The Waygook Noonas

The Waygook Noonas

Rebecca Bredin and Alyssa Beyer didn't just stream the 2nd Gen—they lived it. Learn about the golden age of k-pop through two people who experienced it first hand as they talk about their time living in South Korea and what it was like being one of the few foreign k-pop fans living there at the time.

  1. 3d ago

    Quitting Fandom: Part One - When Fan Service Goes Wrong

    What happens when loving a K-pop group goes from being a source of joy to an experience that burns you out for a decade?In part one of this two-part series, Alyssa and Rebecca dig into the dark side of K-pop fan culture and share their personal backstory as 2nd Generation U-KISS fans (Kiss Mes) living in South Korea, and set the stage for what caused Rebecca to take a decade long break from being a k-pop fan.From getting pulled up on stage by MCs during U-Kiss performances to running international fan projects, we look back at what it was really like in the trenches of 2nd gen fandom—and the exact moment fan interactions turned hostile. We also break down the differences between 2nd gen and 4th gen music production (including our recent Stray Kids reaction), idol self-producing, and how fan spaces impact your mental health. 📌 In this episode, we cover:🎶 Reacting to The Reactions to our Stray Kids Reaction: We talk about the reaction to our reaction to Stray Kids, and why we reacted the way we did. 🎬 Behind the Scenes: How our professional experience in entertainment in our adult lives has changed the way we see fandom now.💻 Late 2000s Internet Nostalgia: Digging into internet archive history, early blogging, and how we first discovered groups like U-KISS.🎭 On Air Live: Attending Kevin Woo's stage debut in On Air and the epic fan service moment that started it all.🎤 The Downside Of Being a Foreign Fan: The MCs start to notice our presence in the audience during a time when foreigners aren't common. Their excitement starts to become our discomfort.📖 One Kiss, Two Kiss, Kiss Me, U-Kiss: Assembling a massive book of letters from 20 countries in just 4 days to support U-KISS.🔥 Hints Into the Fandom Darkness: We start to get a taste of how protective and possessive some fans can be, and start to notice a bit of hostility. 🎙️ Listen & Follow The Waygook Noonas: You can find us on your favourite podcast platforms, as well as on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Give us a follow, like, and rate us 5-stars! 🎧 Spotify🍎 Apple Podcasts📦 Amazon Music📺 YouTube📸 Instagram📘 Facebook🌀 Tumblr🌐 Website: https://waygooknoonas.com/🎬 Production Credits: Produced by: Bredin DigitalSponsor: Have Fandom Will Travel Rebecca’s InstagramAlyssa’s Instagram

  2. 6d ago

    We Did NOT Expect Stray Kids To Go This Hard: First Time SKZ Reaction

    Are you ready for two 2nd Gen K-Pop veterans to finally enter the Stray Kids universe? In Episode 14 of The Waygook Noonas, former Seoul expats Rebecca and Alyssa take another big step in their K-Pop re-education by reacting to Stray Kids music videos for the very first time! We break down the visuals, vocals, and performance lore across five iconic tracks: the chaotic energy and kitchen choreo of "God's Menu", Felix’s subterranean subwoofer voice in "Maniac", Bang Chan and Hyunjin’s intense unit chemistry in "Red Lights", the razor-sharp execution of "This and That", and the Marvel multiverse collision with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in "Chk Chk Boom". 📌 In this episode, we cover: ✈️ Expat Updates & Travel Catch-Up: Alyssa’s return from Australia, 26-hour flights, jet lag, and upcoming Asia travel plans. 💧 ATEEZ "Drip" MV Drop: Quick thoughts on ATEEZ’s newest release before diving into SKZ. 🎤 Stray Kids MV Reactions: Reacting to "Maniac", "God's Menu", "Red Lights", "This and That", and "Chk Chk Boom". ⛓️ "Red Lights" Deep Dive: Contemporary dance moves, chains, and why this unit track caught our full attention. 🎬 Marvel Meets K-Pop: Ryan Reynolds, Wolverine, and the Deadpool cameo in "Chk Chk Boom". 🐿️ Decoding SKZOO Lore: Learning member names, emojis, and why Han is the ultimate Quokka. 🍎 2nd Gen Legacy Plug: Supporting classic 2nd Gen idols with UX1’s new release "Apple". 🎙️ Listen & Follow The Waygook Noonas: You can find us on your favourite podcast platforms, as well as on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Give us a follow, like, and rate us 5-stars! 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OYjiuobyJXoqtgapcoz 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waygook-noonas/id6791444913 📦 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/79456217-f9a1-44dc-b938-a604625b0834/the-waygook-noonas 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@waygooknoonas 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waygooknoonas/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waygooknoonas 🌀 Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/waygooknoonas 🌐 Website: https://waygooknoonas.com/ 🎬 Production Credits: Produced by: Bredin Digital Sponsor: Have Fandom Will Travel (https://havefandomwilltravel.com/) Rebecca’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccabredin/ Alyssa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nihondancer_alyssab/

