So Not Worth It
“The kimjang culture that friends of various nationalities enjoyed together!”
▲ Drama Poster (source: Netflix)
#So Not Worth It (내일 지구가 망해버렸으면 좋겠어)
'So Not Worth It' is a Netflix sitcom in the web drama format. It is a drama that realistically expresses the college life, love, and friendship of foreign students who came to Korea to study. Many foreign cast members appear because the main background of the drama is the international dormitory of a university where foreigners reside. In drama, Korean Park Se-wan, an assistant of international dormitory, and students from various nationalities such as the U.S., Australia, Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden come out. This is why many unique situations arise.
Among the many interesting scenes, there is a scene in episode 10 where Korean and foreign students make kimchi together. Kimjang is Korea's representative culture and is a traditional event based on the understanding of Korea's natural environment and food culture. The scene in the drama where Koreans and foreigners are making kimchi together can be seen as a process of understanding and learning Korea's unique culture. It is meaningful that such scenes appear in Netflix content consumed around the world.
So, what exactly is the kimjang culture? Why is it done and what effect will it have?
▲(So Not Worth It) Episode 10 Kimchi Making Scene
#What is kimchi?
▲Kimchi cabbage before making kimchi
Before we learn Kimjang, let's find out "Kimchi"
Kimchi is the representative food of Korea that Koreans love. Here is how to make kimchi. Sock various vegetables such as radishes, cabbages, and cucumbers in salt water. And season with Korean spices and seafood. Kimchi is a fermented food in Korea.
A person should eat foods rich in vitamins or minerals for a healthy life. And this is mainly solved through vegetables. However, it is difficult to preserve the taste and nutrients of vegetables for a long time. That's why Korean made kimchi.Kimchi can be preserved for a long time because the vegetables are salted. It also captivates the taste by seasoning the vegetables.
Kimchi is a dish with every meal of Koreans. Koreans enjoy eating Kimchi with various foods such as rice, ramyeon, meat, and noodles.
There are many kinds of kimchi. The taste and texture vary depending on what the main ingredient is.
In addition, reflecting the natural environment, the taste of kimchi varies depending on the region. This is because depending on the region the ingredients used in kimchi filling vary, and the cooking methods are also different.
The temperature is low in the cold northern regions, so keep the freshness of vegetables alive by making the salt bland and seasoning light. The relatively warm southern part of the country makes saltier, red and rich seasoning, and less soup.
#What is the effect of Kimchi?
Kimchi is not only delicious but also has a positive effect on health.
First, it strengthens immunity and inhibits virus formation. Beneficial bacteria and metabolites generated during the fermentation process of kimchi help boost immunity.
The second is anti-obesity effect. The capsaicin component of the chili pepper in kimchi activates sympathetic nerves, facilitates metabolism and promotes fat decomposition and combustion.
Third, it improves bowel function. Dietary fibers, minerals, vitamins, and kimchi lactic acid bacteria in kimchi improve bowel function and improve constipation symptoms.
Fourth, it is an anticancer effect. Substances contained in garlic and ginger, which are sub-materials of kimchi, have the anticancer effect by inhibiting tumor formation.
#Kimjang Culture
Kimjang is a custom in which Koreans make kimchi to eat during the winter at once. Korea has four distinct seasons. Fresh vegetables are hard to get in the cold and long winter, so Korean makes kimchi to eat during winter in fall or early winter and stored.
Kimchi is an essential food in Korea, so most regions and homes in the past made kimchi.
Making kimchi, however, is not just a simple task. It takes a considerable amount of time and labor from trimming the ingredients to mixing them up. So, Korean ancestors had a custom of making kimchi while helping each other. After making kimchi, people distributed korean-cabbage, leftover fillings, and kimchi to their neighbors.
In addition, there was a custom of eating meat and kimchi with the neighborhood who helped after making kimchi. It is still a culture that remains.
▲ Episode 10, Eating meat and kimchi together after making kimchi
As such, the kimjang culture is a culture that even has the meaning of consideration and sharing.
Even now, there is a culture in which kimchi is made and distributed to neighbors. Every kimjang season, local community organizations or volunteer organizations hold kimjang events, and thousands of people make kimchi together. And organization deliver kimchi that people make together to neighbors in need. The kimjang culture is a culture that bonds members of Korean society.
Recognizing the value of this kimjang culture, the "Kimjang Culture" was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.
Kimjang practices the spirit of sharing between neighbors and increases solidarity, identity, and belonging.
As the frequency of kimchi coming out of K-DRAMA increases, K-DRAMA fans in foreign countries also want to experience kimjang themselves..
In this way, I hope that each country's culture and tradition will continue to be loved and respected around the world.
#Visiting
▶ VANK Builds World Promotional Site to Celebrate Kimchi Day, Nov. 22!
https://kimchiday.prkorea.com/