As Korean-born Bonyub Koo’s relationship with his Mexican-American wife, Mirella Vargas, deepened, he couldn’t help but notice the similarities between their cultures.
She introduced him to caldo de res, a traditional Mexican beef and vegetable soup. He couldn’t help but compare it to soegogi-muguk, a beef and radish soup popular in Korean cuisine.
“Mexican and Koreans are similar in so many ways,” Koo said. “Taste wise, Mexican food is super similar to Korean food. There’s so many similar flows.”
Koo has amassed a following of foodies across the world through his Instagram page Seoulmanincali, where he samples Korean eats, Mexican favorites and everything in between. And through influence from his wife and her family, Koo said he sees many similarities between the cultures.
But in a few days, one global sporting event may put them at odds.
Mexico and South Korea will face off on June 18th during the FIFA World Cup at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, leaving Vargas and Koo to root for the opposing teams.
Vargas and Koo weren’t able to secure tickets to the historic match, but were invited to a watch party at a block party at Seoul International Park in Koreatown that day.
The event was organized by the Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation, one of five local organizations hosting watch parties during the World Cup. Executive Director Hanna K. Yoon said Vargas and Koo were part of LAKFF’s social and influencer team last year and that the couple would energize the community.
“They’re such kindhearted people. We love their posts and content and so when Korea versus Mexico was announced, we figured, ‘Why not talk with them,” Yoon said.
Recalling past World Cups, Yoon said, traditionally, Koreatown turns into a “sea of red every four years” as fans don their Korean national team jerseys.
“It’s something good for the community to come together, even just for a few hours,” Yoon said.
“They invited us to be special guests and we’ll be speaking there and watching the game there,” Vargas said. “I wish we could’ve gone to the game, that would’ve been crazy. I heard tickets were hard to get.”
Koo said he anticipates watching the game, especially as notable players like Son Heung-min, a captain for the Korean national team and a star player for LAFC. He’s energized fans across the US and made his Major League Soccer debut in August .
“Son has suddenly become a face of LA soccer,” Koo said, adding that Son’s impact couldn’t be denied in his home country. In 2002, Korea’s fiery 5-game winning streak launched them to the semifinals, a feat Koo hopes he’ll get to see repeated.
“I’ve always loved FIFA, the World Cup, Olympics and anything else on the world stage,” Vargas said. Usually, Vargas roots for Mexican and USA national teams, she said.
But both Koo and Vargas hope that either of the teams make it to the next round.
The couple, who now reside in Koreatown, have been together for almost seven years. They said they appreciate the neighborhood where Asian-American and Latin-American cultures meet, as it’s a reflection of their love.
They’ve bonded over introducing each other to meals they grew up with in their respective Mexican and Korean households. And the cultural overlaps don’t stop there, they both split their time shopping for groceries at Northgate Market and H-Mart for snacks from around the world.
“We care a lot about family and also about our community. We think the same and care about others and are very empathetic emotionally in tune with one another. That’s what connected us in the beginning,” Vargas said.
The beginning that Vargas describes is marked by fate and chance, brought closer by a mutual appreciation for culture, food and family.
While on separate vacations to LA in 2019, the pair chose to meet at a bar. At Echo Park’s Shortstop, the couple learned they actually lived a short bus ride from one another back in Seoul. The more they talked, the more they realized they had in common.
The rest became history.
“We actually got married 50 days after dating,” Vargas said.
“49 days, I think,” Koo specified through laughter.
