Proceeding of The 1st International Conference on Economics, Business and Tourism

HALLYU AND THE IMPACT ON YOUNG CONSUMERS’

PREFERENCE FOR KOREAN RESTAURANTS IN VIETNAM

Nguyen Tran Nguyen Khai1

Tran Thi Thu Hang2

Abstract

Thanks to globalization, Korean cuisine and Korean popular culture are more and more widespread.
This study pursues an investigation of the influences of Korean popular culture on preference for
Korean restaurants through a country image of Korea. In addition, the study examines the influences
of Korean culture in terms of Korean celebrities, Korean television dramas, and Korean popular
music on an image of Korea. A quantitative approach is applied in this research.

This study is beneficial to Vietnamese restaurant operators and governments by providing the
information for developing strategies for expanding our ethnic restaurants into Vietnam markets and
formulating governmental and industrial policies for globalization of ethnic food and restaurant
industries.

Keywords: Hallyu, popular culture, country image, consumers’ preference and intention, ethnic
foods, Korean restaurants.

1
International University – Vietnam National University, HCMC – Email: ntnkhai@hcmiu.edu.vn
2
International University – Vietnam National University, HCMC

ICEBT - 2019 ISBN: 978-604-73-7056-6

 Proceeding of The 1st International Conference on Economics, Business and Tourism

1. Introduction

The Hallyu Wave (or 한류), which literally means a “flow of Korea”. It is global spreading of South

Korean culture from the 1990s (Ravina, 2009; Kim, 2007). It has become one of the most keywords
are mentioned daily across many countries. As the effect on the global consumption trends, there are
a huge number of previous papers have studied different aspects of this phenomenon. Thanks to the
globalization and the development of the Internet and mass media, the Hallyu has also spread to
Vietnam for more than two decades.

First, the Hallyu wave started in Vietnam from the 90s of the 20th century, the same time as the
classic works such as First love, Medical Brothers, and Winter Sonata attracted young people not
only in the context of romantic love but the tragic plot that moved a lot of audience to tears. Besides,
it is impossible to ignore films like Full House, Boys over Flowers, Secret Garden, City Hunter, The
Heirs, My Love from the Star, Reply 1997, Reply 1988, Descendants of the Sun, and Goblin
attracting young Vietnamese audiences on both traditional and modern topics, the relationship
between family generations, friendships or daily life relationships with a new, unique storyline
approach original. These films also show a deep sense of humanity and high education, touching the
soul of Vietnamese, especially of young people.

Moreover, Korean culture really exploded when K-pop appeared and penetrated the life of young
people. K-pop groups are also attached to memory of Vietnamese young people like TVXQ, Big
Bang, Super Junior, 2 PM, 2NE1, Girls' Generation, Wonder Girls, T-Ara, etc. or new singers and
groups like IU, EXO, PSY, BTS, Red Velvet, Twice, Black Pink. The different, unique lyrics, catchy
melodies, beautiful scene, dancing skills, and costumes in the music video originated in Korea,
which caused K-pop music phenomena to quickly spread and penetrate into the Vietnamese music
market. Vietnamese fans always belonged to the top number of followers on Korean groups’
Facebook fan page (Chi, P., 2010). Even now, Vietnam is still among the top countries with the

highest number of people watching K-pop MV on YouTube (글로벌, G. G, 2017). Cinema movies

and television dramas from Korean are always loved by Vietnamese people. Korean television
dramas also are top 10 foreign films watched by Vietnamese (Khosa, D., 2017). Additionally, more
than 50% market share of cinema theaters in Viet Nam also belongs to two Korean theaters – CGV
and Lotte. They won the heart of Vietnamese and stay at the top cinemas which are preferred mostly
(Asian Plus Inc., 2016).

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The above factors are the premise for the image of a beautiful Korea country with modern images
and traditional, cultural values. Vietnamese people not only embrace unique cultural identities from
Korea, but they also tend to enjoy real cultural experiences through tourism and cuisine of Korea
(also known as Hansik). Currently, Korean restaurants belong to one of the top three favorite
restaurants of Vietnamese people (Vietnam Market Research., 2015).

