The Unexpected Joy of Learning Korean Through Food (Featuring Seoul Gukbap 1988)

When I started learning Korean (한국어) and Hangeul (한글) seriously about two weeks ago, my goal was fairly simple: hopefully in a year or so, I'd be able to understand conversations in K-dramas without depending on the subtitles, sing along to my favourite 블랙핑크 (BLACKPINK) songs, and go for more trips to South Korea a little more confidently.

But recently, I've discovered that learning Hangeul has added a whole new layer of enjoyment to Korean food. Previously, dishes like 육개장 (yukgaejang), 순대 (sundae), and 국밥 (gukbap) were simply menu items with names I couldn't read.

Now, whenever I see a Korean menu, I find myself sounding out familiar words and quietly celebrating each small victory when I recognise a dish or even manage to pronounce it correctly.

So when my husband and I visited Seoul Gukbap 1988 at Desa ParkCity for our early wedding anniversary meal, I found myself looking at the menu as if I were reading a Korean dictionary.

Starting with Gukbap

The restaurant specialises in 국밥 (gukbap), one of Korea's most beloved comfort foods.

The word itself is wonderfully straightforward. 국 (guk) means soup, while 밥 (bap) means rice. When you put the two words together, they describe a complete meal of soup and rice, a dish that defines generations of Koreans.

It may not be the type of food that usually goes viral on social media. It is humble, practical, and comforting. Totally my kind of meal – underrated and not hyped.

시래기 뼈해장국 (Siraegi Ppyeo Haejangguk)

That day, I ordered the 시래기 뼈해장국 (Siraegi Ppyeo Haejangguk).

The name sounds intimidating at first, but let's break it down to makes it less mysterious. 시래기 (siraegi) means dried radish greens, 뼈 (ppyeo) means bone, and 해장국 (haejangguk) is often translated as a "hangover soup" traditionally eaten to recover after a night of drinking.

What arrived was a steaming bowl of properly simmered pork broth, packed with bold flavour, large chunks of pork backbone, and vegetables. It was hearty, satisfying, and exactly the kind of meal that satisfies both my heart and soul.

육개장 (Yukgaejang)

One of the words I recognised on the menu was 육개장 (Yukgaejang). A Korean comfort food classic, Yukgaejang is a spicy beef soup and also happens to be my husband's default order whenever we visit a Korean restaurant that isn't serving Korean barbecue.

Compared to the pork backbone soup, Yukgaejang has a bolder flavour profile. The broth is rich, spicy, and packed with shredded beef brisket and vegetables.

Side Dishes Worth Sharing

순대 (Sundae)

We ordered 순대 (Sundae), Korea's famous blood sausage. For those unfamiliar with Korean cuisine, sundae can seem intimidating at first. Yet it remains one of Korea's most popular traditional foods and can be found everywhere from street food stalls to restaurants.

Initially, I wanted to order the 순대국밥 (Sundae Gukbap), a hearty rice soup featuring Korean blood sausage and offal. However, the 시래기 뼈해장국 (Siraegi Ppyeo Haejangguk) eventually won me over. Not wanting to completely abandon my sundae ambitions, I simply dropped a few pieces into my soup instead.

고기만두 (Gogi Mandu)

We also ordered 고기만두 (Gogi Mandu), or meat dumplings. 고기 (gogi) means meat, and 만두 (mandu) means dumplings. These were warm, juicy, and comforting in the way good dumplings always are.

부추 바지락전 (Buchu Bajirak Jeon)

Much to our surprise, the team at Seoul Gukbap 1988 treated us to the 부추 바지락전 (Buchu Bajirak Jeon), a savoury pancake made with chives and clams. Thank you for the lovely gesture!

부추 (buchu) means chives, 바지락 (bajirak) means clams, and 전 (jeon) refers to a Korean savoury pancake. Put together, it means chive and clam pancake. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it paired wonderfully with our rice and soup dishes.

김치 (Kimchi)

Learning Korean Through Food

As I continue learning Korean, I realise that language study is about more than vocabulary lists and grammar exercises. Sometimes, it's as simple as celebrating the small victory of being able to read a menu in Korean!

Perhaps that is why I enjoyed this meal more than I expected.

The food was delicious, certainly. But what stayed with me was definitely the quiet satisfaction of recognising a few words and feeling slightly closer to a culture that I have grown increasingly fond of.

For someone who spent her childhood reading dictionaries for fun, perhaps this was inevitable. These days, I find myself sounding out Korean words on restaurant menus. And honestly, I think my younger self would have approved.

