There’s a particular beverage that has refreshed both the mouths and the hearts of thirsty drinkers for more than 80 years with its clear fizzy taste. This is Chojung Sparkling Water.



Among carbonated waters, Ilhwa Corporation’s Chojung Sparkling Water has one of the longest histories ever. The fizzy drink is known for having been based on mineral water that gushed out of a natural spring in Chojung-ri, Naesu-eup, Cheongwon-gu in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong Province). The mineral spring in Chojung is a major natural mineral spring and has a history of more than 600 years.

The word “Chojung” in Chojung Sparkling Water is a combination of two Chinese characters: 椒, meaning, “a Chinese pepper tree,” and 井, meaning, “a well.” Combined, they mean, “a well that produces pepper-like tangy water.” Appropriate, for a famous brand of carbonated water.



The spring itself welcomed a special guest many hundreds of years ago. Sejong the Great (r. 1418-1450), the fourth king of Joseon (1392-1910), came to the region when he suffered from an eye infection. Legend has it that he was focusing too much on creating the then new Hangeul alphabet and that his eyes were strained. He had a temporary palace built for himself near the spot and treated his sore eyes, drinking water from the natural spring.

The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, the official records kept for 472 years from the first Joseon king, Taejo (r. 1392-1398), through to the 25th king, Cheoljong (r. 1849-1863), also has records of his visit. It says that on March 2, 1444, Sejong the Great stayed in Chojung-ri for about 60 days to have his eye trouble treated. His second son and the seventh Joseon king, Sejo, too, had a skin disease cured here.

Another historical record from Joseon times, the geography book “Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam" ("東國輿地勝覽") also said that, “About 15 kilometers from Cheongju, there’s what is called a chosu (椒水), water that tastes tangy-spicy. If you take a bath with this water, you will recover from your skin trouble.”

As supported by these historical records, water from the Chojung spring has time-honored health effects. As it became well-known that taking a bath with Chojung water helps ease any skin disease, public baths using water from the spring started booming across the region.



Chojung Sparkling Water hit the market in 1932 and has had its best sales years ever over the past three or four years, as more and more people started turning to bottled carbonated water. Consumers seek out the drink when they have a hangover or when they feel exhausted.

Backed by a seemingly incessant fever, Ilhwa launched a new line of sparkling water last year, this time adding flavor but not sugar. It is called Chojung Sparkling Water Lime and has been tweaked with the flavors of fresh lemon and lime.

In addition, its products come in a variety of containers, including 250 milliliter cans and 350 milliliter & 500 milliliter plastic bottles.



Another iconic drink manufactured by the Ilhwa Company is Cheonyeon Cider, a Sprite- or 7-Up-like soda pop that boasts a refreshing and tangy-sweet taste.

Launched in 1970, the soda has been constantly sought-after for about 45 years. What distinguishes the brand from its competitors is that its base water comes from the Chojung spring. Unlike green-bottled pop drinks, Cheonyeon Cider is bottled in blue plastic, giving it a fresher look.

“Both of our iconic soft drinks, Chojung Sparkling Water and Cheonyeon Cider, a soda pop, have now been exported to other countries, such as the U.S. and Japan. We will soon bring our sparkling water to the European market, too, known as the birthplace of carbonated water,” said an official from Ilhwa.

By Sohn JiAe
Photos: Jeon Han
Korea.net Staff Writers
jiae5853@korea.kr