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 wh...

💄 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...

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 m...

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 f...

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" nativ...

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 break...

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...

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...

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,...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea—where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! Grab your loofah and maybe some courage, kkakdugi! This week, we’re peeling back the layers—literally—on the legendary Italy Towel (이태리수건). While it’s currently trending as a "luxury spa treatment" in the US for over $170, Gigi and Daamly are here to remind us of it...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea—where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! Buckle up, kkakdugi! This week, we’re celebrating a very special occasion—it was Gigi’s birthday! 🥳 But while Gigi was out celebrating with her Korean unnies in San Francisco, she hit a major cultural plot twist at the end of the meal: In Korea, the birthday person is a...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea—where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! Buckle up, kkakdugi! This week, Gigi and Daamly are going back to school—elementary school style—to finally figure out: Dummies for BTS . After realizing they’re basically "young-born fans" in the world of ARMY, the ladies dive into a crash course on the seven members, f...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea—where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! Buckle up, kkakdugi! This week, Gigi and Daamly are getting vulnerable (and very swollen) as they spill the tea on the wild world of K-beauty procedures . Gigi kicks things off by recounting her journey with Rejuran , a treatment she affectionately—and terrifyingly—calls...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea—where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In this episode, Gigi and Daamly are joined by a very special guest, Charlie Smith , whose unique and authentic voice has been making waves on Instagram. We’re unpacking what it’s like to grow up being Korean and Black in the United States. From the diverse streets of Fl...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA , and Seongsu-dong, Korea —where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In this episode, Gigi and Daamly are putting on their coolest sunglasses to dive into the confusing, hilarious, and occasionally spicy world of modern Korean slang. Ever been called "Baam-T" and wondered if it was a compliment? (Spoiler: Unless it’s in a love song, pro...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea—where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In this episode, Gigi and Daamly are unpacking a fashion trend that technically started in your grandma’s garden but ended up on G-Dragon and Jennie from BLACKPINK. We’re diving into the world of the "Kimjang Vest" (a.k.a. the Grandma Vest)—the floral, padded essential d...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea—where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In this episode, Gigi and Daamly are unpacking the "no-color rule" that dominates the streets of Seoul. Ever seen a photo of a Korean subway and noticed that literally everyone is wearing a long, black puffer jacket? We’re diving into why standing out is often considered...

Is your bath towel a "one-and-done" deal, or do you let it ride for a month? In this episode of Kkakdugi News, Gigi and Daamly dive into a "hot take" that might make you rethink your entire morning routine: Are Americans generally "dirtier" than Koreans when it comes to towel hygiene? From the giant "bath sheets" of the U.S. to the specialized mokyok tang sizes of Korea, the duo explores the fasci...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea—where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In this episode, Gigi and Daamly come together to unpack the weird, sarcastic, and hilarious world of modern Korean slang. We’re diving into the concept of "Byung-mat" (병맛)—a term that literally translates to "moron taste" but represents a whole genre of ridiculous, ch...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea—where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In this episode, Gigi and Daamly are joined by a special guest, Jiwon, to discuss the return of the King of K-Pop: G-Dragon. We’re diving into the absolute chaos of trying to score a ticket in Korea, why being a "real fan" involves a mountain-sized battle, and the surpri...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea — where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In this episode, Gigi and Daamly are wrapping up their deep dive into Singles Inferno by exploring the scandalous (or not-so-scandalous) world of K-dating "skin-ship." What happens when a "bed situation" becomes a national controversy, but holding hands is considered t...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea — where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In this episode, Gigi and Daamly are kicking off a special two-part series on the Netflix sensation Singles Inferno , exploring the culture shocks and "un-Korean" vibes that have everyone talking. In Part 1, we’re unpacking the gap between traditional Korean humility a...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea — where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In this episode, Gigi and Daamly are getting into the personal—and potentially scandalous—territory of undergarments and "natural" beauty. What happens when a global trend like the Skims Nipple Bra meets the conservative streets of Seoul? We’re diving into the paradox...

Welcome back to that space somewhere between California, USA, and Seongsu-dong, Korea — where Sidechat News (깍두기 News) happens! In our third episode, Gigi and Daamly bite into the literal “hottest” dessert trend sweeping Korea: the DuJjonKu (Dubai Jjionduck Cookie). Is it a cookie? Is it a mochi? Is it a mountain of marshmallows and pistachio-flavored "candy sprinkles"? Yes to all of the above!...

Welcome back to Sidechat News (깍두기 News) ! In our second episode, Gigi and Daamly dive into the weird and wonderful world of K-Trends—and why they don't always translate when they cross the Pacific. From the global obsession with Culinary Class Wars to the controversial "red-eye" makeup look of Chef Kim Hee-eun, we’re unpacking the visual cues that define modern Korean style. We explore why Ame...