With the aim of understanding the aspects affecting Vietnamese consumers in forming a good
impression of Korea in general and Korean cuisine in particular, this study will lead to research if
those factors of Korean celebrity endorsement, K-dramas and K-pop significantly affect the country
image of Korea which results in the behavior intention of enjoying ethnic cuisine at Korean
restaurants in Vietnam.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Country of Origin (COO) Image and Destination Image

First, country-of-origin (COO) is "the picture, the reputation, and the stereotype that businessmen
and consumers attach to products of a specific country” (Nagashima, 1970).

Keller (1993) also suggested that the COO is one of the secondary associations that strengthen and
leverage a brand as well as its products and services. It is based on specific beliefs and evaluations
about products/services of brand (Erickson et al., 1984; Hong and Wyer, 1989). Although many
COO image studies have been conducted, the concept of COO in previous studies only covered
elements of a country image in manufacturing. In this study, researcher will delve into the country
image in terms of culture, society, and people. It is destination image formed by the process of
receiving information from multiple sources (Assael, 1984) such as cognitive factors (belief),
emotions (feeling) and conative factors (knowledge) about one place (Lawson and Baud-Bovy, 1977;
Crompton, 1979). Especially, some research found out three cues that also establish, reinforce, or
changing the image of a destination (Beerli, et al., 2004). First one is induced agents meaning
conventional and multimedia promotion by institutes, tour agency, wholesalers; or the promotion that
uses celebrities. Second one is autonomous agents, including news, documentaries, dramas,
television shows, and popular culture. The third is organic agents such as reference group consist of
people as friend, family, colleague who recommend the country/place depended on experience and
knowledge (Goodrich 1977; Gunn 1972; Human 1999; Hunt 1975; Iwashita 2003; MacKay and
Fesenmaier 1997, 2000; Reilly 1990; Young 1999; Gartner and Shen, 1992).

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2.2. Popular Culture

Popular culture is one of autonomous proxy that impacts the country image (Gartner, 1993). It
ranges from of forms of mass media which mean media products that reach a huge number of people
by mass communication methods such as films, radio programs, television shows/programs,
newspaper or social media sites’ articles, books, comic books, video, games, even billboard, sport
stadium, and so on. They are not only the source of entertainment for pleasant, joyful relaxation and
fantasy enjoyment but also the information source to update and understand of world in daily life
(Carey, 1988).

Currently, the essential part of extremely large number of representations and constructions of
destination image is noticeably determined by all forms of media. It has the power to affecting an
increasing in tourism which results from the inducement of movies, television programs or music
(Iwashita, 2003).

Nowadays, the culture principle formed into a social as well as behavioral enquiries and thoughts.
Cultural distinctness in the mind of individual which is also translated into unique perceptions of
destination attributes (Richardson and Crompton, 1988; MacKay and Fesenmaier, 2000).

2.3. Celebrity Endorsement and Destination Image

From the very first beginning, McCracken (1989) espoused the idea of celebrity endorsement is
“any individual who enjoys public recognition and who uses this recognition on behalf of a
consumer good by appearing with it in an advertisement.” Celebrity has an ability to affect customers
because customers usually admire and regard them as a believable source on series of issue (Atkin
and Block, 1983).

Although several scholars claimed that the celebrities could be well-known and broke through the
culture obstacles (Kaikati, 1987; Miciak and Shanklin, 1994). Others argued that celebrity endorser
just succeed as if they are meaningful to the norms and cultural values of consumers (McCracken,
1989). They also indicated the understanding meaning of celebrity endorsers to consumers beyond
culture boundaries is very essential (Paek, 2003).

As mentioned above, the destination image in an individual’s mind could be influenced by culture
factors (Baloglu and McCleary 1999, Gartner, 1993), it is important cues that might significantly
contribute to this research.

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H1: Korean celebrities positively influence on a county image of Korea.

There are some studies that researched about the model sources which enhance the communication
effectiveness of celebrity endorsers with consumers.

Firstly, the source of credibility refers to the ability to influence on the convincing degree of a
message (Ohanian, 1990; Pornpitakpan, 2003; Hovland and Weiss, 1951) defined the credibility
comprised of two factors: (1) expertise and (2) trustworthiness. Expertise refers to the knowledge,
skill, and experience of the celebrities; while, definition of trustworthiness is extent of believable,
honest and dependable of endorser.

