Group BTS's V (real name Kim Tae-hyung) enjoyed a winter street snack.
Recently, V posted several daily photos on his social media (SNS) with the caption, "January Oari, February Hajime (End of January, Start of February)." The photos included his shining beauty with messy hair as if just waking up, and scenes of him stretching in the practice room with other BTS members.
Among them, a striking photo shows V standing on the street with a bungeoppang (carp-shaped pastry), a 'national snack of winter,' in his mouth. As the streetlights turned on at dusk, V, wearing a comfortable black jumper and a mask, held the bungeoppang close to his chest while having it in his mouth. There’s often a debate about whether to eat the head or the tail first, and V chose to start with the head.
BTS, the representative K-pop group to which V belongs, will release their 5th studio album 'Arirang' on March 20, making a full group comeback after about 3 years and 9 months. On March 21, they will hold a comeback stage titled 'BTS Comeback Live: Arirang' at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul and embark on a world tour. Captured in the midst of busy comeback preparations, the global star's down-to-earth daily life excited the fandom ARMY.
The bungeoppang that V enjoyed is a snack that you can't just pass by when you encounter it on the streets in winter. Taking a bite of warm bungeoppang chases away the cold and brings a smile to your face. We looked into how this popular snack affects health.
How Healthy is the Winter National Snack Bungeoppang?
The popular winter snack bungeoppang is made from a flour dough and has a lot of sugary filling, making it high in carbohydrates, sugar, and calories. However, compared to other cakes and snacks, it is relatively moderate as an 'occasional winter snack.' The ingredients in the red bean paste and cream filling used in bungeoppang also have health benefits.
The main ingredient of red bean paste, red beans, has several advantages. They are rich in vitamin B1 and saponins, which help boost immunity and prevent colds. The diuretic effect is good for waste elimination, and potassium helps expel sodium, effectively controlling blood pressure and reducing swelling. Rich in plant-based protein and dietary fiber, they promote bowel movement and help prevent constipation. Antioxidants like anthocyanins reduce free radicals, aiding in anti-aging and skin health. However, if you have cold hands and feet and poor digestion, you should adjust your intake considering the drop in body temperature. The strong diuretic effect of red beans can lower body temperature and excessively expel moisture, worsening symptoms.
While red beans are a healthy ingredient, the red bean filling in bungeoppang is mostly a mixture of 'red beans + sugar + oil,' so caution is needed. The high sugar content can lead to significant calorie and sugar burdens, quickly raising blood sugar levels. One red bean bungeoppang contains about 120-130 kcal, and eating several can easily exceed the calorie count of a bowl of rice (about 200 kcal). Those with diabetes or insulin resistance should be cautious of rapid blood sugar spikes when consuming in excess.
Therefore, it is best to eat about 1-2 pieces as a snack at a time. Additionally, reduce the intake of other breads, snacks, and sugary drinks that day. If possible, eat slowly to enhance satiety, and it’s better to consume them during active daytime hours rather than late at night. If you enjoy them deliciously like V and expend a lot of calories preparing for your comeback, there’s no need to worry.
The main ingredients of the cream are eggs and milk, which provide protein and calcium, helping to quench thirst and strengthen cardiopulmonary function. Eggs contain high-quality protein and vitamins, making you feel comfortable and supplementing nutrition. However, the cream made from these ingredients contains a lot of butter and sugar, which can quickly raise blood sugar levels and increase saturated fat intake. Especially, those managing diabetes or blood sugar should be particularly cautious.
One cream bungeoppang contains about 160-170 kcal, which is higher than red bean bungeoppang. For a single serving, it’s best to eat only 1-2 pieces and refrain from other cream breads, cakes, and sweet drinks that day.
