Journalist

Abraham Kwak
  • Koreas eating culture continues to fascinate
    Korea's eating culture continues to fascinate SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Whether it’s instant ramyeon or a royal feast, one thing is clear: Koreans take eating seriously. The country’s rich history of mukbang – videos showcasing the enjoyment of food – has now evolved into elaborate global productions. The latest example is "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty," which recently climbed to No. 1 on Netflix's non-English TV chart, underscoring worldwide fascination with Korean cuisine and the rituals surrounding how food is consumed. One of the show's most talked-about scenes features a French chef who time-slips into the Joseon Dynasty and prepares beef bourguignon for the king. The camera lingers on the monarch's mouth as he slowly chews, the palace silent except for the rhythmic sound of eating. His expression shifts from suspicion to delight – a cinematic focus that elevates dining into drama. This visual emphasis on food has deep roots in Korea’s media. The mukbang phenomenon first appeared on AfreecaTV in the late 2000s, when streamers like BJ Chulgu and Banzz gained fame for consuming massive amounts of food while interacting with live audiences. By the early 2010s, it had become a nationwide craze, offering not just visual indulgence but also companionship and community. The format later spread to YouTube, inspiring global imitators and influencing food content worldwide. "In K-food dramas, the way actors eat is crucial. Their expressions, gestures, and dialogue about flavors and ingredients become part of the storytelling," said Kim Chi-ho, professor of Culture Contents at Hanyang University ERICA. "Even the use of chopsticks distinguishes Korean eating culture from the forks and knives familiar to Western viewers. In 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' the exaggerated sound effects and close-ups may seem playful, but they resonate with both global audiences and younger viewers in Korea." The devil's in the details. In the Netflix animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters," a scene shows Mira, a fictional idol group member, resting her spoon and chopsticks neatly on a folded napkin while waiting for her gukbap (rice-and-soup dish) – a subtle habit familiar to every Korean diner. While "KPop Demon Hunters" introduced everyday foods like ramyeon, gimbap, and hot dogs to international audiences, "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" has showcased traditional Korean dishes – echoing the cultural impact of "Jewel in the Palace," which popularized royal cuisine two decades ago. As global interest in K-pop and K-dramas continues to surge, food has become one of the most tangible entry points for audiences engaging with Korean culture. On-screen exposure often sparks curiosity about dishes, translating into rising overseas sales of products such as ramyeon, kimchi, and Bibigo dumplings – fueling the worldwide K-food boom. "We are continuing to invest in Korean content, and we believe that good stories will always find the spotlight everywhere," a Netflix official said. 2025-09-19 17:59:53
  • The skys the limit for K-ramyeon riding on Demon Hunters craze
    The sky's the limit for K-ramyeon riding on Demon Hunters craze SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - The challenge of slurping fiery-hot ramyeon is nothing new. But when a chart-topping K-pop trio does it in a Netflix hit that becomes the platform's most-watched animated film, the sales surge – and stock rally – for Korean snack makers can be staggering. Instant noodle giant Nongshim, featured as a motif in "KPop Demon Hunters," closed Thursday at 481,500 won ($347), up 24.6 percent from a year ago. Nearly 30 percent of that jump came in just the past month. The windfall stems from the film's breakout success, where the girl group devours steaming bowls of Shin Ramyun and munches on shrimp snacks before rushing to battle demons and stage a stadium concert. Nongshim sold 6,000 limited-edition Shin Ramyun packs featuring film characters in just 100 seconds on its online store last month, while themed packaging for Shin Ramyun and Shrimp Crackers is now rolling out across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The halo effect has extended to Samyang Foods, maker of the viral "Hot Chicken" noodles. Its shares soared to 1,585,000 won this month, tripling from 517,000 won a year earlier, with a 15.1 percent gain in the last month alone as the "Spicy Noodle Challenge" found new life in the Demon Hunters craze. "Samyang has already been strong, but Nongshim was relatively weaker in marketing despite its overseas plants and distribution networks. The film did the magic," said Kim Jin-woo, analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities. "The real boost will come when the exact products shown in the film hit the shelves, not just character-branded packaging." The craze underscores how Korean instant noodles – once overshadowed by Japanese ramen – have become a cultural export in their own right. Korea's ramyeon exports hit $1.25 billion in 2024, surpassing the previous year's $952 million in just 10 months, according to the agriculture ministry. The U.S. is now the top buyer, with imports up 70 percent last year to $215.6 million, helping push total Korean agri-food exports to the U.S. to a record $1.59 billion, ahead of China and Japan. "The anime is packed with Korean cultural elements, which feed global interest and cravings for Korean products. This can only spark more demand for snacks," Kim added. 2025-09-18 17:45:10
  • Korean traditional medicine to broaden footprint in Middle East
