Carlyle’s W1tr bet puts Korean water purifiers in spotlight

Carlyle’s 1 trillion won ($683 million) bet on Chungho Nais has put fresh attention on an unlikely Korean export success: subscription-based water purifiers. South Korea has spent decades turning water purification into a recurring-service business. Monthly rental fees, scheduled filter replacements and regular technician visits have made clean drinking water an ongoing service rather than a one-time appliance purchase. Now, with the domestic market nearing saturation, Korean purifier makers are