 H1.1: Korean celebrities’ expertise positively influences on a county image of Korea.

 H1.2: Korean celebrities’ trustworthiness positively influences on a county image of Korea.

Secondly, source of attractiveness which known as perceived appeal of the endorsers or physical
attractiveness of an individual's initial judgment of another person (McGuire, 1985; Karmins, 1990;
Ohanian, 1991; Baker and Churchill, 1977; Kahle and Homer 1985).

 H1.3: Korean celebrities’ attractiveness positively influences on a county image of Korea.

Thirdly, Russell and Putu (1990) researched on the relationship between consumer and characters
appearing on television programs called connectedness. Then, Russell et al. (2004) defined
connectedness as “the level of intensity of the relationship(s) that a viewer develops with the
characters and contextual settings of a program in the para-social environment.”

 H1.4: Korean celebrities’ connectedness positively influences on a county image of Korea

Additionally, in 2017, Gupta et al. also add the source of popularity in the dimension of the celebrity
scale. It constitutes factors such as big fan following, good performance track record, likability of the
celebrity, non-controversial image of the celebrity and whether the celebrity is a role model for other.

 H1.5: Korean celebrities’ popularity positively influences on a county image of Korea

2.4. Films, Movies and Destination Image

A drama or movie is a motion picture as one type of visual media which impacts the audiences'
perception of what is trendy, appealing and attention-catching (Kim, 2007).

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Many previous researchers have found out the relationship between film image and destination
image. Kim and Richardson (2003) indicated that after exposure to the destination's image through
film, people would be induced to have a more favorable feeling to that place (or region) compared
with those who did not (Kim and Richardson, 2003). This result also supports some studies which
revealed the influences of the promotion of visual media on tourist's image (Gunn, 1972; Jenkins,
1999; Perry et al., 1976, Kim et al., 2008).

In addition, in the view of fact that mass media could develop an initial image as well as strengthen
the existed image in person's mind, TV programs performed as the powerful destination brand-
building tools (Crockett and Wood, 2003). Moreover, Bly (2004) also revealed

that TV series provided weekly reinforcements of a destination’s appeal.

H2: Korean dramas positively influence on a county image of Korea.

2.5. Music and Destination Image

Music is a crucial cultural industry as well as a theme through which places are known and
represented (Smith 1994; Kong 1995; Leyshon et al. 1995; Halfacree and Kitchen, 1996), providing
a new source of images and sounds for destination promotion.

Musical connections are useful to explore perceived local cultural differences or aesthetic sceneries.

Music continues to exist as a powerful vehicle in global communications media. Not only does
develop images, but it also induces the associations with place captured in lyrics, in connections
between singers, bands or whole scenes and certain destinations.

Kim et al. (2008) also indicated the influence of Korean pop music on destination image and tourism
intention in terms of “interest in realistic lyric lines” and “interest in culture and singers.”

H3: Korean popular music positively influences on a country image of Korea.

2.6. Destination Image and Consumer Behavior

Until now, many studies indicated that the distinguishing characteristics of image result in the direct
and indirect effect to the consumer behaviors in general (Leisen, 2001) and purchasing behavior, in
specific (Bian and Moutinho, 2011; Esch et al., 2006; Ray and Bruwer, 2007).

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More specifically, current researches on tourism also espoused that destination images establish
consumer attitude, preference and perception which lead to the straightforward consumption
intention (Beerli and Martin, 2004; Bigne et al., 2001; Castro et al., 2007; Chen and Tsai, 2007).
Moreover, there are also some researches on the relationship between regional image and the
intention relating foreign food choice. Several scholars indicated that the image of a destination
could become the lateral thought for foreign food evaluation (Wall and Heslop, 1986; Morris and
Hallaq, 1990; Schnettler et al., 2008; Lee et al., 2015).
H4: A Korean country image positively influences on consumers’ preference for Korean
restaurants.
Figure 1 shows the proposed structural model adapted from the research of Lee et al. (2015).

