Not only are Koreans obsessed about coffee , having over 100,000 stores across the country with Starbucks becoming the most popular chain, but caffeinated candy is also advertised in K-dramas! The most popular brand? Kopiko! What is it and why is it advertised in almost every K-drama? What is Kopiko? Kopiko is actually named after the kōpiko coffee bean native to Hawaii! It is an Indonesian brand of coffee candies and is available in over 80 countries! The product contains extract from real coffee beans and comes in two flavors: original coffee and cappuccino. Kopiko in K-dramas! Virtually in most K-dramas today, you'll find a scene where the main character needs a "lift-me-up" and either someone around them will offer them a Kopiko or they'll reach into their pocket and pop a Kopiko in their mouth. Then they'll say something along the lines of "Oh yeah! I feel so energized!" A not-so-subtle advertisement has become the trend in mainstream media and we've all become numb to it! Why is it so popular? Need a cheap pick-me-up? Why not pop a Kopiko into your mouth? With the average pack of around KRW 990 (USD 0.75) with 8 candies, no wonder so many Koreans choose it! It's also very slim and easy to put in your pocket or purse! Not to mention, it tastes great! Here's a scene from Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha ! Have you tried Kopiko yet? Let us know what other products you have seen in popular K-dramas lately in the comments below! #Kopiko #코피코 #ppl #productplacement #Vincenzo #MarryMyHusband #HometownChaChaCha #ParkMinYoung

Very recently former 2NE1 member Minzy took to her social media with a very excited post saying "I'm truly a lucky girl. I have the coolest sisters in the world by my side. A sudden confession of love," tagging her fellow 2NE1 members CL , Park Bom , and Dara to announce their gathering. Now, as soon as fans saw this social media post, they began coming to conclusions of their own, and it's been highly speculated that the K-pop band 2NE1 may be getting ready for a 2024 comeback. If you haven't read our previous article on it, here it is ! Let's check out the post that has caused this speculation! According to YG Entertainment , YG Executive Producer Yang Hyun Suk met with 2NE1 on the afternoon of June 27 KST at the new YG headquarters in Hapjeong-dong, Seoul. For me, this rings out that the rumours are perhaps going to be true. Of course, the management of a group will also hold close ties with them, and it could be a friendly or non-official meeting, however, I feel that if this was the case then it would be posted on Social Media. The main reason for posting on social media is to gain attention and popularity, and this post has certainly done that. YG also later explained that during the approximately two-hour official meeting, they engaged in meaningful conversations! Let's check out one of their best hits from 2016! Since the K-pop band has been MIA (Missing In Action) since 2016, 2024 could be the year to make their comeback, however, I worry that this market is oversaturated and perhaps changed a lot since they were last in the limelight. So I hope that they have taken some much-needed rest and refined their image since they are also 8 years older. Will they fit back into the industry? Will they have a new style? Or will they flop? Let us know your thoughts on this, in the comments below! #2NE1 #comeback #15yearanniversary #CL #ParkBom #SandaraPark #Minzy

BABYMONSTER's Ruka not only stops ordinary people in their tracks but also the YG casting staff! We pry into the 10-year career of BABYMONSTER's first member Ruka! "When Ruka walked right past me during a break, I whipped my head around to admire her visuals!" — YG casting staff Picked as the first member of BABYMONSTER to be revealed, Ruka was picked by the YG casting staff because of her stunning visuals. Not only did she impress the YG casting staff during her audition, but she also made them turn their heads in the hallways as well! They said her sharp yet cute features "resembled that of a cat or a fox". An experienced idol Ruka was only 16 when she auditioned for YG she confidently stated that she had been dancing for 10 years! This is likely due to the well-developed dance education system in Japan as well as her strong enthusiasm for dance. Even YG choreographer and expert dancer, Lee Jung , praised Ruka saying she "has a solid foundation, a wealth of experience in dance, and a deep understanding of hip-hop." Amazing rapping skills Not only does Ruka kill it on the dance floor, but she slays with her rapping skills as well! She delivers her lyrics with precision and with correct Korean pronunciation. She is also skilled at writing lyrics in Korean! During a monthly audition, Ruka sang her self-written lyrics Korean lyrics to Justin Bieber's "Peaches" to express her emotions during her trainee life. Long training period Although Ruka has cute and stunning visuals, she was born in 2002 (22 years old), making her the oldest member of BABYMONSTER. This means that since her first audition for YG in 2018, she's had five years of training under her belt! A former Japanese idol First, Kawai Ruka (her full name) wasn't a popular idol in Japan. In 2017, she was part of Blue Class, a sub-unit of a large girl group called "Shibu3 Project" . But Ruka, who loves hip-hop dance was not satisfied with the "bouncy style" of Shibu3 Project. She moved on from Shibu3 Project after a year and auditioned for YG, that is known for its expertise in hip-hop. So now that you've learned more about BABYMONSTER's Ruka, what do you think about her determination and story? Let us know in the comments below with your favorite BABYMONSTER member and why! #RUKA #BABYMONSTER #YG

