By Honorary Reporter Analecia Charles from Trinidad and Tobago

Photo = Analecia Charles, Korean Embassy in Port of Spain

Trinidad and Tobago set up diplomatic relations with Korea in 1985, but the last five to 10 years have seen Korean culture gain a rising foothold in the island country. Hallyu has grown quite popular there despite significantly lower availability to such content than in many other countries.

The two most popular aspects of Korean culture in Trinidad are undoubtedly K-pop and food. K-pop is popular mostly among preteens to young adults, and Korean cuisine's boom in recent years is thanks to viral food challenges on social media related to K-dramas such as "Squid Game."  

With the continued rise in Hallyu, where and how much of Korea can be found in Trinidad?
First, most such content is consumed virtually. The popularity and subsequent imports of the Korean Wave have led to small online businesses catering to this demand. They sell Korean skincare, music albums and snacks. Several retail stores carry Korean products as the latter's popularity has grown.

Many online businesses in Trinidad and Tobago sell Korean products amid the growth of Hallyu's popularity on the island nation.

For Korean food, Golden Bell is Trinidad's lone Hansik restaurant with four locations. Shabang Shabang is a bakery that sells popular Korean baked goods. Access to both of these places, however, is limited because of location, so many in Trinidad make Korean food at home using recipes easily available on the internet. Many Korean dishes require specific ingredients so select supermarkets and stores have starting stocking basic Korean ingredients in response to growing demand. Brands of ramyeon (instant noodles) like Buldak Ramen are also available at grocery stores. 

A growing number of grocery stores in Trinidad and Tobago offer ramyeon (instant noodles) and Korean ingredients.

The Korean language is also rising in prominence in Trinidad. The Centre of Language Learning at the University of the West Indies, the nation's largest institution of higher learning, began offering Korean in 2016. Interest surged so such that the number of applicants exceeded that of spots available. Korean Corner, set up at the center with the support of the Korean Embassy in Port of Spain, is an educational and cultural space where students and the public can immerse themselves in Korean culture.

Korean Corner is located within the University of the West Indies, the largest institution of higher learning in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad is likely to see more Korean restaurants and stores offering Korean grocery and K-pop stuff given Hallyu's ever-rising popularity.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.