    Korean traditional medicine to broaden footprint in Middle East SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Korean traditional medicine has gained a new foothold in the global healthcare market, with the United Arab Emirates becoming the first country in the Middle East to formally recognize it as a distinct medicine. In April, the UAE introduced licensing requirements for Korean medicine practitioners as a part of efforts to realign its healthcare system with emphasis on expanding the role of traditional medicine, or the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Unlike most countries, Abu Dhabi specifies CAM by country rather than grouping it under broad labels such as Asian or Eastern medicine. In June, its Department of Health incorporated the name, definition, and scope of Korean medicine into official regulations, making it the third country after China and India. According to global research firm Grand View Research, the UAE's CAM market was valued at $2.78 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.4 percent through 2030. Traditional practices such as Hijama (cupping), herbal remedies, and Ayurveda have long been part of the Muslim cultural heritage. The government has been eager to incorporate traditional therapies in the modern healthcare system. "The UAE is trying to expand its traditional medicine industry and the recognition of Korean medicine is part of the effort. The people there are already familiar with cupping therapy similar to Koreans," observed a researcher of the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development (NIKOM). Rising modern-day stress has also spurred demand for traditional calming therapies. According to a report in March by U.K.-based BioMed Central (BMC), the UAE records about 24,000 mental health cases annually, with depression and anxiety the most common. Growing "medication fatigue" among patients dependent on long-term pharmaceuticals has driven many toward holistic approaches. Yoga, herbal nutrition, meditation, and mindfulness are popular among millennials and Gen Z, who are more receptive to non-invasive, wellness-oriented solutions. Moreover, the people of the UAE have long been accustomed to Korean traditional medicine and culture through immensely popular epic dramas such as "Jewel in the Palace." The UAE's recognition validates the credibility in Korean medicine, said Jeong Young-hoon, director of Korean Medicine Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. "This institutionalization marks a critical turning point for the Korean medicine industry and professionals seeking to expand into the Middle East. We will continue to actively support the global spread of traditional medicine through cooperation with the UAE and beyond," he noted. 2025-09-17 17:16:01
  • K-pop shares going Up, Up, Up in their Golden moment
    K-pop shares going "Up, Up, Up" in their "Golden" moment SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - K-pop stocks are on a roll, humming along to the chart-topping "up, up, up" tune of "Golden" from Netflix's animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters." The four household K-pop agencies have been riding on the Sony film's surprise success and its soundtrack. Shares of YG Entertainment have more than tripled from 32,300 won ($23.38) a year ago to 97,600 won this month. Those of SM Entertainment soared from 58,100 won to 141,600 won (+144 percent), HYBE advanced from 164,000 won to 286,500 won (+75 percent), and JYP Entertainment increased from 45,200 won to 76,100 won (+68 percent). The unexpected blowout of "KPop Demon Hunters" acted as a game changer. Against June 16, just before the film was released on June 20, shares of YG gained 12 percent from 87,200 won to 97,600 won (+11.9 percent). The label is associated with Teddy, the longtime YG producer and CEO of the Black Label, who joined the creation of "KPop Demon Hunters" OST. Shares of SM added a modest 4.5 percent while those of JYP remained unchanged. Shares of HYBE lost 4.5 percent during the same period. "'KPop Demon Hunters' is more than a box-office hit," said Meritz Securities media analyst Kim Min-young. "The film and OST are acting as an amplifier in the spread of Korean content." Underscoring the fad over K-pop, assets under management for the ACE Kpop Focus ETF topped 200 billion won ($150 million), nearly seven times greater than 30.2 billion at the end of December, according to the fund’s seller, Korea Investment Management. Launched in January 2024, the fund allocates 90 percent of its weighting to the four K-pop agencies. Its performance has outshone broader bullish markets. ACE Kpop Focus ETF has returned 57.4 percent so far this year, outperforming the KOSPI (34.4 percent) and Nasdaq 100 (13.5 percent). "The global K-pop fandom continues to expand steadily, stretching beyond Asia to the Americas, Europe, and emerging markets," noted Nam Yong-soo, head of ETF management at Korea Investment Management. He expected further room to grow, pointing to major events such as BLACKPINK's upcoming full-group album and world tour this year and BTS's scheduled return to group activities next year. Analysts agree K-pop stocks will bask in the "golden moment" that will lift them "up, up, up." 2025-09-16 17:32:06
  • Park Chan-wooks latest film wins award at Toronto film fest
    Park Chan-wook's latest film wins award at Toronto film fest SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - Director Park Chan-wook's latest film "No Other Choice" received an award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which wrapped up on Sunday. The thriller, an adaptation of American writer Donald E. Westlake's novel "The Ax," won the inaugural International People's Choice Award, a prize given to the most popular international film at the festival as voted by audiences. The feat came after the film's lead actor Lee Byung-hun was honored with the Tribute Award last week, which is presented to recognize individuals with "distinguished achievements in filmmaking." The top prize, the People's Choice Award, at this year's TIFF, which does not have a jury-led competition section and is also decided by audiences' votes, went to "Hamnet" by Chinese-born director Chloé Zhao. Park's 12th feature, which revolves around a man who believes he has achieved everything in life until he is suddenly laid off and must find a new job to support his family, is set for release here next week. It will also serve as the curtain-raiser for this year's Busan International Film Festival in the southern port city, which opens later this week and runs until Sept. 26. 2025-09-15 17:35:56