About Seoul Gukbap 1988

Address: A-G-10, Plaza Arkadia, Jalan Residen 3, Desa Parkcity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur

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Korean Skincare Ingredients I'm Using and Watching in 2026

From Glass Skin to Skin Longevity

If you do follow Korean skincare trends over the past decade, you've probably come across the term "glass skin" at least once. For years, the ideal seemed to be skin that was flawlessly smooth, poreless, luminous, and almost reflective.

But lately, many skincare conversations are beginning to shift away from chasing perfect skin and towards something much more practical: skin longevity. The shift is from "how do I get flawless skin?" to "how do I keep my skin healthy, resilient, and functioning well as I age?"

One Korean beauty trend report described skinimalism as creating a skincare routine that lasts over time and focuses on meeting the skin's basic needs rather than pursuing constant optimisation. As someone navigating midlife and perimenopause, I find this shift refreshing.

Skin is not just a beauty accessory. It's the largest organ in the human body. Its primary job is to protect us, regulate temperature, and serve as a barrier between our bodies and the outside world. So instead of chasing perfection, I'm becoming more interested in maintaining healthy skin for the next twenty years.

The Eight Ingredients That Have Earned a Permanent Place on My Shelf

Before talking about newer trends, it's worth recognising that some ingredients remain popular because they consistently deliver results.

The "Boring" Heroes

These are the ingredients that quietly keep my skin functioning like a healthy organ.

#1: Hyaluronic Acid (Hydration)

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Many signs of ageing are often amplified by dehydration. Skin can look duller, feel less comfortable, and even make fine lines appear more noticeable. While HA won't stop the ageing process, it can help the skin look and feel more hydrated and plump.

#2: Centella Asiatica (Soothing & Recovery)

If there is one ingredient that appears repeatedly in my skincare collection, it's probably Centella Asiatica (cica), known for its soothing and barrier-supporting properties.

#3: Ceramides (Barrier Health)

Ceramides are naturally found in the skin and help maintain moisture while protecting against environmental stressors. Rather than focusing solely on anti-ageing ingredients, ceramides help keep my skin comfortable, resilient, and less prone to irritation.

#4: Panthenol (Hydration & Repair)

Panthenol (provitamin B5) is known for its hydrating and soothing properties, making it a useful addition for skin that occasionally feels dry, tight, or a little stressed.

In summary, hyaluronic acid, centella, ceramides, and panthenol help with hydration, barrier function, comfort, and resilience.

The "Strategic" Heroes

Once hydration and barrier health are covered, these are the ingredients I pay attention to for specific concerns such as pigmentation, brightness, and skin firmness.

#5: Niacinamide (Skin Tone & Barrier Support)

Niacinamide helps improve uneven skin tone, reduce excess oil, and soften the appearance of pigmentation. As someone dealing with mild sunspots and uneven tone, it's one of the ingredients I continue to keep in my routine.

#6: Tranexamic Acid (Pigmentation & Skin Tone)

Tranexamic acid is known for helping address concerns such as melasma, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. It focuses on supporting a more even-looking complexion without being overly aggressive – definitely one of those quietly effective ingredients that deserves more attention than it sometimes gets.

#7: Vitamin C (Brightening & Antioxidant Support)

Vitamin C remains a favourite for brightening and antioxidant protection against environmental stress.

#8: Peptides (Firmness & Elasticity)

If there is one ingredient category I'm paying more attention to in midlife, it's probably peptides. Peptides are often associated with skin firmness, elasticity, and collagen support. No cream is going to erase nasolabial folds overnight, but peptides seem to fit well with my current philosophy of supporting the skin rather than aggressively trying to fix it.

In summary, niacinamide, TXA, vitamin C, and peptides help with pigmentation, brightness, firmness, and elasticity, which I personally think is super essential for midlife skin.

A Quick Note About Retinol

If you've noticed that retinol, retinal, or bakuchiol are missing from this list, that's not because I think they're ineffective. In fact, retinoids remain some of the most studied ingredients in skincare and are often recommended for fine lines, uneven skin tone, and collagen support.

The reason they're not on my personal watchlist is much simpler: the idea of introducing a retinol product and potentially going through a "retinisation" phase has never appealed to me. Well, perhaps that's my lazy skincare side talking. 😄

For now, I'm more drawn to ingredients that fit easily into my routine and support my skin without the need to monitor for reaction. The same applies to stronger exfoliating acids and other intensive actives. My skin seems to respond better to consistency and support than frequent experimentation.

For now, though, I'm perfectly happy focusing on hydration, barrier health, pigmentation support, and ingredients that help my skin feel comfortable and resilient.