From July 3 -7, Daegu celebrated its annual Chimac Festival , which was nothing short of spectacular! If you're a fan of Korean Fried Chicken, this is a MUST-DO/EAT activity that you can't miss! Dojeon team member, Lewis, shares his experience from this year's festival! I recently attended the Chimek (Chicken and Beer) festival in Daegu, and before going I was not too sure what to expect. Other than it would be crowded and perhaps overpriced. Well, I was wrong. July is the start of the monsoon season in Korea, which means it is very hot, especially in Daegu which is often referred to as "Dafrica" due to its dry and hot temperatures. A great thing about this festival, is that there was a seating area with chairs in water, so you were able to cool down and not overheat. I thought that this concept was really good and a unique photo opportunity. This area featured Korean-style traditional music with plenty of chicken options around, which for me it felt more like a family-friendly area of the park. On the other side of the park, and with an incredible view of Daegu's 83 Tower , which is part of E-World. You were able to find many people relaxing on the grass or on a picnic blanket enjoying the more laid-back atmosphere of the festival. For me this gave me the opportunity to enjoy some beer and watch the sunset and get lost in my thoughts. Because there were many food and drink tents around this area, it was very relaxing. Of course, this festival would not have been complete without trying some of the many chicken food stalls. For me, I opted for a spicy BBQ chicken, and I have to say I am usually good with spice, however, this chicken since it had been marinating for a long time, hit the spot and truthfully it was a little spicy, HOWEVER the flavor was amazing! The chicken only cost 13,000 KRW (USD 9.400), which I thought was a really good price, as if that was in the UK at a festival, it would have easily cost double. The event was sponsored by the Korean beer brand CASS . This meant that a 400 mL beer only cost 3,000 KRW (USD 2.17) which was a really good price. Usually events like this in Europe and the UK a beer at a festival would cost around 15-18,000 KRW (USD 10.00-13.00). The other area of the festival hosted the main stage, and where there were of course many crowds. This area also featured some restaurants, food stalls, and seating areas. For me, I went to watch the music once the sun went down, and because of the intense heat there were water cannons spraying the crowd now and then, which I have to say was a nice way to cool down! The headline act for Saturday night was the one and only Zior Park which I have to say performed amazingly. His voice and vocal range was really impressive live, as other artists tend to use a lot of auto tune these days, where he actually sang live. The atmosphere for his set was electrifying! A clip of Zior Park's performance! Let us know in the comments below if you went to the 2024 Chimac Festival. Tag us in your photos. #koreanfriedchicken #beer #Cass #2024ChimacFestival #Daegu

