Craving the absolute trendiest Hailey Bieber News? If your feed is anything like mine, it’s currently dominated by the ultimate Gen Z style icon, the undisputed queen of “clean girl” aesthetics, and the billionaire beauty brand founder. Yes, the founder of Rhode recently touched down at Incheon International Airport, sending shockwaves through every major fashion and beauty network in South Korea.
Nominally, this breaking Hailey Bieber News was tied to her high-profile role as the global ambassador for the global high-end watch brand from Switzerland, Audemars Piguet. While she looked amazing at the main event, what I really loved—and what local fans noticed too—was how she spent her time after the official schedule ended.
On her Instagram, Hailey Bieber shared snippets of a surprisingly intimate, deeply local, and understatedly “Korean” routine. For someone flying in for a whirlwind schedule, her itinerary showed a striking appreciation for the authentic rhythms of the city. She experienced the visit like a true insider even though it was a only short time.
Today on The Gangnam Edit, we are diving straight into Hailey Bieber’s Seoul Itinerary: what she experienced in Seoul like a local.
Who is Hailey Bieber?
Hollywood Royalty, Tech-Savvy Billionaire, and Jack’s Mom
While Hailey Bieber is undoubtedly a household name, her journey contains multi-faceted layers that many might not fully know. Born in Tucson, Arizona in 1996, Hailey comes from a lineage that defines the term “Hollywood Royalty.” She is the daughter of Stephen Baldwin—the youngest of the famous Baldwin brothers (Alec, Daniel, William, and Stephen)—and Kennya Deodato, a graphic designer whose father is the legendary Brazilian musician Eumir Deodato. Blessed with a rich heritage spanning English, Irish, German, Italian, and Portuguese roots, Hailey Bieber was born into the spotlight, naturally embodying the quintessential “Nepo Baby” status.
*“Nepo Baby” is a popular cultural term referring to the children of celebrities who succeed in careers similar to those of their parents.
However, Hailey completely rewrote the narrative of a typical celebrity second-generation by proving herself to be an incredibly astute entrepreneur. In 2022, she launched her clinical skincare brand, Rhode. By masterfully driving viral trends such as the iconic Rhode peptide lip case that made carrying lip tint an ultimate fashion statement, she turned the brand into a global phenomenon. In a historic move in May 2025, she solidified her billionaire status by selling Rhode to e.l.f. Beauty for a staggering $1 billion.
Of course, her life story is beautifully intertwined with her global pop-star husband, Justin Bieber. Transitioning from long-time friends to lovers, the two married in 2018. Fast forward six years, and their world became even brighter with the birth of their son, Jack Blues Bieber, in 2024, completing a perfect family.
Even as a devoted mother navigating a bustling family life, Hailey Bieber continues to hold the global fashion and beauty trends firmly in the palm of her hand. Naturally, this makes us wonder: what specific local flavors and keywords caught the eye of this ultimate trendsetter during her stay in Seoul?
01. The ‘Ttungba Latte’ (Banana Milk Latte)
source: Hailey Bieber’s Instagram
Out of all the moments from Hailey Bieber’s recent trip to Seoul, one particular Instagram Story sent shockwaves through the internet. It wasn’t a photo of a high-end luxury boutique or an exclusive VIP lounge. Instead, it was a shot of a humble, uniquely packaged Korean drink.
Hailey shared a photo of the beverage with a caption that every K-culture fan instantly resonated with: “I can’t stop drinking this coffee idk what I’m gonna do when I get home.”
The object of her obsession? The famous “Ttungba Latte” (뚱바라떼)—a viral Korean convenience store hack that mixes espresso shots with Binggrae’s iconic, jar-shaped Banana Flavored Milk (affectionately nicknamed Ttungba, meaning “fat banana milk” due to its chubby bottle design).
Coincidentally, just last week, I bumped into two millennial tourists from Finland at my local neighborhood convenience store. As we struck up a casual chat about their time in Seoul, I noticed they were standing in the corner eagerly pouring Banana Milk directly into their cups of iced Americano. They were making their very own Ttungba Lattes! While this sweet combination has been a beloved open secret among locals and seasoned travelers for a while, Hailey Bieber’s ultimate stamp of approval has officially turned it into a “must-try” ritual for any trendy traveler visiting South Korea.
Want to drink like Hailey while you’re in Seoul? Here is the foolproof local guide to crafting the perfect Ttungba Latte at any Korean convenience store.
