Cover From Busan to the region’s busiest high streets, the South Korean Compose Coffee chain is entering a new phase of growth, backed by fresh ownership and rising brand recognition (Photo: Compose Coffee/Instagram)
From Busan to the region’s busiest high streets, the South Korean Compose Coffee chain is entering a new phase of growth, backed by fresh ownership and rising brand recognition (Photo: Compose Coffee/Instagram)
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Manila may soon enjoy Compose Coffee’s special menu by BTS’s V
In South Korea’s densely populated café market, differentiation often comes down to pricing, pace of expansion and the power of a well-chosen ambassador. Compose Coffee has built its reputation on volume, value and a streamlined menu that travels well across neighbourhoods and cities. In a nationwide survey by the Korea Consumer Agency published in early 2026, Compose Coffee ranked highest in overall consumer satisfaction among low-cost coffee franchises, earning the top score across service, menu quality and ordering convenience. In 2025, the brand added a cultural dimension to its growth strategy through a limited artist collaboration with V of BTS. The result was the V Composed Menu, a trio of drinks framed around musical terminology and seasonal flavour.
Read more: Inside BTS V’s biggest brand collaborations in 2026, from Celine to Compose Coffee
What is Compose Coffee?
Compose Coffee was founded in Busan, South Korea, in 2014 and positioned itself as an affordable coffee franchise focused on efficiency and scale. The model centres on compact stores, high foot traffic locations and a broad beverage range that extends beyond espresso-based drinks to include fruit ades, smoothies and dessert-style options.
The chain has grown rapidly within South Korea, reaching thousands of outlets in just over a decade. Its expansion has been supported by a franchise system designed for operational consistency and competitive pricing. In 2024, it was announced that Jollibee Group had acquired a controlling stake in the business, signalling further international ambitions, including entry into Southeast Asian markets.
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Southeast Asian expansion
With the backing of Jollibee Group, Compose Coffee is preparing for broader regional growth. The company has confirmed plans to enter the Philippines as part of its next phase of expansion, following the acquisition announcement. Executives have also indicated ambitions to scale further across Southeast Asia, although specific country rollouts beyond the Philippines have not been formally detailed.
While expansion plans are clear, confirmation of which limited collaborations will travel internationally has not been fully disclosed. Limited-edition menus are often adapted market by market, particularly when ingredient sourcing and pricing structures vary. Whether the V Composed Menu will be introduced in all new territories remains unconfirmed.
What to look forward to: V-approved coffee drinks
In 2025, Compose Coffee introduced its first artist-led beverage collaboration with V, who serves as the brand’s exclusive model. The partnership connected coffee making with the idea of musical composition, a concept aligned with his public persona as a vocalist and songwriter. The V Composed Menu consisted of three beverages, each named after a musical term and built around distinct flavour profiles: Lychee Allegro, which combines fruit and tea elements; Yuja Staccato, which pairs yuja, also known as citron, with grapefruit; and Dolce Serenade, built on espresso, milk and honey, it aims for a smoother, rounder finish. For Valentine’s Day this year, Compose Coffee announced two additions to their menu, Honey Americano and Compose Mix Coffee, featuring V.
For customers in upcoming markets, the key point is that the V Composed Menu represents a tightly edited, theme-led release rather than a permanent menu shift. The trio of drinks is structured around musical terminology and distinct flavour profiles, offering variety across tea, fruit and milk-based coffee. While international availability has not been confirmed for every territory, the collaboration signals how Compose Coffee may approach future launches: concise, concept-driven and aligned with cultural figures rather than large-scale seasonal overhauls.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
