Can a Globally Shared Trend Still Feel Local and Authentic?
Introduction>> A festival clip, street-food recipe, or dance challenge can go from a neighborhood to millions worldwide in minutes. Some celebrate the exposure as hometown pride, while others fear that going viral strips traditions of their local authenticity. So, can a globally shared trend still feel truly local and authentic?
Constructive Debater 1 Loren Yes, a globally shared trend can stay authentic. Last autumn, my class in Jeonju posted a 30-second video of our city’s annual bibimbap festival. Within days, viewers from Thailand, Brazil, and Canada stitched the clip, adding local toppings and captions. Rather than diluting tradition, the attention inspired the festival’s organizers to host bilingual cooking demos and open tasting booths for new combinations of flavors. Visitor numbers doubled, funding a youth center and culinary scholarships. Because we shaped the story, Jeonju is now firmly linked with bibimbap ? and our hometown pride has only grown.
Constructive Debater 2 Olivia I don’t think so. A small tteokbokki cart near Daegu Station grew famous after a mukbang video went viral. Soon, prices rose, photo-seeking tourists crowded the sidewalk, and regulars stopped coming after class. The cart, once a cozy hangout where the owner knew everyone’s name, became just another stop on a travel blogger’s list. Former customers say it lost its warmth and character, replaced by long waits and quick selfies. Popularity brought profit ? but at the cost of the intimate charm that made it beloved.
Rebuttal Debater 1 Loren Just because something becomes popular doesn’t mean it stops being local. The tteokbokki cart near Daegu Station may feel different now, but the food, owner, and history are still the same. Popularity can help preserve a tradition by providing the income needed to keep it running. Without new customers, small vendors often close when regulars move away or graduate. Tourists may take photos, but they also spread the word, ensuring the shop’s legacy survives ? even if the atmosphere evolves with its growing audience.
Rebuttal Debater 2 Olivia Even when a trend goes global, authenticity can still fade. In Jeonju, the bibimbap festival may have gained worldwide attention, but catering to visitors’ expectations can change how it’s experienced. Repainting signs, hosting bilingual demos, and adding tasting booths might prioritize tourist appeal over tradition. When a local event is shaped for a global audience, the focus can shift from community celebration to performance. Popularity can boost pride, but it can also dilute the original intimacy and meaning that made the festival unique.
Judge’s Comments Global trends can boost hometown pride and preserve traditions, but they can also change the way locals experience them. Balancing exposure with authenticity is key. Communities must find ways to share their culture while keeping the original spirit and meaning intact for those who call it home.
May For The Junior Times junior/1755743364/1613368104
1. What festival did Loren’s class share online that went viral?
2. Where was the small food cart that Olivia mentioned, and what food did it sell?
3. What changes happened at the bibimbap festival after it gained international attention?
4. How does Loren argue that popularity can help preserve local traditions?
1. Do you agree with Loren that going viral can strengthen a tradition? Why or why not?
2. Olivia worries that popularity can ruin the intimacy of local culture. Can you think of an example where this has happened?
3. How can communities balance global exposure with keeping traditions authentic?
4. In your opinion, should local traditions stay small and community-based, or is it better to share them widely? Why?
Introduction>>
Rebuttal Debater 1 Loren 
