JOY's Life in KOREA

Hey everyone! It’s your girl Joy! 💖 Have you noticed that literally EVERYONE on Instagram is in Mongolia right now?! 🇲🇳✨ I was looking up where young Koreans love to travel for summer vacation, and Mongolia is officially the trendiest hotspot! From riding camels on endless green plains to sledding down giant sand dunes and watching the stars from a traditional Ger... I just couldn't resist....

Hi everyone! It’s Joy from Joy’s Life in KOREA! 🌴✨ In this video, I’m taking you on my magical trip to Jeju Island with my friends! From snorkeling in the beautiful blue ocean and boat fishing to trying the famous Jeju black pork and even diving with the legendary Jeju Haenyeo ladies—we did it all! But that’s not all! I also joined the 21st Jeju Forum to speak up for world peace and a sustainabl...

Hey guys! It’s Joy here from Joy’s Life in KOREA! 👋✨ Are you planning a trip to South Korea, or maybe thinking about moving here soon? If you want to navigate Korea like a total local, your smartphone is going to be your ultimate superpower. 📱💥 In today’s video, I’m breaking down the absolute MUST-HAVE Korean apps that completely changed my life here. From texting friends to ordering late-nigh...

Today, I’m hanging out at this super cozy Hanok cafe in the heart of Seoul, taking a little time-travel trip to the past! But the real highlight of my day? Catching up with my amazing global besties who are scattered all over the world right now! 🗺️💬 From Michael studying art in Florence, to Jessica vlogging her way through the gorgeous Alps in Evian, and Alex drowning in breaking news at a globa...

Hi everyone! It’s Joy! 🎬✨ In today's video, I have a huge surprise! My childhood friend Jack, a top US engineering grad who studied AI, suddenly came to Korea. Out of all the major global companies scouting him, he chose to work for a Korean company! 🥳 Did you know that Samsung Electronics ranked in the top 10 of the most desired employers among US graduates in 2026? It’s officially a dream...

Hey guys, it’s Joy! 🎬 How a trip with my dad completely opened my eyes to South Korea. Growing up with my dad—who is my absolute mentor and a veteran defense expert—always meant learning to see the world through a slightly different lens. In this video, I’m taking you along on a special journey down memory lane, connecting our family trip to the naval museum in New York (visiting the historic USS...

Hey guys! It’s Joy! 💖 In today’s video, I’m bringing you along on my weekly global family Zoom call! Since I moved to Seoul, my family has been scattered across three different countries: I’m in Korea, Mom is back in the US, and Dad is currently in Canada for a massive business trip! 🌎✈️ We ended up having the biggest chat about how Korea is literally taking over the world right now! I shared my...

Hey guys! Welcome back to Joy’s Life in KOREA! 🇰🇷✨ Today, I’m taking you to a place that completely stole my heart—Myeongdong Cathedral. Right in the busy, neon-lit heart of Seoul, there’s this magical, peaceful escape that feels like a little piece of Europe. But Myeongdong Cathedral is way more than just a gorgeous photo spot! It holds a massive place in Korean history and has been a beacon of...

Did you know that Korean soldiers are being called "Angels without Wings" all over the world? 🌏✨ In this video, I’m catching up with my friend, Hyeon-cheol, who is a real-deal Korean soldier! He just came out on military leave and told me about his new goal: joining the UN Peacekeeping Forces. I was so surprised to learn that Korean soldiers don’t just carry weapons—they’re out there r...

What actually happens in Seoul when headlines talk about missiles and nuclear threats? 🤔 Hi everyone! It’s Joy here! 💕 Today, I’m sharing a special episode to answer one of the biggest questions I get from my listeners and family back home: "Is Korea actually safe to live in and visit?" As an American college girl living in Seoul, I’ll be sharing my honest experiences—from the first ti...

What's the first sound that pops into your head when you think of Korea? K-pop? Dynamic crowd chanting? 🎵 While those are amazing, my absolute favorite is actually the sound of Korean bells! In this video, I’m taking you on a quick journey to discover two of the most fascinating bells in Korea. First, we’ll look at the ancient "Emille Bell" (the Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok)—a National Treasure...

Hey everyone, it’s Joy! 🎬 Ready for a time travel? In this video, I’m taking you to Andong, the spiritual capital of South Korea, where I did something absolutely unforgettable—I spent the night in a 200-year-old traditional Korean house called a "Gotaek"! 🌟 Forget luxury hotels. Waking up to the sunlight peeking through paper doors, the fresh scent of the earth, and the peaceful sound...

Hi everyone! It’s Joy from Joy’s Life in KOREA ! 😊 Today’s story starts with a fun dinner with my new friend Harry, who’s from the UK. We had a classic Korean "Samso" night (Samgyeopsal + Somaek!), but our conversation led to something much deeper and more moving than I ever expected. Did you know that the only UN Memorial Cemetery in the world is right here in Busan, South Korea? 🌍 It...