How to Make Hailey’s Favorite Ttungba Latte (뚱바라떼, Banana milk Latte)
- Grab Your Ingredients: Walk into any convenience store (like GS25, CU, or 7-Eleven) and head to the open freezer section. Pick up a packaged ice cup (얼음컵) and a pouch of unsweetened Black Americano or an espresso shot.
- Prep the Base: Open the ice cup, pour the Black Americano over the ice, and give it a quick swirl.
- The Magic Touch: Grab a classic Binggrae Banana Flavored Milk and slowly pour it into your iced coffee to your liking. Watch the beautiful marble effect as the sweet banana milk blends with the rich coffee.
- Because Binggrae’s Banana Milk already carries a rich, comforting sweetness, it is absolutely crucial to choose an unsweetened Americano. Make sure to avoid pouches that have “Sweet Americano” (스위트 아메리카노) written on the packaging, unless you are looking for an extreme sugar rush!
02. The K-Snack in convenience stores
The Ttungba Latte wasn’t the only proof that Hailey fully embraced Korea’s convenience store culture. She also shared a glimpse of her late-night snack haul, proving that she knows exactly how to raid a K-convenience store.
Among her picks was the sweet, crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth Banana Kick (바나나킥)—a legendary snack already famously known as Blackpink Jennie’s ultimate favorite. Hailey captioned her snap with a relatable, tongue-in-cheek phrase: “immediately need all the snacks obviously.” Seeing a global fashion mogul indulge in classic Korean childhood sweets is not only incredibly charming, but it also proves a bigger point: Korean convenience stores are no longer just places to grab a quick bite. They have officially evolved into ‘hip cultural hubs’ where international celebrities go to experience the real, everyday flavors of Seoul.
If you want to raid the snack aisle just like Hailey, you might get overwhelmed by the sheer variety. To help you navigate, The Gangnam Edit has curated the ultimate Top Local K-Snacks you absolutely must try on your next trip to Seoul—complete with insider pairing secrets!
source: Hailey Bieber’s Instagram
The Gangnam Edit’s Curated TOP 6 K-Snacks
1. Ssalrobyeol (쌀로별) — The Editor’s Top Pick
Inspired by traditional Korean rice cakes, this is my absolute personal favorite. The name literally means “stars made of rice,” and true to its name, these savory treats are shaped like cute little stars. They boast an incredibly crunchy texture and a deeply comforting, nutty rice flavor. It’s so light and savory that you’ll find yourself reaching into the bag over and over again without realizing it.
2. Ggogalkon (꼬깔콘)
These fun, cone-shaped corn chips are a nostalgic childhood staple. Growing up, everyone loved popping them onto the tips of their fingers like claws before eating them (though in reality, many of them come slightly crushed in the bag, making it a tight fit!).
Try using them as tiny edible spoons to scoop up vanilla ice cream—the contrast of salty, crunchy corn and sweet, creamy vanilla is phenomenal. While they come in Sweet Corn and Spicy Sweet flavors, the “Original” (Savory) flavor remains undefeated.
3. Homerun Ball (홈런볼)
If you are craving a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth dessert rather than a crunchy chip, this is your holy grail. Homerun Ball is essentially a K-convenience store take on a French ‘baby choux’ pastry. It has zero crunch; instead, it features a fragile, airy outer layer filled with smooth chocolate cream that dissolves instantly on your tongue.
Because of its sophisticated, pastry-like profile, it pairs beautifully as a light dessert with a glass of crisp white or light red wine.
4. Saewookang (새우깡)
We cannot talk about Korean snacks without mentioning Saewookang—the undisputed, all-time #1 best-selling snack in South Korean history. Produced by Nongshim since 1971, it holds a legendary status. While it originally drew inspiration from a Japanese snack decades ago, it has long evolved to become Korea’s ultimate “National Snack.” The moment you rip open the bag, you are greeted by a rich, savory shrimp aroma. It is perfectly salty and crispy, making it the ultimate soulmate for a cold glass of draft beer. If you love seafood, this is a non-negotiable must-try.
5. Banana Kick & Melon Kick (바나나킥 & 메론킥)
As mentioned earlier, this became a global sensation after Blackpink’s Jennie named it her favorite snack. Banana Kick is an airy, puffed corn snack that is incredibly crispy at first bite but melts instantly, releasing a sweet, fragrant banana aroma. If you enjoy this, keep an eye out for the newly released Melon Kick as well—it delivers that same addictive texture with a sweet melon twist.
6. Goraebab (고래밥)
I couldn’t stop at just five, so here is a special bonus for the conscious snacker. Goraebab (meaning “Whale Food”) is a fantastic alternative when you want to munch on something delicious but are mindful of calories, as it boasts one of the lowest calorie counts per gram among mainstream Korean snacks. The crackers are shaped like various sea animals—whales, squids, and crabs—and are completely hollow inside, delivering an incredibly satisfying, loud crunch.
