Monami 153: Korea's Hexagonal Ballpoint Since 1963
The Monami 153 is a retractable ballpoint pen that Monami launched in May 1963 as Korea's first domestically made ballpoint. It has a white hexagonal barrel (yellow for 1.0 mm), no clip, and 0.5, 0.7 or 1.0 mm points. Korean Wikipedia gives 146.3 mm long; the barrel is printed Korea.
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Product facts
- Product
- Monami 153 (BP 153) retractable ballpoint pen, 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm
- Brand
- Monami
- Brand origin
- South Korea
- Made in
- South Korea*
- Material
- Plastic hexagonal barrel, metal tip
- Released
- May 1963*
- Price range
- $under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by Monami Co., Ltd.. Made in South Korea: Monami's BP 153 sell sheet (linked from its English product page) shows KOREA printed on both the 0.7 and 1.0 mm barrels, and Korean Wikipedia says recently made pens carry Made in Korea on the barrel. Premium 153 versions may be made elsewhere. Source. Released: May 1963 per Korea JoongAng Daily; Monami's history page lists 1963, "Began production of 153 Ballpoint Pen".
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Korean Wikipedia gives the 153 at 146.3 mm (5.8 in) long and 8.65 mm wide.
- It launched in May 1963 at ₩15 (about US$0.01 at today's rate, a real price in 1963 Korea), and Korea JoongAng Daily reports sales of over 3.4 billion.
- Monami's Korean site lists three points: 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm; the 0.7 mm barrel is white and the 1.0 mm yellow.
- The button and front cone match the ink: black, blue or red.
- Monami's sell sheet shows KOREA printed on the barrel, and Korean Wikipedia says recent pens read Made in Korea.
What is the Monami 153?
The Monami 153 is a simple retractable ballpoint pen with a hexagonal plastic barrel, and the first ballpoint pen made in Korea. Monami’s history page lists 1963 as the year it began producing the 153, and Korea JoongAng Daily dates the launch to May 1963.
Monami’s Korean site calls it 국민볼펜, “the nation’s ballpoint,” the most-sold ballpoint pen in Korea. Korea JoongAng Daily reports sales of over 3.4 billion pens.
It’s the Korean counterpart of the BIC Cristal: cheap, plain and everywhere. In the US it turns up mostly through import sellers on eBay and online marketplaces, and as the base of Monami’s premium 153 line.
What does 153 mean?
Korea JoongAng Daily says the 15 is the launch price, ₩15 (about US$0.01 at today’s rate), and the 3 is the last digit of 1963. Korean Wikipedia agrees on the 15 but says the 3 marks Monami’s third product.
Founder Song Sam-suk started the company as Kwangshin Chemical in 1960, per Monami’s history page, and the brand name is French: mon ami means “my friend.”
Monami 153 specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Monami Co., Ltd. (South Korea) |
| Type | Retractable (click) ballpoint, oil-based ink |
| Points | 0.5 · 0.7 · 1.0 mm (Monami Korea) |
| Barrel | Hexagonal plastic: white for 0.7 mm, yellow for 1.0 mm |
| Ink colors | Black, blue, red (button and cone match) |
| Length | 146.3 mm (5.8 in), per Korean Wikipedia |
| Width | 8.65 mm, per Korean Wikipedia |
| Clip | None |
| Identifiers | 0.7 mm black: code 2010132601, EAN 8801067081283 |
| Made in | South Korea (KOREA printed on the barrel) |
Monami’s sell sheet packs the export version in boxes of 50, while Korean stores sell 12-pen boxes.
Which point size should you choose?
Pick 0.7 mm for everyday notes, 0.5 mm for small writing and 1.0 mm for a smoother, bolder line. Monami’s Korean page describes them as thin and neat (0.5), clear and crisp (0.7) and soft-writing (1.0).
The yellow 1.0 mm barrel is easy to spot in a cup of pens. If you prefer a finer ballpoint, compare the 0.7 mm Fine Pentel R.S.V.P., a capped ballpoint with a rubberized grip.
What are the premium Monami 153 pens?
Monami builds a whole family on the 153 shape, from the metal 153 ID and twist-action 153 Neo to a 153 fountain pen. Monami’s English pages say the premium ballpoints take standard 1.0 and 0.7 mm metal refills (ISO 12757-2), the Parker-style size.
| Version | What’s different (per Monami) |
|---|---|
| BP 153 | The classic plastic hex pen, 0.5/0.7/1.0 mm |
| 153 Neo | Twist-retractable, chrome-plated parts, vivid colors |
| 153 ID | Metal body, matte finish |
| 153 Respect | Dense metal body, twist mechanism |
| 153 Gold | Real gold coating |
Monami also lists 153 Neo and 153 ID fountain pens with steel nibs, and a cheaper Korean fountain pen of its own, the Monami Olika.
Where is the Monami 153 made?
In South Korea: Monami’s own sell sheet shows KOREA printed on the 0.7 and 1.0 mm barrels. Korean Wikipedia adds that recently made pens carry Made in Korea and a barcode on the rear of the barrel. Premium 153 models may be made elsewhere, so check the pack.
How much does the Monami 153 cost?
The classic 153 is in our lowest band, $ (under $5 per pen). It’s sold in Korea in 12-pen boxes, and US listings we found are mostly imported 12-packs, which cost more per pen than in Korea.
Frequently asked questions
What does 153 mean in Monami 153?
Korea JoongAng Daily says 15 was the pen's price in won when it launched and 3 is the last digit of 1963. Korean Wikipedia gives a different reading of the 3: Monami's third product.
What point sizes does the Monami 153 come in?
Monami's Korean site lists 0.5 mm (thin, neat lines), 0.7 mm (clear, crisp lines) and 1.0 mm (smooth writing). Its export sell sheet lists 0.7 and 1.0 mm.
Why are some Monami 153 pens yellow?
The barrel color shows the point size. Monami's sell sheet gives a white barrel for 0.7 mm and a yellow barrel for 1.0 mm.
How long is the Monami 153?
Korean Wikipedia gives 146.3 mm (5.8 in) long and 8.65 mm wide. Monami doesn't publish dimensions on its product pages.
Does the Monami 153 have a clip?
No. The basic 153 is a plain hexagonal barrel with a push button. Clip versions are separate products, such as Monami's 153 Clip.
Where is the Monami 153 made?
In South Korea. Monami's sell sheet shows KOREA printed on the barrel, and Korean Wikipedia says recent pens read Made in Korea.
Is the Monami 153 the same as the 153 Neo or 153 ID?
No. Those are Monami's premium 153 pens with metal or chrome-plated bodies and twist or click mechanisms. Monami says they take standard 1.0 and 0.7 mm metal refills (ISO 12757-2).
Sources
- Monami (Korean site): BP 153 유성볼펜 (most-sold ballpoint in Korea, hexagonal, 0.5/0.7/1.0 mm)
- Monami (English site): BP 153 (sell sheet: white 0.7 mm and yellow 1.0 mm barrels, codes, EANs, KOREA on barrel)
- Monami (English site): Monami history (1963: began production of the 153 ballpoint pen)
- Monami (English site): 153 NEO (premium 153; standard ISO 12757-2 refills)
- Monami (English site): 153 ID (premium 153 with metal body)
- 위키백과 (Korean Wikipedia): 모나미 153 (146.3 mm long, 8.65 mm wide; barrel colors; Made in Korea)
- Korea JoongAng Daily: Ballpoint pen was an instant sensation (May 1963 launch, 15 won, 3.4 billion sold)
- Danawa: 모나미 153 볼펜 0.7mm (12개) (Korean price comparison)