What’s Going On with Hanwoo Two-Thumb Beef in School Cafeteria?... Majangdong Senior Sent It

Nam Eun, Operator of 'Hyosung Foodville', Donates 400 kg of Korean Beef to Hanyang University Juniors
"I Felt Rewarded by Students' Response... Will Continue to Donate"

A senior who donated 400 kg of ‘Two Plus (1++)’ grade Korean beef to the student cafeteria for Hanyang University juniors has recently shared his story. The market value is about 23 million KRW. On the 7th, Maeil Business Newspaper reported, "On the 25th and 26th of last month, boneless galbijjim made from ‘Two Plus (1++)’ grade Korean beef appeared in the Hanyang University student cafeteria," adding, "The amount of galbi served that day was about 400 kg, equivalent to two cows. Assuming each person consumes about 250 g, it corresponds to a total of 1,600 servings."

Students lined up in front of the Hanyang University student cafeteria on the 25th of last month. Photo by Hanyang University

According to Maeil Business Newspaper, the donor was Mr. Nam (58), a 4th semester student at Hanyang University Graduate School of International Tourism. Mr. Nam, a father of two, said, “I wanted to gift a delicious meal to students who are like my own children, who are about the age of my son and daughter, so I decided to donate Korean beef,” and added, “I was influenced by seeing the professors at the school contribute a lot to the development fund.” It is known that Mr. Nam also donated 20 million KRW to the school in April last year.

Mr. Nam has been running a livestock company called ‘Hyosung Foodville’ in Majang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul for 28 years. He reportedly enrolled in graduate school in 2023 because he wanted to explore linking traditional markets with the tourism industry. Currently in his 4th semester, Mr. Nam is receiving guidance on his graduation thesis in preparation for graduating next semester.

The 400 kg of ‘1++ Korean beef’ donated by Mr. Nam was served as lunch on the 26th of last month and as breakfast and dinner on the 27th in the school cafeteria menu for students. This allowed students to enjoy a premium meal including ‘Hanwoo Two Plus Boneless Galbijjim’ for only 4,500 KRW. According to Hanyang University, 1,000 servings were served at lunch on the 26th, 150 servings at breakfast, and 450 servings at dinner on the 27th.

Boneless Galbijjim made with 'Two Plus (1++)' grade Korean beef has appeared at Hanyang University student cafeteria. Photo by Hanyang University

According to Edaily, Mr. Nam personally proposed the menu related to this meal plan. He explained, “I had preliminary meetings with the school officials, including the Office of External Cooperation and the student cafeteria staff,” and added, “At that time, I suggested galbijjim and proposed that about 250 g of meat per person be provided generously. This idea was accepted, and the menu was introduced accordingly.”

The students’ response was enthusiastic. Photos released by Hanyang University that day showed students wearing school jackets lining up outside the cafeteria, creating a bustling scene. A current Hanyang University student said, “I came out earlier than usual to make sure I could eat it even if I had to stand in line,” and added, “I was satisfied to be able to eat 1++ Korean beef galbijjim for 4,500 KRW.” Nutritionist Kim So-yeon said, “This is the first time I have seen so many students gather in the student cafeteria. It was also the first time the leftover food was this minimal,” and added, “The meals prepared on the morning of the 27th were all gone within five minutes, and dinner was also sold out early.”

Mr. Nam said to Edaily, “After all the special meals were served, I felt rewarded when the school told me, ‘It was the first time students lined up like this to eat,’ and ‘The students ate everything cleanly without any leftovers.’ At that moment, I thought, ‘Ah, I did well.’” He also emphasized, “I plan to continue donation activities as much as I can,” and added, “I believe that sharing means giving what you have without expecting anything in return, whether it is a lot or a little. If my happiness grows through sharing, that alone is enough.”