On August 13, 2026, KT&G announced the opening of “lil Archive,” a brand exhibition space in Seoul dedicated to its heated tobacco brand, lil. The space traces the brand’s product development, technology platforms, and future direction since its launch in 2017.
KT&G said the lil brand now includes three major platforms—lil SOLID, lil HYBRID, and lil AIBLE—with more than 30 dedicated tobacco stick varieties. The company also reported that lil held a 48% share of South Korea’s heated tobacco market in the second quarter of 2026.
Key Highlights
- KT&G opened lil Archive at the lil MINIMALIUM KT&G Tower store in Daechi-dong, Seoul, on August 10.
- The exhibition features nine themed zones covering lil’s product history, technology development, and future direction.
- The lil portfolio has expanded from lil SOLID to three major platforms.
- KT&G says the brand now offers more than 30 dedicated tobacco stick varieties.
- KT&G reported a 48% share of South Korea’s heated tobacco market in Q2 2026.
- The company aims to expand lil from a leading South Korean brand into a global brand.
KT&G Opens lil Archive in Seoul
August 14, 2026 — According to information released by KT&G on August 13, the company opened lil Archive on August 10 at the lil MINIMALIUM KT&G Tower store in Daechi-dong, Seoul.
The exhibition space presents the development of lil since its launch in 2017, including its product platforms, technology, and plans. KT&G said the exhibition provides an opportunity to look back at lil’s evolution from a single heated tobacco device into a broader multi-platform brand.
The opening also comes as lil enters its tenth year on the market.
lil Expands From One Device to Three Major Platforms
KT&G launched the first-generation lil SOLID in 2017, followed by lil HYBRID in 2018 and lil AIBLE in 2022.
The three platforms now form the core of KT&G’s lil portfolio:
- lil SOLID — a heated tobacco platform using dedicated tobacco sticks.
- lil HYBRID — a platform combining dedicated tobacco sticks with liquid cartridges.
- lil AIBLE — a platform incorporating digital features and additional device functionality.
KT&G said the expansion of these platforms has also increased the variety of dedicated tobacco sticks available for lil, with the portfolio now exceeding 30 varieties.
Nine Zones Showcase lil’s Product and Technology History
The newly opened lil Archive is divided into nine themed zones, including areas titled “Next Chapter” and “Beyond Borders.”
The exhibition features previous generations of lil devices, product introduction videos, stories behind platform development, and displays highlighting product features.
The space is designed to present lil as more than a product line. By documenting its development and technological history, KT&G is positioning lil as a distinct brand with its own identity and long-term growth strategy.
KT&G Reports 48% South Korean Market Share
One of the key figures highlighted in KT&G’s announcement is lil’s reported market share in South Korea.
KT&G said lil accounted for 48% of the South Korean heated tobacco market in the second quarter of 2026. This is a company-reported figure, and the announcement did not specify an independent statistical agency or methodology for calculating the percentage.
The figure nevertheless highlights KT&G’s stated position in its domestic market, where lil competes with major international heated tobacco brands including Philip Morris International’s IQOS and British American Tobacco’s glo.
KT&G has continued to invest in its next-generation product business through new devices, platform development, and a wider range of dedicated tobacco sticks.
lil Enters Its Tenth Year With a Global Ambition
The opening of lil Archive also serves as a milestone in KT&G’s international strategy.
Themes such as “Beyond Borders” emphasize the company’s ambition to expand lil beyond its domestic market and establish it as a global brand.
KT&G’s international expansion of lil has been supported by its partnership with Philip Morris International (PMI), under which PMI has supported the commercialization and distribution of lil products in markets outside South Korea.
KT&G has previously said lil products have entered more than 20 overseas markets, including markets in Europe, Japan, Russia, and Central Asia.
KT&G Broadens Its Next-Generation Product Strategy
KT&G’s strategy extends beyond the lil brand itself.
The company’s next-generation product roadmap covers several categories, including heated tobacco, vaping products, and oral nicotine products. This broader approach indicates that KT&G views next-generation products as an important part of its long-term business strategy.
Against this background, lil Archive can be seen as part of a wider effort to strengthen the brand’s identity while highlighting its product development capabilities and international ambitions.
lil Archive Supports KT&G’s Global Brand Strategy
The launch of lil Archive marks a decade of development for KT&G’s lil brand, from the original lil SOLID platform to a portfolio spanning three major platforms and more than 30 dedicated tobacco stick varieties.
KT&G’s reported 48% domestic market share and its emphasis on international expansion demonstrate the two major themes surrounding the brand at the start of its tenth year: maintaining its position in South Korea while building a stronger global presence.
KT&G said it will continue leveraging its technical expertise and product development capabilities as it works to expand lil from a leading domestic brand into an international brand.
