{
  "id": 908262,
  "title": "Julia Mellor's mission to globalize soju",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/julia-mellors-mission-to-globalize-soju",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-14T21:27:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/globalcommunity/20260815/julia-mellors-mission-to-globalize-soju"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Julia Mellor, the founder of The Sool Company, is on a mission to popularize soju, the iconic Korean distilled alcoholic beverage. She believes that many people have a misconception that soju is a cheap, low-quality liquor that comes in a green bottle and causes a severe hangover. However, Mellor is determined to change this perception and showcase the true potential of traditional rice-based soju.\n\nRecently, Mellor had the opportunity to introduce this premium Korean spirit to a new audience at the International Dutch Distillers Festival. She set up a booth and conducted two masterclasses for 110 guests, showcasing three craft soju varieties paired with Korean snacks. Being at a Dutch festival, where the audience was predominantly unfamiliar with soju, allowed Mellor to make a significant impact. She expressed her excitement about this milestone, stating that it provided them with a much-needed confidence boost and validated their direction.",
  "summary": "Many people think of soju, Korea's iconic distilled alcoholic beverage, as a cheap, low-quality liquor that comes in a green bottle and causes a killer hangover. But Julia Mellor, founder of The Sool Company, has made it her mission to evangelize the traditional rice-based version of the drink. Recently, she set up a booth at the International Dutch Distillers Festival, where she gave two soju…",
  "key_points": [
    "Julia Mellor founded The Sool Company to popularize soju.",
    "She introduced premium rice-based soju at International Dutch Distillers Festival.",
    "Mellor conducted masterclasses for 110 guests, showcasing three craft soju varieties."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Julia Mellor's mission to globalize soju",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/julia-mellors-mission-to-globalize-soju-909085",
        "published": "2026-08-14T21:42:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}