Korean Architect Becomes Social Media Culinary Star in Israel
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Korean architect Yong Park and his Israeli wife Zlata have become popular social media stars in Israel, teaching Korean cuisine and sharing their life. Their TikTok and Instagram accounts have amassed millions of views and followers within 18 months. Yong, who moved to Israel to be with Zlata, has also begun acting and is pursuing a career in content creation. The couple, who married in June 2025, manage their online business and plan to start a family.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Korean architect Yong Park and his Israeli wife Zlata are social media stars teaching Korean cooking in Israel.
- Their TikTok and Instagram accounts have gained millions of views and hundreds of thousands of followers.
- Yong Park moved to Israel to be with Zlata, and they married in June 2025.
- He has also begun acting in the children's series "Mefunim" on Nickelodeon.
- The couple earns income from advertising deals with Israeli companies.
- They plan to expand their content and start a family.
Yong Park, a Korean architect living in Israel, has become an internet sensation through his popular TikTok and Instagram accounts, where he shares his experiences in Israel and teaches Israeli viewers how to cook Korean dishes. Initially gaining traction by reviewing Israeli food from his unique perspective, his popularity surged when he began posting Korean recipes. His content, often featuring his Israeli wife, Zlata, has garnered hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of views in just 18 months. One of his most successful videos, teaching how to make a Korean sausage with vegetables, achieved 1.3 million views, while a video of him trying halva garnered over a million views.
Yong, 34, who studied architecture and served in the Korean army, moved to Israel to be with Zlata, 33, whom he met on Instagram. Zlata, originally from Ashkelon, left her job at the Tax Authority to manage their burgeoning social media career, which has led to advertising collaborations. Their relationship began after Zlata became interested in Korean culture following the series "Squid Game." Despite initial long-distance challenges, including Yong's visits every few months, they eventually decided Yong would live in Israel. Zlata's visit to South Korea in October 2023 was overshadowed by the outbreak of war in Israel, causing her significant distress.
Yong received his residency permit in January 2025, and he and Zlata married in Ashkelon on June 5, 2025, shortly before the first war with Iran. Yong has also ventured into acting, landing a role as a chef in the children's series "Mefunim" on Nickelodeon. He initially planned to open a Korean restaurant in Israel but pivoted to content creation due to the war. Yong finds Israel expensive but appreciates the warmth of its people, contrasting it with what he perceives as a more reserved Korean culture. He notes cultural differences, particularly regarding queuing and bureaucratic efficiency, but emphasizes the strength of his bond with Zlata and her family.
The couple faces some societal pushback due to Yong not being Jewish, with comments about assimilation, but they are undeterred, focusing on their love and the positive support from their followers. Their social media success provides a substantial income through advertising deals with various Israeli companies. Zlata manages the business aspects, including negotiations and contracts, while they plan to expand into travel content. They express a desire to start a family after their upcoming trip to South Korea.