Side Chat News

Soju costs about a dollar. It's 16.5%. And in Korea it is an absolutely ordinary Tuesday.

Welcome back, Kkakdugis! This week Gigi and Daamly take on the most Korean topic there is: drinking culture. Gigi came in assuming soju was a Korean vodka shot — something you brace yourself for. Daamly set her straight in about ninety seconds. It's milder than you think, cheaper than beer, and it shows up when people are happy, sad, stressed, or just glad to see each other.

Then it gets into the parts nobody explains to you. Why "how much can you drink?" is a normal thing to ask someone you just met in Seoul, and a borderline insult in Los Angeles. The night soju genuinely tasted sweet to Daamly, after a brutal day at work — the K-drama cliché, except it actually happened. The full etiquette rulebook: which hand, which direction to turn your head, why you never pour your own glass, and how low to hold yours when you clink with someone older. The company dinners of fifteen years ago that Daamly is still not over. Makgeolli's unlikely glow-up from farmer's drink to the thing Tom Holland described as milk on Tablo's show. And the single most magical service in Korea — the drivers who appear within minutes, drive your own car home with you in the back seat, and then vanish without saying goodbye.

Gigi's working theory involves a helicopter. Daamly's involves the subway.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Soju 101: 16.5%, a dollar a bottle, and an everyday drink
03:40 — "The soju is sweet because life is bitter" — Daamly's one night it actually tasted sweet
06:50 — Samgyeopsal and soju, and why nobody orders their own drink
08:07 — 주량 (jooryang): the intro question that would get you slapped in America
10:10 — Somaek, and the chopstick-spinning theatrics that come with it
11:45 — 1-cha, 2-cha, 3-cha: the round system, and why round three is a blur
13:13 — Pocha: street tents that moved indoors, and what you eat there
14:55 — The etiquette rulebook: receiving, turning, covering, pouring, clinking
17:20 — The company dinners nobody misses: one glass, whole table
21:38 — Makgeolli's glow-up: 6%, fizzy, tangy, and sneakier than it looks
26:19 — 대리운전: the drivers who appear in minutes and disappear on a kickboard
31:11 — 0.03 versus 0.08, and the "동시" service Koreans run in LA

A FEW THINGS YOU'LL LEARN

Soju is roughly 16.5% — down from 21% back in the day — against 40%+ for vodka and 4 to 5% for beer. It's distilled. Makgeolli is fermented rice or wheat, lands around 6%, and will get you before you notice.

One bottle at a time, for the table. Never one drink each. One to one-and-a-half bottles per person is unremarkable among Daamly's friends.

When someone tells you their jooryang, ask what they mean by it. For some people one bottle means tipsy. For others, five bottles means the point where the memory stops.

Korea's legal limit is 0.03. The US is 0.08. That gap is why designated-driver services are an everyday utility there and a novelty here.

LET'S CHAT

What's your jooryang, honestly? And if you've ever used a daeri driver in Korea — or the 동시 service in LA — tell us how it went, because we still don't understand how they disappear so fast. If we got something wrong, or missed a drinking rule we should have covered, we want to hear it.

Stay spicy out there, keep learning, and share some jeong (정). Find us on YouTube and Instagram @sidechatnews. See you in two weeks.

💄 This week your favorite besties Gigi and Daamly are tackling the one topic Gigi has been way too scared to try herself: modern Korean makeup. Gigi's daughters have been begging her to draw on aegyo sal (애교살) for ages, but she's convinced she'll walk out the door looking like she pulled an all-nighter instead of looking ten years younger. Enter Daamly — who literally films her own pro makeup sessions for TV shoots — to walk us through the exact steps, brush by brush, straight from her makeup artist. 🇰🇷✨

But this episode turns into so much more than a tutorial. We get into the Korean obsession with 중안부 줄이기 (shortening the middle of your face), the "I just cried a little" blurry peachy blush look, over-lining your lips with eyeshadow instead of liner, and why permanent makeup is basically a trap in a country where eyeliner shapes change every six months. Then things get real: in Korea, if you show up with new lashes, people want to comment — and Gigi explains why in America that same compliment would make her want to disappear into the floor. 😳 Daamly even issues a formal apology to Gigi's daughters. Grab your blush and let's go!

