Lotte Confectionery Pepero, Industry's First 'NFT' Launch

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Lotte Confectionery announced on the 11th that it will be the first in the confectionery industry to issue NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).

NFTs are a type of digital asset that stores ownership and transaction history of specific assets on a blockchain (a data distributed processing technology). Unlike virtual currencies such as Bitcoin, NFTs are assigned unique identification values, making them non-interchangeable and scarce.

Lotte Confectionery collaborated with NFT specialist artists to create 11 types of 'Pepero Friends NFT' artworks using the Pepero character 'Pepero Friends.' Each artwork will be sold in 11 copies, totaling 121 pieces, and will be available for purchase from 11:11 AM on the same day through 'Klip Drops,' an NFT distribution service operated by Ground X, a Kakao blockchain affiliate.

The released artworks include four pixel artwork pieces created with artist RayRay, four reinterpretations of characters in a figure-like style with artist Moreking, and three dynamic illustrated poster pieces featuring all Pepero Friends created with artist 1000DAY.

The first 121 customers to purchase Pepero Friends NFTs will receive a special gift including a physical framed artwork, Pepero, and merchandise.

Lotte Confectionery plans to donate all proceeds from the Pepero Friends NFT sales to 'Sweet Home.' Since 2013, Sweet Home has been Pepero's representative social contribution project, building children's centers in rural farming and fishing villages annually, with nine centers constructed as of last year.

A Lotte Confectionery official stated, “We prepared this NFT to further enhance the brand value of Pepero, the best-selling snack in Korea, and to provide a unique experience exclusive to Pepero,” adding, “This reflects the current generation's trend of wanting to invest in and collect artworks and limited edition items.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.