The Origin of Kimchi and Bibimbap... Chinese Portal Distorts Their Origins Again

Professor Seokyeongdeok "Distortion of Korean Tradition"

Professor Seokyungdeok from Sungshin Women's University strongly opposed a portal site that introduced the origin of 'Bibimbap' as China, saying it "distorts Korean tradition."

In a post on Facebook on the 18th, Professor Seokyungdeok said, "For several years, they have been making unfounded claims that kimchi originated in China, and now they are introducing the origin of Bibimbap as China."

Introduction page of a Chinese portal site indicating China as the origin of Bibimbap Photo by Seokyungdeok Facebook

He went on to claim, "Baidu is at the center of China's 'cultural engineering'." Baidu is China's largest portal site, and recently controversy arose after it listed China as the origin of Bibimbap in its introduction.

Professor Seokyungdeok emphasized, "Distorting Korea's traditional food does not mean Bibimbap becomes Chinese food," and added, "Just as we have consistently protested to Baidu to correct false information, we will do our best to change the origin of Bibimbap to Korea."

He said, "In December last year, Google announced that Bibimbap ranked first globally in the recipe category among 'search terms of the year,'" adding, "This is thanks to Bibimbap frequently appearing in K-dramas. We will further strengthen overseas promotion of Bibimbap this year."

Professor Seokyungdeok claimed, "Since Bibimbap appeared as an in-flight meal on national airlines in the late 1990s, it has been introduced to many foreigners," and stated, "The love for Bibimbap by superstars such as Michael Jackson, Paris Hilton, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Nicolas Cage has also greatly helped external promotion."