Sales of traditional cultural merchandise tied to South Korea’s palaces and heritage sites reached a record high last year, buoyed by the global surge of interest in K-culture and the growing appeal of heritage-inspired products to foreign visitors.

The Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) said Friday that combined online and offline sales of its cultural goods brand, K-Heritage, exceeded 16.1 billion won (about US$12 million) in 2025, marking the highest annual total since the agency’s founding in 1980.

The figure represents a 35.5 per cent increase from 2024 and extends a three-year streak of sales surpassing 10 billion won.

The agency develops and sells products based on traditional Korean patterns, artworks and historical motifs at major sites including Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung palaces, the National Palace Museum of Korea and Incheon International Airport.

Last year, it also revamped its merchandise store at Deoksugung, part of a broader effort to modernise how traditional culture is presented to visitors.

Officials attributed much of the growth to the worldwide popularity of the Netflix animated film ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters,’ which helped fuel renewed interest in Korean culture.

Merchandise inspired by the film – including ceramic tiger figurines resembling a character from the movie and cups modelled after traditional hats worn by its idol group – ranked among the best sellers.

The agency said overseas promotional efforts also contributed to the sales boost, including participation in events tied to the Osaka Kansai Expo in Japan and pop-up stores linked to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gatherings.

Looking ahead, the agency plans to renovate its shop at the National Palace Museum of Korea, which sits inside Gyeongbokgung Palace and attracts a large share of foreign visitors.

More than 750,000 people visited the museum through November last year, with foreigners accounting for roughly 20 to 30 per cent of total attendance. New product lines drawing on treasures of the Joseon royal court are being prepared in conjunction with the renovation.

Additional heritage-themed merchandise is also under consideration ahead of the Unesco World Heritage Committee meeting scheduled to be held in Busan in July – the first time the event will take place in South Korea.

Reflecting rising global demand for culture-based products, the Korea Heritage Service is moving forward with plans to establish a flagship retail complex near Gyeongbokgung Palace dedicated to goods inspired by national heritage. Design funding has already been secured, with an architectural competition set to begin next month.

• This story was originally published on The Korea Bizwire.