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.

Episodes

  1. 18h ago

    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/

  2. 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/

  3. 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

  4. 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
  5. Aug 29

    BTS, Trainee Realities & ATEEZ "Deja Vu" Therapy

    Being a K-Pop fan is a constant balance of highs and lows! In Episode 7 of The Waygook Noonas, Rebecca and Alyssa break down the incredible BTS concerts in Toronto before diving deep into the finale of the K-Pop trainee documentary series, "Idol Till I Die".As former Seoul expats and veteran fans, we examine the parts of the K-Pop industry we love—and the dark sides, including the trainee system that breaks so many aspiring performers. Then, to lighten the mood, we react to ATEEZ’s iconic "Deja Vu" video!Want even more unfiltered discussion? Join our Patreon for the Extended Edition, where we dive deeper into "Idol Till I Die", address serious industry topics like mental health, and share our full, uncut reactions to ATEEZ's "Deja Vu" and the "Deja Vu (Vampire Version)"!In this episode, we cover:🇨🇦 BTS in Toronto: Recapping their incredible concert energy💔 Idol Till I Die Finale: The harsh reality of K-Pop trainee systems & mental health🏴‍☠️ ATEEZ "Deja Vu" Reaction: Curing our sadness with pure ATEEZ charismaYou 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://open.spotify.com/show/033OYjiuobyJXoqtgapcozhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waygook-noonas/id6791444913https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/79456217-f9a1-44dc-b938-a604625b0834/the-waygook-noonashttps://www.facebook.com/waygooknoonashttps://www.instagram.com/waygooknoonas/https://www.tumblr.com/waygooknoonasThe 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 Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/rebeccabredin/Alyssa's Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/nihondancer_alyssab/

  6. Aug 21

    Top 5 K-Pop Idols We Want to Get Drinks With

    Which K-Pop idols would actually be the best drinking buddies for a night out in Seoul? 🍻✨ In Episode 6 of The Waygook Noonas, Rebecca and Alyssa are counting down their Top 5 K-Pop Idols We Want to Go Drinking With! As former Seoul expats and veteran 2nd generation k-pop fans, we are both familiar with Korean drinking culture, and have often wondered what some of our favourite idols would be like once they get a few drinks in them. Rebecca and Alyssa whittled down the long list of idols and listed their top 5, but the lists had some rules: No ultimate biasses, because that is too obviousWe couldn't pick entire groups, because that is too easy. Individuals and duos only Rebecca and Alyssa both love a bit of chaos energy, so the main deciding factor with their lists came down to how fun the person seems. Do you agree with our lists? Have we missed anyone, or is there a newer generation idol that would fit in our dream night out list? Let us know in the comments, which K-Pop idol are you adding to YOUR drinking squad? 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://open.spotify.com/show/033OYjiuobyJXoqtgapcozhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waygook-noonas/id6791444913https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/79456217-f9a1-44dc-b938-a604625b0834/the-waygook-noonashttps://www.facebook.com/waygooknoonashttps://www.instagram.com/waygooknoonas/https://www.tumblr.com/waygooknoonasThe 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 Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/rebeccabredin/Alyssa's Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/nihondancer_alyssab/

  7. Aug 7

    K-Pop Demon Hunters: Did Netflix Just Make a Masterpiece?

    Did Netflix and Sony Animation just release the ultimate K-Pop movie? In Episode 4 of The Waygook Noonas, we’re not just giving a standard film review—we’re analyzing 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' through the lens of people who actually lived in Seoul as K-Pop fans! 🇰🇷✨As former expats who experienced Korean culture, idol fandoms, and life in Seoul firsthand during the 2nd Generation of K-Pop, Rebecca and Alyssa break down how accurately this animated hit captures real K-Pop culture. From real-life idol tropes, music show dynamics, and agency culture to the fictional group rivalries between girl group HUNTR/X and demon boy band Saja Boys, we’re sharing our unique insider perspective on what Netflix got right!Tell us: If you're a long time k-pop fan, what did you think when you watched K-Pop Demon Hunter? And if you're new to k-pop or was introduced to it through the movie, what hooked you?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://open.spotify.com/show/033OYjiuobyJXoqtgapcozhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waygook-noonas/id6791444913https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/79456217-f9a1-44dc-b938-a604625b0834/the-waygook-noonashttps://www.facebook.com/waygooknoonashttps://www.instagram.com/waygooknoonas/https://www.tumblr.com/waygooknoonasThe 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 Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/rebeccabredin/Alyssa's Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/nihondancer_alyssab/

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.