Nongshim, Korea’s leading processed food manufacturer, has named Go champion Lee So-dol who challenged Google’s AlphaGo artificial intelligence program last month as the new TV model for its best-selling instant noodle product Shin Ramyun, the company said Tuesday.

“We have named Go grandmaster Lee Se-dol as the new model because he is known as a Shin Ramyun fanatic, and the passion he has shown through the game series (against AlphaGo) bears a likeness to Nongshim’ K-food drive toward the global market,” said the company in a statement.


Lee has filmed with his daughter Lee Hye-rim, for Nongshim’s new TV commercials to present an image of a happy family while having Shin Ramyun together, it added.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)