  3. Oct 23

    New Gen Covers 2nd Gen: Veteran K-Pop Fans React

    Are newer K-Pop groups doing justice to the 2nd generation classics? In Episode 13 of The Waygook Noonas, former Seoul expats Rebecca and Alyssa react to 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation groups covering iconic 2nd Gen anthems.We break down these modern performances through the lens of veteran fans who watched the originals live in Seoul. Watch as we review ATEEZ taking on "Fantastic Baby" and "Nilili Mambo", RIIZE performing "Rising Sun", and ZEROBASEONE tackling "The Way U Are". We also analyze the girl groups stepping up to the challenge, including (G)I-DLE’s version of "Fiction", NMIXX’s take on "Electric Shock", and Dreamcatcher’s explosive "Bang Bang Bang" cover.Want to see the extended edition and watch bonus content, like reaction videos? Join us on Patreon!🌐 https://patreon.com/WaygookNoonasLISTEN & FOLLOW THE WAYGOOK NOONAS: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waygook-noonas/id6791444913🎧 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/79456217-f9a1-44dc-b938-a604625b0834/the-waygook-noonas 🎧 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OYjiuobyJXoqtgapcoz📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waygooknoonas/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waygooknoonas📱 Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/waygooknoonasSPONSORS & CREDITS: The podcast is produced by Bredin Digital. Special thanks to our sponsor, Have Fandom Will Travel! 🌐 Website: https://havefandomwilltravel.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havefandomwilltravel/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/havefandomwilltravel The Waygook Noonas are Rebecca Bredin and Alyssa Beyer. Rebecca's Socials: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccabredin/ Alyssa's Socials: https://www.instagram.com/nihondancer_alyssab/

  4. Oct 23

    The Best K-Pop Songs You've Never Heard

    Beyond the title tracks, promoted singles, and glossy music videos lie the true gems of K-Pop: the B-sides! In Episode 12 of The Waygook Noonas, former Seoul expats Rebecca and Alyssa dive deep into their personal playlists to share the ultimate K-Pop B-track hidden gems from their favourite artists.From emotional ballads and nostalgic 2nd-generation classics to high-energy anthems and underrated deep cuts, we go group by group (strictly one song per artist!) to rank and break down the non-promoted tracks that deserve a spot on your everyday playlist. Join us as we share personal memories, fan encounters, lyrics breakdowns, and hidden stories behind iconic songs from U-KISS, TVXQ!/DBSK, Big Bang, 2PM, SHINee, FT Island, 4Minute, MBLAQ, B1A4, Ladies' Code, BTS, BLACKPINK, and ATEEZ!Tell us in the comments: What is your all-time favourite K-Pop B-side or hidden gem track?Want to see the extended edition and watch bonus content, like reaction videos? Join us on Patreon!🌐 https://patreon.com/WaygookNoonas

