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- About 450 Participants Attend University of Toronto Speech Contest
- O'food Provides K-Food Products to Promote Korean Language and Culture
SEOUL, South Korea, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A Korean speech contest held at the University of Toronto on the 14th drew about 450 participants, with Daesang's global K-food brand O'food sponsoring the event and providing products including kimchi ramyun, seaweed, and gochujang.
The 2026 Korean Speech Contest, marking its 20th anniversary this year, was held at the Earth Sciences Centre at the University of Toronto. The event drew about 450 participants, including roughly 300 contestants who advanced through preliminary rounds across four divisions, including high school and university categories.
The contest was jointly organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Toronto, the Korean Education Centre in Canada, the Centre for the Study of Korea, and the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto.
O'food sponsored a variety of K-Food products for the event, allowing participants and visitors to experience Korean food culture firsthand. The sponsored products included O'food Kimchi Ramyun, Chung Jung One Olive Oil Seasoned Seaweed, O'food Gochujang, and Gochujang for Tteokbokki.
In particular, O'food Kimchi Ramyun, launched in October last year, stands out for using fresh kimchi from Korea's leading kimchi brand Jongga instead of the freeze-dried powders or flakes commonly used in conventional ramyun. This approach delivers a crunchy texture and deep fermented flavor. The product lineup includes two varieties: 'Real Kimchi Ramyun Noodle Soup', featuring a spicy soup base, and 'Real Fiery Kimchi Stir-fried Ramyun', a stir-fried noodle version made with gochujang. Both products are currently available at major retailers in Canada, including Costco and Loblaws.
Daesang stated that the sponsorship was part of its global brand initiatives aimed at expanding engagement with North American Gen Z consumers as interest in Korean culture continues to grow worldwide. By supporting an educational event where students studying Korean gather, the company aims to help participants naturally experience Korean food culture, foster a positive perception of Korea, and introduce the appeal of K-Food.
Seungin Jung, Head of Global Discovery Business Organization at Daesang, said, "As interest in the Korean language and K-culture continues to grow, it is meaningful to be part of an event that brings together students who are learning Korean. We will continue to promote the appeal of K-Food and introduce Korean food culture to the world through partnerships with various global cultural and educational programs."
Meanwhile, Daesang also supported ramyun products for another campus event at the University of Toronto on the 6th, continuing to expand engagement with young consumers through activities at major Canadian universities. The company is also conducting outdoor advertising and digital marketing campaigns locally and plans to expand sampling and experiential marketing at major retailers and university communities to strengthen the presence of K-Food brands in Canada.
About Daesang Corporation
Founded in 1956, Daesang Corporation is one of the world's largest producers of fermented food products, with decades of expertise in food manufacturing. The company has grown into a leading global Korean food company through internationally recognized brands such as Jongga and O'food, offering a broad product portfolio that includes Kimchi, sauces, ready-to-eat meals, and more. Headquartered in South Korea, Daesang operates manufacturing subsidiaries in the United States, Poland, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. For more information, visit www.daesang.com/en.
About O'food
O'food is a global Korean food brand serving up creative experiences and fresh inspiration, making Korean cuisine easy to enjoy anytime, anywhere. With its Korean Twist, O'food is winning hearts and taste buds all around the world while reimagining Korean food for today's consumers. With a diverse portfolio spanning sauces, seaweed, and ready-to-eat meals, O'food exports its products to more than 80 countries, expanding everyday access to K-food for consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.ofoodglobal.com/
- About 450 Participants Attend University of Toronto Speech Contest
- O'food Provides K-Food Products to Promote Korean Language and Culture
SEOUL, South Korea, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A Korean speech contest held at the University of Toronto on the 14th drew about 450 participants, with Daesang's global K-food brand O'food sponsoring the event and providing products including kimchi ramyun, seaweed, and gochujang.
The 2026 Korean Speech Contest, marking its 20th anniversary this year, was held at the Earth Sciences Centre at the University of Toronto. The event drew about 450 participants, including roughly 300 contestants who advanced through preliminary rounds across four divisions, including high school and university categories.
The contest was jointly organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Toronto, the Korean Education Centre in Canada, the Centre for the Study of Korea, and the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto.
O'food sponsored a variety of K-Food products for the event, allowing participants and visitors to experience Korean food culture firsthand. The sponsored products included O'food Kimchi Ramyun, Chung Jung One Olive Oil Seasoned Seaweed, O'food Gochujang, and Gochujang for Tteokbokki.
In particular, O'food Kimchi Ramyun, launched in October last year, stands out for using fresh kimchi from Korea's leading kimchi brand Jongga instead of the freeze-dried powders or flakes commonly used in conventional ramyun. This approach delivers a crunchy texture and deep fermented flavor. The product lineup includes two varieties: 'Real Kimchi Ramyun Noodle Soup', featuring a spicy soup base, and 'Real Fiery Kimchi Stir-fried Ramyun', a stir-fried noodle version made with gochujang. Both products are currently available at major retailers in Canada, including Costco and Loblaws.