  • [K-Pop] Soundtrack from Netflix K-pop anime tops Billboard 200 albums chart
    [[K-Pop]] Soundtrack from Netflix' K-pop anime tops Billboard 200 albums chart SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - The soundtrack of Netflix's hit South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters" topped the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart this week. According to the American music chart on Sunday, the soundtrack claimed the top spot on the Billboard 200, overtaking American singer Sabrina Carpenter's "Man's Best Friend." After debuting at No. 8 on June 20, the album remained at No. 2 for seven nonconsecutive weeks before reaching the top. "Golden," one of the main theme songs from the anime, has also held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for a cumulative four weeks, simultaneously dominating both of Billboard's main charts. Billboard said, "'KPop Demon Hunters' rise to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 was preceded by four top 10-charted hits on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart – the most from a soundtrack in nearly 30 years, with the soundtrack the first ever with four simultaneous top 10s." It attributed the soundtrack's success to the huge popularity of the anime's "sing-along" screenings in the U.S., which led to the upcoming release of additional versions including instrumental and acappella tracks, slated for next month. 2025-09-15 14:09:42
  • South Koreans detained in US immigration raid set to return home after delay
    South Koreans detained in US immigration raid set to return home after delay SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Hundreds of South Koreans detained in a sweeping immigration raid in Georgia in the U.S. are expected to return home at last after their scheduled departure was unexpectedly delayed earlier this week. According to the Foreign Ministry, 316 South Koreans, along with about a dozen foreign workers, are set to board a chartered flight in Atlanta and arrive at Incheon International Airport on Friday. The ministry added that one South Korean chose to remain in the U.S. They were workers who were swept up in the largest single-site workplace raid in U.S. history by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Folkston, Georgia about a week ago. They had been working at a construction site for an electric vehicle battery plant being jointly built by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution. The raid last Thursday targeted about 475 workers, including around 300 South Koreans, mostly LG Energy staff, who were allegedly working at the site without valid work permits after entering the U.S. under either the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or short-term B1 business visas. Having been detained at an ICE facility, they were scheduled to return earlier this week after agreeing to leave the U.S. voluntarily rather than face deportation. But their departure was suddenly delayed due to what the ministry explained were "U.S. circumstances." Some speculate that the U.S. required them to wear handcuffs on their way to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to board the flight, a common U.S. practice for those facing deportation, which would provoke anger here. The ministry also gave some baffling explanations that U.S. President Donald Trump urged these mostly "high-skilled workers" not to leave so they could train local staff. After talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who is in Washington to resolve the matter, asked the U.S. to allow the South Korean detainees to return home swiftly without "physical restraints" and arranged for their departure to be rescheduled. He added that he requested that the U.S. ensure they would not face any disadvantages with future reentry into the U.S. The two also discussed increasing visa quotas for South Korean workers or creating new visa types, along with other measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents, which Cho warned could cause "serious delays and disruptions" in South Korean businesses' U.S. projects involving massive investment. 2025-09-11 16:12:17
  • South Korea bets on return of Chinese visitors to fuel tourism boom
    South Korea bets on return of Chinese visitors to fuel tourism boom SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - South Korea is riding a banner year in tourism, fueled by the surging global popularity of K-pop, and expects further momentum from a visa-waiver program for Chinese travelers set to begin at the end of this month. As part of efforts to boost the tourism industry, the program will take effect on Sept 29, allowing short-term visa-free entry for Chinese travelers until June next year, following China's similar move in November last year, coinciding with China's "Golden Week" holiday, which begins early next month and falls just ahead of Chuseok, the country's biggest holiday of the year here. The last such waiver was offered during the 2018 Winter Olympics in the country's alpine city of Pyeongchang in Gangwon Province. Chinese group tourists, better known as "youke" in Chinese and known for their splurge at duty-free shops, once formed the backbone of South Korea's tourism industry. Before an unofficial boycott onouth Korean products over the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery from the U.S. in 2017, Chinese visitors who accounted for nearly half of all foreign arrivals here, sharply dropped. With relations