Shoppers pass by shelves filled with Korean instant noodle products at a retail outlet in Seoul, May 19. In the early 2000s, Korean food and consumer products gained popularity in China alongside the rise of K-dramas and Korean culture. Yonhap Unofficial ban on Korean content, growth of domestic consumption divert attention: experts By Luna Sun When 29-year-old Claire Shi from Beijing was young, her family used to huddle together on the couch and watch Korean dramas broadcast on Chinese TV.
It was the early 2000s, and K-dramas and hallyu, the Korean wave, were all the rage. Kimchi was coveted as families watched "Dae Jang Geum," or "Jewel in the Palace," a historical drama first aired in 2003 about a young woman who rises to the position of the king's head chef thanks to her extraordinary cooking skills, and Korean ramen products were bought in bulk as K-drama fans wanted to experience the same flavors they saw actors consuming on screen. “I had to buy the ramen online when they weren’t sold in stores in the beginning,” Shi said.
“I also bought Korean jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles), and even the green owl plush doll from the 'Heirs.'” In the early 2000s, the Korean wave swept through China, captivating millions with its addictive dramas and catchy K-pop music. This cultural phenomenon sparked a widespread admiration for all things Korean, leading to an explosion in the popularity of Korean products – from skincare and cosmetics to fashion and food.
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