• Aegyo Sal 101 (애교살): Daamly breaks down the puffy little area right under your eyes — not eye bags, Gigi, NOT eye bags 🙅‍♀️ — and why making it fuller reads as bigger, cuter, and younger in Korea. Gigi remains deeply suspicious that it's just a dark circle with good PR.
• The Actual Step-by-Step: Fill the little triangle zone at the outer corner to open up the eye, tap on a little shimmer (not too much!), blend until there are zero harsh lines, then define with a small stiff brush. Daamly's rule: TV makeup can be bold, but everyday aegyo sal should be so blurry it looks like you were born with it.
• Blush Is Migrating Up Your Face: Thanks to K-pop idols, blush moved way up under the eyes and has to connect seamlessly to your aegyo sal so it looks like one continuous soft zone. Daamly reports it's already sliding back down again — because of course it is. 🍑
• "Boyong" vs "Bbosashi": Everything is soft-focus right now. 보용하다 = blurry, peachy, dreamy; 뽀샤시 = brighter and glowier. Gigi learns that the ultimate Korean goal is looking like you cried a tiny bit — which, as she points out, is absolutely NOT what Americans are going for. 😂
• Over-Lip, But Make It Blurred: Forget grandma's hard lip liner. Salons now shape the outer edges of the lips with a brush and eyeshadow in a peachy pink, plus a little shadow at the cupid's bow to make your philtrum look shorter. Everything in Korean makeup, it turns out, is a conspiracy to shrink the middle of your face.
• Gigi's Challenge: She's going to draw on aegyo sal, wear it to work, and report back on whether a single American says one word about it. (Daamly's prediction: absolute silence. 🤫)

Kkakdugis, be honest — would you rather someone notice your new lashes and say something, or would you rather they say NOTHING? And if you've mastered aegyo sal, please leave Gigi your tips in the comments before she panics and wipes it off! 🙏

Stay spicy out there, keep learning, and share some jeong (정)! Subscribe to our YouTube channel @sidechatnews, and follow us on Instagram so we can connect. See you in two weeks! 🌶️❤️

#KoreanMakeup #AegyoSal #KBeauty #KoreanBeautyTrends #LifeInKorea #KoreanCulture #SidechatNews #Kkakdugi

Gigi & Daamly are back at it again to talk about one of their absolute favorite topics: Korean food! But this time, we are diving into the weird, confusing, and totally misleading names behind iconic Korean dishes. From potato soup that isn't really about potatoes to "seagull meat" that has zero birds involved, Gigi gets a full lesson in Korean culinary linguistics while Daamly drops all the mouthwatering lore.

Whether Gigi is worrying about taking her daughters out for spicy pig backbone soup or questioning why a dish sounds like a "chicken poop house," we’re breaking down the hilarious origins of these dishes. Plus, we share the ultimate restaurant rules for where not to go on a first date, reminisce about nostalgic street food trucks, and break down why Korean meal structure is basically a multi-course marathon. Grab a snack and dive in!

