Korean Wave Digest

SANS Coffee: The Caffeine-Free Coffee Alternative Making Waves in Seongsu-dong If you’ve wandered through the streets of Seongsu-dong recently, you may have noticed a growing buzz around something called "alternative coffee" or more specifically, SANS Coffee . It’s not your average cup of joe—this unique beverage skips both the traditional coffee bean and caffeine entirely. ㅎㅎ Yep, you read that right: it’s 100% caffeine-free and doesn’t even use coffee beans. But it still tastes like coffee. Kind of magic, right? ^^ So what is this new trend all about? Why is it popping up in Seongsu, of all places? Well, SANS (meaning "without" in French) is Korea’s first-ever alternative coffee brand. It launched in 2023 and has been turning heads ever since, hosting free tasting events and stylish pop-up stores from Seongsu to The Hyundai Seoul. Its minimal branding, wellness-forward concept, and unique approach to taste make it a fascinating spot not only for locals but ...

Introducing the WSWF Fight Judges: J.Y. Park, Aaliyah Janell, and Mike Song  If you're a fan of global dance culture and K-pop, you’re in for a massive treat . Mnet’s upcoming global dance survival show, World of Street Woman Fighter (WSWF) , is about to revolutionize international dance competitions! Starting May 2025, WSWF will feature incredible crews from Korea, Japan, Europe, and more, battling it out under the watchful eyes of three of the most iconic judges: J.Y. Park , Aaliyah Janell , and Mike Song . Let's dive deeper into who these legends are, their massive influence, why they are perfect for WSWF, and what global fans should expect from this epic season! ㅎㅎ Meet the Judges: Profiles, Achievements, and Global Impact 1. J.Y. Park (Park Jin-young) Role: K-pop Pioneer, Producer, Singer, Choreographer, CEO Key Achievements: Founded JYP Entertainment, home to TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, and NMIXX Released multiple legendary K-pop hits since 1994 ("Honey,...

Earth Arcade Season 3 First Episode Recap and Review  On April 25, 2025, tvN finally aired the first episode of Earth Arcade Season 3 (지구오락실 시즌3)! ㅎㅎ Starring Lee Eun-ji , Mimi (Oh My Girl), Lee Young-ji , and Ahn Yu-jin (IVE), this hilarious hybrid variety show is produced by the legendary Na Young-seok PD . This season’s mission? The four "Earth Warriors" are now secret agents tasked with chasing down "Torongi," a moon rabbit who escaped to Earth using the Jade Emperor's company credit card! ㅋㅋ This time, the background is none other than Abu Dhabi ! Let's break down the madness of the first episode. Episode 1 Highlights and Main Storyline Opening and Worldbuilding The members reunite in Korea with explosive energy and endless questions. Na PD tries to explain the Season 3 lore, but the members' relentless reactions raise his "anger gauge," creating hilarious chaos ㅋㅋ. Secret Agent Missions and Games Egg Is Coming Building...

How Foreigners in Korea Can Get Compensation and Services After the 2025 SKT Hacking Incident  If you're a foreigner living in Korea or just traveling here, and you're using SK Telecom (SKT) or any carrier that relies on the SKT network, this post is super important for you. On April 19, 2025, SK Telecom experienced a major hacking attack, and sensitive information like IMSI, IMEI, and USIM authentication keys were leaked. Even though you're not a Korean citizen, if you have an SKT SIM card or an SKT-based plan (like from an MVNO), you're definitely affected. The good news? SKT and the Korean government have officially included all foreigners in Korea, as well as travelers, in their compensation and protection programs!  You can get a free USIM or eSIM replacement , sign up for free USIM Protection Service , and even get full financial compensation if you're impacted. In this blog, I'll guide you through exactly what you need to do — whether you're stu...

Unraveling the Mystery: A Deep Dive into Disney+'s 'Nine Puzzles' As the global appetite for Korean dramas continues to surge, Disney+ is set to captivate audiences with its upcoming original series, 'Nine Puzzles' . Scheduled for release on May 21, 2025 , this psychological thriller promises a compelling narrative that intertwines past traumas with present-day investigations. Helmed by acclaimed director Yoon Jong-bin , known for works like 'Narco-Saints' and 'The Spy Gone North', and penned by writer Lee Eun-mi of 'Tunnel' and 'Navillera' fame, 'Nine Puzzles' is poised to be a standout addition to the K-drama landscape. Plot Overview The series centers around Yoon Yi-na (portrayed by Kim Da-mi ), who, a decade ago, was the sole witness to her uncle's brutal murder. Despite her claims of innocence, she became the prime suspect, especially in the eyes of detective Han Saem (played by Son Suk-ku ). Fast forward ...

Dear Hongrang (디어 홍랑): A Captivating Joseon-Era Mystery Romance Set to premiere on Netflix in 2025, Dear Hongrang (디어 홍랑) is an upcoming Korean original drama that blends mystery, romance, and historical intrigue. Adapted from Jang Da-hye's novel “Tangeum: Swallowing Gold” , the series delves into the complexities of forbidden emotions and family secrets during the Joseon Dynasty. With a compelling storyline and a stellar cast, this drama is poised to captivate audiences worldwide. Key Information Platform: Netflix Release Date: 2025 Genres: Mystery, Romance, Historical Original Work: Novel “Tangeum: Swallowing Gold” by Jang Da-hye Screenwriter: Kim Jin-a (known for “Dr. Brain”) Director: Kim Hong-sun (known for “The Guest,” “Money Heist: Korea”) Production Companies: Studio Dragon, Plus M, Ace Maker Movie Works, H House Cast and Characters Actor Role Description Lee Jae-wook Hongra...

Battle! PaengBong PaengBong (대결! 팽봉팽봉): Where Real Restaurant Owners Clash Overseas When it comes to cooking competition shows, there’s always a fine line between reality and entertainment. But JTBC’s new variety show “Battle! PaengBong PaengBong” strips away the fantasy and throws real restaurant owners into the heart of a foreign market. Premiering on April 19, 2025, this series breaks new ground by combining business, comedy, and raw human connection into one unpredictable, emotional, and hilariously honest variety format. Starring veteran comedians Lee Bong-won and Paeng Hyun-sook, both of whom have been running real restaurants for years, the show tasks them with running actual restaurants overseas from scratch — budgeting, managing, hiring, cooking, marketing, and serving real customers. This is not just a kitchen competition. This is the full restaurant experience, including the heat, the pressure, and the interpersonal dynamics that come with it. Produced by Lee Jin-joo, k...