Korean Architect Yong Park Becomes Israeli TikTok Star
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Korean architect Yong Park has become a popular TikTok star in Israel, known for his videos about life in the country and his cooking tutorials. Managed by his Israeli wife Zlata, their content has gained millions of views and led to lucrative brand partnerships. The couple, who married in June, recently celebrated Yong receiving Israeli residency and his casting in a new TV series.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Korean architect Yong Park has become a major TikTok star in Israel.
- His content focuses on his experiences in Israel and Korean cooking tutorials.
- His wife, Zlata, manages his social media career and brand collaborations.
- Yong recently obtained Israeli residency and will appear in a children's TV series.
- The couple married in Ashkelon in June and are active on social media.
Yong Park, a Korean architect living in Israel, has become a social media sensation on TikTok, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of views within a year and a half. His content primarily features his amusing perspective on life in Israel, with a particular focus on local cuisine. His popularity surged when he began sharing videos teaching viewers how to prepare Korean dishes like kimchi, gimbap, tteokbokki, and Korean fried chicken. When reviewing Israeli food, Yong tends to offer positive feedback, rating dishes from "very good" to "so-so," which he pronounces as "kaka kaka."
His TikTok account is managed by his Israeli wife, Zlata, from their home in Ashkelon. The couple initially posted videos about their life together as an intercultural couple, which garnered significant interest. A video of Yong trying shawarma went viral, exceeding one million views and surprising them with its reach. Zlata left her job at the Income Tax Authority in Ashkelon to manage Yong's burgeoning online career, which now includes brand collaborations and significant income per video.
Yong, 34, originally from South Korea, studied architecture and worked as an architect and interior designer before moving to Israel to be with Zlata, 33. Zlata, who grew up in Ashkelon, worked for the Income Tax Authority before dedicating herself to managing Yong's TikTok. The couple met on Instagram after Zlata became interested in Korean culture following "Squid Game," and Yong was exploring Israeli culture. Despite initial long-distance challenges and cultural differences, they married in Ashkelon on June 5, shortly before the first conflict with Iran began. Yong recently secured Israeli residency and is set to appear in a new children's drama series on Nickelodeon called "Evacuees."
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