Update | A new Korean wave: instant coffee mixes, as featured in K-dramas Moving, Vincenzo and My Mister, get a shot in the arm from global TV exposure
- Song Joong-ki’s consigliere character in K-drama Vincenzo falls in love with Korean instant coffee; IU’s character in My Mister needs some after a hard day
- 3-in-1 coffee mixes remain popular in Korea long after fresh-brewed coffee became trendy, and have found new fans abroad after their exposure in K-drama series
In the latest hit Disney+ series Moving, instant coffee has a recurring role.
It was a task that his assistant, Miss Kim, always seemed to fumble – until Lee, with her astute hearing, finds out about Min’s sweet tooth; she advises Miss Kim to add three tablespoons of sugar to two tablespoons of coffee powder and two tablespoons of creamer to satisfy his taste buds.
The practice of reaching into separate jars of coffee powder, creamer and sugar to make a cup of joe was common until the three-in-one coffee mix – the ingredients conveniently pre-mixed in a sachet – became ubiquitous in the late 90s.
Coffee mixes have featured in several Korean dramas. My Mister (2018) shows singer-actress Lee Ji-eun (better known as IU) having a cup of instant coffee – made using two whole sticks – after a hard day.