  5. Oct 2

    FanBros! Why Male K-Pop Fans in Korea Are Totally Different

    Why are male K-Pop fans in Korea so different from Western fans? 🇰🇷✨ In Episode 11 of The Waygook Noonas, former Seoul expats Rebecca and Alyssa dive deep into the world of male domestic K-Pop fans—people that we lovingly refer to as "Fan Bros"! As 2nd Gen veteran fans who lived in South Korea, we break down why Korean male fandom culture revolves around military service, how "fan bros" act at live music shows, and why their laid-back, sports-fan energy makes them completely unique. Plus, we share wild firsthand memories from 2nd Gen promotions—including military concert chaos featuring SNSD's "Hoot," impromptu fan chants for ElectroBoyz, and the surprising rivalry between Kiss Mes and Camellias when "Step" and "Neverland" went head to head! 💣📢 Have you ever had an encounter with male K-Pop fans at a show or in Korea? Drop your favourite stories or comments below! 🎤👇Want to see the extended edition and watch bonus content, like reaction videos? Join us on Patreon!🌐 https://patreon.com/WaygookNoonasIn this episode, we cover: 🪖 Western Fanboys vs. Korean Fan Bros: The military culture that shapes domestic male K-Pop fans 📣 The ElectroBoyz Fan Chant: How Korean fan bros created an impromptu chant on the spot 🚀 Military Concert Hilarity: Watching hundreds of soldiers adapt Girls' Generation's "Hoot" choreography into full rocket-launcher moves ⚡ U-KISS vs. KARA Rivalry: Behind-the-scenes fan tension during "Neverland" and "Step" promotions LISTEN & FOLLOW THE WAYGOOK NOONAS: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waygook-noonas/id6791444913🎧 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/79456217-f9a1-44dc-b938-a604625b0834/the-waygook-noonas 🎧 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OYjiuobyJXoqtgapcoz▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@waygooknoonas📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waygooknoonas/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waygooknoonas📱 Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/waygooknoonasSPONSORS & CREDITS:The podcast is produced by Bredin Digital. Special thanks to our sponsor, Have Fandom Will Travel! 🌐 Website: https://havefandomwilltravel.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havefandomwilltravel/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/havefandomwilltravelThe Waygook Noonas are Rebecca Bredin and Alyssa Beyer. Rebecca's Socials: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccabredin/https://www.youtube.com/@RebeccaBredinOfficial Alyssa's Socials: https://www.instagram.com/nihondancer_alyssab/

  6. Sep 18

    Why Korea Hates Multifans: The Unspoken Rules of K-Pop

    Why is being a "multifan" so heavily looked down upon in Korea? 🇰🇷💔 In Episode 10 of The Waygook Noonas, Rebecca and Alyssa dive deep into one of the most misunderstood aspects of K-Pop fan culture: why multi-stanning is seen so negatively within Seoul-based fandoms! As former Seoul expats who attended countless live TV show tapings, we share our personal perspective on why we used to dislike multifans. In Korea, music show tapings are free—meaning fan club members are essentially paying for their spot with absolute, unyielding loyalty. We break down the unspoken rules of Korean K-Pop fandoms, why single-group dedication is so fiercely guarded, and why being a multifan is really only considered "bad" when you're actually in Seoul!Want to see the extended edition and watch bonus content, like reaction videos? Join us on Patreon!🌐 https://patreon.com/WaygookNoonasIn this episode, we cover: 🚫 The Multifan Taboo: How multi-stanning is viewed in Seoul vs. internationally 🎟️ Free Tapings & Fan Loyalty: Paying with devotion instead of a ticket 🎤 Our Personal Takes: Why we didn't like multifans back in our 2nd Gen era 🇰🇷 Location Matters: Why this unspoken rule only applies when you're in Korea Let us know in the comments, what do you think about the reasons we give for why multifans aren't accepted in Seoul? Now that you have some context, does it make a bit more sense? We know it's really different to how the rest of the world does fandom, but even if we could make the concept a little less black and white, let us know!We're planning for our Chuseok episode, so let us know if you have any favourite chuseok videos we should watch, or any questions about living overseas during the holidays! LISTEN & FOLLOW THE WAYGOOK NOONAS:🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waygook-noonas/id6791444913🎧 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/79456217-f9a1-44dc-b938-a604625b0834/the-waygook-noonas 🎧 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OYjiuobyJXoqtgapcoz📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waygooknoonas/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waygooknoonas📱 Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/waygooknoonasSPONSORS & CREDITS:The podcast is produced by Bredin Digital. Special thanks to our sponsor, Have Fandom Will Travel!🌐 Website: https://havefandomwilltravel.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havefandomwilltravel/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/havefandomwilltravelThe Waygook Noonas are Rebecca Bredin and Alyssa Beyer. Rebecca's Socials: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccabredin/ Alyssa's Socials: https://www.instagram.com/nihondancer_alyssab/

