Cardi B’s Participation in the Buldak Challenge Spotlights BTS’s Jimin’s Impact on Globalizing K-Food

With the growing worldwide fascination and demand for Korean food, the impact of Jimin’s role in popularizing K-food alongside Hallyu has been thoroughly examined. Recently, Cardi B, a famous American rapper, took part in the “Buldak Challenge”which received global attention and promotional benefits due to Jimin’s influence.

Previously, Cardi B had declared Jimin as her favorite member of BTS. Her involvement in the “Buldak Challenge” sparked more discussions among fans, emphasizing Jimin’s impact on the popularity of K-food.

Driven by the long-standing success of the “Buldak Challenge”, Samyang’s Buldak Ramen has become a renowned K-ramen brand worldwide and its popularity continues to rise. With a total revenue of 1 trillion won, including 141.9 billion won in sales from 2016, the manufacturer Samyang Foods surpassed 800 billion won in overseas sales last year. This impressive growth is reflected in a 70% increase in its stock price, outpacing the 19% rise of the KOSPI market index in the same period.

Major domestic and international media outlets have continuously acknowledged that Jimin played a pivotal role in the resurgence of K-ramen. During a broadcast program, Kim Jung-soo, Vice Chairman of Samyang Foods, expressed her appreciation, stating that the widespread popularity of Buldak Ramen can be attributed to Jimin’s love for the product, resulting in a significant boost in advertising.

In addition, a spokesperson from Samyang Foods, the main sponsor of BTS’s concerts in the United States, credited Jimin as a major reason for the success of Buldak Ramen in the country. They also mentioned that Jimin’s impact was so significant that it led to the construction of a new factory in Miryang. This serves as a testament to Jimin’s immense influence.

Jimin, the first Korean soloist to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and Artist 100 charts simultaneously, has not only achieved the highest level of success in the music industry, but has also become a worldwide sensation. His food and beverage choices, such as tteokbokki, dumplings, coffee, and Citrus Tea, have become a global topic and have even been featured in economic publications like Bloomberg.