABV soju RTDs to American consumers.
Broad incumbents
- High Noon: Market-leading premium vodka-based hard seltzer/RTD in the U.S. Comparable to Hello Soju's Sparkling line as a flavored, low-ABV, premium RTD competing for the same occasion and shelf space.
- White Claw Hard Seltzer: The dominant U.S. hard seltzer brand. Comparable as the incumbent defining the flavored, low-ABV, gluten-free alcoholic beverage category that Hello Soju's Sparkling line targets.
- Topo Chico Hard Seltzer: Premium hard seltzer/RTD with strong bar and on-premise distribution. Comparable to Hello Soju as a premium-positioned, gluten-free, low-sugar alcoholic beverage targeting adult social occasions.
Others
- Empress 1908 Gin: Premium craft gin with distinctive butterfly pea blossom-driven color and storytelling-led branding. Comparable to Hello Soju as a similarly premium-positioned, design-forward craft spirit that has built consumer pull through awards and visual identity.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hello Soju social profiles
Digital presenceHello Soju compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Hello Soju financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hello Soju leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Hello Soju funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hello Soju M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hello Soju
What does Hello Soju do?
Hello Soju develops and retails ultra-premium rice-based soju spirits and a line of sparkling soju seltzer beverages. The flagship is a 33% ABV spirit distilled in Korean copper pots and filtered through bamboo charcoal, while the seltzer line comes in multiple real-fruit flavors with no added sugar.
Is Hello Soju a public or private company?
Hello Soju is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hello Soju founded?
Hello Soju was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hello Soju based?
Hello Soju is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hello Soju make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. E-commerce Direct Sales are the primary driver. The others are retail Distribution.
Who are Hello Soju's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Jinro (HiteJinro), Chum Churum, Hwayo (Halla San Soju) and SoGood (Korean Soju brand). Emerging players are Tokki Soju and Hana Soju. Broad incumbents are High Noon, White Claw Hard Seltzer and Topo Chico Hard Seltzer. Empress 1908 Gin is listed as an others.
Does Hello Soju have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hello Soju.
What industry is Hello Soju in?
Hello Soju's product category is Premium Spirits. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAF, Sake, Soju & Other Asian Alcoholic Beverages Producers & Brands, with a secondary code of AFAFAAAE, Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverage Production (Canned Cocktails, Hard Seltzer). Its NAICS code is 312140 and its SIC code is 2080.