Korean Celebrities

Attractiveness

Expertise

Trustworthiness

Connectedness

Popularity H1
(+)

Korean Dramas

H2 H4
Korean Culture (+) (+) Consumers’
Korean preference for
Image Korean restaurants
Background/Song

Content

H3
(+)
Korean Music

Lyrics

Culture/Singer

Figure 1 Proposed structural model

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3. Methodology

3.1. Research Method

The study aims to those factors of Korean celebrity endorsement; K-dramas and K-pop significantly
affect the country image of Korea which results in the consumer preference for enjoying ethnic
cuisine at Korean restaurants in Vietnam. In this dissertation, a descriptive research (since answer the
question how the impact of popular culture on consumer behavior towards Korean restaurants) was
chosen. The study was, therefore, quantitative approach.

3.2. Questionnaire Design

The research questionnaire was designed based on the items of factors measured celebrities as
mentioned in the literature reviews. Each item was rated on a 5-point Likert scale (from 1 = strongly
disagree to 5 = strongly agree).

There are five main parts. Part I is about consumers’ likability of Korean popular culture in terms of
Korean celebrities (17 items) adopted from Ohanian (1990, 1991); Russell et al. (2004), Gupta
(2017); while, Korean television dramas (6 items), Korean popular music (5 items) are adapted from
Kim et al. (2007, 2008) and Kim and Kim (2017). Part II is about consumers’ perceptions of the
image of Korea (5 items) which are adoptions from Lee (2015). Part III is about measures the
construct of consumers’ preferences for Korean restaurants (3 items) adopted from Lee (2015) and
Chang (2009).

Besides, two other parts are one includes questions about consumer behavior like monthly dining
expenditure, monthly frequency of eating at Korean restaurants and Korean popular culture exposure
of respondents. And other is the personal information of respondents for demographics analysis like
age, gender, education level, occupation, and monthly incomes.

3.3. Sampling Method and Sample Size

Because of limitations in budget and time, nonprobability sampling would be applied in this study.
There are four types of nonprobability sampling designs are convenience sampling, judgment
sampling, quota sampling, and snowball sampling. And in this research, the researcher chose the
convenience sampling method because of highlighting the least expensive, the least time-consuming
and the most convenient as the main strengths of this sampling technique.

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Since the choice of this convenience sampling and quantitative approach, the structured survey will
be distributed through the consumers in the near area of the researcher.

Survey questionnaires were distributed to respondents for data collection. In this study, the sample
chosen as people who used to eat at the Korean restaurant at least once time. In order to minimize
errors in completing the questionnaires, a total of questionnaires were distributed to a sample of
about 300 respondents.

The respondents are combined of consumers used to eat at Korean restaurant consumers who live in
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. They are female and male, from the age of 15 to 35, know about Hallyu
and have a certain amount of time exposure to Korean popular culture’s products.

3.4. Data Collection

As mentioned, the type of sampling is convenience non-probability sampling which means that the
survey would be delivered to young adult’s respondents in front of the Korean restaurants located in
central districts of Ho Chi Minh City and distributed through online tools such as email, message,
etc., through acquaintances, friends, relatives, and others who are close distance with researcher and
easy to reach.

The survey would be designed as structured which tick box closed questions are required.

The collection of primary data was achieved by distributing a survey in the self-administered
method. In this method, there is little, if any, actual direct interaction between the researcher and
prospective respondent. The respondent reads the questions and records his or her answers by
themselves. Most of the emerging technology survey methods are self-administered and they help to
save the time and cost for the researcher.

4. Results and Findings

4.1. Demographic profiles of the respondents

The sample of the study represents approximately 310 people from Ho Chi Minh City.

Table 1 shows the demographics of the respondents in term of gender, age, education, occupation,
income and monthly dining expenditure. There are 70.3% are female, 29.7% are male. Most of them
are students (86.8%), study at university (bachelor’s degree) (95.2%), and age of 19-25 (91.1%).

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Their income is under 3,000,000 VND per month (58.7%) and dinning expenditure is about
500,000,001 VND to 1,000,000 VND per month (30.3%).

