Kim Young-sik's cream bread hits 140 billion won in annual sales, revealing sweet secrets

The success story of a cream bread innovator

The upcoming episode of EBS's Seojang-hoon’s Neighbor Millionaire, airing on September 9 at 9:55 PM, will feature Kim Young-sik, the founder of a bakery that has achieved an impressive annual revenue of 140 billion won (approximately $105 million) through its popular cream bread sold in convenience stores. This documentary aims to uncover the success formula behind this phenomenon, which has become a staple among Korea's millennial generation.

Kim's cream bread stands out due to its unique formulation, which prioritizes cream over bread, appealing to the taste preferences of younger consumers. The distinctive presentation of the product, showcasing a cross-section filled with cream, known as a "half-cut shot", rapidly gained traction on social media platforms, catalyzing a wave of excitement. Reports indicate that some convenience stores even experienced "open-run" events, where customers rush to secure fresh supplies at launch.

Behind the scenes of cream bread production

In the show, Seojang-hoon will test his knowledge of the famed cream bread, remarking, "Is that the cake I know so well?" Viewers will also get a glimpse into the meticulous production process that brings this beloved pastry to life.

Co-host Jang Yewon, after having a feel of the cream bread dough, humorously likens it to a soft, playful trend. Each batch of dough produces about 1,800 pieces of bread, demonstrating the scale on which Kim's operation runs. The shaping of these breads is performed manually, emphasizing the artisanal aspect of the product.

Once shaped, the breads are baked in a 15-meter long tunnel oven before undergoing a cooling process and then the crucial cream injection stage. Kim himself demonstrates how to inject the cream into the bread. However, when Yewon expresses doubt about the complexity of the task, it leads to unexpected challenges during the demonstration.

Kim's company operates two factories that together span 2,500 and 2,000 square meters. Currently, they produce approximately 300,000 pieces of bread daily across a product range of about 150 different items, which includes burgers and macarons, supplying convenience stores, large supermarkets, in-flight meals, military bases, and cafes.

Tasting the product

After touring the production site, Seojang-hoon and Jang Yewon taste the cream bread firsthand. Seojang-hoon remarks on the technique, stating that having a thinner bread allows for more cream to be added. When Kim observes Seojang-hoon's appreciation for the depth of his knowledge about bread, Seojang-hoon candidly admits he loves bread but is cautious of weight gain. This leads to an engaging tasting session where he samples various types of bread produced by Kim's company.

This episode promises to delve into the inventive processes that make Kim Young-sik’s cream bread not just a food item, but a cultural phenomenon in South Korea's booming bakery industry.