Daesang stated that the sponsorship was part of its global brand initiatives aimed at expanding engagement with North American Gen Z consumers as interest in Korean culture continues to grow worldwide. By supporting an educational event where students studying Korean gather, the company aims to help participants naturally experience Korean food culture, foster a positive perception of Korea, and introduce the appeal of K-Food.
Seungin Jung, Head of Global Discovery Business Organization at Daesang, said, "As interest in the Korean language and K-culture continues to grow, it is meaningful to be part of an event that brings together students who are learning Korean. We will continue to promote the appeal of K-Food and introduce Korean food culture to the world through partnerships with various global cultural and educational programs."
Meanwhile, Daesang also supported ramyun products for another campus event at the University of Toronto on the 6th, continuing to expand engagement with young consumers through activities at major Canadian universities. The company is also conducting outdoor advertising and digital marketing campaigns locally and plans to expand sampling and experiential marketing at major retailers and university communities to strengthen the presence of K-Food brands in Canada.
About Daesang Corporation
Founded in 1956, Daesang Corporation is one of the world's largest producers of fermented food products, with decades of expertise in food manufacturing. The company has grown into a leading global Korean food company through internationally recognized brands such as Jongga and O'food, offering a broad product portfolio that includes Kimchi, sauces, ready-to-eat meals, and more. Headquartered in South Korea, Daesang operates manufacturing subsidiaries in the United States, Poland, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. For more information, visit www.daesang.com/en.
About O'food
O'food is a global Korean food brand serving up creative experiences and fresh inspiration, making Korean cuisine easy to enjoy anytime, anywhere. With its Korean Twist, O'food is winning hearts and taste buds all around the world while reimagining Korean food for today's consumers. With a diverse portfolio spanning sauces, seaweed, and ready-to-eat meals, O'food exports its products to more than 80 countries, expanding everyday access to K-food for consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.ofoodglobal.com/
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
O'food Sponsors Korean Speech Contest at University of Toronto
SINGAPORE, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At ITB Berlin 2026, the Visit Maldives pavilion quickly stood out, drawing visitors with a distinctive two-storey design inspired by the experience of setting sail toward the island destination.
The pavilion was designed and built by Singapore-based Leon Exhibition Pte. Ltd., delivered through a turnkey design-and-build approach covering concept development, fabrication, and on-site construction in Berlin. The pavilion spans 504 square metres on the ground level and 231 square metres on the upper level, combining immersive destination branding with a functional business environment for tourism partners and international travel buyers attending one of the world's largest travel trade shows.
The ground level serves as the main networking hub, featuring 54 B2B meeting tables where exhibitors can engage with international travel buyers throughout the event. Several private meeting rooms are also located on this level, providing a more comfortable and discreet space for resorts and tourism brands to host important clients.
The upper level functions as a VIP business area designed for meetings with key partners and industry guests. The open layout, together with curved structural elements, creates a visually distinctive environment while maintaining practical meeting spaces for exhibitors.
The project was led by Shuhui Mai, second-generation leader of Leon Exhibition, as the company continues to expand its portfolio of international pavilion and destination marketing projects. Mai noted that working with tourism and retail brands often allows greater creative freedom compared with more traditional corporate exhibition spaces.
"We enjoy these projects because the designs can be more playful, colourful, and experiential. It gives us the opportunity to create something memorable," she said.
For the Visit Maldives pavilion, Leon Exhibition developed a concept inspired by a luxury cruise vessel, inviting visitors to step into the pavilion as if boarding a ship bound for the Maldives.
"Our goal is to translate the destination story into a physical space," Mai explained. "When visitors walk in, the design itself becomes a conversation starter, naturally leading to discussions about the Maldives and what it has to offer."
Beyond the design, the pavilion also required strict safety and regulatory approvals. In Singapore, the structure was reviewed by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), while German engineers conducted detailed structural evaluations and on-site inspections in Berlin. The static calculation documentation alone exceeded 200 pages, ensuring the temporary structure met stringent safety requirements.
Additional structural supports were added where necessary during installation, allowing the pavilion to be cleared for safe use throughout the exhibition.
At major international trade shows, a distinctive pavilion design can play an important role in attracting visitors and creating lasting impressions. During ITB Berlin, the Visit Maldives pavilion drew strong attention from attendees and industry professionals, standing out from more conventional exhibition stands.
For Leon Exhibition, the project also served as a showcase of the company's ability to deliver large-scale experiential environments that combine creative spatial storytelling with precise technical execution. From concept development to on-site construction, the pavilion demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform a temporary exhibition space into both an engaging destination experience and an effective platform for international tourism partnerships.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Singapore-Based Leon Exhibition Designs Visit Maldives Pavilion at ITB Berlin
