On October 1, 2021, Netflix released the Korean reality show Paik's Spirit (백스피릿), which drew a lot of attention.
In the 6 episodes of the reality talk show, celebrity chef Baek Jong-won invites celebrity guests Jay Park, Loco, Han Ji-min, Lee Joon-gi, PD Na Young-seok, volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung, and actress Kim Hee-ae to enjoy delicious Korean cuisine together over drinks.
Baek Jong-won explains about the history and culture of Korean food, talks with guests from different backgrounds and fields, and shares life stories, which is quite healing.
The list is below, so make sure to watch the show and check out some of these locations when visiting South Korea! Also, feel free to take a look at our blog of other upcoming Korean dramas, movies, and shows on Netflix.
Episode 1: In Every Moment Of Despair, There Was Soju
Ssangdaepo Sogeum Gui (쌍대포소금구이 본점)
Address: 서울 용산구 청파로 291
291, Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Hours: 9:00-22:00
In the first episode of Netflix's Paik's Spirit, Baek Jong-won and his friends Jay Park, and Loco try some delicious samgyupsal (pork belly) and drink soju. Baek also discusses the history and brewing methods of soju as well as the culture of samgyupsal, which was all very interesting.
This Korean barbeque restaurant can be found in Yongsan District, Seoul. Sharp-eyed viewers may notice that this is also a filming location of Itaewon Class.
Episode 2: Soju, Connecting People
Haeundae Gui (해운대구이)
Address: 부산 해운대구 청사포로 147
147 Cheongsapo-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Hours: 11:00-05:00
In the second episode, Baek Jong-won and Han Ji-min meet at a restaurant along the coast of Cheongsapo in Haeundae, Busan. Haeundae Gui is a busy restaurant that specializes in grilled seafood and shellfish.
Unlike the first episode where everyone only drank Jinro soju, the two also drank other popular Korean soju brands, like Daesun (대선), C1 (시원), and Good Day (좋은데이), while enjoying the delicious seafood.
Han Jimin also talked about her thoughts on acting. Alcohol became a catalyst for an emotional night at the beach in Busan.
Episode 3: Nice To Meet You, Traditional Liquors
Bar Cham (바 참)
Address: 서울 종로구 자하문로7길 34
34 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: 16:00-22:00
Closed Tuesdays
Anyway Beef (기승전우)
Address: 서울 종로구 사직로8길 15-3
15-3, Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: 11:30-22:00
Break: 15:00-17:00
In episode three, Baek Jong-won first visits Bar Cham then heads to Korean Hanwoo beef shop Anyway Beef in Jongno-gu, Seoul to meet with actor Lee Joon-gi. Anyway Beef specializes in 1++ grade Hanwoo.
Just watching and listening to the beef cooking on the grill is enough to make your mouth water!
At Anyway Beef, Lee Joon-gi and Baek Jong-won drank a lot of Korean traditional liquors. Unlike the more common soju and beer, they are very special alcohols that contain the local history and culture of Korea.
Episode 4: What It Means To Age
Boksoondoga Jumak (복순도가 주막)
Address: 울산 울주군 상북면 향산동길 50
50 Hyangsan-dong-gil, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
Hours: 09:00-06:00
Anju Ilche Byeongyeong Branch (안주일체 병영점)
Address: 울산 중구 곽남16길 3
3 Gwangnam 16-gil, Jung-gu, Ulsan
Hours: 18:00-05:00
Since the third episode introduces traditional wine, there must be an episode about the well-known Korean makgeolli (rice wine). Baek Jong-won invites PD Na Young-seok to visit the Boksoondoga Jumak, a makgeolli brewery in Ulsan.
During the conversation, they discuss career and family. The topic of the the process of fermenting and aging makgeolli coincides with the title of the episode, "What It Means to Age".
Afterwards, they went to a Korean restaurant, Anju Ilche, which has many branches in Busan and Ulsan. Is anyone interested in visiting either of these locations?
Episode 5: Different Is Good!
Cheongjin Yeongyang Center (청진영양센터)
Address: 서울 종로구 삼봉로 44-1
44-1 Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: Lunch 11:00-14:00
Beer, Chicken Served: 14:00-03:00
The popular Korean female volleyball player Kim Yeon-kuong is the guest of the fifth episode. They go to a hof (호프) bar that Koreans love, and try traditional Korean fried chicken with some cold beer. This bar is near Gwanghwamun and feels very authentic.
The type of liquor has gone from soju to traditional liquor, and now beer. In the episode, Baek Jong-won shares his fascinating knowledge about beer.
Episode 6: Show Your Colors!
Budnamu Brewery (버드나무 브루어리)
Address: 강원 강릉시 경강로 1961
1961 Gyeonggang-ro, Gangneung, Gangwon-do
Hours: 12:00-22:00
The last episode of Paik's Spirit takes place in Gangneung with veteran actress Kim Hee-ae. They visit Budnamu Brewery where they experience specialty beers from all over Korea along with some kimchi pizza.
Craft beer breweries are becoming very popular among young Koreans. It's nice drinking beer in this new environment.
Things Learned From Paik's Spirit
Korean Drinking Culture
![netflix korean tv show paik's spirit, baek jong-won, korean drinking culture, pouring soju]()
Through Netflix's Paik's Spirit, you can learn a lot about Korean drinking culture and the history of their alcohol. This combined with the great, close-up shots of the food and drinks makes you feel as if you're right there at the restaurant with Baek Jong-won and his guests.
In Korean drinking culture, the most important thing is to pour the alcohol correctly. Younger people will often pour with two hands when pouring for someone older than them and when drinking, they will tilt their heads to one side to show respect for the other person.
Jinro Is Not The Only Soju Brand
When thinking of Korean soju brands, Jinro might come to mind first. However, each city in Korea has its own brand of soju. This creates both competition and opportunity for the development of the soju industry in Korea.
For example, soju brands C1 and Good Day are popular in Busan and the Gyeongsang Province, while Hallasan is a famous soju brand on Jeju Island.
Check out our blog on 16 Korean soju you need to try in 2021!
In addition to soju and beer, makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, is also very popular and famous everywhere.
Also, Korea has a lot of other traditional alcoholic beverages, but due to the ban on alcohol production during the Japanese colonial period, many traditional Korean alcoholic beverages have been lost.
Therefore, the government is actively working to restore the lost varieties of alcoholic beverages and is committed to making the traditional liquor, another unique and important aspect of Korean culture.
If you're interested, read our blog post about makgeolli too!
Do Pears Cure Hangovers?
In episode 2, Baek Jong-won and Han Ji-min discuss this Korean pear drink being good for hangovers.
Pears are scientifically proven to be rich in aspartic acid, which helps to reduce hangover symptoms. So, after drinking, don't forget to go to the convenience store to buy a bottle of pear juice. Drinking pear juice will help you not to have a headache the next morning!
Above is a list of restaurants that Baek Jong-won and his guests visited in Paik's Spirit. If you want to know more about Baek Jong-won, click here to learn about all his restaurants. If you have the opportunity to come to Korea, try visiting some of these filming locations!
Leave a comment below on what restaurant you want to visit most and don't forget to follow us for the latest information.
