This research investigated the relationship among Korean Wave Cultural Contents consumption of Korean food, Korean products, and Learning of the Korean language. The survey targeted non-Koreans who were either interested in or experienced Korean Wave Cultural Contents. Exactly 61.3% of subjects had traveled to Korea. The most common method of experiencing the Korean Wave was via the Internet (57.7%), followed by TV (21.1%) and Mobile (7.7%). The most popular Korean Wave Contents were K-pop (35.2%) and TV Dramas (31.0%). Movies were preferred in the Americas (3.63±0.83) and Asia (3.63±1.09), whereas K-pop was preferred in Asia (3.68±1.12) and games preferred in Europe (2.50±1.56). Regarding Korean food, most participants had tasted Kimchi (81.7%), followed by Bulgogi (74.6%), Bibimbap (66.9%), and Galbi (66.2%). According to the country-by-country survey, in the case of Galbi (p<0.05), Bibimbap (p<0.05), and Bulgogi (p<0.05), Asians had more experiences with Korean food compared to those from other regions. Meanwhile, in the case of satisfaction of Korean food, Bulgogi (4.22±1.05) was ranked highest, whereas Kimchi (3.85±1.15) was ranked lowest. According to the region-by-region survey, those from Oceania and other regions preferred Kimchi (4.25±0.71) and Bulgogi (4.50±4.50) while the Americas preferred Galbi (4.82±0.39) and Bibimbap (4.54±0.81). Bulgogi (2.76±0.06) was highly ranked as a representative Korean Food while Kimchi (2.44±0.71) was ranked the lowest. This research explained that among Korean Wave Cultural Contents, movies and music positively influenced on the ‘Image of Korea’, movies and K-pop effected ‘Purchasing intention of Korean products’, and TV Dramas, movies, and K-pop effected ‘Purchasing intention of Korean Food’.

This study evaluated the effects of different levels of malt extract on the hardness, moisture, water soluble starch (WSS) contents, and in vitro starch digestibility (IVSD) of Jeungpyun during storage at room temperature (25±1℃) and refrigeration temperature (4±1℃). Resistant starch (RS) and soluble starch (non-RS) contents were also evaluated. During storage at both temperatures, hardness increased in Jeungpyuns with the malt extract-added Jeungpyun groups (malt-added Jeungpyuns) exhibiting lower hardness than the control. The rate of retrogradation was faster upon storage at refrigeration temperature. Moisture and WSS contents as well as IVSD of Jeungpyuns decreased, whereas these levels were higher in malt-added Jeungpyuns compared to control. Storage increased RS contents in Jeungpyuns stored for up to 4 days, particularly at 4℃, whereas there was a decrease in RS content after 7 days of storage. However, RS content was lower in malt-added Jeungpyuns compared to control. Soluble starch (SS) contents of Jeungpyuns decreased. However, SS content was higher in malt-added Jeungpyuns than that of control. The reduced hardness and RS content as well as the rate of increase in other parameters of malt-added Jeungpyuns were dependent on the concentration of malt extract. These results reveal that addition of malt extract delayed retrogradation of Jeungpyun, whereas retrogradation possibly increased the content of RS during storage at both temperatures, however, that of RS decreased with increasing level of malt extract, suggesting that the level of malt extract as well as the storage conditions are important for obtaining acceptable texture and retaining the RS content of Jeungpyun, which is known to possess physiological activity.

This study examined the understanding and use of information on nutrition labels based on one serving size among female consumers above the age of 20 in Seoul area. According to the survey, 69.9% of respondents were aware of the current system of nutrition labeling based on one serving size, and 51.8% of the respondents expressed their dissatisfaction with the system because the nutrition labels were difficult to understand or appeared unreliable. The nutrition label literacy of the consumers varied with respect to different packaging units. The respondents were likely to be less accurate in calculating the expected caloric intake when only portions of a multi-serving package were used. Initially 69.0% of respondents reported that they had read the nutrition label before purchasing a product but 91.9% of respondents said that they would check the label after learning how to read the label properly. It is very important to make consumers aware that the labels are very reliable sources of nutrition information. A public education campaign on the use of nutrition labels should focus on developing the consumers' ability and skills in using the label information when choosing foods.