Monami has been making pens since 1963 and their range is far deeper than the famous 153. From budget felt tips to premium gel pens, here is the full picture of what they offer.
Korea's National Pen
Every country has a pen that transcends stationery and becomes cultural furniture. In Japan it is the Pilot G2, in the UK it is the Bic Cristal, and in Korea it is the Monami 153. First produced in 1963 - Korea's first domestically manufactured pen - the 153 has sold over 4 billion units. The name comes from the first pen's specs: 1 colour, 5 parts, 3 won (the original price). Today Monami produces everything from budget felt tips to premium writing instruments, and their products are increasingly available in the UK.
The 153 Neo: Where It All Starts
The modern 153 Neo retains the hexagonal barrel shape that has barely changed since the 1960s, but everything else has been refined. The 0.7mm ballpoint now uses a low-viscosity ink that writes more smoothly than any ballpoint at this price has a right to. The click mechanism is satisfying without being distracting, and the metal clip is sturdy enough for shirt pockets. At around £1.60 per pen in a five-pack, there is genuinely nothing at this price point that writes as well.
Plus Pen 3000: The Colour Workhorse
The Plus Pen 3000 is to Korean students what Stabilo Point 88s are to British ones - the default fine liner for colour-coding notes and creating diagrams. Available in up to 36 colours, the 0.4mm felt tip produces consistent lines without the scratchiness you sometimes get with cheaper alternatives. The 24-pack at £15 gives you most of the colour range for under 63p per pen. The only drawback is longevity - heavy users will go through these faster than gel pens.
FX Zeta: The Premium Contender
If you want Monami quality in a gel pen format, the FX Zeta is their answer. The 0.5mm needle-point tip delivers precise, skip-free lines with quick-drying ink that resists smudging for left-handed writers. The rubber grip section is comfortable for extended writing sessions, and the pen has a satisfying weight to it without feeling heavy. This is the pen Monami makes for people who actually care about their writing experience.
Essenti Stick Highlighter: The Underrated Gem
Monami's highlighters rarely get mentioned in the same breath as Mildliners or Stabilo Boss, but the Essenti Stick deserves attention. The formula is a wax-based stick rather than liquid ink, which means zero bleed-through on thin paper and no dried-out caps. The pastel colour range is genuinely subtle rather than the "pastel" many brands claim while still being quite vivid. The chisel tip marks cleanly and the stick format means these will never leak in your pencil case.
Where to Start
If you are new to Monami, buy a five-pack of 153 Neos and a set of Plus Pen 3000s. Between them, you will understand the brand's philosophy: unpretentious, reliable, and better than the price suggests. Once you are convinced, the FX Zeta is the upgrade path for your main writing pen.
K-Stationery → Deep dive
The Monami Pen Collection: A Deep Dive
Everything you need to know about Korea's most iconic pen brand.
If you are new to Monami, buy a five-pack of 153 Neos and a set of Plus Pen 3000s. Between them, you will understand the brand's philosophy: unpretentious, reliable, and better than the price suggests. Once you are convinced, the FX Zeta is the upgrade path for your main writing pen.
Monami's highlighters rarely get mentioned in the same breath as Mildliners or Stabilo Boss, but the Essenti Stick deserves attention. The formula is a wax-based stick rather than liquid ink, which means zero bleed-through on thin paper and no dried-out caps. The pastel colour range is genuinely subtle rather than the "pastel" many brands claim while still being quite vivid. The chisel tip marks cleanly and the stick format means these will never leak in your pencil case.
If you want Monami quality in a gel pen format, the FX Zeta is their answer. The 0.5mm needle-point tip delivers precise, skip-free lines with quick-drying ink that resists smudging for left-handed writers. The rubber grip section is comfortable for extended writing sessions, and the pen has a satisfying weight to it without feeling heavy. This is the pen Monami makes for people who actually care about their writing experience.
03
Plus Pen 3000: The Colour Workhorse
The Plus Pen 3000 is to Korean students what Stabilo Point 88s are to British ones - the default fine liner for colour-coding notes and creating diagrams. Available in up to 36 colours, the 0.4mm felt tip produces consistent lines without the scratchiness you sometimes get with cheaper alternatives. The 24-pack at £15 gives you most of the colour range for under 63p per pen. The only drawback is longevity - heavy users will go through these faster than gel pens.
02
The 153 Neo: Where It All Starts
The modern 153 Neo retains the hexagonal barrel shape that has barely changed since the 1960s, but everything else has been refined. The 0.7mm ballpoint now uses a low-viscosity ink that writes more smoothly than any ballpoint at this price has a right to. The click mechanism is satisfying without being distracting, and the metal clip is sturdy enough for shirt pockets. At around £1.60 per pen in a five-pack, there is genuinely nothing at this price point that writes as well.
01
Korea's National Pen
Every country has a pen that transcends stationery and becomes cultural furniture. In Japan it is the Pilot G2, in the UK it is the Bic Cristal, and in Korea it is the Monami 153. First produced in 1963 - Korea's first domestically manufactured pen - the 153 has sold over 4 billion units. The name comes from the first pen's specs: 1 colour, 5 parts, 3 won (the original price). Today Monami produces everything from budget felt tips to premium writing instruments, and their products are increasingly available in the UK.