Videos posted on various social media channels in China claiming ‘Kimchi=Chinese food’ (Screenshot image of such sites done by Professor Seo Kyung-duk)
SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – On “Kimchi Day,” celebrated on November 22, Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University criticized some Chinese social media users for promoting kimchi as their own cultural heritage, labeling the activity as “cultural theft.”
In a social media post, Seo revealed he had reviewed numerous videos on Chinese platforms tagged with hashtags like “#Kimchi” and “#China,” portraying the Korean staple as Chinese. He called the trend alarming and reminiscent of past controversies, including Chinese influencer Li Ziqi’s 2021 video labeling kimchi as “#ChineseFood.”
Seo noted that such videos have proliferated across platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok, intensifying the situation. He also cited examples of misinformation, such as articles from Chinese state-run media claiming kimchi’s origins in China and Baidu Encyclopedia’s assertion that “Korean kimchi originated in China.”
Accusing China of attempting to co-opt Korean cultural heritage through what he called “Kimchi Project,” Seo emphasized that this effort exploits the nationality of ethnic Koreans in China (Joseonjok) to falsely claim Korean traditions as Chinese. “Chinese netizens must first learn to respect other nations’ cultures,” he stated.
Kimchi Day, established as a national observance in South Korea in 2020, celebrates the significance of kimchi. The date symbolizes the harmony of its ingredients, with “11″ (November) representing individual components and “22″ signifying the over 22 health benefits attributed to the dish.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
