Pepero Day goes global as Stray Kids star in the promotional display and events

In the heart of New York, Times Square, a giant Pepero has captured attention on a massive billboard, with one side showing Pepero and the other featuring Stray Kids holding Pepero. A towering Pepero character over two meters tall was seen walking the streets, and a photo zone as well as a tasting booth were set up for visitors.

This event was staged to mark Pepero Day on November 11. Pepero’s maker, Lotte Wellfood, is actively promoting Pepero Day as a global celebration and expanding awareness overseas. Today, Pepero is exported to more than 50 countries. On November 11, Lotte Wellfood announced that its 2025 sales would reach 241.5 billion won, up 12.2% from the previous year, with exports contributing about 90 billion won of that total—roughly a 30% increase year over year.

The company says rising exchange rates are a key driver of these export gains, explaining why overseas sales are pivotal to its strategy. To boost profits further, Lotte Wellfood has tapped Stray Kids as its advertising model. The campaign also includes experiential events in Vietnam, the United States, and India that pair Pepero with K-pop content. Additionally, the company is leveraging a 46-million-subscriber YouTube channel, Topper Guild, to visit a Pepero factory in Korea for reviews as part of its promotional push.