•  
  •  
 

Abstract

In recent years, the popularity of Korean cuisine has experienced a significant increase, in parallel with the growing influence of the Korean Wave (hallyu) across various countries. Beyond this cultural phenomenon, Korean diaspora communities have also played a crucial role in promoting Korean cuisine on a global scale. This study aims to analyze the representation of Korean-American diaspora identity through a case study of culinary presentation innovations by chef Edward Lee in the reality show Culinary Class Wars. The research adopts a descriptive qualitative method. The findings indicate that Edward Lee’s diasporic identity is represented through the fusion cuisine he presents, as reflected in his choice of ingredients, presentation style, and the personal narratives that accompany his dishes. Lee embraces both cultural backgrounds and incorporates them as integral components of his identity. This representation also serves as part of the broader strategy of Korean cultural globalization, utilizing global media platforms such as Netflix to convey Korean culture to a worldwide audience through the figure of the diaspora.

References

Kim, E. J., & Kim, H. M. (2024). Culinary Class Wars [Serial Televisi]. Netflix.https://www.netflix.com/title/81728365

Bae, Y. D. (2023). The Acculturation and Hybridity of Kazakhstan Koreans’ Diaspora Food - Focusing on The Case of Goryeo People in The Village of "Kkokkdala"-. Asian Comparative Folklore, 77, 119-162. 10.38078/ACF.2023.4.77.119

Baek, B. Y. (2024, October 9). ‘Culinary Class Wars’ fuels global K-content craze. The Korea Times. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20241009/culinary- class-wars-fuels-global-k-content-craze

Cheng, A. (2018). 1.5 Generation Korean Americans: consonant and vowel production of two late childhood arrivals. UC Berkeley PhonLab Annual Report, 14(1).

Chun, J. Y., & Neill, L. (2021). Understanding fusion Korean food: considerations of identity, creation and acceptance in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Food, Culture & Society, 26(2), 424–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528014.2021.2012319

Choi, J. H. (2025, April 6). Korean diaspora’s quiet contribution to nation's global reputation. The Korea Herald. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10421364

Hall, S. (Ed.). (1997). Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices (Vol. 2). Sage.

Harris, A. (2024, November 5). Celeb Chef Edward Lee talks travel, bourbon, and his latest cooking gig on Netflix. FWT Magazine. https://fwtmagazine.com/chef-edward-lee-talks-travel-bourbon-and-karaoke/

Hwang, D. H. (2025, January 20). Edward Lee reflects on his culinary journey from Netflix show to reconnecting with Korea. The Korea Herald. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10402250

Hong, A. (2021). Korean Fusion: Consuming a Globalized Korea Through Food and Music. Honors Theses. 566. https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/honors_theses/566

Jeong, E. B. (2024, October 12). TUNA “BIBIMBAP” from Culinary Class Wars. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmPg_bUuG9s

Karaaslan, G. (2022). K is for Korean: Manifestations of Culinary Identity and Masculinity in Contemporary Korean American Chef Memoirs. Journal of American Studies of Turkey, (56), 91-116.

Khara, N. K. (2020). Diaspora and foreign policy: A global perspective. International Journal of Political Science, 6(4), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.20431/2454-9452.0604002

Kim, J. (2024, November 2). Chef Edward Lee reflects on “culinary class wars”, identity and his next chapter. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/11/02/nx-s1-5161502/chef-edward-lee- culinary-class-wars-restaurant

Kim, E. J., Kim, S. Y., & Kim, M. G. (2024, October 16). Exclusive: “After 'Culinary Class Wars,' I realized Korean food is ready to go global”. The Chosun Daily. https://www.chosun.com/english/people- en/2024/10/16/O2RCXFI4XFGX3HENESTLM7QFCU/

Ko, D. H. (2025, March 20). From K-pop to kimchi: How Korean cuisine is conquering the world. The Korea Times. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/travel-food/20250320/from-k- pop-to-kimchi-how-korean-cuisine-is-conquering-the-world

Lee, E. (n.d.). Restaurants archive. Chef Edward Lee. https://chefedwardlee.com/restaurants/ Lee, K. (2003). Korean traditional culture. Jimoondang.

Marriott Bonvoy. (2023, September 9). StoryBooked | Soul Food with Ed Lee. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xghonlPB0kE

Mintz, S. (2008). Food and Diaspora. Food, Culture & Society, 11(4), 509–523. https://remote- lib.ui.ac.id:2075/10.2752/175174408X389157

Netflix K-Content. (2023, Dec 29). Finals: Edward Lee vs. Napoli Matfia | Culinary Class Wars | Netflix [ENG SUB]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr0BV0lvIh4

Oum, Y. R. (2005). Authenticity and Representation: Cuisines and Identities in Korean-American Diaspora. Postcolonial Studies, 8(1), 109–125. https://remote- lib.ui.ac.id:2075/10.1080/13688790500134380

Parveen, R. (2016). Food to Remember: Culinary Practice and Diasporic Identity. Oral History, 44(1), 47–56. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24892958

Pyo, K. M. (2025, January 20). Star chef Edward Lee's quest for heritage, history, taste of Korea. The Korea Times. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/travel-food/20250120/culinary-class-wars-star-chef-edward-lees-quest-for-heritage-history-taste-of-korea

Ritzer, G. (2011). Globalization: The Essentials. Wiley-Blackwell.

Seo, J. M. (2024, November 6). 'Culinary Class Wars' producing duo reflect on crafting theultimate cooking competition. Korea JoongAng Daily. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-11-06/culture/foodTravel/Culinary- Class-Wars-producing-duo-reflect-on-crafting-the-ultimate-cooking-competition/2171656

SLL. (n.d.). About us. https://www.sll.co.kr/en/about/about-us

Sugiyono. (2013). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, dan R&D. Alfabeta.

Williams, P., & Chrisman, L. (1993). Colonial discourse and post-colonial theory: An introduction. Colonial discourse and post-colonial theory (pp. 1-20). Routledge.

Yoo, T. Y., & Cha, S. S. (2024). Culinary Narratives on the Global Stage: Analyzing K-Food’s Cultural Capital through Netflix’s ’Black and White Chef. The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence, 10(6), 9–15. https://doi.org/10.13106/KJFHC.2024.VOL10.NO6.9

Yoon, I. J. (1997). A COHORT ANALYSIS OF KOREAN IMMIGRANTS’ CLASS BACKGROUNDS AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS IN THE UNITED

STATES. Korea Journal of Population and Development, 26(1), 61–81. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43783494

Bahasa Abstract

Dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, popularitas kuliner Korea mengalami peningkatan signifikan seiring dengan meluasnya pengaruh gelombang Korea (hallyu) di berbagai negara. Di luar pengaruh tersebut, komunitas diaspora Korea juga berperan penting dalam memperkenalkan kuliner Korea secara global. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis representasi identitas diaspora Korea-Amerika melalui studi kasus inovasi penyajian kuliner oleh juru masak Edward Lee dalam acara realitas Culinary Class Wars. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa identitas diaspora Edward Lee direpresentasikan melalui masakan fusion yang dihadirkan, baik dari segi pemilihan bahan, penyajian, maupun narasi personal yang menyertainya. Lee menerima kedua budaya tersebut dan menjadikannya sebagai bagian yang membentuk identitasnya. Representasi ini juga menjadi bagian dari strategi globalisasi budaya Korea dengan memanfaatkan media global seperti Netflix untuk menyampaikan budaya Korea melalui figur diaspora kepada audiens global.

Download

Share

COinS