The New Generation of Korean Skincare Ingredients

What I find interesting is that many of these newer ingredients have less to do with exfoliation and correction and more to do with repair, regeneration, and skin longevity. Whether they ultimately live up to the hype remains to be seen, but they offer a fascinating glimpse into where the skincare industry appears to be heading.

#1: PDRN (Repair & Regeneration)

Originally associated with regenerative medicine and popularised through treatments like Rejuran, PDRN is now appearing in creams, serums, masks, and ampoules. While topical PDRN products may not replicate the effects of injectable treatments, I find the concept fascinating. Skincare is now evolving towards supporting skin repair and regeneration rather than simply exfoliating or brightening.

#2: EGF (Repair & Regeneration)

EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) is naturally involved in skin repair and regeneration. While EGF is not a new ingredient, it has become increasingly relevant as skincare trends move towards longevity, recovery, and skin resilience. The idea of supporting the skin's natural renewal processes rather than constantly trying to "fix" it feels aligned with where skincare appears to be heading.

#3: NAD+ & NMN (Longevity)

Of all the emerging skincare ingredients, NAD+ and NMN may be the most futuristic. The science is certainly intriguing. They're closely linked to longevity research and cellular energy, and many Korean skincare brands are beginning to incorporate them into serums and creams.

#4: Ectoin (Resilience)

Ectoin is often described as a stress-protection molecule that helps skin defend itself against environmental stressors such as pollution, UV exposure, temperature fluctuations, and dehydration. As someone whose skin has become more reactive and unpredictable with age, barrier-supporting ingredients are becoming increasingly appealing.

#5: Exosomes (Cellular Repair)

Exosomes are generating significant excitement within the skincare industry. They are often discussed as communication molecules that help cells send repair signals to one another. The science is intriguing, but I also think this is an area where it's worth maintaining healthy scepticism until more evidence becomes available. For now, exosomes remain firmly in my "interesting but still researching" category.

#6: Spicules (Microneedle-Like Effect)

Spicules are another trend gaining popularity in Korean skincare. Derived from marine sponges, these microscopic structures create a sensation similar to very mild microneedling and are designed to enhance ingredient absorption. However, as someone whose skin seems to appreciate gentleness more with each passing year, I might not want to try this ingredient.

Conclusion

It really looks like skincare trends will continue to evolve; new ingredients will emerge; and new technologies will be marketed as revolutionary. And I will probably continue reading about them because I genuinely enjoy learning.

At the end of the day, my goal is healthy, resilient skin that can tolerate weather, hormones, stress, ageing, and life. And if it happens to come with a few wrinkles, some pigmentation, and the occasional hormonal breakout along the way, I think I'm okay with that.

While I enjoy falling down skincare ingredient rabbit holes, my actual routine is surprisingly simple. If you're curious about the products I currently use, you can read more about my midlife skincare routine here.

Next up, I'll be sharing my latest sunscreen favourites in a follow-up post.

Disclaimer

This article is based on my personal experiences, observations, and research as a skincare enthusiast navigating midlife skin.

The information shared here is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Skincare needs can vary significantly from person to person depending on skin type, medical history, underlying conditions, and individual sensitivities.

If you have specific skin concerns, persistent skin conditions, or are considering professional treatments, please consult a dermatologist or aesthetic specialist for personalised advice and recommendations.

I'm not a dermatologist, aesthetic doctor, or skincare professional. I'm simply a curious lifelong learner who enjoys reading about skincare and occasionally falling down ingredient rabbit holes. 😄

References

9 Ingredients in Korean Skincare That May Help Reduce Visible Signs of Aging

The Biggest Skincare Trends of 2026 Have Us Going Back to Basics

7 K-Beauty Trends Shaping 2026

K-Beauty Trending Ingredients & Formulas 2026

Korean skincare 2026 – The trends & routines we believe in

From PDRN to Peptides, These 10 K-Beauty Ingredients Are Defining 2026 Skincare

Surprisingly Simple Midlife Skincare Routine That Works for Me

My Simple & Mature Skin-Friendly Skincare Routine That Works

I have a confession. I don't follow a strict skincare routine. I don't use serum every day, and I definitely don't stick to a fixed number of steps.

And yet… my skin has been behaving better than it has in a long time.

Somewhere along the way, I realised my skin in midlife prefers simplicity over costly procedures or products. So this is my honest and admittedly somewhat lazy skincare routine and why it somehow works.

What Is a "Lazy" Skincare Routine?

In my argument, a "lazy" skincare routine doesn't mean neglecting your skin. It simply means:

1) focusing on a few essential steps

2) skipping unnecessary layers

3) choosing products that do more than one job

4) making skincare sustainable enough to maintain long-term.

