Samyang Foods chair Kim Jung-soo: 'Taking the first step is how direction is made'

Kim Jung-soo, chair of Samyang Foods and the driving force behind the global Buldak ramyun craze, sat down with young entrepreneurs Wednesday to share ramyun and talk about challenge and growth.

The Korea Enterprises Federation hosted the fifth edition of its "Gatssaeng Hankki" youth mentorship lunch program at Samyang Round Square Building, with Kim joining 15 young participants including startup founders.

Modeled on the concept of a "Korean lunch with Buffett," Gatssaeng Hankki is a Korea Enterprises Federation program that brings young people together with business leaders they admire to exchange ideas and gain insight on life and career direction.

Kim delivered a talk on the theme of "creating change through challenge." During the lunch session, participants cooked and shared ramyun together — including Buldak Bokkeummyeon — as they conversed with Kim.

Kim said the courage to act before feeling fully ready matters more than waiting for perfect conditions, even amid an uncertain future. "Looking back, there was never a moment when I waited until I felt prepared," he said. "Direction doesn't reveal itself to those who stand still — it gradually shows itself only to those who keep moving." He added that "taking the first step is the beginning of forging your own direction."

Kim walked participants through the Buldak brand's global growth, advising that building a "sauce" — a core value and identity unique to oneself — comes first, and that sustaining growth requires a willingness to keep changing and challenging oneself even after success. On what made Buldak Bokkeummyeon competitive in world markets, he said, "Understanding cultural differences while strengthening the product's fundamental competitiveness is the key to global success."