*If you are traveling with kids, it is a wonderfully fun activity to eat these together while naming the sea creatures in the bag!
Quick Guide: The Gangnam Edit’s Top K-Snacks
| Snack Name (Korean) | Flavor & Texture Profile | The Insider Hack / Best Pairing |
| 1. Ssalrobyeol (쌀로별) | Star-shaped rice crackers; deeply savory, nutty, and ultra-crunchy. | Editor’s Favorite: The ultimate light, non-greasy daily snack. |
| 2. Ggogalkon (꼬깔콘) | Cone-shaped corn chips; savory, salty, and nostalgic. | Scoop up vanilla ice cream using the chip as a sweet-and-salty spoon. |
| 3. Homerun Ball (홈런볼) | Soft ‘baby choux’ pastry filled with smooth chocolate; melts instantly. | Pairs beautifully as a light dessert with white or red wine. |
| 4. Saewookang (새우깡) | Korea’s #1 historic national snack; rich shrimp aroma, salty and crisp. | The absolute perfect soulmate for a cold glass of beer. |
| 5. Banana Kick (바나나킥) | Puffed corn snack; intensely sweet banana aroma, melts on the tongue. | Look out for the newly released Melon Kick version too! |
| 6. Goraebab (고래밥) | Hollow, sea-animal shaped crackers; highly crunchy and savory. | Low-calorie option! Great for kids to learn sea animal names while snacking. |
03. Shilla Hotel’s Apple Mango Bingsu
Even within a tightly packed itinerary, Hailey Bieber made sure to carving out time for a quintessential Seoul luxury experience. Her feed revealed her indulging in South Korea’s ultimate premium summer dessert: the legendary Apple Mango Bingsu (shaved ice) at The Shilla Seoul.
For trendy locals and Seoulites, the launch of Shilla’s mango bingsu at The Library (the hotel’s sophisticated lobby lounge) is practically considered the official kickoff to the summer season. Served with a jaw-dropping abundance of vibrant, freshly sliced Jeju apple mangoes piled high like a golden mountain, it is a visual masterpiece that practically demands to be photographed before the first bite.
What makes this dessert so highly coveted is the uncompromising quality of its ingredients. Each bowl is meticulously crafted using approximately two whole, top-tier fresh Jeju Apple Mangoes, famous for their intense sweetness and silky texture. While it comes with a luxury price tag to match its reputation, the portion is incredibly generous, making it a perfect dessert to share among two to three people. Sitting under the dazzling chandelier of The Library, listening to music, and sharing this cooling delicacy is a refined local ritual that Hailey decoded flawlessly.
“The Library” at The Shilla Seoul
| Category | Details |
| Location | The Library (1F), The Shilla Seoul 249 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul |
| Operating Hours | Lounge & Bar: 10:00 AM – Midnight (Daily) (Note: Bingsu sales usually start from 11:00 AM until late evening, but ingredients can run out early during peak summer weekends!) |
| Mango Bingsu Price | ₩130,000 |
*The Library does not accept reservations for bingsu, and during the peak summer months, the wait times can easily stretch from one to two hours. To experience this luxury moment without the brutal wait, we highly recommend visiting on a weekday morning or mid-afternoon.
The Shilla Seoul Official Website
https://www.shilla.net/seoul/dining/viewDining.do?contId=LIB#ad-image-0
Not too long ago, when Hollywood stars mapped out their Asian press tours, Tokyo or Shanghai was almost always the default primary destination. Seoul often felt like an afterthought—a quick pit stop added to the itinerary only if time permitted.
But look at how the tides have turned. Today, Seoul is no longer just a business destination for global icons to pass through. It has become a cultural epicenter.
When international trendsetters like Hailey Bieber touch down in South Korea, they aren’t just staying inside their luxury hotel suites. Instead, they are actively participating in the city’s vibrant, living culture. They are recreating internationally viral convenience store recipes, indulging in premium local desserts, and consuming Seoul’s distinct lifestyle as the ultimate trendy experience.
Just as Hailey Bieber crafted her own unique memories in her own signature style, we challenge you to do the same. Don’t just visit the tourist traps—dive into the authentic, everyday rhythms of this mesmerizing metropolis.
When you do finally make your way here, remember that this city will always welcome you with open arms. Let the city capture your heart, and soon enough, you’ll find yourself breathing the very essence of “Seoul, My Soul.”
See you in Seoul very soon!
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