Promoting Korea worldwide through bibimbap

(From left) Kim Myeong-sik, Kim Soo-chan, Kang Sang-kyun, and Chung Kyu-woon (Photo courtesy of the official blog of Plus Miners)

Last year, Kang Sang-kyun, Kim Myeong-sik, Chung Kyu-woon, and Kim Soo-chan all quit their jobs at some of Korea's most respected companies and gathered together their savings to engage in a unique and challenging quest. They plan to visit 40 countries across Asia, Europe the Americas to cook and host Korean food tasting events in cities across the globe to promote bibimbap, a bowl of rice, vegetables and meat that is considered one of Korea's most representative dishes.

While working at major corporations like LG is a dream for many young Koreans, these four felt that they wanted to do something more meaningful with their youth. They chose the team name "Plus Miners", meaning people who dig out the positive values or pluses within them to benefit global society and create a better world. They felt strongly that promoting Korean tastes and foods was a positive thing they could bring to people around the globe and share together. Over the course of eight months, the group plans to hold 100 tasting events and travel more than 50,000 kilometers.

Bibimbap from Plus Miners (Photo courtesy of the official blog of Plus Miners)

After learning how to make bibimbap from a master chef in Jeonju, they held the first of their "One Hundred Bibimbap Tables" events on April 9 at the Korean Cultural Center in Beijing, China. More than 200 people showed up to enjoyed free bibimbap. They also hosted events at the Great Wall of China on April 14 and at the Beijing branch of Lotte Mart on April 15.

Chinese people tasting bibimbap at an event in Beijing (Photo courtesy of the official blog of Plus Miners)

"I've been interested in the globalization of Korea for long time", said Plus Miner member Kim Myeong-sik. "I want to promote Korean culture to the world through bibimbap".

Another member, Kang Sang-kyun, said, "We are planning to visit famous areas like New York Central Park and rural areas such as nunneries in Kolkata, India to let people enjoy bibimbap. We believe this is a good foundation for promoting Korean food and culture".

Bibimbap (Photo courtesy of the official blog of Plus Miners)

The events are free, but interested parties can sponsor events for $300 USD, which covers the cost of preparing 200 servings of bibimbap. Events will be held under the sponsors' names and include their stories and pictures, if requested. The main goal of the events is not only to allow people to enjoy the taste of Korean cuisine, but also to create connections and special memories.

For more information on their events, or for more news and information, please visit their blog (plusminers.blog.me), or follow them on twitter (@2011_bibimbap) and Facebook (plus miners) for updates.

By Jessica Seoyoung Choi
Korea.net Staff Writer

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