When BLACKPINK’s Lisa shared a casual photo cruising in a red Ferrari with a matcha drink by her side, she likely did not expect to ignite a global matcha phenomenon. But that is exactly what happened.
The drink? A rich, velvety matcha from HEYTEA, the Chinese new-style tea brand that is quickly becoming a global favorite. As Lisa’s 100 million-plus Instagram followers noticed, the image quickly lit up social media. From Instagram to TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), and across Chinese platforms like Weibo, RedNote, and Douyin, the photo went viral. One hashtag—#LisaHeytea—shot to the top of trending charts, with fans worldwide recreating the moment, styling HEYTEA cups alongside luxury cars and street-style outfits.
What began as a candid lifestyle snapshot is now the image of summer 2025: Ferrari and HEYTEA.
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The “Lisa Effect” Drives Real-World Sales
HEYTEA moved fast. On July 25, the brand launched a global buy-one-get-one-free campaign for its signature matcha drinks. Options included Triple Supreme Matcha Latte, Cloud Matcha Latte, and Cloud Coconut Blue. The promotion rolled out across more than 4,000 stores in over 330 cities, including major markets such as China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and more.
The response was overwhelming. Long queues formed in major cities, with some stores selling out within hours. Some fans waited up to two hours to try the now-iconic “Lisa drink.”
Matcha Mania: A Cultural and Commercial Surge
This is not HEYTEA’s first brush with celebrity attention, but Lisa’s photo has taken its matcha line to new heights. According to store managers, demand for matcha products has surged dramatically. In many locations, stock sells out within hours.
Lisa has unintentionally become one of the brand’s most influential ambassadors. Her effortless endorsement reinforces HEYTEA’s status as more than just a beverage brand. It is now part of the global style and wellness conversation.
A Celebrity Favorite, From Seoul to SoHo
Lisa is not the only star seen sipping HEYTEA. K-pop idols like Lee Hye-ri, Kang Seul Gi and Kim Gyu Vin have all been photographed with the brand. In the United States, NBA player Paul George visited a HEYTEA pop-up in California to try a special limited drink called “California Sunset.” In New York’s SoHo, the brand partnered with alexanderwang to create an immersive in-store experience. The collaboration included the exclusive “Metabloom” drink, which quickly became a seasonal favorite for influencers and stylists.
This seamless blend of fashion, lifestyle, and drink has become central to HEYTEA’s appeal.
What Is HEYTEA, and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
HEYTEA was born in a humble alley called Jiangbianli in China. The brand devoted itself to sparking a new-style tea movement with its original Cheese Tea. HEYTEA uses health-conscious ingredients as its baseline, striving to create tea drinks that are both delicious and healthy.
Today, HEYTEA has over 150 million members and is widely seen as China’s leading new-style tea brand. It operates more than 4,000 stores in 330 cities worldwide, including in China, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. In the United States alone, HEYTEA has expanded rapidly, with over 30 locations in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Boston, and Seattle.
In early 2025, the brand opened its first global TEA LAB flagship in Times Square, New York. The space blends futuristic design with Chinese tea traditions and launched ten global-exclusive beverages.
A Redefinition of Tea Culture
HEYTEA is reshaping how young people around the world experience tea. Its stores are carefully designed to reflect local culture while offering a global aesthetic. In London, a location at the British Museum features a black-and-white ink theme. In Melbourne, a serene teahouse is tucked into a city laneway. In Seoul’s Myeongdong district, a space inspired by flowing water and mountain landscapes invites visitors into a tranquil tea ritual.
HEYTEA’s vision goes far beyond design. They are lifestyle destinations where design, tradition, and culture meet.
This innovative vision has made HEYTEA a natural partner for global fashion and culture brands. Past collaborations include FENDI, Adidas, W Hotel, Yayoi Kusama, Barbie, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Hello Kitty, and alexanderwang. Each partnership brings together visual design, cultural storytelling, and new beverage creations that resonate with today’s trend-conscious consumers.
Matcha as the Moment
Matcha’s global popularity is nothing new, but HEYTEA is giving it a modern, indulgent twist. Its matcha line combines the health appeal of finely ground green tea with rich textures, layered flavors, and thoughtful presentation. These drinks are as satisfying as they are photogenic.
As more celebrities, creators, and health-focused millennials embrace matcha, it is quickly becoming the beverage of the year. HEYTEA is leading that charge with a product lineup that blends tradition with bold, contemporary flair.
A New Icon in the Lifestyle Space
Lisa’s Ferrari moment might have kicked off the latest wave of buzz, but HEYTEA’s rise is the result of long-term vision, brand strategy, and cultural awareness. In 2025, tea is no longer just a drink. It is a symbol of style, community, and experience.
Whether through limited-edition drops, immersive store design, or organic celebrity moments, HEYTEA is turning tea into a global lifestyle. And with Lisa’s quiet stamp of approval, the brand has just added another stylish chapter to its story.
