{
  "id": 18845949,
  "title": "Tim Hortons, a letter to my father",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/tim-hortons-a-letter-to-my-father",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-08T02:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20261108/tim-hortons-a-letter-to-my-father"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tim Hortons, the iconic Canadian coffee chain, has managed to establish a significant presence in Korea. This unexpected success might appear straightforward, yet it required years of unwavering commitment from the company to achieve its current status in the Korean market.\n\nThe Tim Hortons establishments in Korea differ considerably from those back home in Canada. Despite these differences, they evoke a similar feeling for those familiar with the Canadian experience. One key difference lies in the simplicity of obtaining a quick coffee and sandwich with family, whether during a morning commute or a road trip across Quebec.\n\nIn Korea, Tim Hortons transcends the basic concept of a coffee shop. It offers a complete sensory experience, with unique decor and a rich menu that transports Koreans to a fleeting moment in Canada. While some may argue that apathy reigns among expats, it is those with deep-rooted hearts who remain close to their families.\n\nAs someone who wears a heart larger than most, I often find myself grappling with homesickness. The distance from my parents in Quebec City weighs heavily on my soul. Surprisingly, Tim Hortons in Korea has become the most potent reminder of the bonds I left behind, not due to any explicit Canadian cultural connection, but because these coffee shops embody the warmth and comfort of home.",
  "summary": "Having a whole business plan from Canada to succeed in Korea might seem simple, but it must have taken years of dedication for Korea to have so many Tim Hortons today. The Tim Hortons here are so different from what I was used to back in Canada, yet they still feel the same. They are different because in Canada it was always only about the simplicity of grabbing a coffee and a sandwich on the go…",
  "key_points": [
    "Tim Hortons successful in Korean market after years of commitment",
    "Korean Tim Hortons offers unique sensory experience",
    "Coffee shops evoke warmth and comfort of homes in Quebec City"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The brand's success in Korea demonstrates how adapting a menu and atmosphere can transform a simple coffee chain into a vital emotional anchor for displaced expatriates seeking comfort.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}