The Deep Dive: What We Discussed

• Misleading Soups & The 200-Day Date Rule: Gigi and Daamly revisit a legendary Gamjatang (pig backbone soup) spot in Seongsu-dong. Gigi reveals her confusion over why "potato soup" requires wearing surgical aprons and gloves to tear apart meat—leading to the official rule that this messy dish is strictly for couples who have been together for at least 200 days!
• The Infinite Korean Meal Course: Why do Korean meals never end? Gigi highlights a viral observation from European tourists who thought the meal was over after grilling meat, only to realize that K-BBQ requires ordering an entree (like Naengmyeon) followed by tableside Bokkeumbap (fried rice).
• Wait... Is that Chicken Poop?!: The hosts break down Dak-galbi (spoiler: chickens don't have big ribs) and Dak-dong-집, which literally translates to "chicken poop house". Daamly clears the air on gizzards and explains how the sand pouch gives it that iconic chewy texture!
• Missing Street Food & The "Bueng-Se-Gwon" Trend: Reminiscing about neighborhood food trucks, the hosts discuss Bungeoppang (goldfish bread with sweet red bean). Daamly introduces modern Korean slang like Buenge-se-gwon (living within walking distance of a Bungeoppang vendor) and they debate the proper way to eat it: head-first or tail-first?
• Seagulls & Garlic Kisses: Daamly reassures Gigi that Galmegisal isn't seagull meat at all, but a prized, chewy pork diaphragm cut! Finally, the duo wraps up with a shoutout to the iconic Michelin Bib Gourmand spot Myeongdong Kyoja—a place so heavily loaded with garlic kimchi that eating there requires total, post-marriage commitment!

Let's Chat!

Which misleading Korean food name surprised you the most, and are you starting your Bungeoppang from the head or the tail? Let us know in the comments below!

Stay hungry, stay spicy, and share some jeong (정)! Subscribe to our channel @sidechatnews and follow us on Instagram so we can connect. See you next time! 🌶️❤️

#KoreanFood #LifeInKorea #KoreanCulture #Gamjatang #KoreanStreetFood #MyeongdongKyoja #SidechatNews #Kkakdugi

Welcome back, Kkakdugis! In this week’s episode, we are diving into Part 2 of the ultimate Gemini vs. Daamly Korean slang debate! After putting AI to the test on trending phrases, Gigi and Daamly are back to uncover more mind-blowing modern lingo, starting with what it really means to live a 갓생 (Gat-saeng or "God-Level Life"). From 4 AM journaling and ice plunges to sipping matcha shakes, your favorite besties break down how to properly tag your most productive, self-care-obsessed self without looking like an amateur!

Then, get ready for a crash course in Korean texting hacks as we decode initial-consonant shortcuts like ㅇㅈ (In-jeong) and ㅁㅊ (Michin). Plus, Gigi drops a sweet shoutout to Daamly’s incredibly talented musician brother, and the duo stands their ground to passionately defend legendary reactions like 대박 (Daebak) and 헐 (Hul) against Gemini's flawed advice. Grab your favorite snack and join us for the spicy conclusion of our slang saga! 🌶️✨

🕵️‍♂️ The Deep Dive:

• Living the "God-Level" Life: What does it actually mean to live a 갓생 (Gat-saeng)? From ice plunges and 4 AM journaling to eating matcha shakes, Gigi and Daamly explore how to tag your best productive self.
• Texting Hacks & Nostalgic Hits: Shortened consonant texting like ㅇㅈ (In-jeong) and ㅁㅊ (Michin). Gigi gives a sweet shoutout to Daamly’s musician brother, and the besties defend classic reactions like 대박 (Daebak) and 헐 (Hul) against Gemini's bad advice!

💬 Let's Chat! Are you still using 대박 and 헐 in your text messages, or do you agree with Gemini that they're totally outdated? Younger Kkakdugis, please let us know if Gigi and Daamly are showing their "Young 40s" age or if AI is just making stuff up!

Stay spicy out there, keep learning, and share some jeong (정)! Subscribe to our YouTube channel @sidechatnews, and follow us on Instagram so we can connect. See you in two weeks! 🌶️❤️

#KoreanSlang #GatSaeng #LifeInKorea #LearnKorean #SidechatNews #TextingHacks #KoreanLifestyle #SelfCareRoutine

Welcome back, Kkakdugis! In this week’s episode, Gigi comes to the mic after getting a major reality check from AI. After asking Gemini for an update on the latest trending Korean slang to prepare for a trip, Gigi was shocked to find out that AI told her to stop using some of her favorite classic terms—and start using phrases she’d never even heard of!  

