NGUYEN DANG HOANG PHUNG
Dept. of Communication Graduate SchooL, Dong-A University Busan, Korea
The Influence of K-Food Consumption Experience as a Form of Symbolic Consumption Culture on Vietnamese Consumers’ Korean Cultural Acceptance: Focusing o...
NGUYEN DANG HOANG PHUNG
Dept. of Communication Graduate SchooL, Dong-A University Busan, Korea
The Influence of K-Food Consumption Experience as a Form of Symbolic Consumption Culture on Vietnamese Consumers’ Korean Cultural Acceptance: Focusing on the Moderating Effect of Social Media Sharing Activities
Dietary practices are among the most fundamental and longstanding human needs,closely intertwined with human existence and social development.Over time,food consumption has evolved beyond a mere biological necessity into a cultural and social practice that reflects community identity,traditions,and symbolic meanings.In particular,in an era of rapid globalization and digitalization,food plays a significant role as a medium of cultural exchange,while food-related values and symbols are disseminated through consumers’social networking service (SNS) activities.From the perspective of symbolic consumption culture,this study aims to examine the effects of K-food consumption experiences on cultural acceptance among Vietnamese consumers, and to identify the mediating role of symbolic consumption as well as the moderating role of SNS sharing activities in this process. Along with the global spread of the Korean Wave,K-food has become a representative cultural icon of Korea,functioning as a symbolic mediator that goes beyond a simple culinary experience to promote understanding and acceptance of Korean culture,particularly among young Vietnamese consumers.Furthermore,the sharing of consumption experiences through SNS expands the social meaning of K-food consumption and serves as a key moderating factor in the process through which consumers accept foreign cultures. This study conducted a survey of approximately 300 Vietnamese consumers aged 20 to 40 who actively engage with the Korean Wave,and empirically analyzed the relationships among K-food consumption experiences,symbolic consumption, cultural acceptance, and SNS sharing activities. The findings are expected to contribute academically to research on food consumption culture in the global era and to discussions on cross-cultural acceptance by demonstrating that K-food functions not merely as food consumption but as a form of symbolic consumption and a platform for cultural exchange. Key words:symbolic consumption,K-food,cultural acceptance, social media sharing activities, Vietnamese consumers.