Waterbomb 2024 was like none other before it! Big names hit the stage including Marvel . Yes! THE Marvel! We highlight actor/singer Cha Eun Woo , with his electrifying performance, and some Hollywood stars who decided to show up! Waterbomb 2024 saw a host of surprises, from some of the actors in the new Deadpool & Wolverine Marvel movie to a sensational performance from K-heartthrob Cha Eun Woo ! Fresh off his duties as a Sprite brand ambassador, Cha Eun Woo mesmerized the audience with his refreshing visuals while posing with a bottle of the beverage, as many of the sponsorships require, but that was just the pre-show calm. When he was revealed as a secret guest, the crowd erupted in cheers, the anticipation thick in the air! And once the K-pop star kicked off his performance we can now find him all over the internet. Let's check out some of his performance highlights! Many fans have taken to social media platforms such as 'X' saying that the performance was "too sexy" and that Cha Eun Woo as a special guest at the 2024 Waterbomb festival was a total surprise. As I have seen the star on many billboards and advertisements in Korea, I feel that his surprise performance would have meant a lot to his fans since his face is virtually everywhere. Having watched his performance online, I feel that his dancing and vocal ability were good for a live performance, and that the short set would have pushed him a long way to help the big brands advertise their products in Korea even more! Let us know in the comments below if you attended this year's Waterbomb Festival, and tag us in your photos! #ChaEunWoo #WATERBOMB #WATERBOMB2024 #WATERBOMBSEOUL #MARVEL #DEADPOOL #WOLVERINE #워터밤 #워터밤2024 #워터밤서울 #마블 #데드풀과울버린

Traveling in any city can be daunting at first, especially when you are in a foreign country, and don't speak the language. This article will focus on the do's and don'ts of traveling in the city via taxi in Korea. We give you some stress-free tips when hailing, riding, and paying for your ride! Now, like most of you have probably experienced in a foreign country before, it can be slightly daunting to hail down a taxi and communicate with the driver, as often they can only speak their native language, and it can become a stressful experience. Or perhaps you agree on a price, and then when you arrive at your destination the driver tries to charge you a higher price. Taxi Apps A MUST do before coming to Korea is to download the "Kakao Taxi app" , here you are able to register a local Korean credit card, or there is the option to pay directly to the driver when you take a journey. Paying directly to the driver, you will be able to pay by credit card or cash, however as there are tiers of taxi that you can take, you will only be able to book a standard taxi (at peak times of the day, the waiting time can be longer) by paying directly to the driver. Using this app has made traveling for me much more comfortable and convenient, and you will be hard pressed to find a Korean that does not have this app. I have also found that unlike other taxi apps, like Uber & Grab, the wait time the majority of the time of Kakao Taxi's is not to long, usually just a couple of minutes, and they are also reasonably prices as well, at least compared to what I would expect to pay in a Western country, so taking a taxi in Korea has become a daily occurrence if I am visiting the city. Taxi Stands Of course it's also possible to take a taxi by going to a taxi stand, at a shopping mal, airport, bus station or train station, and in some cities you will also find a taxi stand. If you are unable to find a taxi right away, then you can look for sign posts that will give you directions, and if you are in Seoul, then you can call +82-2-120 and ask for taxi stand locations as well, so make sure you have a working phone or you are at least able to connect to WIFI to check a map. Taxi Fare Taxi fare varies by city and taxi type. Most taxis charge passengers the sum of the base fare and additional charges based on the travelled distance. Additional charges may apply depending on time and driving out of the region. Late-night fare is usually applied from 22:00 to 04:00 with the surcharge varying in amount depending on the time. The late-night fare is most expensive from 23:00 to 02:00.     Pre-booking a taxi Apart from the standard taxis, there are also special international taxis that are driven by taxi drivers who can speak one or more foreign languages such as English, Japanese, or Chinese. International taxis are available in varied sizes to accommodate travelers' needs. They also offer airport pick-up service with reservations in advance. Pick-up reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance via the website, email, or phone call.     Website: www.intltaxi.co.kr       Reservations: reserve@intltaxi.co.kr / +82-1644-2255 Hailing a Taxi If you are out and about in the city, and decide to take a taxi, then you are able to stand by the side of the road and hail down a taxi. This is also a very convenient way, however please note that it is advisable to have the Korean address written down, unless it is a major landmark that you plan to travel to, as most taxi drivers only speak Korean. Of course, if you are able to speak Korean and like a challenge, then that is also good. Let us know in the comments below, about your experiences travelling by Taxi in Korea! #taxi #SouthKorea #tips #kakaotaxi #kakaotalk

