‘Korean Jang Making’ Inscribed on UNESCO... Production of Award and Commemorative Documentary

Interview with Chef Anseongjae and 4 Masters
Released on YouTube Cheongjeongwon Foodcast

Daesang's ‘Cheongjeongwon Sunchang’ released a documentary titled ‘Connecting Tradition: Linking a Whole Life’ to commemorate the UNESCO inscription of ‘Korea's Jang (fermented sauce) Making Culture.’

On the 4th, Korea's jang (fermented sauce) making culture was officially inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, elevating the status of our traditional jang culture overseas. However, interest in this culture is gradually declining domestically. Daesang, which owns the leading domestic jang brand Cheongjeongwon Sunchang, has been dedicated to preserving Korea's traditional jang making culture even before the UNESCO inscription.

Still cut from the documentary 'Jeontong It-da' produced by Daesang. Provided by Daesang

In fact, they have developed the ‘Hangari Principle New Fermentation Method,’ a fermentation aging technique applying traditional earthenware jar manufacturing methods, modernizing the traditional jang making process. Additionally, last month, they signed a business agreement with Sunchang County and Korean public relations expert Professor Seo Kyung-deok to raise public interest in traditional jang and artisans and to support the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription.

As part of this agreement, Daesang produced a documentary content titled ‘Connecting Tradition’ to highlight the traditional value of Sunchang gochujang (red chili paste). The company aims to further strengthen the position of the Cheongjeongwon Sunchang brand, which has led the domestic jang market since 1989.

This documentary features interviews with four gochujang artisans who have carried on the legacy in the Sunchang region. An Seong-jae, owner chef of ‘Mosoo Seoul,’ the only Michelin Guide 3-star restaurant in Korea, participates to vividly convey the artisans' passion and sincere stories about gochujang. Chef An, who has a deep interest in Korean traditional jang, expressed his desire to contribute to widely promoting the infinite possibilities and value of jang through this documentary.

The documentary introduces the stories of four artisans who have preserved the value of Sunchang gochujang in different ways. It begins with ‘Connecting Tradition,’ the story of artisan Go Eun-ju, who insists on the authentic method passed down through generations; followed by ‘Connecting the Present,’ the story of artisan Jo Jong-hyun, who incorporates modern methods in step with change; then ‘Connecting Widely,’ the story of artisan Seo Young-soon, who has worked to popularize and promote jang culture through jang making experiences; and finally, ‘Connecting Unstoppably,’ the story of artisan Seol Dong-soon, full of passion for gochujang.

This documentary, which reexamines the value of Sunchang gochujang and traditional jang making culture through the lives of each artisan, is available on Cheongjeongwon’s official YouTube channel ‘Cheongjeongwon Foodcast.’

Park Eun-young, head of Daesang’s Food BU, said, “As a leading company presenting traditional jang domestically and internationally, we have sincerely supported the UNESCO inscription from the beginning with a mission to share the precious value of our traditional jang with the world,” adding, “We will not be complacent but will take the lead in further elevating the status of Korean traditional jang.”