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Gift Guide 2020: For your friend who won't stop talking about K-culture

By Camille Santiago Published Dec 07, 2020 5:56 am

No one could have possibly not heard about Hallyu or the Korean wave—it's everywhere!

Almost everyone must have encountered a friend who is a BTS or BLACKPINK fan, has seen Crash Landing On You and Start-Up, or even you, who is a frequent diner at any samgyupsal restaurant! It goes without saying that fans want something related to their Korean idols for Christmas.

Below, we list down the best presents any Korean fanatic would want to receive, including K-pop merchandise, K-beauty items, K-food, and everything else! These will surely make them squeal "kamsahamnida" with matching finger hearts.

Happyfoods Group of Restaurants Korean Gifts To Go

Miss having samgyupsal dates with your friends? The owners of Sariwon Korean Barbecue, Soban K-Town Grill, Sibyullee Unlimited Korean BBQ are selling their authentic Korean banchans, sauces, meats and other specialties for you to give away!

You can get them a Solo Gift Box (₱209), which includes a jar of your choice of homemade Kimchi or Sauce or the Trio Gift Box (₱550) for a set of three sauces. There's also two samgyupsal sets: KBBQ Feast Set A (₱1,100) or KBBQ Feast Set B (₱2,200).

Each set is housed in a gift box, on which you can ask Happyfoods to include a special message, that could be delivered directly to your loved one!

Shop Happyfoods Group of Restaurants here or via GrabFood

(L-R): KBBQ Feast Gift Box A, ₱1,100; Trio Gift Box, ₱550

Aegyo Cakes

Korean minimalist cakes are taking over Instagram, and it's not just for their totally aesthetic vibes, but for the flavor and unique designs, too. Aegyo Cakes, for instance, is one of the popular local stores selling minimalist cakes. In fact, their cakes are always selling out fast.

While the pre-order slots for the rest of the year are closed, you can already reserve a cake slot reservation for their six-inch Aegyo cake (starts at ₱1,200) or the four-inch Lunchbox cakes (starts at ₱450).

To order, visit Aegyo Cakes' website or their Instagram.

Aegyo Cakes 4-inch Lunchbox Cakes, ₱450

Soju Kit

Surprise your friends with a Soju Kit on your next e-numan. This box from Soju Express MNL comes with two bottles of Soju and a shot glass. Just add ₱68 to your order and they'll do the wrapping for you! 

Their sojus are priced at ₱110 per bottle (Jinro, Good Day, and Chum-Churum) and ₱120 for the Yogurt-flavored soju.

Shop Soju Express MNL via Instagram, Messenger or GrabMart.

Soju Kit, 288-298

Viu Subscription

In case your friend isn't subscribed to Viu yet, get her a Premium subscription so she could access hundreds of her favorite Korean dramas, shows, and films without the ads! Subscription is only 129 per month.

Sign up for Viu Premium through their website

Viu Premium Subscription, 129 per month

Start-Up Journal Kit

Encourage your friend to "follow your dream" and get him/her one of these journal kits inspired by Start-Up from Aegyo PH! The kit includes two pens, a notebook, and stickers.

Shop Start-Up Journal Kit here

Start-Up Journal Kit, ₱2,250

K-pop merchandise from Arasseoni

Show some love for your friend and their biases. From K-pop albums and DVDs to official posters, to official lightsticks, magazines, books, and 2021 Season's Greetings, Arasseoni has it all. You can buy them for pre-order and even "pasabuy" non-K-pop goods.

Shop Arasseoni here

IU 2021 Season's Greetings, ₱2,190

BTS Plush Dolls

These cute K-pop merch are the cutest display ever. Buy your fellow A.R.M.Y.s their favorite BTS members' plushie or grab them all. Korean Pop Culture Online Shop sells not only plush dolls, but other items as well such as pens, snow globes, keychains, clothing, totes, and more.

Shop Korean Pop Culture Online Shop here

Space of BTS Winter-themed Plush Doll, ₱2,090 each

BLACKPINK'S The Show Tickets

Concerts may be a thing of the past (for now), but artists are still keeping in touch with their fans through virtual concerts. If you have a BLINK friend, why not buy him/her tickets to BLACKPINK's The Show Livestream Concert? The event is on December 27 and will be aired on the K-pop girl group's YouTube channel.

To buy tickets, visit BLACKPINK's YouTube Channel

BLACKPINK The Show Livestream Concert, Standard Access for $29.99,Plus Access for $39.99

Korean makeup and skincare from YesStyle

What's K-culture without K-beauty? E-commerce platform YesStyle has a wide selection of Korean beauty brands that are not found in the Philippines including 3CE, By Wishtrend, Dr. Jart+, Hera, IOPE, It'S SKIN, Sulwhasoo, and more! They also hold sales regularly so always keep an eye out on their social media accounts. YesStyle ships directly from Korea and offers free delivery to the Philippines on orders ₱3,000 and up.

Shop YesStyle here

Secret Key, available at YesStyle