It reached its peak sales of 90 million pieces of chalk a year in 1990, and started to achieve international popularity from the 2000s.

[1] By 2014, Hagoromo Bungu's chief, Watanabe Takayasu, had not chosen a successor and declined offers from several Japanese companies to continue the brand.

However, Shin Hyung Seok, the founder of Sejong Mall (세종몰) and the exclusive importer of Hagoromo chalk to South Korea since 2009, had a strong relationship with Watanabe.

[4] The company sold over 90 million pieces of chalk a year at its peak in 1990 and held a 30% share of the domestic market, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.

[5] In 2003, South Korean hagwon math teacher Shin Hyung Seok (신형석) visited Japan to learn about their cram school systems.

Upon running out of Hagoromo chalk, he searched to see if any businesses in South Korea imported the brand, and was disappointed to learn that none did.

[6][9] Coincidentally, Watanabe's second daughter was able to serve as a translator; she was fluent in Korean and had previously studied abroad in South Korea.

[7][3] Shin received approval to operate as the exclusive importer of Hagoromo products to South Korea; this resulted in the creation of Sejong Mall in 2009.

[10] Hagoromo quickly became successful in South Korea; at some point reportedly around 80–90% of instructors at hagwons adopted the brand.

[13][14][15] By June 2015, Watanabe reported that production continued for a month longer than originally planned and finally ended on 31 March 2015.

[13][16] Umajirushi launched DC Chalk Deluxe (DCチョークDX),[16][17] but subsequently discontinued production in early 2020.

[7] A number of Hagoromo Bungu's Zainichi Korean employees went over as technical advisors to ensure that the manufacturing was faithful to the original.

[20][10] In 2019, it was reported that the chalk imported raw materials from Japan, including sea shells, in order to promote consistency.

[8][19] Sejong Mall has reportedly attempted to position the chalk as a high-end product in the market, and has made efforts to design the packaging accordingly.

[6] The Japanese Chalk Association reportedly banned imports of Hagoromo Fulltouch from South Korea for five years, with the concern that it would destabilize the market.