OUR STORY
We serve love to the community
HOW IT ALL STARTED
When Jung launched his Cupbop Korean BBQ food trailer in 2013, few in Utah were familiar with Korean cuisine. His vibrant personality couldn’t settle for just serving food—he wanted to share the lively, engaging spirit of Korean culture with his customers. To do this, he began hosting cultural events that showcased not only authentic Korean food but also the vibrant energy of Korea.
In 2015, during one of these Korean cultural nights, a guest shared, “I didn’t even know where Korea was. But through Cupbop, I’ve discovered Korean food, and tonight I’ve learned more about its culture. Now, I’d love to take my family to Korea someday”.
This moment marked a turning point for Jung—introducing Korean culture in its entirety became his new mission.
SUPPORTING EDUCATION
One day, Jung saw a news story about a single-mom teacher who had to work as a janitor after school hours because her salary as an educator couldn’t support her family. Jung thought, “Our kids spend most of their days in school with teachers. How can they possibly receive a positive education if educators aren’t happy with their jobs?”
At the time, Jung owned just two food trucks. Although he didn’t have much money, he had food to offer. So, he and the Cupbop team began visiting local schools to provide meals for teachers, showing their appreciation for the hard work and dedication these educators put into their students. Jung believed that if Cupbop could bring a smile to a teacher’s face, those teachers could, in turn, inspire smiles in our children.
This initiative soon became one of the foundation’s biggest priorities, reflecting Jung’s deep commitment to supporting educators.
CULTURAL EVENTS THAT GIVE BACK
We believe food and culture have the power to bring people together from all walks of life. That belief led to the creation of Bopsim–a cultural event designed to offer the community a meaningful encounter with Korean food and culture. What started as a small gathering at Jung’s place has since grown into Utah’s largest Korean festival, supported by numerous Korean government offices and both Korean and U.S. companies.
Proceeds from the event go directly back into the community—supporting teacher appreciation efforts, funding sports and arts scholarships, and launching new cultural and educational initiatives. Through food, culture, and connection, Bopsim is all about building a stronger, more inspired community.