The three letters "BTS" are known globally, and for good reason. Their success as an award winning K-pop group, which some argue put Korea on the international map are at it again, but this time as solo artists! BTS's V will feature in a unique photobook exhibition, his inner self! Read on for more details! Now with the boys exploring solo careers, and with the highly anticipated upcoming release of Kim Taehyung's ( V of BTS ) "TYPE 1" photo book, HYBE has announced the "ARTSPACE: TYPE 1" global exhibition. With this news, fans have started to get hyped, and of course they are right to do so. For me, art is not high on my interest list, but once a BTS member is mentioned alongside, my ears start to open up a little. This special exhibition will be filled with Taehyung's distinctive style and will showcase moments of relaxation, which form the main theme of his "TYPE 1" photobook to aid the release of his new solo album. Type 1 concept teaser: This special exhibition will feature a variety of zones, alongside experience areas, where fans will be able to see the BTS star as some of his more vulnerable and relaxed moments, which have not been seen before. I think for me, this would allow me to feel closer to the star, behind the stage lights, make up and production. The design of these spaces reflects the flow of the photobook’s chapters, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere in person. Check out the poster below for a full list of exhibition dates: The exhibition will take place in various cities and venues worldwide from July to August. I will actually be heading to the Taiwan exhibition this July! Let us know in the comments below if you plan to attend this special exhibition this summer! #BTSV #KimTaehyung #TYPE1

The rainy season has finally started in Korea, and it is the perfect time for having a BBQ at a local restaurant. Follow Dojeon team member, Lewis, as he takes you to his favorite Korean BBQ place during this humid and hot summer! Whenever I go to a BBQ restaurant, it just makes me feel happy and relaxed, as I feel that I get to experience Korean culture and customs on a local level. This is the feeling that I get whenever I visit Mi Cow Ggupdang in Daegu ! I chose this restaurant because the service has been fantastic every time I have visited, and the manager has always remembered me. This has made me want to return to the restaurant as I have felt welcome, not to mention the food is delicious!favorite Beef ribs are my favorite order, and the quality is great. There is something special about cooking at the table, which in Western culture is not really popular. I also enjoy the array of side dishes that are given. Kimchi, lettuce, garlic mushroom, chili, and the salty peanut sauces are a delight with the meal. There is nothing better than making a wrap with a little piece of each of the foods called a "ssam" ( 쌈). Now what BBQ would be complete without some alcoholic beverages? I think Cass goes really well with the meal, and soju when eating spicy foods. The side dishes are always really good, and like most Korean restaurants, you can ask for more of your favorite side dishes for free ! This restaurant also features a great outdoor seating area, which when it's dry is a great place to sit and soak in the sun. The seats are also very comfortable and offer a great chance for you to relax. This restaurant is right next to Donchon River and allows you to take a stroll after eating your meal, and soak in the delights of local arcades, cafe's, and of course a pay-by-the-round baseball game! You should for sure visit this restaurant this summer! Let us know in the comments below, what your favorite restaurant is this July! #koreanbbq #koreanfood #bbq #daegu #musteat #mustvisit #eatlikealocal

