{
  "id": 1237197,
  "title": "Korean apple ad lights up New York",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/korean-apple-ad-lights-up-new-york",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T09:07:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260816/korean-apple-ad-lights-up-new-york"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An eye-catching Korean-language advertisement for Bonghwa apples has emerged on a digital billboard in New York City's Times Square, sparking curiosity and intrigue. The unconventional ad hails from Bonghwa, a county in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Rather than employing a typical sales pitch, the advertisement boldly states, \"Bonghwa apples are delicious, but we don't advertise,\" adding a humorous twist to its message.\n\nThe campaign gained visibility on Thursday when photographs showcasing the billboard were shared on Instagram, the official promotional account of Bongsungi, the county's mascot. In the images, the word \"Bonghwa\" is displayed in blue, contrasting with the word \"apple\" rendered in red. The design mirrors that of the Korean national flag, and an image of a Bonghwa apple adorns the billboard as well.\n\nThe brainchild behind this creative advertisement is Kim Su-sung, a 27-year-old official from the Distribution and Specialty Crops Division at the Bonghwa Agricultural Technology Center. Kim reportedly funded the entire endeavor, covering the cost of approximately $230 from his personal funds.",
  "summary": "A Korean-language advertisement for apples from Bonghwa, a county in North Gyeongsang Province, has appeared on a digital billboard in the heart of New York City’s Times Square, drawing attention for its unconventional message. The ad promotes Bonghwa apples, a local specialty of the southeastern region. Rather than making a conventional sales pitch, it declares, “Bonghwa apples are delicious,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korean apple ad displayed in Times Square's digital billboard",
    "Ad reads \"Bonghwa apples are delicious, but we don't advertise\"",
    "Funded by 27-year-old Kim Su-sung from Bonghwa Agricultural Technology Center"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korean apple ad lights up New York",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/korean-apple-ad-lights-up-new-york-1238799",
        "published": "2026-08-16T09:17:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}