Table 1 Frequency Table

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative

Percent
Gender Male 92 29.7 29.7 29.7
Female 218 70.3 70.3 100.0
Total 310 100.0 100.0
Age 15 - 18 years old 19 6.1 6.1 6.1
19 - 25 years old 282 91.0 91.0 97.1
26 - 35 years old 9 2.9 2.9 100.0
Total 310 100.0 100.0
Education High school 4 1.3 1.3 1.3
College 6 1.9 1.9 3.2
Bachelor 295 95.2 95.2 98.4
Master 3 1.0 1.0 99.4
Other 2 .6 .6 100.0
Total 310 100.0 100.0
Occupation Students 269 86.8 86.8 86.8
Teachers 2 .6 .6 87.4
Officers 22 7.1 7.1 94.5
Businessmen 5 1.6 1.6 96.1
Housewives 2 .6 .6 96.8
Other 10 3.2 3.2 100.0
Total 310 100.0 100.0
Income Under 3,000,000 182 58.7 58.7 58.7
3,000,000 - 7,000,000 89 28.7 28.7 87.4
7,000,001 - 15,000,000 24 7.7 7.7 95.2
15,000,001 - 30,000,000 10 3.2 3.2 98.4
Over 30,000,000 5 1.6 1.6 100.0
Total 310 100.0 100.0
Dining Expense Under 500,000,000
76 24.5 24.5 24.5
(monthly)
500,000,001 - 1,000,000 94 30.3 30.3 54.8
1,000,001 - 1,500,000 65 21.0 21.0 75.8
1,500,001 - 2,500,000 28 9.0 9.0 84.8
Over 2,500,000 47 15.2 15.2 100.0
Total 310 100.0 100.0

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4.2. Behavior consumption of respondents

The Figure 2 shows the Monthly frequency of eating at Korean restaurants and the level of exposure
Korean popular culture’s products of respondents like watching music, dramas and so on. The results
reveal that people who do not care much about K-pop products do not usually eat at Korean
restaurants (67% of them just eats at Korean restaurants one time per month) as others who do.

0.80

0.70 0.67

0.60
0.51 0.50 1 time
0.48 0.47
0.50 0.45
0.42
2 times
0.40 0.34 0.35 0.36
0.33 0.33
0.30
3 times
0.30

0.20 0.17 0.16 Over 4 times

0.13 0.12 0.14 0.13 0.13
0.08 0.09
0.10 0.07 0.05 0.05 0.07 0.05 0.05

0.00
Follow idols Update Watch K- Watch K- Watch K-pop Listen K-pop Do not care
on media information dramas on TV dramas at MVs
usually theater

Figure 2 Korean exposure and Monthly Frequency of eating at Korean restaurants

4.3. Reliability Test and Exploratory Factor Analysis

In this study, the reliability test was initially conducted to test the measurement items for each factor
in the model. In table 3, the Cronbach’s alpha of all scales are relatively high (>0.7) and all
Cronbach’s alpha of items deleted was not higher than Cronbach’s alpha or at least the Corrected
Item-Total Correlation are also in acceptable threshold (>0.3). Therefore, these scales are all
acceptable.

Table 2 shows the results for the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) that explored the dimensionality
of factors. After running EFA for the independent variables, the result showed that the KMO
satisfied the condition 0.5 ≤ KMO = 0.855 ≤ 1. All Bartlett’s test of Sig is .000 (<0.05), which
satisfied EFA’s condition. Additionally, Eigenvalue values = 1.128 (> 1) and 6 factors analysis were
gained, all factor loading > 0.5. Besides, the components retained accounted 63.101% (> 50%) of the
total variance, which showed that EFA model is suitable.

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For the dependent variable, after running 3 times, and eliminated the items named CI1 and CI2,
KMO and Barlett’s Test. 0.5 ≤ KMO = 0.749 ≤ 1 with Bartlett’s test of Sig is .000 (<0.05). In
addition, Eigenvalue = 1.032 ≥ 1 and researcher have 2 factors analysis (whose factor loading > 0.5)
from 6 items. Moreover, the total variance explained is 73.116 %. Therefore, this factor analysis is
absolutely appropriate.

Table 2 Summary of Independent & Dependent Variables with the Results of Reliability Test & EFA

Number of Items Cronbach’s

Given Names
Before After Alpha
C_AT* 2 6 0.741
C_EP 2 2 0.797
C_TW 2 2 0.809
C_CN* 6 5 0.804
D_R 6 6 0.835
M_U 5 5 0.794
I_M 5 3 0.714
P_R 3 3 0.842

* The retained measurement items after EFA of the two constructs C_AT and C_PP and 1 item
C_CN2 (of C_CN) joined together as a new construct named C_AT.

