Inside Korea | Korea vs US Life

 When people around the world think of Korean cuisine, savory and fiery flavors usually come to mind first—sizzling Korean BBQ, spicy tteokbokki, and comforting bowls of budae-jjigae. For years, these dishes served as the ultimate entry point into the rich world of K-Food. However, a major and delightful culinary shift is currently underway across global markets. International foodies, social media influencers, and dessert lovers are looking past heavy meals and turning their attention to a completely different side of Korean gastronomy: traditional sweets and heritage desserts. From the chewy textures of traditional rice cakes to the honey-glazed layers of ancient royal cookies, the sweet side of K-Culture is officially going global. Growing up in Korea, I thought of traditional sweets like yakgwa as something for holidays and family gatherings, so it is interesting to see them now appearing in trendy cafés and overseas stores. Table of Contents 1. Beyond K-BBQ: The Rise of...

K-Beauty has become highly visible in the United States, but export headlines need careful reading. A global export total, a U.S. import total, retail sales and a brand’s online revenue are four different measurements. Separating them helps investors and consumers understand what the available data can—and cannot—show. Korean skincare is so ordinary in Korea that it is easy to forget how new it still is for many shoppers in the U.S., which is why the export numbers caught my attention. Table of Contents 1. What the U.S. import data actually shows According to data compiled from the U.S. International Trade Commission, the United States imported about $1.7 billion of South Korean cosmetics in 2024, up roughly 54% from the previous year. Korea also moved ahead of France as the leading cosmetics supplier to the U.S. market by import value that year. This is strong evidence of momentum, but it is not the same as $7 billion in U.S. sales. Import value is measured at the borde...