How a London-based author is redefining kimchi
When Jihyun “Kimmy” Kim reflects on her childhood in Korea, her mind lands on the everyday rhythm of a family dining table. “There would be rice, my mother’s doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) or miyeokguk (seaweed soup), and kimchi would always be there. As a child, I hardly noticed it because it was so normal," she recalled during a recent interview with The Korea Times. Growing up in Korea,…
Jihyun "Kimmy" Kim, a London-based author, is reshaping perceptions of kimchi, a traditional Korean dish. Growing up in Korea, kimchi was an integral part of daily meals, often unnoticed due to its commonplace nature. Kimmy, however, recognized the shift in her perspective when she moved to the United Kingdom in 2008 after her marriage.
The dish, which was once a silent backdrop to her life, became a symbol of her longing for home. Kimmy's kimchi journey was unintentional; it emerged naturally as she embraced her new life abroad. Abroad, Kimmy encountered a significant disconnect in how Westerners perceived kimchi. Overseas, the dish was often oversimplified, failing to capture its rich cultural significance.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- How a London-based author is redefining kimchi koreatimes.co.kr