At this point, skincare is more about keeping my skin comfortable, stable, and healthy-looking without exhausting myself in the process. Especially because midlife skin behaves differently because what worked in my 30s no longer works the same way now.

My Simple Morning Skincare Routine (AM)

Let me not pretend I'm extremely disciplined. On most mornings, I keep things minimal.

From left to right:

1) Cleanser: AXIS-Y Quinoa One Step Balanced Gel Cleanser

2) Toner: Pyunkang Yul Ultimate Calming Solution Toner

3) Moisturiser: Rejuran Turnover Cream Enhanced

4) Barrier cream: Centellian24 Madeca Cream Time Reverse

5) Sunscreen: BIOHEAL BOH Probioderm Collagen Tone-Up Sun Cream

On a side note, I want to mention that I really love Korean sunscreens. I've been testing quite a few lately (I clearly have a soft spot for Korean sunscreens 😄), which I'll share in a separate post.

In the meantime, you can check out some of the sunscreens I've used and recommended over the past years here and here.

Before heading out to work, I also use cushion foundation with SPF (this acts as the foundation for my light makeup look).

Only recently did I realise this probably explains why my pigmentation has remained relatively manageable over the years. I learnt that the combination of broad-spectrum sunscreen (this links to my collection of blog posts about sunscreen) followed by SPF foundation on top unintentionally created an extra layer of daily sun protection.

This simple skincare routine works because it focuses on the two things my skin consistently needs, i.e., hydration and barrier protection without overwhelming my skin with too many steps.

My Night Skincare Routine (PM)

At night, I don't follow a fixed routine. I rotate products depending on how my skin feels that day.

Some nights my skin may feel dry or tired. Some nights it feels perfectly fine and just needs moisturiser. So instead of forcing a rigid multi-step routine every single night, I adjust accordingly.

From left to right:

1) Oil cleanser for double cleansing: K-Secret Seoul 1988 Cleansing Oil: Pine Cica 1% + Probiotics

2) Second cleanser: K-Secret Seoul 1988 Cleansing Foam: Pine Cica 1% + Probiotics

3) Toner: Eqqualberry Swimming Pool Daily Facial Toner

4) Moisturiser / barrier cream: Rejuran Turnover Active Cream

I realised my skin responds better to consistency in the basics rather than aggressive over-treatment.

Other Products I Use (When I Feel Like It)

I do use other products, but not daily.

From left to right:

1) Overnight mask: Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalising Mask

2) Face mist/spray serum: d'Alba Piedmont White Truffle First Spray Serum

3) Eye cream: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Eye Cream

4) Serum: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum

5) Additional cream: K-Secret Seoul 1988 Capsule Cream (Niacinamide 5% + Yuja) – gentle to help with dullness and mild pigmentation without jumping straight into stronger actives. The combination of niacinamide and yuja makes it feel like a nice middle ground between skincare maintenance and brightening care.

For products 1) to 5) above, I treat them as one of those products I reach for when my skin looks meh, tired, uneven, or like it needs a little extra encouragement. This probably sums up my entire skincare philosophy these days: simple, flexible, and sustainable.

This flexibility probably helps my skin more because my skin barrier stays calmer when it isn't overloaded with too many active ingredients all the time.

Why This Routine Works Better for My Midlife Skin

After trying more structured routines in the past, I realised my skin prefers simplicity.

Here's why this approach works and what I realised:

1. Fewer products reduce irritation.

The more products I pile onto my skin, the more unpredictable it becomes. Keeping things simple actually helps keep my skin barrier stable.

2. A good moisturiser does most of the heavy lifting.

A good barrier-repair cream helps maintain hydration, reduce sensitivity, support skin recovery, and keep my skin feeling comfortable. So instead of constantly adding more products, I mostly focus on maintaining skin stability.

3. Consistent sun protection matters more than aggressive correction.

I used to think skincare was mostly about fixing problems. Now I think prevention matters more. Using sunscreen daily has probably done more for my skin long-term than expensive routines.

4. Sustainable skincare is more realistic than perfection.

I believe in midlife, skincare routines need to be realistic enough to maintain consistently. Exhausting yourself trying to maintain a perfect routine every night is probably not very sustainable.

The Only Skincare Steps I Consistently Prioritise

If there are only two skincare steps I truly try not to skip, it's these: moisturiser at night and sunscreen in the morning. Everything else can be flexible, and strangely enough, my skin seems happier this way.

Our Skin Does Not Need to Look Filtered to Be Healthy

I recently came across a TED Talk by Jen Gunter, "5 Skin Health Myths to Stop Believing Now", where she reminded viewers that skin is actually the largest organ in the human body. That perspective genuinely shifted how I view my skin.