SBS TV's action/thriller Connection has steadily been top of South Korea's viewership ratings! Why? Because of its intricate plot and twisting mysteries! We review why episode 13 opened up a can of worms and why you must be watching! Ji Sung's cop/action/thriller drama Connection has got our nails digging into our palms and on the edge of our seats as the latest episode (13) has got our heads in a whirlwind ! Not only did the story take a surprising twist, but we were shocked to see the backstabbing and secrets begin! If you haven't seen the episode, make sure to watch it first before reading further! Here's a preview of episode 13! Spoilers! We're not sure about you, but if you had high school classmates like the ones featured in this drama, the world would be in trouble! With all jokes aside, episode 13 finally gives us a better idea of who is really behind the creation of the "Lemon Mulberry" that has Jang Jae Kyeong ( Ji Sung ) addicted! With the cops finally found Jung Yoon Ho's corpse in the forest, they're one step closer to finding out the "connection" between Park Tae Jin, Won Jong Soo, and Oh Chi Hyun. Pressured to keep everything quiet, Won Jong Soo tells Park Tae Jin to "come and see him" and beats him up to "show him a lesson" when he finds out that Tae Jin has been in cahoots with their classmate Jung Sang Eui, who has been manufacturing "Lemon Mulberry" under the Geumhyeong Pharmaceutical name. This throws everything and everyone in a spiral to either cover themselves and destroy the evidence or throw a wrench into Won Jong Soo's plan for redevelopment. Park Tae Jin is out for revenge as he finally turns the "Lemon Mulberry" business inside out by raiding the compound where Jung Sang Eui has been developing the drug. Meanwhile, Jang Jae Kyeong, Oh Yoon Jin ( Jeon Mi Do ), and classmate, Heo Joo Song, visit the taxi driver who gave their deceased friend, Park Joon Seo, a ride to the construction site, where he eventually died. From the flashbacks, we find out that it was actually Won Jong Soo who killed Chae Kyung Tae during their high school years, forcing Jang Jae Kyeong to transfer schools. True colors are revealed! When Park Tae Jin is out to put his drug-selling scheme on Won Jong Soo, he puts Geumhyeong Pharmaceutical CEO and Jong Soo's father, Won Chang Ho, in a predicament. Either he takes down his company or he takes his son. Won Chang Ho turns his back on his son and turns him in to the police. Jang Jae Kyeong finally gets caught Jang Jae Kyeong's policing methods finally catch up to him as his fellow officers break into his locker to find out that he's been mismanaging narcotics while he is on a stakeout to catch CEO Yoon's killer, Gong Jin Wook. What will happen to our hero now? Let us know your thoughts on this exciting episode! Now that not every character is squeaky clean, does it make this drama even better? #Connection #Connectionep13 #episoderecap #kdramarecap

Coffee is relatively new to South Korean culture, but once it caught on in the early 2000s, it spread like wildfire! Now there are literally over 100,000 coffee shops around the country! Follow Dojeon team member, Gabriella, as she discovers her true passion, brewing the perfect cup of "Joe". Midnight In Paris, except the coffee was the Midnight The world of coffee transformed me. My experience of coffee has been somewhat graded throughout my life, you see, I was always a tea girl. I probably only got into coffee in my early 20s and that too with a very dark espresso in a small, sunlit hotel in Paris. The experience of that espresso was far from pleasant, it was as though I was drinking the waters of a deep, dark forest (thinking Harry Potter) but still, I thought there could be a chance I would get used to this. Getting through those few sips of that espresso (eventually accompanied by dark chocolate) I wanted to experiment more. Classes in Seoul Slowly this experience of coffee became a significant part of my life. After moving to Seoul, I was awakened by the many opportunities and classes available to me. I have tried burlesque, traditional Korean painting, ballet, and many other classes . One I was eagerly searching for and could not seem to find (especially in English) was a coffee course, that was until I stumbled upon Standing Coffee. I walked into the Noksapyeong Branch of Standing Coffee on a chilly winter's day, I had come by to try a well-known little burger stand nearby (perhaps you've heard of it - Burger Snack?). You could say that trying Standing Coffee was on my Korean bucket list (I was preparing to leave Korea to go back home). When we walked in there - my partner, knowing I had been looking for a barista class quickly pointed out the Standing Coffee Club's classes they had stuck on the wall. More about the Class The class is conducted in English and Korean (don't fret too much if you don't speak Korean, if you have a genuine interest in coffee and know some of the basics it will be a breeze!) The barista course is structured as three different classes, each covering a key component of being a Barista and the foundational knowledge of coffee. The classes are as below: Brewing (hand drip) and history of coffee and how coffee is made Espresso ( cue Sabrina Carpenter) Milk Steaming and Latte art Each session was around two hours and included great insight into the steps and methods needed to make the perfect cup of coffee. I felt so inspired and motivated after each session! The instructor's name is Sung Hoon and I had the best time learning with him! He’s super friendly and kind and now a good friend in the coffee industry! If you’re interested in taking this amazing class don't hesitate to contact Standing Coffee! Details below: Contact via Instagram or Kakao Class cost (the class I took was the Barista class and consisted of three different classes): 220,000won other classes have varying prices Location (this may also vary): Gyeongridan Standing Coffee branch (instructor will inform you). What I’m doing Now In March, this year my little Korean adventure (3 years) came to an end (well for now) and I moved back home to New Zealand. I live close to the beach and saw a local group post about a cute little coffee cart that had opened in front of the beach and they were looking for baristas! So I put my name forward and now I’m working as a barista and manager there hoping to start something of my own one day. We’ll see. If you'd like to visit our cute, little beachside coffee cart, please do! We have delectable coffee (at very good prices I might add), warm and friendly staff, a breathtaking view of St Heliers Beach (as shown above), and a place for you to relax, drink coffee, eat baked goods, and soak up the sea in all its glory. Coffix St Heliers Location: 347 Tamaki Drive, St Heliers, Auckland, New Zealand Opening hours: Tues-Sun 8 am-1 pm Coffee for me has become an art and a special shared moment of present life. If you’re like me and love to explore and try new things give this class a try! It’s worth it! Do you love coffee? Do you want to learn the art? Let us know in the comments below! We will answer any questions you’ve got! #coffee #coffeeinseoul #love #cafe #baristacourse #standingcoffee

