Bonchon Partners With Korean American Artist to Create Limited-Edition Shirts in Celebration of AAPI Heritage Month

Heo, renowned for her whimsical and playful art style, incorporated important Korean symbols in the design, which features a blue tiger among hibiscus flowers, the national flower of South Korea.

"Tigers are an important part of Korean culture and folklore, representing power and strength, and are often used symbolically in the fight against AAPI hate," said Heo. "The hibiscus flower is the South Korean national flower (mugunghwa), and the colors are the same as those on the national flag, which I wanted to be represented."

As a brand that was born in Busan, South Korea, Bonchon's goal is to spread the joy of Korean comfort food globally while also paying tribute to, celebrating and safeguarding the AAPI community.

"Bonchon in Korean means my hometown, my roots, and we wanted to celebrate AAPI month by honoring those roots and contributing to a cause that can have a positive impact on the AAPI community," said Bonchon Vice President of Marketing Christina Coy. "Min Heo did a beautiful job creating a design that is true to Korean heritage, and we're eager to see our guests wearing the shirts and joining the fight against bias."

Bonchon is a global restaurant brand known for distinctive Korean double-fried chicken, Asian fusion cuisine and Korean specialties. Born in Busan, South Korea, in 2002, the concept was established in the United States in 2006. Bonchon sets out to have its fans "Crunch Out Loud" by sharing the joy of hand-battered, double-fried, crazy crispy Korean fried chicken with the world. It currently has more than 400 restaurants across nine countries: Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Australia, Vietnam, France and the United States.

The brand has earned several recent accolades. It was recognized by Business Insider as "the gold standard for fried chicken" and included on Nation's Restaurant News' 2022 "Top 500 Restaurants," Fast Casual Magazine's 2022 "Top 100 Movers & Shakers" and Entrepreneur's 2022 "Franchise 500," "Fastest Growing Franchises," "Top Food Franchise" and "Top Global Franchise" lists.