Korean Cuisine Sweeps the Globe: Locals Now Struggle to Afford Their Own Staples

In South Korea, "kim" (dried seaweed) - a daily staple as essential as bread - is rapidly becoming a luxury item. The primary driver behind this shift is the global phenomenon of Korean dramas and music, reports the BBC.

As global demand skyrockets, South Korea has ramped up exports, pushing domestic prices to record-breaking levels.
In 2025, South Korea’s seaweed exports surpassed $1.13 billion for the first time. This surge in international demand has caused prices in the domestic market to soar:

• Previously, a single sheet of kim cost approximately 100 won (~36 tenge); it has now risen above 150 won (~54 tenge).
• Prices for premium products have reached as high as 350 won (~126 tenge).

The price hike is largely attributed to foreign consumers - influenced by K-pop and K-dramas - who have begun consuming kim en masse as a "healthy chip" alternative. For instance, in the United States, kimbap became a viral trend at the Trader Joe’s grocery chain, with stock selling out instantly across the country.

In response, the South Korean government is taking steps to stabilize prices. Major companies like Pulmuone are planning to build specialized research centers to enable year-round harvesting. Once a point of national pride, "kim" now risks becoming an inaccessible delicacy for the very people who created it.