Gadget Balm Picker · 19 stories

Buttons and Balms

I write about my experiences with digital products, beauty products, and things for the home. · Writes about: Tech & gadgets · Beauty products · Home & living · Food & snacks · Cafés · Restaurants · Bars · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulBars

Chungmuro beer pub with truffle fries and flat dumplings: Boah Boah

Boah Boah (브아브아) is a cozy craft beer bar in an alley by Chungmuro Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. The writer stopped by with a friend just before the after-work rush and paired craft beer with truffle French fries and Daegu-style flat dumplings (napjak-mandu) served with jjolmyeon (chewy spicy-tangy noodles). Boah Boah fills up quickly at evening peak hours, so arrive a little early if you want craft beer with sweet, salty and spicy bar snacks right after work.

Written Jul 31, 2026Sponsored

ProductHandong Nokyong Research InstituteFood & snacks

Portable daily deer antler extract stick: Handong New Zealand Nokyong

Handong Nokyong Institute (Handong Nokyong Research Institute) New Zealand Deer Antler Extract is a concentrated, single-pouch deer antler (nokyong) extract made from deer raised free-range on the grasslands of Handong Nokyong Research Institute, New Zealand. The blogger kept the individually wrapped pouches in a bag or pouch and drank one on the commute or during outdoor activities, finding the extract mild, clean and easy to drink. Handong Nokyong Institute's deer antler extract is a portable health supplement that also makes a fitting holiday gift for parents.

Written Aug 2, 2026Product provided

PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Hapjeong café work lunch for two: rosé beef tteokbokki, Seowon Angil

Seowon Angil Hapjeong is a two-floor, pet-friendly brunch café at 34 Jandari-ro 3-gil in Mapo, Seoul. For a weekday lunch with a coworker, the writer ordered the Sunny Garlic Pasta and the rosé beef tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) with fried snacks, finished both plates, and watched a company dinner fill the group tables on the second floor. Seowon Angil Hapjeong works as a Hapjeong lunch spot where the meal and the coffee afterwards happen in one place.

Written Sep 22, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulCafés

Dangsan-dong laptop café, salty cream latte and wakppu: BYWAY BAKERS

BYWAY BAKERS Yeongdeungpo Branch is a salt bread bakery café on Dangsan-ro 27-gil in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The signature Wakppu salt bread was split in half to check its crisp-outside, chewy-inside texture, paired with a sweet-salty salty cream latte while working on a laptop. The place stayed packed the whole visit, but the calm interior with goods for sale made it a good spot to focus.

Written Sep 2, 2026Sponsored

ProductGaruseonsaeng MugwortFood & snacks

Jeju organic matcha latte sticks, 0g sugar, 16 kcal: Garu Seonsaeng

Garu Seonsaeng Zero Sugar Matcha Latte is a stick-format matcha powder made with Korean organic Jeju matcha. Mixed with milk and plant-based drinks, it dissolved well even in cold liquid, with deep matcha flavor and clean sweetness. Verdict: a handy pick for matcha lattes while managing your diet.

Written Sep 11, 2026Product provided

ProductDurgentBeauty products

Dry lips morning & night: Durgent Overnight Peptide Collagen Lip Mask

Durgent Overnight Peptide Collagen Lip Mask is a Korean lip treatment for dry, flaky lips. I used it thickly overnight and lightly before morning makeup. Verdict: a comfortable option for day-and-night lip care.

Written Jul 31, 2026Product provided

ProductAutoGroomingHome & living

Car glass oil film remover used on wet glass: AutoGrooming Clean View

AutoGrooming Clean View is a car glass oil-film remover tested in Korea. I sprayed it onto wet glass, rubbed about five times with the included towel, and rinsed it off; Verdict: the easy, low-effort process left the glass looking clearer.

Written Aug 6, 2026Product provided

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