Digital creators, gov't join forces to reclaim facts about Korea
For social media feeds, gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) often get dismissed as Japanese sushi, and kimchi’s signature bite is mistaken for a splash of vinegar. To Cookim, a YouTuber with 1.6 million subscribers, those lazy comparisons miss the point entirely. "Gimbap isn't 'Korean sushi.' It’s a completely distinct dish with its own history, flavor and identity," says Cookim (@Cookim97), whose channel banner reads like a personal mission statement: Korean food to the world. That drive is clear in one of his viral videos, which racked up over 120,000 views in seven months. In it, he sets the record straight on kimchi, patiently explaining that its famous sourness comes from slow, traditional fermentation — not a splash of vinegar. His work goes beyond solo videos. Partnering with FACTS: KOREA — a cultural accuracy initiative run by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — Cookim released a series of long- and short-form videos tackling widespread culinary myths, pulling in thousands of views. He isn't acting alone. Cookim belongs to a growing wave of digital creators part
Aug 31, 2026By Park Jin-hai