Enter Daamly, our resident "Young 40" native Korean expert, here to set the record straight. Can you really trust AI to keep you looking cool on the streets of Seoul, or is Gemini totally out of touch? From debunking expired K-pop trends like Jang Won-young's "Lucky Vicky" mindset to explaining why calling someone a "finger prince" makes you sound like an ancient dinosaur, we’re breaking down what’s actually trendy, what’s plain weird, and what slang will accidentally get you into trouble!  

🕵️‍♂️ The Deep Dive: 

• AI Slang Advice & K-Pop Memes: Gigi shares her hilarious Gemini dilemma. Daamly breaks down IVE star Jang Won-young’s famous "Lucky Vicky" (원영적 사고) bakery moment, explaining why using it today might make you sound a bit behind the times.  
• Ancient Internet Terms & Finger Princes: The hosts uncover 핑프 (Ping-peu / Finger Princess)—a term for people too lazy to search for answers themselves. Plus, why using it post-Alexa makes you an official "dinosaur".  
• Gamer Roots & Never Giving Up: Discover the origins of 중꺾마 (Jong-kkeok-ma) from the 2022 League of Legends World Championship, and how to use it when your diet fails over pizza and ice cream.  The Fine Line of Korean Criticism: Daamly breaks down 억까 (eok-kka—unfair hate/forcing criticism) versus the super risky 억빠 (eok-ppa—over-the-top kiss-assing). Warning: Gigi almost uses a root word incorrectly, leading to a hilarious lesson in keeping your texting appropriate! 

💬 Let's Chat! please let us know if Gigi and Daamly are showing their "Young 40s" age or if AI is just making stuff up!  Stay spicy out there, keep learning, and share some jeong (정)! Subscribe to our YouTube channel @sidechatnews, and follow us on Instagram so we can connect. See you in two weeks!

#KoreanSlang #KoreanCulture #LearnKorean #SidechatNews #KpopMemes #JangWonyoung #LuckyVicky

Welcome back, Kkakdugis! We missed you so much! After Gigi’s month-long trip back to Korea, your favorite besties Gigi and Daamly are back in action to kick off a delicious deep-dive series. Today, we’re talking about one of Korea’s greatest national treasures: Instant Ramyun!

From the mind-blowing 500+ noodle varieties sold in Seoul to the basic 3-flavor options found across the US, we are breaking down why K-ramen hits entirely differently depending on where you are.

We’re covering everything from the iconic 3-story Shin Ramyun pop-up store in Seongsu to unwritten rules like "Al Dente perfection" and why saving leftover noodles is a major cultural crime. Plus, Daamly gives us a live demonstration on how to eat Saeng-ramyeon (dry raw noodles!) as a bar snack, breaks down why Parasite’s "Ram-don" translation was a total lie, and reveals why Gigi’s husband treats ramen like leftover pasta! Grab a bowl and get ready for a deliciously fun episode! 🌶️🍜

• The American Standard: Gigi recalls growing up with basic three-flavor options like Nissan’s Top Ramen (Chicken, Beef, Veggie) before imported K-ramen took over American grocery shelves.
• The Korean Noodle Universe: Daamly breaks down how Korea boasts over 500 different types of ramyun—ranging from seafood and bone broth to kimchi, soybean paste, and seaweed soup bases!
• The Seongsu Shin Ramyun Pop-Up: Gigi shares her experience visiting a massive 3-story Shin Ramyun museum and custom cup-noodle experience in Seoul.

• The Spiciness Metric: How Shin Ramyun became the official universal baseline for measuring spicing levels across Korean restaurants.
• Eat Before It’s "Bul-ggeo": Why Koreans race against the clock to finish their noodles before they absorb too much soup and get soggy (bul-ggeo).
• The Leftover Crime: Gigi exposes her Canadian-Chinese husband for saving leftover ramen in a container for the next day, a practice that sends shockwaves through any Korean kitchen!