4.4. Correlation and Linear Regression Model

After correlations and regression model running, researcher found there might be the relationship
between I_M and P_R (Sig. 2 tailed = 0.00 < 0.05).

Additionally, through linear regression analysis, the result shows that there is indirect relationship
between independent factors C_EP, D_R, M_U and dependent factor P_R. On the other hand, there
is direct relationship between independent factors C_TW, I_M and dependent factor P_R. The result
showed as Table 3.

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Table 3 Summary of Independent and Dependent Variables with the Results of Correlation and
Regression.

Sig. 2 tailed
Given Names Variable type
I_M PREFER

C_AT 0.276 0.115 Independent

C_EP 0.015 0.510 Independent

C_TW 0.080 0.000 Independent

C_CN 0.954 0.206 Independent

D_R 0.000 0.314 Independent

M_U 0.000 0.184 Independent

I_M 0.000 Dependent

P_R Dependent

4.5. Confirmatory Factor Analysis

After running Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), because standardized residual covariances
(SRCs) absolute values of items are larger than 2, researcher eliminated items C.CN6, C.CN4 from
factor C_CN; MS2 from factor M_U; and DC1 from factor D_R; CP1 from factor P_R;.

Then, we tested the composite reliability and average variance extracted (AVE) for each retained
constructs, researcher eliminated items DC2, DKC2 from factor D_R; C.CN3 from factor C_CN;
MLR1 from factor M_U; C.PP1, C.PP2, C.CN2 from factor C_AT, which also generated appropriate
results with all composite reliability coefficients greater than 0.7 and AVEs, and AVE themselves
greater than 0.5 shown in table 4.

The results of CFA confirm that the model acceptably fits to the collected data, which was
determined by Chi-square = 279.690, df = 122, Chi-square/df = 2.293 (<3), AFGI = 0.862 (>0.8),
CFI = 0.931 (>0.9), GFI = 0.912 (>0.9), TLI = 0.904 (>0.9), and RMSEA = 0.065 (<0.7). (Hair J. et
al., 2010); Hair A., 1998).

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Table 4 Results of Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and Composite Reliability Coefficients

Average variance
Latent constructs N Composite reliability
extracted
C_AT 310 0.746 0.596
C_EP 310 0.799 0.665
C_TW 310 0.809 0.68
C_CN 310 0.737 0.585
D_R 310 0.768 0.525
M_U 310 0.754 0.505
I_M 310 0.755 0.515

4.6. Testing the research model via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

Figure 3 shows the results of SEM with Chi-square = 279.690, df = 122, Chi-square/df = 2.293 (<3),
AFGI = 0.862 (>0.8), CFI = 0.931 (>0.9), GFI = 0.912 (>0.9), TLI = 0.904 (>0.9), and RMSEA =
0.065 (<0.7) (Hair J. et al., 2010); Hair A., 1998).

In addition, the squared multiple correlation coefficient (R2) for the dependent variable Korean
country image (I_M) is 0.426. It is estimated that this model can explain 42.6% of its variance

In addition, the squared multiple correlation coefficient (R2) for the dependent variable,

Korean country image (I_M), is 0.426. It is estimated that this model can explain 42.6% of its
variance.

Consumers’ Preference (P_R), is 0.251. It is estimated that this model can explain 25.1% of its
variance.

Additionally, after running Bootstrap with sample of 500, the result showed that:

 The model fit better in 500 bootstrap samples.

 It fit about equally well in 0 bootstrap samples.
 It fit worse or failed to fit in 0 bootstrap samples.
 Testing the null hypothesis that the model is correct, Bollen-Stine bootstrap p = .002

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Korean Celebrities

Attractiveness Korean
0.166 Image

Expertise

0.339
Trustworthiness
0473

Connectedness
0.359

Korean Dramas

0.256
Korean Music

Consumers’
Preference for
Korean restaurants

Figure 3 Results of Structural Model (standardized estimates)

For testing H1.1, the findings show that celebrity expertise significantly positively influence on a
Korean country image (Celebrity Expertise → A country image of Korea, β = 0.166, p = 0.043 <
0.05). H1.1 gains support.

