"I Want to Visit Korea Just for Seongsimdang"
Japanese Viewers Show Enthusiastic Response
Seongsimdang, Daejeon's iconic bakery that has become a local landmark by attracting over 10 million visitors annually, was featured on Japanese television, drawing significant attention from local viewers. The broadcast focused on Seongsimdang's signature menu item, 'Twigim Soboro,' which received rave reviews such as "a taste never experienced in Japan."
On June 24 (local time), Japan's STV (Hokkaido Broadcasting) program 'Dosanko Wide' introduced Daejeon as a travel destination under the theme "Hidden Gems of Korea to Enjoy with Family." On this episode, Seongsimdang's DCC branch was highlighted as one of Daejeon's tourist attractions. The Japanese reporter on site shared Seongsimdang's immense popularity, noting, "Even now, this crowd is considered small," as she walked past people lining up early in the morning.
The reporter explained that Seongsimdang's signature 'Twigim Soboro' is so popular that some people take the KTX from Seoul just to try it, with daily sales reaching as many as 40,000 pieces. After tasting it, she remarked, "The outside is as crispy as a cookie, while the inside is moist and soft. I've never encountered this kind of texture before. It's a texture I've never experienced in Japan," expressing her amazement.
The broadcast also introduced other Daejeon attractions, including 'O-World.' Daejeon's famous dish, Kalguksu, also made an appearance, piquing the interest of Japanese viewers. The broadcast's comment section was filled with enthusiastic reactions such as, "I really want to visit Daejeon," "Seongsimdang alone makes me want to go to Korea," "How delicious must it be for the line to be that long?" "Korea really has so many delicious things," "I'm so curious about the texture," "It's a flavor I can imagine, which makes me want to try it even more," and "I've only ever been to Seoul, but now I need to visit Daejeon as well."
Meanwhile, thanks to Seongsimdang's popularity, Daejeon Metropolitan City, previously known as a 'no-fun city,' recorded the highest increase in the proportion of travelers nationwide. According to a domestic travel share analysis released last month by the consumer research agency Consumer Insight, Daejeon saw a 1.0 percentage point increase in the proportion of travelers compared to 2023, marking the highest growth rate in the country. This figure surpasses major tourist cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Daegu. During the Golden Week holiday period (May 1-6), online travel company Nol Universe reported that Daejeon ranked first nationwide, with accommodation reservations increasing by 190% compared to the previous year.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