• Noodle Customizations: From adding ddeok (rice cakes) for Tteok-ramyeon to dialing in exact water measurements (480ml vs 500ml) for maximum flavor.
• Saeng-Ramyeon ASMR: Daamly shows us how to crush up dry raw ramen noodles, sprinkle the spicy seasoning packet directly inside, shake the bag, and eat it like a crunchy bar snack!
• Jjapaguri vs. "Ram-don": We clear up movie history from Parasite—explaining how Jjapaguri (Chapagetti + Neoguri) was created long before the film and why no one in Korea actually says "Ram-don"!
• The Cold Rice Finale: Gigi drops the ultimate insider tip for American viewers—always drop cold rice into your remaining spicy broth at the end of your meal!
  

💬 Let's Chat! What’s your go-to ramen setup? Do you like your noodles super firm, or are you guilty of eating soft noodles? Have you ever tried Saeng-ramyeon with a cold drink? Drop your favorite noodle brands and cooking hacks in the comments below!

Stay spicy, keep slurping, and share some jeong (정)! Subscribe to our YouTube channel @sidechatnews and follow us on Instagram so we can connect. See you next time! 🌶️❤️

#KRamen #RamenHacks #KoreanFood #ShinRamyun #LifeInKorea #SidechatNews #Jjapaguri #Kkkadugi

Welcome back, Kkakdugis! In this week's episode, your favorite besties Gigi and Daamly are pulling off a subtle "couples look" of their own to dive into the wild, passionate, and sometimes exhausting world of Korean couple culture versus American dating norms. From analyzing the extreme evolution of matching outfits to figuring out why dating in Seoul can sometimes feel like a second job, we are breaking down why Korean relationships are truly on a whole different level.

While Gigi is totally content navigating the more laid-back American style where playing it cool is the norm, Daamly gives us the ultimate inside scoop on what it’s actually like to navigate Korea's non-stop relationship expectations. We discuss pop-culture moments like Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet’s leather look, look back at nostalgic TV shows like We Got Married, and laugh over the constant updates Dammly still gives her husband. Whether you're dating a Korean person or just curious about the culture, you don't want to miss this juicy cultural breakdown!

• Fashion & The Evolution of the "Couples Look"
  • The Hollywood Style: Gigi breaks down how Cardi B and Offset subtly hint at their couple status (hello, hair clips!), contrasting it with Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet’s rare, full-on orange leather twinning moment.
  • From Twins to Tones: Daamly explains how Korean couple looks used to mean 100% identical head-to-toe matching (shoutout to the nostalgic Tini Mini bear hoodies on We Got Married!). Today, it's all about the sophisticated "similar look" using matching color palettes and earth tones. If you twin too hard now? You're officially chon-seureo-wo (unrefined)!

• Anniversaries & Calendar Culture
  • The 100-Day Milestone: Forget just celebrating yearly milestones. In Korea, couples count by the hundreds—100 days, 200 days, 300 days! There are literally dedicated apps just to track the exact day count.
  • The Monthly 14th Phenomenon: We map out the intense monthly holidays. You know Valentine's Day, but did you know about March 14th (White Day for ladies), April 14th (Black Day where single people eat black noodles (jjajangmyeon) together), Rose Day, and even Kiss Day?
  • The Couple Ring Rule: In the US, a ring usually means marriage or engagement. In Korea, couples ring-shop together around the 100-day mark just to signal they are happily taken—a concept that would cause absolute panic in America!

• Communication & Daily Life
  • No-Stop Texting: In the US, over-texting can be viewed as a bit desperate. In Korea, constant "play-by-play" life updates are a baseline expectation for showing care.
  • The Push and Pull: We talk about Mildang (밀당)—the classic Korean relationship game of pushing and pulling before making things official. But once you are official? Get ready to see each other almost every single night at late-night cafes!

