Live Report on the Release of IQOS ILUMA in South Korea

Market
Nov.02.2022
2FIRSTS correspondent went to an IQOS brick-and-mortar to for the first launch of ILUMA and ILUMA Prime in South Korea.

Article by Yuna Hou | Photo by David Yu from Seoul


IQOS ILUMA was released in Korea on October 28. David Yu, a 2FIRSTS correspondent arrived in Seoul, South Korea on October 31 to check out the new HTP at a brick-and-mortar store.


The IQOS ILUMA and ILUMA Prime banners and posters were posted outside the IQOS store. Since it was the first launch of a new product in Korea access was by appointment only. After David Yu identified himself as a member of the media, he was allowed to enter the store.
Live Report on the Release of IQOS ILUMA in South Korea

Live Report on the Release of IQOS ILUMA in South Korea

ILUMA Poster: ILUMA on the left and ILUMA Prime on the right.


The store is divided into a customer service area and a product display area. There are staff in the customer service area to introduce the products and explain the functions in detail to customers. The product display area showcases IQOS ILUMA and IIQOS ILUMA PRIME products in all colors and their special sticks, TEREA.

 

Live Report on the Release of IQOS ILUMA in South Korea
 Staff introducing products in the customer service area


At the product display area, IQOS ILUMA and IQOS ILUMA PRIME products are displayed. Previously ILUMA was published in August 2021. The main difference between the ILUMA series and the IQOS classic version is that no heating blade is installed in the new ILUMA device, eliminating the need for cleaning. Moreover, TERIA sticks should go hand in hand when using the ILUMA device. The ILUMA series also adopts an auto-start function, i.e. the device will automatically turn on without manual operation when a TERIA stick is inserted.


The 2 products of the ILUMA series, ILUMA and ILUMA Prime, are priced at 99,000 Korean won (US$ 69.8) and 139,000 won (US$ 98.07). The body-open design and 4 colors of ILUMA Prime are the main differences from ILUMA, which features a side-open body and 5 colors. Both ILUMA and ILUMA Prime adopt the same type of heating stick and can be used twice with a single charge.

 

Live Report on the Release of IQOS ILUMA in South Korea
Live Report on the Release of IQOS ILUMA in South Korea
Live Report on the Release of IQOS ILUMA in South Korea
Live Report on the Release of IQOS ILUMA in South Korea

IQOS ILUMA and ILUMA Prime on display

Live Report on the Release of IQOS ILUMA in South Korea

IQOS TEREA stick is priced at 4,800 won (US$ 3.39)

 

 

*This article is an original article of 2FIRSTS Technology Co., Ltd. The copyright and license rights belong to the company. Any entity or individual shall make link and credit 2FIRSTS when taking actions to copy, reprint or distribute the original article. The company retains the right to pursue its legal responsibility.

Product | PMI Launches Airport-Exclusive IQOS Skylens Limited Edition, Expanding From Japan’s Narita to Travel Retail Markets in 13 Countries Summary
Product | PMI Launches Airport-Exclusive IQOS Skylens Limited Edition, Expanding From Japan’s Narita to Travel Retail Markets in 13 Countries Summary
Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced the airport-exclusive limited-edition IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Skylens, the company’s first device created specifically for airport travel retail. Inspired by the world of flight and finished in metallic blue, Skylens debuted at Narita International Airport in Japan before expanding into selected airport duty-free and travel-retail channels across 13 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The product retains the existing IQOS ILUMA i PRIME platform, with differentiation centered on airport exclusivity, design and travel-retail execution rather than a new heating architecture.
PMI
Aug.19
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched the IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Ginza Limited Model Set in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, alongside the opening of IQOS Flagship Ginza, the brand’s first global flagship store. The Oasis Blue edition is limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, with the figure derived from the store’s address at Ginza 1-8-14. The set also includes two Yamanaka-nuri glasses and special packaging, priced at JPY 11,980 and sold exclusively at the Ginza flagship.
Sep.07
Product | JT Launches Ploom AURA Glacier White in Japan, Expanding the Device Ecosystem Through Color and Accessories
Product | JT Launches Ploom AURA Glacier White in Japan, Expanding the Device Ecosystem Through Color and Accessories
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has introduced the Ploom AURA Glacier White heated tobacco device in Japan, adding a new color option to the existing Ploom AURA lineup. The device maintains the existing SMART HEATFLOW technology and HEAT SELECT SYSTEM with four heating modes, while expanding the ecosystem through new accessories including front panels, back covers, a car holder and wireless charging covers. The product entered pre-sale in Japan on June 30, 2026, followed by broader retail availability from July 7.
Aug.03
Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) has expanded the ZYN by IQOS oral tobacco pouch portfolio in Japan with four new ZYN Strong products, adding a third intensity level alongside the existing Low and Medium ranges. The Strong series first entered selected duty-free channels in Japan on July 1, 2026, before expanding to IQOS stores, the ZYN Online Store and selected tobacco retailers from August 18. The expansion increases the Japanese ZYN by IQOS lineup from eight to 12 products.
Aug.20
Product | PMI Japan Launches SENTIA Passion Fruit Capsule, Expanding the IQOS ILUMA Flavor Portfolio
Product | PMI Japan Launches SENTIA Passion Fruit Capsule, Expanding the IQOS ILUMA Flavor Portfolio
Philip Morris Japan (PM Japan) has introduced SENTIA Passion Fruit Capsule, a new tobacco stick designed for the IQOS ILUMA heated tobacco platform. Featuring a crush-activated capsule, the product combines menthol with passion fruit flavor to provide an additional flavor experience. The product launched in Japan from August 3, 2026, through IQOS official channels, convenience stores and tobacco retailers.
Aug.04
Product | PMI Pilots bonds by IQOS and blends in Japan, Testing a New Heated Tobacco Platform
Product | PMI Pilots bonds by IQOS and blends in Japan, Testing a New Heated Tobacco Platform
Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched a regional pilot of bonds by IQOS and dedicated blends tobacco sticks in Japan, introducing a new heated tobacco platform separate from the IQOS ILUMA ecosystem. The system uses Round Heat Technology with an external heating architecture, differentiating it from IQOS ILUMA’s induction-based platform. The pilot began on July 6, 2026, across three Japanese prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga and Nagasaki.
Jul.30