South Korean President Lee Jae-myung Champions K-Food on Entertainment Program
A special broadcast of the JTBC entertainment program “Please Take Care of the Refrigerator” featured South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, on Thursday, September 6th, as part of a broader effort to promote K-Food and Korean culture. This marked President Lee’s first appearance on an entertainment program since his inauguration.
The appearance, which was pre-recorded on August 28th, was strategically timed to coincide with the Chuseok holiday, a major celebration in Korea centered around food and family. According to a statement from the presidential office, the goal was to highlight the importance of food in Korean culture and boost exports of Korean food products.
“If you think of Chuseok, the first thing that comes to mind is food,” President Lee stated during the program. “Our country has important assets – K-pop and dramas are significant, but the core of our biggest culture is food.” He emphasized that despite limited natural resources, Korea’s cultural influence is globally recognized.
The culinary focus of the program centered around identifying K-Foods with global potential and showcasing unique Korean ingredients. President Lee specifically highlighted siraegi, a type of sun-dried radish green, as a food with personal significance and health benefits. He shared that siraegi mackerel stew is a particular favorite dish prepared by his wife, Kim Hye-kyung.
Chef Jung Ji-sun created a unique dish – a songpyeon (traditional Korean rice cake) incorporating siraegi dough and non-glutinous rice flour. Mrs. Kim’s surprised reaction to the unusual combination, playfully questioning “Why is this delicious?”, provided a lighthearted moment during the broadcast. The President himself later sampled pizza, remarking on its distinct flavor profile.
In a segment dedicated to showcasing ingredients for international appeal, Son Jong-won presented corruption porridge, barley shrimp gangjeong (sweet and savory fried shrimp), Dudoksan ginseng, and soybean powder. President Lee and Mrs. Kim ultimately favored the ginseng and soybean powder, demonstrating their preference for traditional Korean staples.
Beyond the culinary discussions, the program also offered a glimpse into the couple’s personal life. Mrs. Kim revealed that President Lee has a habit of writing lengthy letters during disagreements, prompting the President to acknowledge, “We often fight because I fight wrong.”
The broadcast was originally scheduled for September 5th but was delayed due to national mourning following the death of officials from the Ministry of Public Administration and Security in a recent fire related to national information resource management.
This appearance signals a novel approach to public diplomacy, leveraging the popularity of entertainment programs to promote Korean culture and economic interests abroad. It remains to be seen how this strategy will translate into increased K-Food exports and global recognition, but the initial response suggests a willingness to embrace unconventional methods of cultural outreach.