Real organs are not supposed to look permanently poreless, glassy, airbrushed, and flawless all the time. In this sense, poreless and zero wrinkles are unrealistic.

At this stage of life, having healthy skin that does its job well, feels comfortable, is hydrated, is resilient, and can tolerate weather, stress, hormones, ageing, and life is more realistic and sustainable than chasing perfection.

Final Thoughts

So my skin isn't perfect, my skincare routine isn't perfect, and it definitely isn't Instagram-worthy. But it works for me, and maybe that's the point.

If your current skincare routine feels overwhelming, exhausting, or impossible to maintain consistently, it might actually help to simplify it. Especially in midlife, doing less (but doing it well consistently) is what your skin actually needs. It just needs to be right for you, most of the time.

Anyway, of course, no skincare rabbit hole is ever truly complete. 😄 In follow-up posts, I'm sharing the skincare ingredients I keep coming back to, as well as some of the newer Korean skincare ingredient trends that have caught my attention, and of course, my latest haul of Korean sunscreens. Stay tuned! 😍

Disclaimer

I'm not a dermatologist, aesthetic doctor, or skincare professional. This article is based on my personal experiences, observations, and research as a skincare enthusiast navigating midlife skin.

The information shared here is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Skincare needs can vary significantly from person to person depending on skin type, medical history, underlying conditions, and individual sensitivities.

If you have specific skin concerns, persistent skin conditions, or are considering professional treatments, I encourage you to consult a qualified dermatologist or aesthetic doctor for personalised advice and recommendations.

I'm simply a curious lifelong learner who enjoys reading about skincare and occasionally falling down skincare rabbit holes. 😄

What AI Thinks My Personality Is (After Two Years of Conversations)

Note: This post began when I jumped on a recent trend and asked my ChatGPT AI assistant to turn me into a sketchbook character. The illustration was generated by ChatGPT. The self-reflection, however, is entirely mine.

The Prompt

(Upload a picture of yourself)

Please draw the character in the image, "<your name>", in a free and stripped sketch style. On a bright white background, freely distribute full-body drawings, face close-ups, small scribbles, full-body sketches and chibi/deformed versions so that the page conveys the character's humour and personality. Don't do it like an organised character sheet, but like a sketchbook full of information drawn at will by an illustrator and then stacked. Use everything ChatGPT knows about me from our conversations, including my personality, habits, strengths, quirks, profession, and overall vibe, to imagine how an illustrator would interpret me as a character.

The Character AI Thought I Was

The sketch included notes such as:

- Systems thinker who happens to care deeply about people 🤔
- Curious under pressure (definitely not calm all the time) 🧐
- Can turn a simple question into a three-hour research project 🤯
- Little patience for nonsense 😤
- Gets irritated by avoidable inefficiency (workflows, people, systems) 😠
- I may overthink, but I also over-deliver 🤩

ChatGPT didn't pull these observations from a personality quiz. It synthesised them from hundreds of conversations so far, including every random question from me that began with, "I have a question..." Apparently, my AI assistant had been observing and taking notes.

The Parts That ChatGPT Got Inaccurate

Before the version above was finalised, the initial generation wasn't entirely accurate.

The first inaccuracy was that ChatGPT drew me as noticeably slimmer than I actually am. Apparently, even AI is biased: apparently a professional working woman should look tall, lean, and elegant. 🙄 For the record, I'm neither tall nor lean.

Next, ChatGPT described me as "calm under pressure". That made me laugh. Well, I'm not naturally calm.

Ask anyone who has witnessed me dealing with unnecessary bureaucracy, inefficient people, or a process that requires seventeen approvals for something that should take five minutes.

The more accurate description was something we eventually revised together: Curious under pressure. This one felt right.

The Tiny Detail That Felt Most Accurate

Oddly enough, the line that felt most true was this: "I may overthink, but I also over-deliver."

Sometimes I do worry if I ask too many questions or if I analyse things too deeply. Sometimes I disappear down too many rabbit holes. But I guess perhaps that tendency isn't entirely a flaw.

Perhaps it is simply how my brain works: I explore, connect dots, form ideas, and eventually I build something useful from them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I can now see the core reason behind all my thinking and questions. The older I get, the more convinced I become that systems matter because people matter.

For example, better healthcare systems help patients; better communication helps people understand; better education helps people grow; better technology helps people solve problems.

The systems have always been interesting, but the people have always been the point.

After analysing years of conversations, my AI assistant concluded that I'm a curious person trying to understand how the world works and how things can work better. Honestly, that's a character description I'm quite happy to keep.