Malatang and sugar gourd can form a "spicy sugar gourd"?This is not a new meme, but a microcosm of the recent popularity of Chinese food in South Korea – a graphic depiction of the popular way of eating spicy hot food first and then sugar gourd to relieve the spicy taste of Korean consumers who love Chinese food.
Not only food, but also Chinese electronic products, small household appliances and cosmetics are increasingly favored by Korean consumers, and at the same time, the Internet celebrity dance "subject three" has set off a wave of enthusiasm on Korean social **. Diversified Chinese elements are setting off a whirlwind of "Chinese counter-attack" in South Korea.
Korean netizens showed the sugar gourd on social ** and wrote: "Strawberry sugar gourd, magical taste". *Social** screenshots.
Malatang + sugar gourd.
The streets of Seoul are filled with Chinese food.
Mom, I want to eat sugar gourds. A South Korean blogger was initially incredulous when he heard his seven-year-old nephew say this. Could it be that the child is referring to Chinese snacks?
This blogger has lived in China for nearly 10 years, but he didn't expect that sugar gourd, China's "national snack", would also become popular in South Korea, and even combined with Malatang, which was already popular a few years ago, to form a new way to eat "spicy sugar gourd".
During his return to South Korea in the summer of 2023, the blogger almost ate Malatang every time he met with his friends. He said that he and his children are very fond of eating Malatang, and his children are typical representatives of falling in love with "Spicy Sugar Gourd".
According to data released by the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the number of stores of South Korea's leading sugar gourd companies will be about 420 in 2023, an increase of about 10 times from the previous year. Related stores can be found everywhere in Seoul's largest shopping district, such as Myeongdong shopping district, Hongdae business district, and Itaewon business district. This Chinese snack is rapidly conquering the South Korean snack market and is "becoming popular at the speed of light".
Malatang not only formed a CP with sugar gourd, but was also the "behind-the-scenes hero" behind the rise in beer sales in China. South Korea's "**" once cited a Korean convenience store giant to analyze the sales ratio of beer in various countries and found that the sales of Chinese beer are rising sharply and have become an emerging "powerhouse" in the market.
Korean netizens showed Malatang on social **, writing: "Malatang pot wrapped meat". *Social** screenshots.
According to the analysis of the report, the rise in beer sales in China has contributed to the highly sought-after Malatang. In fact, Malatang restaurants, which were originally clustered near Daelim-dong and Konkuk University in Seoul, gradually spread to Gwanghwamun, Yeouido, and Gangnam areas, and even infiltrated the community business district.
The report also pointed out that as more and more Internet celebrity bloggers show the production process of Malatang through **, more and more Korean people are trying to make Malatang at home. On an e-commerce platform in South Korea, the sales of Chinese spice seasoning "spicy powder" and spicy hot ingredients have also been substantial**.
The picture shows a spicy pot restaurant in Seoul, where Korean people eat spicy pot. Photo by China News Service reporter Zeng Nai.
Not only that, but crayfish also became popular in South Korea with the hit movie "Crime City". According to the report, there are many crayfish restaurants on South Korea's takeaway software, and the domestic catering industry in South Korea has commented that the competition between traditional Chinese foods such as fried noodles, spicy seafood noodles, sweet and sour meat, and new Chinese foods such as mutton skewers, spicy tang, and crayfish is becoming more and more fierce. This also means that Chinese food is becoming the best choice on the tongue of the Korean people.
Mobile phones, small household appliances, cosmetics.
Chinese products are popular among young Koreans.
In recent years, various electronic products produced in China have also become popular in South Korea. South Korea's "**** reported earlier that Kim Jin-il, who works for a medium-sized enterprise in Seoul, has been using Korean brand mobile phones before, and later replaced the mobile phone with a Chinese brand under the strong recommendation of a friend, and friends around praised this mobile phone as "cost-effective".
Kim Jin-il said, "Actually, I don't like Chinese products or not, and I took this opportunity to think about it and found that many of the products I use are produced by Chinese companies." ”
After buying a Chinese-made smart scooter, Korean netizens commented that the performance was "beyond imagination". *Social** screenshots.
The report pointed out that South Korea's "middle-class" consumers aged 20 to 39 are gradually expanding their consumption of Chinese products and culture, and a variety of small household appliances such as balance cars, air purifiers, humidifiers and porridge cooking appliances are becoming increasingly popular. For Korean consumers, "Made in China" is no longer a symbol of "bargains".
At the same time, Chinese cosmetics are also expanding rapidly in the Korean market. CCTV Finance reported that data shows that in the first eight months of 2023, China's cosmetics exports to South Korea will be about 190% year-on-year.
A Korean beauty blogger once said: "I am wearing makeup now, and I can't do without the concealer of a Chinese makeup brand." Lip clay products such as Chinese makeup have also appeared in the dressing rooms of Korean celebrities.
Subject 3" and TV dramas.
Chinese culture is popular in South Korea.
Recently, a magical dance "subject three" swept the global social network, forming a "phenomenal spread", not only a large number of overseas netizens relayed dances on social platforms, but even the Russian Royal Ballet and Latin Dance World Champion Christina joined it.
The picture shows a Korean blogger recording teaching**, teaching and dancing "subject three" by hand. *Social** screenshots.
South Korea is no exception, and the ** of Korean middle school students jumping "subject three" has quickly become popular on the Internet. In the streets of Hongdae, which is full of modern pop art, songs with a strong Chinese style often sound. In addition, there are also Korean dance bloggers who are sought after by netizens through *** teaching.
At the same time, young South Koreans are showing an increasing interest in TV dramas from China. South Korea not only has the best Chinese programs of Chunghwa TV, Ching and other platforms, especially Chunghwa TV has introduced the Chinese TV series "Langya Bang", which has set the highest ratings in the Seoul area 18% (08%), which has gained great popularity.
Screenshot of the "Hidden Corner" Korean trailer**.
In recent years, dramas such as "The Hidden Corner", "Yanxi Raiders" and "Dear, Loved" have also been introduced to mainstream Korean TV stations such as MBC and KBC. Popular domestic dramas such as "Step by Step Shocking" and "The Promotion of the Crown Princess" have also been adapted into Korean dramas.
This wave of "Hualiu counterattack" not only left a strong taste bud imprint on the streets and alleys of South Korea, but also virtually shortened the distance between China and South Korea for cultural exchanges, and became a bond for the people of the two countries to share beauty across national borders.