For testing H1.2, the findings show that celebrity trustworthiness has no significant effect to a
Korean country image (Celebrity Trustworthiness → A country image of Korea, β = 0.055, p = 0.426
> 0.05). Researcher rejects Hypothesis H1.2. Nevertheless, the findings reveal celebrity
trustworthiness significantly positively impact to Consumer Preference (Celebrity Trustworthiness
→Consumers’ Preference, β = 0.256, p = 0.0000 < 0.05).

For testing H1.3, the findings indicated that celebrity attractiveness had no significant effect to a
Korean country image (Celebrity Attractiveness → A country image of Korea, β = -0.214, p = 0.078
> 0.05). Researcher rejected Hypothesis H1.3.

For testing H1.4, the findings reveal that celebrity connectedness also has no significant effect to a
Korean country image (Celebrity Connectedness → A country image of Korea, β = -0.082, p =
0.571> 0.05). Researcher rejects Hypothesis H1.4.

For testing H2, the findings indicate that likability of Korean drama does significantly positively

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affect a country image of Korea (Korean Drama → A country image of Korea, β = 0.339, p = 0.004
< 0.05). H2 gains support.

For testing H3, the findings show that likability of Korean popular music does significantly
positively impact a country image of Korea (Korean pop music → A country image of Korea, β =
0.473, p = 0.004 < 0.05). H3 gains support.

For testing H4, as proposed, the findings reveal that Korean country image has significant positive
influence on consumers’ preference (A country image of Korea → Consumers’ Preference, β =
0.359, p = 0.0000 < 0.05). H4 gains support.

Table 5 Standardized Indirect Effects

C_TW C_AT C_EP M_U C_CN D_R I_M P_R

I_M .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000

P_R .020 -.077 .060 .170 -.029 .122 .000 .000

Table 6 Standardized Direct Effects

C_TW C_AT C_EP M_U C_CN D_R I_M P_R

I_M .055 -.214 .166 .473 -.082 .339 .000 .000

P_R .265 -.158 -.081 .159 .113 -.130 .359 .000

A results of (standardize) indirect effect of the independent variables shows that likability of Korean
celebrities in term of celebrity expertise (β = 0.060, p < 0.05) and Korean television dramas (β =
0.122, p < 0.05), Korean popular music (β = 0.170, p < 0.05), significantly affected preference for
eating at Korean restaurants through a country image of Korea. Additionally, it also reveals that
Korean country image plays role as a mediator between the three independent variables (celebrity
expertise, Korean music and Korean drama) and customer’s preference for eating at Korean
restaurants.

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5. Discussion

The findings from the structural analysis reveal that study variables in the proposed model are
significantly and positively related.

Firstly, the result found that Hypothesis 1 - likability of Korean celebrity has positive significant
influence on the country image of Korea in term of celebrity expertise. The previous study also
indicated that the higher degree of uncertainty avoidance in culture, the greater tendency that
consumers depend on the recommendation of experts or credible specialist (Hofstede, 2001). Since
Vietnam is high power distance, high uncertain avoidance, people tend to admire and rely on the
well-known and expert celebrities who have experience in their field. Therefore, those expert Korean
celebrities also considerably influence on the perception of Vietnamese towards the image of Korea.
On the other hand, unlike expected, though many people think Korean celebrities are attractive in
terms of their interest or good appearance, their outlook does not much influence on the country
image of Korean. Besides, although Korean celebrities are connected to audiences, it does not much
influence on the country image of Korean. It is might because people just are curious about Korean
celebrities instead of really like them, their feeling of connectedness does not affect the Korean
country image. Surprisingly, the celebrity trustworthiness does affect significantly directly to
dependent variable consumers’ preference in lieu of affecting through country image variable. In the
time of conducting this study, because a number of serious scandals of famous Korean celebrities
occurred, it ruined the image of all Korean celebrities. Afterwards, most of people rethink about the
trustworthiness of Korean celebrity, respondents who still high rate the trustworthiness of Korean
celebrities might be really like Korean popular culture or do not know about these scandals, while
the positive country image totally would not be ruined (because of many other factors like beautiful
natural, economic development, etc. which could be perceived through Korean film’s image), it
directly impact on probability of preference for eating at Korean restaurants.

