Ask a local EP 05 | Haeji | Alchol Enthusiast

Q . Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Hi guys it's haeji and I'm one of the main tour guide from Goodmate Travel. I mainly give out tours for food and drinks in the Korean traditional marketplace. I myself enjoy them, especially drinks. I would call myself an alcohol enthusiast!

Haebangchon, often called HBC is right next to Itaewon's like an upcoming hot place for young hipsters because they have very unique cafe, hidden bars, amazing restaurants. Also one of the reasons that I get along really well with HBC is a very minority friendly.

A lot of foreigners live in HBC, because they have a lot of Vegan restaurants, LGBTQ friendly places and then places for small artists.

So I don't feel very out of place as much as I do in lots of places in Korea.

Q . Could you recommend must-visit place in Korea?

📍Karma / Seoul, Yongsan District, Sinheung-ro, 95-1 3F

This bar I want to introduce you guys to is a bar called Karma and the owner of this bar, which is the only bartender of this bar is a very, very cool person. He has a unique personality, very stylish. He's very corky but at the same time it's very kind and friendly and very approachable.

I talked a lot with him and then this one story that he told me I always have it in mind and the story is since this bar is a Buddhist theme bar, I asked him if he believed in Buddhism he simply has a crush on Buddha. That's like a story that was always in my mind.

And also he puts in so much effort and there's so much detail in one like every single drink too like all this grace of his movements, a little bit of accuracy of the amount of ingredients that goes into one single drink and then the tip of his finger when he decorates the drink it's almost like a scene of a movie too.

And then the favorite drink of mine from this bar is <at the barber> this drink he wanted to recreate the scent, the scent when he went into the barber shop that overcame him as soon as he entered the barber shop.

It's a very clean, refreshing and strong drink. It might sound a little bit weird, but it's a really good drink. I like as strong because you guys know that I'm an alcohol enthusiast.

So it’s Haeji, thank you so much for listening. Now that I've shared my story. I hope to see you guys in real life someday and then listen to your story, too. Thank you! 😊

@gmt_haeji