South Korea’s Vaping Culture: Innovation, Aesthetics, and the Pursuit of "K-Vape" Cool

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Hey UVers!
Still have interests in the Asian vaping culture? Our 5th station of vaping culture exploration will chase clouds from Seoul’s neon-lit Hongdae streets to Busan’s coastal cafes. Let’s unpack South Korea’s vaping scene—a mix of tech obsession, K-beauty-level aesthetics, and a Jangnan (passionate) community that thrives under strict regulations. :south_korea:

1. Regulatory Tightrope

South Korea has adopted stricter regulations on e-cigarettes, especially in response to rising youth usage. Recently, Gangdong District of Seoul conducted extensive inspections of e-cigarette retailers, targeting 35 establishments and emphasizing the seriousness of e-cigarette use among teenagers.
Also, E-cigarettes in South Korea have a number of taxes and charges applied to them (national health promotion, tobacco consumption, local education, and individual consumption taxes) proportional to 1,799 won per ml (approx. $1.53 USD) of nicotine liquid. There is also a waste charge of 24 won/20 cartridges (approx. $0.02 USD) and a 10% Value Added Tax (VAT).

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2. Community Culture: Cafes, Clans, and K-Vape Influencers

  • Vape Cafes: Spaces like Vape Lounge Seoul blend cloud chasing with dalgona coffee art—aesthetic is everything.
  • K-Influencers: Korean cuties showing their vaping tricks with ASMR experience.

3. Device Trends: Sleek, Smart, and K-POP Style

  • Pod Supremacy: Discreet, stylish pods like VAPORESSO APEX rule. Why? Perfect for KakaoTalk coffee meetups or subway rides without side-eye.
  • Tech Integration: Bluetooth-connected mods? Been there. Korean vapers crave devices as smart as their Samsung Galaxy.
  • Design Obsession: Matte finishes, pastel gradients, and K-pop idol collabs? No, idols cannot vape :shushing_face:
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4. Flavor Frenzy: From Yogurt Bingsoo to Jeju Tangerine

Korean e-liquids are a mukbang (food show) for your palate:

  • Dessert Dreams: Yogurt Bingsu, Honey Butter Almond, and Sweet Potato Latte—flavors that taste like a Seoul café menu. :ice_cream:
  • Fruit Fantasia: Jeju Hallabong (Tangerine), Bae (Pear), and Omija (Five-Flavor Berry)—bright, bold, and fresh.
  • Unique Hybrids: Kimchi Mojito? Okay, maybe not… but Green Grape Soju is a hit.
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5. Your Turn, UVers!

  • Device Trends : Is the Korean style fits your style?:wink:
  • Must-Try Flavor: Bingsoo sweet or soju sour? :thinking:
  • Invite your Korean vaping pals to join the community—let’s geek out about global vaping culture! :globe_showing_asia_australia:
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Are there e-cigarettes that contain alcohol? Alcohol plus nicotine, the ultimate addictive experience.

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Sounds awesome would be good though if the waste charge would go to charity as liquids already taxed .

And the Bluetooth being so popular there and vaperesso being top choice does that mean vaperesso are swayed towards Bluetooth to remain on top ? I’m tempted to purchase the cool looking Apex to try it out as it gets great reviews and has that great tip like a 5.10. Love the choice of flavours they sound Yummy.

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Interesting K-Flavor Deserts :heart_eyes: :heart_eyes:

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The Bingsu is really popular in Korea; you can find it in every corner, and looks so exquisite. Really curious about the flavor in e-juice.

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Maybe you can consider Vibe series.
They have an amazing flavour. I gonna to say it is better than all other refillables.
Just like Porsche’s position in sports cars

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:rofl: I’m afraid they don’t have alcohol. But you can mix them in your oral~ :wink:

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Yeah, you should try the sleek APEX, of course with the typical Korean flavor. btw, the bluetooth? Personally, it will be a basic function for vape in a near future, but right now, its application is not yet mature.

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When you visit Korea, don’t forget to try them!

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It can also be seen from Korean TV dramas that couples often go to there for dates.

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Goooooood taste!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

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I personally don’t like idea of Bluetooth draining battery unless it sent messages every 5 mins saying you need a puff :rofl:

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Interesting perspective! :rofl: Perhaps with the advancement of battery technology, there will no longer be any range anxiety.

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We would then need backpacks to carry them or a solar dish on our heads :rofl:

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I’ve been to Korea once, and they really like icy fruit flavor. I mean really icy! One puff can freeze your head. :laughing:

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Act Cool Polar Bear GIF by WWF_UK

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:wink:

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Ice Cube Smoking GIF

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My arm would get sore holding it up to sun to charge it lol really cool looking though

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