Could you handle dating in Korea, or do you prefer the American approach to dating? If you're a part of the younger generation in Korea, let us know if these trends are still holding up or if things have changed!

Stay spicy out there, have fun, and share some jeong (정)! Follow us on YouTube channel @sidechatnews, and instagram. We’ll see you in two weeks! 🌶️❤️

#KoreanCoupleCulture #DatingInKorea #KoreanDating #LifeInKorea #CulturalDifferences #WeGotMarried #SimilarLook #InternationalCouples

In this episode, Gigi and Daamly dive headfirst into the fascinating, fast-paced, and highly specific world of Korean cafe culture! ☕ From morning to late-night post-dinner routines, coffee isn't just a drink in South Korea—it's practically part of the national identity. Daamly breaks down the "secret code" locals use to order their daily caffeine fix and explains why cafes stay packed way past 9:30 PM as a natural extension of social life.

The hosts highlight their hilarious contrast in experiences, especially when it comes to Korea's mind-blowing security standards. While Gigi is stunned by viral Instagram videos of people leaving luxury purses and MacBooks completely unattended on sidewalk tables to reserve a seat, Daamly admits that even after living in America for just a year, returning to this high-trust culture felt a little shocking! Plus, they unlock a hilarious national mystery: why your $2,000 laptop is 100% safe at a cafe table, but an unlocked bicycle will vanish into thin air in five seconds flat. 🚲👀

The ladies also dive into:

• Secret Slang & Ordering Codes
  • The "Ah-Ah" Phenomena: Discover why nearly 80% of people in a Korean cafe are ordering an Ah-Ah (Iced Americano) even in the dead of winter, giving birth to the hilarious slang phrase Ul-juk-ah ("Frozen to death, but still iced Americano").
  • Hot vs. Cold Short-hand: Learn how to differentiate Ah-Ah (Iced Americano) and Ah-Ra (Iced Latte) from their hot counterparts like Ddeu-Ah or DDa-Ah (Hot Americano).
  • The Decaf Pivot: Daamly introduces Ara Dika (Iced Decaf Latte), proving that Korean cafe shorthand is practically its own language.
• The "Ah-Shot-Chu" Mystery
  • Not What You Think: Foreigners get confused by this menu item constantly! Ah-Shot-Chu doesn't mean an extra espresso shot in your Americano—it stands for adding an espresso shot to a sweet, fruity Peach Iced Tea.
  • The Gradient Flavor: Popularized by the younger generation, this unique drink features a "gradient" flavor profile that starts off sweet and fruity but finishes with a bitter coffee kick. You can even find it as an official menu item at major chains like Ediya, Backdabang, and Compose Coffee.
• The Unbelievable Table-Saving Culture
  • Luxury Seat Reserving: It is entirely normal in Korea to place laptops, iPhones, wallets, and even high-end Chanel or Hermes bags on a table to lock down a spot before walking away to order at the counter.
  • CCTV vs. High Trust: Why does this work? It’s a mix of a collective cultural eye and the fact that Seoul is absolutely covered in security cameras.
• The Great Korean Bicycle Mystery
  • The Unwritten Theft Rule: In a hilarious cultural twist, while your expensive MacBook can sit safely on a cafe table for hours, leaving a humble, unlocked bicycle unattended for five minutes means it's gone. Bikes are treated like accidental "community property" in a massive running national meme.

💬 Let us know in the comments: Would you ever feel brave enough to leave your phone or laptop alone on a busy sidewalk table to order coffee? Or have you actually tried an Ah-Shot-Chu before?

Watch the full podcast on YouTube. Don't forget to DM us with any new, hot, or mysterious topics you want us to cover next! Stay a little spicy, Kkakdugis! See you next week! 🌶️✨

#KoreanCafeCulture #CafeSlang #AhAh #AhShotChu #LivingInKorea #SeoulLife #KoreanPodcast #Kkakdugi #TravelKorea

Watch the full episode on Youtube @sidechatnews. We pack it up with fun visuals 😍.

