Convenient Stores: Window to Korea’s Food and Drinks Culture [Photo Essay Contest]
The Korea JoongAng Daily hosted its first photo essay contest for elementary, middle and high school students on the theme: “Promote the beauty of Korea to foreign countries." The contest ran from October to November. Photos containing scenes of traditional culture, family love, places to see and tasty treats in Korea were submitted for the contest.
Edward Kim from Seoul International School won the Bronze prize in the middle school category for this photo essay.
Foreigners come to Korea for a variety of reasons, whether that be for work or play. They come for widely known bits of Korea - K-pop, K-culture, K-food, and K-fashion. Regardless of the reason, whenever someone comes to Korea, they are bound one way or another to visit a convenience store. While at first they may seem unremarkable, convenience stores are much more than what they appear to be.
First and foremost, convenience stores in South Korea are numerous and well-maintained. Compared to most other countries, South Korea has a massive number of convenience stores, and in cities like Seoul, they can be found in almost every block. According to a 2019 report, there were roughly 42,000 convenience stores in South Korea, which translates to about 1 per 1,350 citizens. This is massive compared to the 1 per 2,250 people in the US. Considering Korea’s relatively modest size, the proximity of convenience stores to one another is noteworthy. The sheer number of these convenience stores emphasizes their integral role in Korean culture and the extent of their success. Additionally, convenience stores in Korea are well maintained, ensuring that they are consistently well-stocked and present a clean and inviting atmosphere. This means that it is very easy for anyone, whether for a tourist or a local to access one and get what they need.
Speaking of needs, convenience stores, while not as all-encompassing as supermarkets, hold a variety of snacks, drinks, and sundry items. Whether one needs a quick snack to fill up their belly or simply require water, convenience stores are the place to go. Other than the classics, convenience stores also are the equivalent of testing grounds for newer food. In other words, convenience stores are a fantastic place to look into the Korean “junk food” culture. Because of how business works, successful products can exist for decades and others may just fade with time. And because convenience stores hold all of these, it easily allows people to see into Korea’s snacks and beverage culture, what new products are being developed, what was successful, and what was not. As stated in the article, convenience stores are not limited to only Korean chips and drinks, rather they contain a variety of different goods. These include basic amenities, wine from various countries, pet food, and even parcel services.
In conclusion, convenience stores are perhaps the easiest way for foreigners to buy a quick snack or small necessities without having to go to the market. Additionally, for tourists coming to experience Korean culture, going to a convenience store may be one of the best ways to understand the Korean snacks and beverages culture as it allows one to easily look at new, trendy food and older classics. It is truly a convenient way for anyone to check out a part of the Korean culture.
By Edward Kim, Seoul International School
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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