Defector Turned Culinary King: How One Man’s Secret TV Habit Fueled His Rise to North Korean Cuisine Stardom
Lee Soon-sil’s Surprising Confession: Watching South Korean Broadcasts in the North Korean Army
Lee Soon-sil’s Journey from North Korea to South Korea
Lee Soon-sil, a North Korean cuisine expert, has achieved annual sales of 10 billion in the 18 years since defecting from North Korea. She recently appeared on the KBS2 variety show “The Boss’s Ears Are Donkey Ears” and shared her story.
During the show, Lee Soon-sil visited the production factory, where she was reminded of her time in the North Korean army. She shared that she used to listen to South Korean radio broadcasts, which sparked her curiosity about life in South Korea.
Lee Soon-sil also shared that she watched the popular South Korean drama “Dae Jang Geum” while in North Korea. She and her friends would take turns watching parts 1, 2, 3, and 4, as they couldn’t afford to buy the CDs. Her story brought laughter to the audience.
Lee Soon-sil’s Thoughts on Life in South Korea
When asked if life in South Korea was better than she imagined, Lee Soon-sil replied, “When we were studying, we said that South Korea was a capitalist country that was rotten and sick like a dog. I didn’t expect this world to be so happy.”
Her confession highlights the stark contrast between her expectations and the reality of life in South Korea. Lee Soon-sil’s story serves as a reminder of the power of media and the importance of understanding different cultures.