easing, Seoul and Beijing have been steadily rolling back visa restrictions. The resumption of Chinese group travel is expected to boost South Korea's tourism rebound, already buoyed by the global popularity of K-pop and South Korean drams and shows including Netflix's latest hit anime "KPop Demon Hunters." The country's tourism industry is growing increasingly dependent on Chinese visitors, who account for about half of all foreign arrivals here. The number of Chinese visitors, which plummeted due to travel restrictions with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, has been gradually recovering, reaching about 4.6 million last year after peaking at 8.07 million in 2016. According to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), about 602,000 Chinse came in July, well ahead of those from Japan (300,000), Taiwan (199,000), the U.S. (132,000), and Hong Kong (64,000). The state-run tourism organization expects the program, along with other promotional measures such as K-pop-themed events, cultural performances, and shopping discounts, to attract even more travelers from China. Tourist numbers have also been surging. Foreign arrivals surpassed 10 million by July, up 23.1 percent from a year earlier and nearly 120 percent higher than in July 2019, before the pandemic. Seoul welcomed a record 1.36 million foreign visitors in July alone, pushing the total tally for the first seven months of this year to an all-time high of 8.28 million. The visa waiver for Chinese group tourists could help South Korea reach its target of 18.5 million foreign arrivals in the second half of the year, although it remains to be seen. "It is still difficult to predict whether the number of Chinese tourists will rise during China's upcoming holiday," Seo Ho-seok, a KTO official, told AJP on Wednesday. "But we hope to attract more Chinese travelers and return to pre-pandemic levels with the visa-waiver program and other government-led efforts to boost tourism." Duty-free retailers are among the most hopeful after years of weak traffic and spending by Chinese tourists. Hyundai, Lotte, Shilla, and Shinsegae all posted losses in 2024, hit by the downturn in Chinese group travel and changes in foreign travelers' shopping patterns. Industry officials expect an increase in Chinese group arrivals from the third quarter to boost the industry. Local travel agencies, hotels, and other lodging businesses are already gearing up for an influx of Chinese visitors. They are busy preparing Chinese-language flyers, arranging interpreters and other staff to assist Chinese customers, and trying to meet their changing tastes and shopping patterns. Chinese visitors often flocked to Seoul's shopping district of Myeong-dong, spending most of their money there, but with an increase in repeat visitors, they are now exploring other popular areas and trendy neighborhoods such as Seongsu-dong, known for its fashion boutiques and eateries. 2025-09-10 18:00:02
  • South Korea maintains top spot in higher education among OECD countries
    South Korea maintains top spot in higher education among OECD countries SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) - More than half of South Koreans hold college or higher degrees, according to a report released by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday. About 56.2 percent of adults aged 25 to 64 in the country had completed higher education, maintaining the top spot for 17 consecutive years among the 38 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), whose average stood at 41.9 percent. The gap becomes even more pronounced among those aged 25 to 34, with the rate reaching 70.6 percent, the highest among OECD members and 11 other countries surveyed. Canada came in second at 68.86 percent, followed by Ireland at 66.19 percent. Although South Korea has been among the top-ranked countries in terms of the proportion of university graduates since 2008, many of them struggle to find jobs, suggesting that higher education increasingly fails to pay off and that the skills of advanced-degree holders are being wasted. Meanwhile, educational spending per student amounted to $19,805 as of 2022, up 24.9 percent from the previous year, slightly above the OECD average of $15,023. The figure includes all expenditures on education by the government and private sectors, excluding what parents spend on private crammers for their children. 2025-09-09 17:53:00
  • [K-Pop] Soundtrack from K-pop anime remains atop Billboard Hot 100
    [[K-Pop]] Soundtrack from K-pop anime remains atop Billboard Hot 100 SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) - One of the main theme songs from Netflix's hit South Korean anime has remained atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart this week. According to Billboard on Monday, "Golden" from the soundtrack of "KPop Demon Hunters" took the No. 1 spot on the chart for the second consecutive week and its fourth week overall, since its release in late June. Alongside "Golden," other songs from the soundtrack such as "How It's Done," "Soda Pop," and "Your Idol" also made the top 10 chart. The American music chart hailed that the 100-minute animation "has also become the first soundtrack to generate four simultaneous Hot 100 top 10s over the chart's 67-year history." The catchy song, by South Korean-American singer-songwriter Ejae along with American singers Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, went viral thanks to the popularity of the anime, which tells the story of fictional K-pop superstars with "secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats." With the latest feat, "Golden" surpassed K-pop juggernaut BTS' megahit "Dynamite," which spent three weeks at the top in 2020. It remains to be seen whether the song will break the record set by the septet's another hit song "Butter," which held the top spot for 10 nonconsecutive weeks at the time of its release in 2021. 2025-09-09 15:45:40