Tanghuo Kungfu Do Kyung-soo Ad: “No Two Mala Dishes Are the Same”
If you enjoy Korean food trends or follow EXO, you may be interested in the new collaboration between Tanghuo Kungfu Malatang and Do Kyung-soo (D.O.). The Korean restaurant brand has selected the singer and actor as its brand ambassador for a campaign built around the phrase “하늘 아래 같은 마라는 없어,” which means “No two mala dishes under the sky are the same.”
The campaign celebrates the variety of mala flavors and the idea that everyone has their own food preferences. It also brings together Do Kyung-soo’s familiar image as a singer, actor, and food enthusiast with a popular Korean dining trend.
In this article, we’ll explore the campaign slogan, the meaning of mala, why Do Kyung-soo fits the brand, and how the collaboration connects Korean food culture with K-pop fandom.
Official YouTube Video
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.1. Who Is Do Kyung-soo?
Do Kyung-soo, also known by his stage name D.O., is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of EXO and has also built a career in film, television dramas, and variety shows.
For international fans, his appeal comes from his activities across music and acting. He is also known for showing an interest in food and cooking, making a food-related brand collaboration a natural way to connect with his public image.
Tanghuo Kungfu selected Do Kyung-soo as its brand ambassador in October 2026. According to the brand’s announcement, his distinctive personality, interest in food, and activities across entertainment were a good fit for the campaign.
Rather than focusing only on his celebrity status, the collaboration connects him with a product category that people enjoy as part of their everyday lives: mala cuisine.
2. What Does “No Two Mala Dishes Are the Same” Mean?
The campaign’s Korean slogan is:
“하늘 아래 같은 마라는 없어.”
A natural English translation is “No two mala dishes are the same.” The phrase literally refers to there being no identical mala under the sky, but its intended message is about variety and individuality.
The word “mala” refers to a flavor profile associated with Sichuan cuisine. It combines ma (麻), a tingling or numbing sensation often associated with Sichuan peppercorns, and la (辣), the spicy heat of chili peppers.
Mala is not limited to one dish. It can appear in malatang, mala xiangguo, and other dishes, with different ingredients, sauces, spice levels, and cooking methods.
That variety is central to the campaign’s message. Even when two dishes share the name “mala,” their flavors and eating experiences can be quite different.
The slogan also has a broader meaning: people have different tastes, and there is no single way to enjoy mala.
3. Introducing Tanghuo Kungfu Malatang
Tanghuo Kungfu is a restaurant brand specializing in mala cuisine. Its Korean brand website introduces a range of menu options, including malatang, mala xiangguo, mala bibim, and tomato malatang.
Malatang is a customizable soup dish. Customers typically choose ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, noodles, and meat, which are then cooked in a seasoned broth.
Mala xiangguo is different because the ingredients are stir-fried with seasonings rather than served as a soup. Mala bibim offers another way to enjoy mala flavors, while tomato malatang provides a tomato-based variation.
These different styles help explain why the campaign emphasizes that no two mala dishes are the same. Customers can choose not only ingredients but also the format and flavor profile that suits them.
For international visitors to Korea, malatang restaurants can also be an introduction to the country’s evolving dining culture, where customers personalize dishes to match their preferences.
4. Why the Campaign Connects Food and K-Pop
Celebrity collaborations are common in Korean advertising, but the connection works best when the person and the product share a recognizable point of relevance.
In this case, Do Kyung-soo’s interest in food provides a connection to the restaurant category. His existing fan base also gives the campaign an audience that may be curious about the brand and its menu.
The campaign’s message is broader than simply asking fans to visit a restaurant. It highlights personal taste and the variety of ways to enjoy mala.
That makes the concept relevant to people who already love spicy food, as well as those who are still exploring different types of mala dishes.
For EXO-Ls and other fans, the collaboration is also an opportunity to see Do Kyung-soo in a food-focused setting. For customers who are unfamiliar with him, the menu variety remains a straightforward reason to learn about the brand.
The campaign therefore brings together two forms of interest: the personal connection fans feel toward an artist and the everyday appeal of trying something new to eat.
5. New Menu Items and the Fan Experience
The campaign is also connected with plans to introduce new menu items at participating Tanghuo Kungfu locations. Announced items include tomato malatang, mala bibim, and Sichuan hot-pot-style malatang.
The brand has also announced plans for a Do Kyung-soo photo-card promotion. Photo cards are familiar collectibles in K-pop fandom, often included in album releases or promotional events.
For fans, these collectibles can make a restaurant visit feel like an extension of their fandom. For the brand, they create another way to connect the campaign with an in-person dining experience.
Menu launches and promotional items may vary by store and campaign period, so check Tanghuo Kungfu’s official channels for current details before visiting.
Final Thoughts: Everyone Has Their Own Mala
The main message of the Tanghuo Kungfu × Do Kyung-soo campaign is simple: the name may be the same, but the taste and experience can be different.
Through the slogan “하늘 아래 같은 마라는 없어,” the brand highlights the diversity of mala cuisine and encourages customers to explore flavors that suit their preferences.
Do Kyung-soo’s role connects that message with K-pop fandom, while the variety of mala dishes gives the campaign a practical connection to everyday dining.
If you are new to mala, you might start with a milder malatang and adjust the spice level to your taste. If you already enjoy spicy food, trying a different style—such as mala xiangguo or tomato malatang—can offer a new experience.
No two people have exactly the same taste, and that is precisely what makes exploring food interesting.
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