Secondly, many scholars also revealed that music is useful to explore perceived region culture or
aesthetic sceneries (Smith, 1994; Kong, 1995; Leyshon et al., 1995; Halfacree and Kitchen, 1996).
This study reveals similar results which imply that people who like Korean music or watch K-pop
MV more will tend to have a better image of Korea.

Thirdly, the previous study indicated that after exposure to the destination’s image through films;
people would be induced to have a more favorable feeling to that place (Kim and Richardson, 2003;
Lee et al., 2015). This study’s results also similarly prove that the good quality in term of visual and

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content of the Korean drama which reflect interesting culture and tradition of Korea has been
increasing favorably influence on the Korean image in Vietnamese consumers’ mind.

Finally, the impact of the country image to the consumer perception and preference of consumers
toward foreign culinary and restaurants was revealed in a number of previous studies (Lee et al.,
2015; Murase and Bojanic, 2004). This research also confirms the influence of positive Korean
country image on the preference of consumers for eating at Korean restaurants.

Based on the findings, the better image of Korean country is, the more preference consumer will
have towards Korean restaurants. Moreover, according to the results, the researcher find out the
strongest factor indirectly affecting consumers’ preference for eating at Korean restaurants is
likability of Korean music (β = 0.170) which is 1.39 times higher than influence of likability of
Korean drama (β = 0.122) and is 2.83 times higher than influence of Celebrity Expertise (β = 0.060).
Therefore, to gain better consumers’ preference for Korean restaurants, the investment and effort
should be put in Korean music and Korean drama, and build the expertise and trustworthy image of
Korean celebrities as well.

In conclusion, the outcomes indicate the strong influence of Korean music, drama popularity and
Korean celebrities’ credibility on consumers’ preference for Korean restaurants. This means that
Korean idols, dramas, and music videos will become effective tactics for a marketing strategy
targeting local consumers. For increasing the Korean restaurant business in Vietnam market, it is
indispensable for developing the Korean popular culture in term of K-pop music, drama, celebrities.
This implies that the Korean government should conduct many music events, concerts, fan meeting
in Vietnam to spread out the K-pop music popularity and gain the consumption preference of K-pop
fans as well. Moreover, in the Korean dramas, the traditional and interesting Korean culture would
significantly influence on audiences. If cuisine food-themed images of films impress much to
audiences’ minds, the willingness and preference for eating at Korean restaurants would be
increasing. Simultaneously, Korean restaurants might collaborate with famous and credible
celebrities to attract more K-pop fans and local consumers as well. While most previous studies
research about the influence of country image on food consumption intention, perception and
preference in a wide range of consumers globally, this study investigated the local consumers’
characteristics and opinions, which better helps to appropriately develop the future marketing
strategy for consumers living in Ho Chi Minh City.

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6. Limitation and Further Research Suggestion

There are a number of limitations in this study. First, due to the limit of time, capabilities and
monetary supports, researchers just can reach to adolescents and young adults (from 15 – 35 years of
age). Moreover, since people who expose to Korean culture and have money to spend on dining out
at Korean restaurants mostly range from 19 to 25 years old, the study could significantly concentrate
in examine and analyzing those Korean popular cultural factors impacting on this age group.
Nevertheless, in the future study, in order to expand the generality of results, the researcher could
expand the scope of the study by reaching more people at other age groups and make an effort for
balanced response rates by all age groups. Second, in this study, the researcher could examine the
cultural factors and country image factors influencing the preference of consumers for Korean
restaurants in terms of Korean cuisine in general. Despite the fact that the results reveal the
relationship among cultural, Korean image factors and consumers’ preference for Korean restaurants,
further study should be conducted to explore more some other factors leading to choosing to eat out
at Korean restaurants. Those factors might be several hedonic values such as mood, decoration,
atmosphere, service, attitudes of staffs and employees, facilities, etc.; or some utilitarian values like
price, and promotional incentives, discounts, etc. which help to indicate more detail in the reasons
why consumer might prefer for specific Korean restaurants or not.

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