Hey guys! It’s Joy! 👋✨ Lately, I’ve been hitting the books hard for the TOPIK exam, but today’s discussion class really hit different. 🥺 We talked about the relationship between Korea and our home countries, and honestly? I was so moved by what my friends shared. From helping refugee children in Poland to standing by Türkiye during the earthquake and supporting Europe during the pandemic—it tur...

You might know this island as a filming location for Squid Game. But there is a much deeper and more beautiful story hidden here. 🏝️✨ In this episode, I’m taking you to Gyodongdo , a small island where time seems to have stopped in the 1960s. 🕰️ We’ll walk through the retro streets of Daeryong Village , try making Dalgona just like the movie, and see the breathtaking lotus flowers at Gogu Reservo...

Hey guys! It’s Joy! 🇺🇸✨ Did you know there’s a village in South Korea that feels like a piece of the North? Today, I’m taking you to Abai Village in Sokcho. It looks like a peaceful fairy tale now, but it has a deep, heartbreaking history of families separated by the war. I got to pull my own boat across a canal, eat some addictive North Korean style sundae, and learn about the "Golden Age&q...

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Joy’s Life in KOREA ! 🇰🇷✨ I’m your host, Joy. Today, I’m taking you on a breath-taking run through one of my favorite spots in Seoul— Olympic Park ! 🏃‍♀️💨 Running is such a huge vibe in Korea right now, and I’m so excited to share the amazing energy of running with my crew, Pace Maker , and my friend Ji-yeon. 👟🤝 As we pass the iconic Lone Tree —which feels like a...

What’s up, everyone! It’s your girl Joy! 🇺🇸✨ In today's episode, we’re going from yummy pumpkin pie to... world peace ? Yep, we’re covering it all! 🕊️ I’m diving into my favorite US traditions—seriously, my dad's homemade pumpkin pie is actual heaven 🥧—and a mind-blowing fact about how many hot dogs Americans eat on the 4th of July. Spoiler alert: it’s enough to travel from LA to DC and...

Hey everyone, it’s Joy! Welcome back to Joy’s Life in KOREA. 🌟 In today’s episode, I’m diving into a special story that started with a beautiful 3D popup card from my Korean teacher. Have you ever wondered why Korea and Vietnam are such "besties"? It’s more than just business and trade—it’s a deep, 100-year connection that’s built on shared values and history. #KoreaVietnam #WinWinPartn...

Welcome to Joy’s Life in KOREA! 🇰🇷✨ Today’s episode is extra, EXTRA special! I finally managed to survive the "ticketing war" and hopped on the DMZ 평화이음열차 ! 🚂💨 Can you believe this train is back for the first time in over 6 years? 😱 Come along with me as I travel deep into the "forbidden zone"—the Civilian Control Zone! From the heart-pounding moment military police c...

HEY GUYS! Welcome back to another episode of Joy’s Life in KOREA ! 🎙️✨ In today's episode, I’m breaking down one of the CRAZIEST coincidences I’ve experienced since moving here. It all started when a new student joined my Korean class—Sanya, a stunning model from India! 🇮🇳🇰🇷 But wait... it gets better. Talking to her made me realize that India and Korea are basically SOULMATES . 👯‍♀️ From he...

Ever wondered if a place could be a total time machine and a romantic date spot all at once? 🕰️💖 In this episode, join me as I take you through Incheon Jayu Park—a place where legendary K-drama filming sites meet over a century of hidden history. 🎬📜 We’re talking 100-year-old "guardian" trees that survived wars, the iconic spot from Goblin (Dokkaebi!), and a sunset over Incheon Port t...

Hey everyone! It’s Joy! 🌸 Welcome to Joy’s Life in KOREA . In this episode, we are heading to Incheon, the vibrant port city where one of Korea’s most beloved comfort foods was born! 🍜 Join me as I walk through the red-colored streets of Incheon Chinatown. With over 140 years of history, this place is much more than just a tourist attraction. It is a melting pot where Korean and Chinese cultures...

I REALLY thought I was a genius when it came to Korean! 🧠✨ I grew up listening to K-POP and memorizing lines from my favorite K-DRAMAS , so I figured living in Korea and taking the TOPIK exam would be a BREEZE. But I was SO wrong... 😭💔 In this video, I’m sharing the REALITY of preparing for TOPIK Level 4 . 📚🔥 The more I study, the more I realize how deep and complex this language actually is...

Hey guys! It’s Joy! 👋Did you know there was a "secret American town" hidden in the heart of Seoul for 120 years? 🇺🇸🇰🇷 In today’s video, I’m taking you to the Yongsan Children’s Garden , a place that was off-limits to the public for over a century. From its history as a US military base to its transformation into a stunning cherry blossom hotspot, this place is a total vibe! 🌸 It felt l...