Welcome back, Kkakdugis! 🫶 Today, we are diving deep into the gorgeous, serene, and absolutely stunning Jeju Island (Jeju-do)! Often called the "Hawaii of Korea," Jeju has a completely different, slow-paced vibe from the bustling streets of Seoul and Busan.

Gigi has been obsessed with her social media feed lately, discovering incredible family Airbnbs and tracking a viral "Jeju Guy" influencer who is putting the island on the map for English-speaking foreigners. Meanwhile, Daamly has been there more than 5 times and gives us the ultimate insider breakdown of what makes this island a bucket-list destination. From insane food recommendations to volcanic hikes, we cover it all!

• The Slow Life & Pop Culture: How K-pop icon Lee Hyori made everyone fall in love with the quiet Jeju lifestyle on her Netflix bed and breakfast show.

• The Ultimate Jeju Food Guide: Wrapping fresh Mackerel Sashimi in seaweed with seasonal rice.
  • Sweet and bouncy Jeju red-banded lobsters (딱새우)—and making ramen broth out of the heads!
  • The famous Jeju Black Pork BBQ... and the shocking proof of authenticity you can see right on the meat 🐖!
  • Meljot: The traditional fermented big anchovy dipping sauce.

• Must-Visit Nature & Hiking Spots: Watching the sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong, a giant volcanic hill by the ocean.
  • Hiking Hallasan (South Korea's highest mountain) to see the beautiful Baengrokdan (White Deer) crater lake.

• The Real-Life Mermaids: The legendary Haenyeo, female free-divers in their 70s and 80s who catch fresh seafood without oxygen tanks!

• Relaxation & Healing: Walking the coastal Jeju Olle Trail and cafe-hopping through traditional stone houses.

Are you planning a trip to Korea soon? Have you ever tried Jeju black pork or braved the mackerel sashimi? Let us know your thoughts and travel experiences by DM-ing us @sidechatnews

Welcome back, Kkakdugis! 🫶 Today, we are diving deep into the gorgeous, serene, and absolutely stunning Jeju Island (Jeju-do)! Often called the "Hawaii of Korea," Jeju has a completely different, slow-paced vibe from the bustling streets of Seoul and Busan.

Gigi has been obsessed with her social media feed lately, discovering incredible family Airbnbs and tracking a viral "Jeju Guy" influencer who is putting the island on the map for English-speaking foreigners. Meanwhile, Daamly has been there more than 5 times and gives us the ultimate insider breakdown of what makes this island a bucket-list destination. From insane food recommendations to volcanic hikes, we cover it all!

• The Slow Life & Pop Culture: How K-pop icon Lee Hyori made everyone fall in love with the quiet Jeju lifestyle on her Netflix bed and breakfast show.

• The Ultimate Jeju Food Guide: Wrapping fresh Mackerel Sashimi in seaweed with seasonal rice.
  • Sweet and bouncy Jeju red-banded lobsters (딱새우)—and making ramen broth out of the heads!
  • The famous Jeju Black Pork BBQ... and the shocking proof of authenticity you can see right on the meat 🐖!
  • Meljot: The traditional fermented big anchovy dipping sauce.

• Must-Visit Nature & Hiking Spots: Watching the sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong, a giant volcanic hill by the ocean.
  • Hiking Hallasan (South Korea's highest mountain) to see the beautiful Baengrokdan (White Deer) crater lake.

• The Real-Life Mermaids: The legendary Haenyeo, female free-divers in their 70s and 80s who catch fresh seafood without oxygen tanks!

• Relaxation & Healing: Walking the coastal Jeju Olle Trail and cafe-hopping through traditional stone houses.

Are you planning a trip to Korea soon? Have you ever tried Jeju black pork or braved the mackerel sashimi? Let us know your thoughts and travel experiences by DM-ing us @sidechatnews