Chinese elements surge in South Korea: A cultural shift
Sichuan hotpot [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Chinese food widely spread in Seoul
The aroma of Chinese cuisine pervades the streets of Seoul. A seven-year-old Korean boy asked his mother to buy him "tanghulu" (candied hawthorns on skewers). How did the child become a fan of Chinese snacks?
According to data from the Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), the number of stores owned by the leading "tanghulu" enterprise increased tenfold to approximately 420 in 2023. The stores are set up in prominent Seoul areas, including Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Garosu-gil.
Moreover, the JoongAng (one of the biggest newspapers in South Korea) once cited a report done by a giant Korean convenience store chain, revealing a substantial rise in the sales of Chinese beer. The surge is attributed, in part, to the growing popularity of another Chinese food– spicy hotpot.
Initially concentrated around Seoul's Daerim-dong and Konkuk University, restaurants of spicy hotpots have gradually spread to areas like Gwanghwamun, Yeouido, Gangnam, and even some living communities.
Competition on South Korean food delivery apps is intensifying between traditional Korean dishes like Jajangmyeon (noodle topped with a thick sauce), spicy seafood noodles, and Chinese dishes like lamb skewers, hotpot, and spicy crayfish. This shift indicates that Chinese cuisine is becoming a significant choice for South Korean taste buds.
"Made in China" favored by consumers
China's electronic products are also gaining popularity among South Korean consumers. Products such as balance bikes, air cleaners, humidifiers, and rice cookers have become increasingly favored people aged 20 to 39, debunking the notion that "made in China" is synonymous with cheap and low-quality goods.
Meanwhile, Chinese cosmetics are expanding their market to South Korea. Data reveals a year-on-year increase of approximately 190% in Chinese cosmetics exports to South Korea for the first eight months of 2023.
A South Korean beauty blogger once said, "I can't do my makeup without Chinese concealer now." Even some celebrities use Chinese cosmetic products, such as lip mud.
Chinese culture goes viral among Korean youngsters
Recently, a wildly infectious dance called Subject Three has taken over global social networks. Not only countless international users but even the Royal Ballet of Russia and Kristina Moshenskaya, the world champion in Latin American dances, have joined the craze.
In South Korea, videos of middle school students dancing to Subject Three have exploded on the internet. Chinese-style songs are frequently heard in the Hongdea region, sharply contrasting with the modern pop art vibe of the urban shopping center.
Besides, South Korean dance influencers provided online tutorials via videos, also gaining a large number of followers.
Meanwhile, Chinese TV dramas are increasingly welcomed among South Korean youth. With platforms like Chunghwa TV and CHING, Chinese dramas like Nirvana in Fire have achieved a record-breaking viewership of 1.8% in Seoul.
In recent years, Chinese dramas, including The Bad Kids, Story of Yanxi Palace, and Go Go Squid, have been introduced to mainstream South Korean TV channels such as MBC and KBC. Moreover, popular Chinese dramas like Scarlet Heart and Go Princess Go have been successfully adapted into South Korean versions.
The contraflow of "C-pop" has become a shared bond, allowing people from both nations to share their culture and know each other better.
Source: China News Service, trans-editing by Guo Yao