Eating Gimbap and Experiencing K-Pop Auditions... 40,000 People Gather at the 'Hallyu Festival' in 'I Nara'

Over 40,000 people visited a Korean food festival held in the heart of San Jos?, the capital of Costa Rica, over two days. Participants enjoyed Korean culture by eating various Korean dishes such as gimbap and bulgogi at the festival.

"K-pop popularity leads the Korean Wave in Costa Rica"

On the 12th (local time), a resident is experiencing wearing Hanbok at a Korean food festival held in San Jose, Costa Rica. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 13th (local time), according to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Costa Rica and the San Jos? City Hall, the Korean Food Festival (K-Festival Gastronomico) was held at the National Park in San Jos?, the capital of Costa Rica, on the 11th and 12th.

Held for the second time following last year, the event was led by the local Korean community and involved about 300 participants including members of Korean Wave fan clubs in Costa Rica, influencers, and volunteers. The festival was organized by the Korean Embassy and San Jos? City.

The festival featured 11 Korean food booths including bulgogi and gimbap, as well as various programs themed around Korean culture such as Taekwondo demonstrations, K-pop auditions, and hanbok experience.

Before the event, San Jos? City stated in a press release, "Through events that can promote friendly relations between the two countries, many people will discover new interest in Korean culture."

In fact, the Korean Embassy reported that about 40,000 Costa Rican residents, including San Jos? Mayor Johnny Araya, visited the site and enjoyed the festival. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Costa Rica said, "Following Korean dramas introduced since the 2000s, K-pop has gained great popularity and is leading the Korean Wave in Costa Rica."

The global spread of the K-Kimchi craze

[Image source=Pixabay]

Meanwhile, the popularity of Korean food is increasing worldwide. In particular, several places in the United States and Europe have established 'Kimchi Day' as an official commemorative day. In the U.S., seven states including California, Virginia, and New York celebrate Kimchi Day annually, and Kingston upon Thames in London, UK, has designated November 22 as 'Kimchi Day' starting this year.

When establishing 'Kimchi Day,' Kingston stated, "The number of states celebrating Kimchi Day in the U.S. is increasing," and added, "Following Korea and the U.S., Europe will be the first to commemorate Kimchi Day annually." They also explained kimchi as "Korea's national dish made by salting and fermenting vegetables," and noted that "In 2013, UNESCO recognized the kimjang process of making kimchi as an intangible cultural heritage."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.