(photo is courtesy of Seo Kyung Duk)
There were lots of press mentions of Lee Young Ae’s (the heroin of Dae Jang Geum) involvement in a Bibimbap ad in the New York Times this morning.
I also know there was a bibimbap ad in NYT back in 2009 and there is another 6 months bibimbap worldwide promotion project going around, at present in Thailand.
I LOVE bibimbap but I am wondering why the promoter is so obsessed with bibimbap? Why not promote Bulgogi or Galbi? or even Kimchi? I would have thought these are better known? (There are lots of bulgogi and galbi taco trucks around major cities in the US, aren’t there?) That should count for something. 
If you could choose only one Korean dish for major international media exposure, what would you choose?
My hagwon has been practicing speeches, and one of the teachers wrote one about Bibimbap.
Apparently, it’s a metaphor for how many things can come together for harmony and peace. That’s a message they need to convey a little better, as someone not from Korea wouldn’t understand it. It’s simply too subtle.
I think ‘food metaphor’ is very subtle even to Koreans. We don’t normally think about the meaning of certain food unless it’s for the homework or some sort of research assignment etc. Most of the time the focus is on the taste and also health benefit.
I love bibimpap and can see why it is so popular. It is easy to make it for anyones taste
I had tried to link to this ad in my blog but couldn’t figure out how!
so funny, i had tried to link to this but couldn’t figure out how!
i love bibimpap and it seems to be one of those dishes that is hard not to appreciate. maybe that is why it is so popular. i always make it in a hot pot!
Dae Jung Geum is my favourite Kdrama. I loved getting a glimpse of traditional Korean history, the various beautiful Hanbok and the delicious foods created were mouth watering. When we returned to Korea in 2009 our family visited Korean Folk Village in Suwon and saw some of the settings used for filming Dae Jung Geum. I love eating various Korean dishes. I would pick Andong Jjimdak ~ delicious mix of noodles, vegetables, chicken and spices ~ Julia.
I only got to watch the first few episodes of Dae Jang Geum but I do think that this drama represented the traditional Korean cuisine best. Andong Jjimdak – a good choice – except that I’ve never had it myself yet. Would you know a good Korean restaurant in Brisbane that might sell this?
I’d pick 순두부찌게 – Sundubu Jjigae. It’s probably what I eat most often, and it can turn into any variety of things from vegan to meat to seafood. The spiciness is completely controllable, so it will suit any palate. It’s the best food in the world – other than kimchi, of course.
I haven’t made sundubu jjigae in years! I should make some soon. I agree with you that food has to be versatile and easy to modify if necessary, because we all have different preference and tastes.