BLACKPINK's JENNIE becomes the first Korean female solo artist to have a song surpass one billion Spotify streams with her single "One Of The Girls" ! Let's take a look at all the details! Jennie has achieved something amazing that other female Korean artists could only dream of achieving. To achieve this milestone as a solo artist, it took only a record-breaking 376 days, which means that she has overtaken her friend and former bandmate Lisa - with her single "Money" took 739 days, not to mention her own group BLACKPINK ("How You Like That" which took 1,356 days). Jennie has always been my favorite member of Blackpink, as I like her charisma and style. When her former label was setting the girls up to become solo artists, I enjoyed Jennie's feature single "Solo", and from that, I had a feeling that great things would come for Jennie in her pursuit of a solo career! The records set by Jennie don't end there since “One Of The Girls”, being a viral success, is the "Only Soundtrack released in 2023 that surpassed 1 Billion streams on Spotify" and the "Most Streamed OST by a K-pop Act" in history! I believe that with her strong work ethic and appeal to both Western and Eastern audiences, Jennie will continue to strive in her solo career! Let us know your thoughts on this new record in the comments below! #Jennie #1billion #Spotify #OneOfTheGirls #TheWeeknd #LilyRoseDepp

In August Disney+ is set to release it's latest "Adventure" series "Are You Sure?!" , however this time BTS's very own Jungkook and Jimin will feature, and we're super excited! Our Dojeon team member, Lewis, breaks down why he is looking forward to this program! Now, if you didn't know, I am a MASSIVE Disney fan, and I have been since I was young. For me Disney, creates the feeling of escape, and adventure, and when I heard that two of BTS's starts were going to feature in a new travel series, I was so excited! Jimin and Jungkook have been completing their military service starting December of last year. Throughout the show and their travels, the boys will be stripped back of their luxury items, as they will have to endure and enjoy the more simple daily pleasures that life has to offer from camping and outdoor activates. I think that since they came from humble beginnings, they will be fine, thought it will be interesting to see how they get on. This adventure series will see the boys, travel in their native Korea, including Jeju Island (Korea's Hawaii), and to Sapporo, Japan, and the United States. Check out this teaser from Suga's "SUCHWITA" show! The unplanned nature of their trip leads to various situations where they frequently ask each other, "Are you sure?!" Throughout their travels, they enjoy simple daily pleasures and engage in outdoor adventures, such as camping, canoeing, and road trips. A teaser video and season poster have been released on BTS' official social media channels, showcasing photos from different locations of their trip. Will you be tuning in to watch this new travel show? For sure, I will. In fact I recently cancelled my Disney subscription, so I will have to renew it, but I think it will be worth it. I also think that it will be nice to see a different side of the boys, instead of seeing them all dressed up and dancing and singing on stage. What are your thoughts on this? From August 15th, 2024, episodes will be released each week exclusively on Disney+, so mark the dates in your calendars! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! #AreYouSure #Jimin #Jungkook