Chinese Ice Cream Gains Popularity in South Korea Amid Rising Prices

China's ice cream industry has seen a surge in demand recently as customers in South Korea turn to cheaper alternatives due to the rising cost of dairy products and ice cream brands in their country. In a recent post on Weibo, netizens have been discussing the growing popularity of Chinese ice cream in South Korea.

According to data shared in the post, the consumer price index for milk in South Korea reached its highest value in 14 years in 2022, and the price has remained high since then. As milk is the primary ingredient in ice cream, several Korean food companies have been forced to increase their prices for the frozen dessert.

The post states that with the rise in the cost of ice cream in South Korea, customers have been turning to the Chinese ice cream industry which offers a more affordable alternative. The tweet reads: "随着韩国冰淇淋变贵，中国冰淇淋凭借价格优势迅速。" (Along with the increase in Korean ice cream prices, Chinese ice cream is quickly gaining popularity with its price advantage.)

Netizens have been sharing their thoughts on the matter, with some predicting that Korean businesses may attempt to claim Chinese ice cream as their own in a similar fashion to their past cultural appropriation claims. One user writes, "过几天……韩国人:这是韩国冰激凌思密达！" (After a few days, Koreans will say, 'This is Korean ice cream.'), and another adds, "冰激凌韩国申遗警告！" (Warning: South Korea is preparing to file for the intangible cultural heritage status of ice cream.)

Other users have been sarcastically suggesting that perhaps it's time to export China's infamous "snowflake" ice cream to South Korea. One user writes, "把国内的雪糕刺客弄去……你看他们买么……" (Send China's 'snowflake' ice cream to Korea; let's see if they buy it.)

In response to the post, some people express concern about possible cultural theft, with one user stating, "韩国还有蜜雪冰城，留学生有福了哈哈哈，在海外也能吃到家乡的味道。" (South Korea also has MIXUE; international students can now enjoy their hometown's flavors.)

The topic of food and culinary culture has reemerged following recent controversies surrounding South Korea's alleged misappropriation of traditional Chinese dishes. The post has sparked discussions and memes on Weibo, with some users even comparing the ice cream situation to the recent "China's Famous Dishes" documentary.

As Chinese ice cream continues to gain popularity in South Korea due to its price advantage, the potential for cultural appropriation remains a concern for many netizens. It will be interesting to see how this situation evolves and what impact it may have on both the Chinese and South Korean ice cream industries in the future.