On October 14, Kim'C Market CEO Ryan Kim presented "Korean Rice Story," a hands-on program on rice culture, to members of the United Nations Korean Cultural Society (UN KCS) at the Korean Cultural Center New York. Sponsored by Kim'C Market, the program was part of an event celebrating the opening of K-Zone, the Center's new Korean culture and lifestyle space on its fourth floor.
UN KCS is a Korean culture club made up of United Nations staff. At the Center's invitation, its members explored K-Zone's three corners: MU:DS cultural goods from the National Museum of Korea, a K-beauty corner where a custom device made toners matched to each member's skin analysis, and a K-food section where Kim'C Market's Korean rice sits alongside a selection of Korean jang, the country's fermented sauces and pastes.
Rice is what brought Kim'C Market to K-Zone. At Kim'C Market, Korean rice is milled fresh in New York the day it is ordered, rather than sitting in a warehouse for months after milling, so it arrives with its moisture and fragrance intact. Customers choose their milling degree, from brown rice with its bran fully intact to polished white rice, and the same choice is offered to K-Zone visitors.
That idea shaped Korean Rice Story. Ryan Kim introduced Korea's rice culture and showed how the degree of milling changes the taste of cooked rice. He then spoke about how a rice-centered food culture has shaped Korea's history and culture, and how closely food and culture are bound together.
In the kitchen on the same floor, the talk turned into cooking. Each member pressed their own jumeokbap, hand-pressed rice balls, with Korean rice, gochujang, gamtae, a wild green laver, and other ingredients from Korea, learning what makes each one distinct and discovering the appeal of Korean food firsthand.
Members of UN KCS said the program helped them see Korean culture from a new perspective, and called it a meaningful chance to see how its many parts have developed together, each shaping the others.
"Korean food, beauty, traditional culture, film and drama do not exist on their own. They are closely connected," said Jeongmi Lee, Director of the Korean Cultural Center New York. "Through K-Zone, we hope to give visitors a chance to experience and enjoy the many sides of Korean culture, and the lifestyle within it, all in one place."
The Center plans more programs linking K-Zone's products with Korean cultural content. K-Zone is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and anyone visiting the Center is welcome to stop by.