Hi, Fanworkers!

It’s been a week, and it feels like a long time, doesn’t it? Have you been well??😆

This time, I’m going to introduce you to great restaurants and cafes near Yongsan. If you’re a K-pop fan (which I’m sure you are!), Yongsan is a must-visit especially with HYBE being right there. It’s also a great place to check out and enjoy on your weekend :)

I’ve selected these spots based on my experiences, so you can trust my recommendations. Now, let’s explore Yongsan together! 🤟

[Hieutu] is a Vietnamese restaurant that’s just a quick 5-minute walk from Sinyongsan Station and 15 minutes from HYBE. It’s so good it’s even been on TV, so you know it’s worth checking out! (I recommend open run🏃)

The restaurant’s exterior and interior will make you feel like you’ve stepped right into a local spot in Vietnam, making the food taste even better. The main dishes are awesome but don’t sleep on the sides—they’re just as delicious.🍽️ So I recommend ordering a variety of dishes to share with your friends. I personally couldn’t get enough of the spring rolls which were so fresh and tasty! 😋

They’ve got separate menus for lunch and dinner, so make sure to check the time before you head over! (💡Pro tip: no menu differences on weekends, so go anytime!)

Located 4-minute from Sinyongsan Station and 15 minutes from HYBE, [GODEAT] is the Mexican spot you’ve been looking for! It’s got that perfect vibe—cozy and fun—making it the best place to hang out with friends.🌮

Whether you’re craving tacos, shrimp, pork, or chicken, they’ve got you covered. And if you’re like me and want to try everything, the fajitas are a must! Oh, and did I mention it’s all-you-can-eat? Yep, not leaving hungry here!

💡One thing to keep in mind: no reservations on weekends, so you might have to queue up. But trust me, it’s totally worth the wait!

Cafe [Dotori] is like stepping into a secret hideaway in the woods thanks to its super cozy atmosphere that makes you want to stay forever.🪵 They have the cutest acorn-shaped bakeries, and if you’re into something a bit healthier, try their Greek yogurt with fresh fruit.🍎 They do brunch, so it’s a perfect place for a simple meal.

I’m obsessed with their bread and yogurt, so definitely give those a try! And if you’re on the hunt for a unique gift, they’ve got some adorable goodies and souvenirs too. Trust me, you’ll find something awesome!🍀

You’ve got to end your day with THE photo📸, right?

There are tons of photo booths popping up everywhere in Seoul, but I’ve never seen one as unique and trendy as this one! What makes this photo booth different is it automatically frames you and your friends in a cool collage style.

Plus, you can go crazy with stickers, putting them wherever you want to create the cutest photo ever🎀. Seriously, if you’re in Yongsan, don’t leave without stopping by Mirart Studio. You’ll love it, I promise! 🤩

I was casually scrolling through my social media when I saw a shocking news….

SM… is debuting a Trot idol?!🫨

My first thought was, 'Wow how far is SM planning to take their idol concept this time!?’

But now I’m curious, have any of our FanWorkers here ever listened to trot music🎤?

Trot is one of Korea’s biggest music genres, but it wasn’t always like that.

Back in the early 2000s, Trot was more of a niche thing. But then in 2019, a TV show called "Mr. Trot (미스터트롯)" made the genre popular and suddenly everyone was talking about it.🗣️

Even the legendary MC Yoo Jae-suk jumped on the trend with his character "Yoo San Seul" on "Hangout with Yoo: Trot for You (놀면뭐하니? : 뽕포유)" and Trot idols started becoming a thing.

Now, even Millennials and Gen Z are getting into Trot, though most fans are still in their 40s and 50s. And now SM is about to debut their Trot idols!!!

But honestly, this isn’t the first time K-pop and Trot have crossed paths.

The most sincere and handsome Trot idol of them all

iKON’s Song Yunhyeong with "Kooliaya(콜이야)"  

So, what do you think? More K-pop idols have tried Trot than you expected, right? 😆

But if I had a nickel for every time SM Entertainment, one of Korea’s biggest agencies, actually created a Trot idol group, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice!

Let’s look into this SM X TV CHOSUN project and see what’s really going on!

A TV Chosun program that covers their debut process and growth story will air in the second half of this year. 📺The program is titled "Trot Idol Outlaws: The Birth of the Truth.(트롯돌 입덕기:진심누나)”

Hosting the show are the hilarious Lee Young-ja, Song Eun-i, and Kim Sook, who you might remember from the fan-favorite show "My Singer." Plus, the legendary composer Cho Young-soo, the master composer behind hits on "Miss Trot" and "Mr. Trot" will be the producer. There are even plans for concerts in Korea and Japan later on!🎊

SM is famous for creating groups with super unique concepts and worldwide appeal, so I’m curious to see how they’ll do this Trot idol project. Even fans are already keeping a close eye on "T-5" with a mix of curiosity and excitement.👀

We’ve even gathered some thoughts from the fan community about this T-5 project. Let’s see what everyone’s saying!

What do fan workers think about this project?

Before the official broadcast on September 13, there’s a special episode called "Love’s Prelude(트롯돌 입덕기:진심누나 사랑의 서막)" airing first. If you’re curious, don’t forget to tune in to TV Chosun! 💖

Today, I’ve got a story from an EXO fan to share with you! 😊

It’s a story from an EXO-L who has loved EXO for a long time, even attending the recent Chen comeback mini-fan meeting.

Oh, I’ll be the 🥭 and 🦋 is the EXO-L.