Saiga NAK is exploring energy drinks not only from Japan but from all over the world under the theme of "Global Energy Drink Project"!
The energy drink obtained this time is "오징어게임 에너지드링크," a collaboration product between the Korean convenience store "GS25" and the highly popular Netflix series "Squid Game"!
The "Lucozade Energy" from Hong Kong, which we reviewed last time, had an impressive "this is overseas!" taste with its ethnic flavor.
Does this energy drink from Korea, Japan's neighbor, have different elements?
Let's review it right away!
Reviewing the "GS25" × "Squid Game" Collaboration Energy Drink!
First, this product is a collaboration energy drink released in Winter 2024 to commemorate Season 2 of "Squid Game."
We saw many different collaboration products in supermarkets and convenience stores in Japan too!
The packaging comes in two types: the pink "Masked Man" and the green "Red Light, Green Light" girl "Young-hee."
By the way, the masks are said to be divided into ranks by ○, △, and □, and from left to right, they represent Field Worker, Soldier, and Officer.
Energy is Essential Even During a Death Game! What About Nutritional Information?
As expected, you definitely want to firmly grasp the nutritional information to increase your concentration at any time.
Per bottle (500ml) of the pink "Masked Man"...
- Energy: 20kcal
- Protein: 1g
- Total Fat: 0g
-Saturated Fat: 0g
-Trans Fat: 0g - Carbohydrates: 7g
- Sugars: 0g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Caffeine: 200mg
- Taurine: 1000mg
Per bottle (500ml) of the green "Young-hee"...
- Energy: 20kcal
- Protein: 1g
- Total Fat: 0g
-Saturated Fat: 0g
-Trans Fat: 0g - Carbohydrates: 6g
- Sugars: 0g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Caffeine: 200mg
- Taurine: 1000mg
Here, I discovered the word "Taurine," which is unfamiliar in Japanese energy drinks!
Upon researching, Taurine is treated as a pharmaceutical product in Japan and reportedly cannot be included in energy drinks, so Arginine is often included instead.
And Taurine has a fatigue recovery effect!
I've been waiting for this!!!
It feels like a great deal and it's the best that I can legally drink nutrients not typically found in energy drinks available for purchase in Japan!
You particularly feel the difference in ingredients between Korea and Japan in things like food and cosmetics, right?
You always need to be in best condition physically so you can participate in a death game anytime!
What about the Taste? And the Effect After Drinking...?
While many Korean dishes have flavors that Japanese people like, what kind of taste does this energy drink have?
And will I actually feel the effect after drinking it?
First, from "Masked Man"...
Wow! A very easy-to-drink, slightly sweet citrus!
Personally, I'm not a big fan of sweet citrus energy drinks, but this energy drink, combined with carbonation and a slightly sweet flavor, is refreshing!
I heard the taste was passion fruit, which was unfamiliar to me, but the smell and taste felt similar to grapefruit.
Next, "Young-hee" is...
First, when I opened the can, a gorgeous melon aroma wafted.
Drinking it was slightly different from the melon I expected!
I felt it was the taste of melon from melon-flavored soda like GabuNomi, not the melon juice you often see at juice bars.
It has a mellow sweetness, but this one is also slightly sweet and gentle on the mouth.
After tasting both, the effect I'm curious about is, indeed, I feel like my eyes are clearer and my concentration is higher than with energy drinks I typically drink in Japan!
My typing speed for office work afterwards increased! (Sorry if it's a placebo effect)
However, since it contains the same ingredients as "designated quasi-drugs" in Japan (products with medicinal ingredients), exercise caution and avoid excessive consumption.
An Energy Drink with a Taste Japanese People Like and That Boosts Concentration!
Regarding the energy drink collaborating with Squid Game that I reviewed this time, both were well-carbonated and subtly sweet, and I thought they had a taste that Japanese people like.
Personally, the "Masked Man" is a recommended product because the citrus and carbonation complement each other well!
But there aren't many drinks with melon flavor commercialized in Japan, right...?
Thinking about it that way, the melon flavor is also tempting...
In conclusion, if you go to Korea, be sure to get both!
