Hollywood stars to promote hansik

Marja Vongerichten, left, and actress Heather Graham walk together in Seoul, earlier this month. /Courtesy of Frappe Inc.

By Ines Min

In a time when Korea is making headlines due to tensions with its northern partner and most Westerners ask natives timidly “From the North or South?” one Korean-American pioneer seeks to finally find success in the long-embattled fight to get the word out and distinguish South Korea — via “hansik,” or Korean food.

“Kimchi Chronicles” has entered its final production stages, producers announced Friday at a press conference in central Seoul. Following the conclusion of a three-day shoot with Hollywood actress Heather Graham (“Austin Powers”), reporters were shown a short promotional clip of the upcoming show — which begins airing early next year on the acclaimed U.S. public network PBS.

Marja Vongerichten, wife of the world-famous Michelin chef Jean-Georges, hosts the hansik-focused documentary, serving as the inspiration and motivation for the crew. “Chronicles” follows Marja, Jean-Georges and daughter Chloe across the country as they sample cuisine from Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island, Sokcho, and Jeolla and Gangwon Provinces. Guest stars include Graham and actor Hugh Jackman (“X-Men”), who was appointed a goodwill ambassador for Seoul last year. He finished shooting a segment in New York last month, producers said.

“We use food as a vehicle to introduce Americans to Korean culture, the Korean people and to, frankly, put Korea on the map for Americans,” said director Charles Pinsky, founder of Frappe Inc., whose last travel documentary focused on Spain.

Heather Graham, who first met the host at a Jean-Georges restaurant, travels with Marja from the nation’s two largest cities. Sampling everything from the freshest fish at Jagalchi Market in Busan, to temple fare at Bongeun-sa Temple in Seoul, Graham remarked that her favorite dishes were “bibimbap” (rice mixed with vegetables), “bindaetteok” (mung bean pancakes) and “tteok” (rice cake).

While the actress admitted to not knowing much about the country before her visit, she gained a lot culturally during her short stay. And as for what she thinks will work in the U.S.?

“I think Korean barbecue is very accessible to Americans because it’s sort of similar to something we know, but with different flavors,” Graham told reporters. “But I like the ‘banchan’ (side dishes); I think a lot of people would love that.”

For Marja, the goal is to not only introduce Korean culture through its food, but to teach how it can be brought into a familiar setting.

“I think you can still keep traditional Korean food traditional, but also add your own flair and personal preferences,” she said, such as bindaetteok with an extra crispness, or “kimchi jjigae” (kimchi stew) with a salted dried seaweed garnish. The series will conclude with the launching of her cookbook of Korean recipes.
Marja, who was adopted into an American family from a young age, has a personal connection with the show — discovering her roots. After fatefully finding her mother in Brooklyn, N.Y., and tying her culinary passion with a sense of home, the show came naturally.

“Food is my first connection and solid anchor that I knew: ‘This is my culture.’”

The effervescent host was open to the myriad avenues of hansik as well (“Bring it all on!”), lending to an authenticity viewers will experience. Everything from the southern coast’s famous “milmyeon” (wheat noodles) and the all-time favorite “samgyeopsal” (barbecue pork belly) are explored in the show, as well as the lesser-known “mom gook” (spicy pork and seaweed soup).

Graham also intends to continue her Korean education back home, with an invitation to learn recipes with Marja. But perhaps one of the most valuable experiences gained was the transformation of her overall image of the capital city.

“I didn’t realize how affluent, gorgeous it is, and how the women here dress amazing,” Graham laughed. “It’s such a cool city, with so much going on... I think Americans think bombs are going off every second, and they don’t realize how safe and wonderful it really is to be here.”

“Kimchi Chronicles” comprises of 13 half-hour long episodes and starts airing in January.

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