  7. Sep 11

    Too Spicy For TV?! Censored K-Pop & Fun Birthday Vibes

    What happens when a live K-Pop performance is so provocative it gets censored after one week? 🚫📺 In Episode 9 of The Waygook Noonas, Rebecca and Alyssa kick back for a super relaxed episode to break down the most controversial, uncensored, and banned K-Pop stages they watched live while living in Seoul!Also, it's Alyssa's birthday! Join us for cake and drinks while we reminisce and spill the tea about the choreography and costumes that never made it past the first week of promotions, sharing personal, firsthand accounts from the studio crowd. Grab a drink, settle in, and hang out with us for our cozy birthday chat.Want to see the extended edition and watch bonus content, like reaction videos? Join us on Patreon!🌐 https://patreon.com/WaygookNoonasIn this episode, we cover:🚫 Too Spicy For TV: Live stages, indecent outfits, and choreography that got banned🎤 Behind the Scenes Idol Banter: Funny moments that happened when the cameras weren't rolling😳 Embarrassing Stories: Our own funny, behind-the-scenes fan memoriesWe're planning for our Chuseok episode, so let us know if you have any favourite chuseok videos we should watch, or any questions about living overseas during the holidays! Also, make sure you wish Alyssa a happy birthday! LISTEN & FOLLOW THE WAYGOOK NOONAS:🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waygook-noonas/id6791444913🎧 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/79456217-f9a1-44dc-b938-a604625b0834/the-waygook-noonas 🎧 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OYjiuobyJXoqtgapcoz📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waygooknoonas/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waygooknoonas📱 Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/waygooknoonasSPONSORS & CREDITS:The podcast is produced by Bredin Digital. Special thanks to our sponsor, Have Fandom Will Travel!🌐 Website: https://havefandomwilltravel.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havefandomwilltravel/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/havefandomwilltravelThe Waygook Noonas are Rebecca Bredin and Alyssa Beyer. Rebecca's Socials: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccabredin/ Alyssa's Socials: https://www.instagram.com/nihondancer_alyssab/Videos Referenced in this Episode🎶 JJun "Way to Your Heart" on MNet - https://youtu.be/mNqEUzWnex0?si=TmtvCjvzR7-nArjH🎶 4Minute "Mirror Mirror: on Inki - https://youtu.be/7qo1bBpq5sE?si=Hz4q6rsWqEgilVtj🎶 After School Club Ep37 The Eric Show Christmas Special - https://youtu.be/b4BJACT5UIo?si=rr-cj9y_GweE-7Z8

  8. Sep 5

    Autumn Vibes - K-Pop Playlist Edition

    Autumn leaves, back-to-school nostalgia, and spooky K-Pop season are officially here! 🍂🎃 In Episode 8 of The Waygook Noonas, Rebecca and Alyssa curated the ultimate autumn playlist packed with cozy fall vibes, nostalgic back-to-school energy, and eerie Halloween K-Pop hits. This week, we break down our top track picks, nostalgia-heavy autumnal comebacks, and dark concepts that deserve a permanent spot on your fall rotation. Grab your favourite hot beverage, put on your headphones, and listen along with us! 🎧 Listen to the official Spotify Playlist while you tune in: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5gEMPs8zItpJgsG1pU1QOP In this episode, we cover: 🍂 Cozy Autumn Vibes: The best 2nd Gen K-Pop tracks for crisp fall days. 🎒 Back-to-School Nostalgia: School-concept M/Vs and tracks that give pure autumn nostalgia. 🎃 Spooky Season Essentials: Eerie, dark, theatrical and even grotesque K-Pop concepts perfect for Halloween. Then, because you guys keep telling us to react to it, we reacted to the teaser to "In Your Fantasy" by Ateez! Want to see our full reaction? It will be posted on Patreon this weekend! You can find us on your favourite podcast platforms, as well as on here, Instagram and Facebook. Give us a follow and a like and rate us 5-stars! ⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waygook-noonas/id6791444913 https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/79456217-f9a1-44dc-b938-a604625b0834/the-waygook-noonas https://open.spotify.com/show/033OYjiuobyJXoqtgapcoz https://www.facebook.com/waygooknoonashttps://www.instagram.com/waygooknoonas/https://www.tumblr.com/waygooknoonas The podcast is produced by Bredin Digital. Special thanks to our sponsor, Have Fandom Will Travel. https://www.instagram.com/havefandomwilltravel/ https://www.facebook.com/havefandomwilltravelhttps://havefandomwilltravel.com/ The Waygook Noonas are Rebecca Bredin and Alyssa Beyer. Rebecca's Socials https://www.instagram.com/rebeccabredin/ Alyssa's Socials https://www.instagram.com/nihondancer_alyssab/

    Autumn Vibes - K-Pop Playlist Edition
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About

Rebecca Bredin and Alyssa Beyer didn't just stream the 2nd Gen—they lived it. Learn about the golden age of k-pop through two people who experienced it first hand as they talk about their time living in South Korea and what it was like being one of the few foreign k-pop fans living there at the time.

Information

  • Creator
    The Waygook Noonas
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Waygook Noonas
  • Show Website
    The Waygook Noonas