The Rise of YouTube Drinking Shows Hosted by Female Artists
With the popularity of YouTube content like Lee Youngji’s Nothing Much Prepared, more female artists have started hosting their own sool bang (“drinking show”) series on the platform. Though the term “sool bang” has existed alongside muk bang (“eating show”) for years, the celebrity-focused ones on YouTube engage viewers by showing a more casual and personal side to stars. Whether it’s veteran idols, rookies, foreign artists, or even olympians, many celebrities have given candid interviews over some drinks and a meal.
In an interview with The Korea Times, pop culture critic Kim Hernsik said that sool bang channels use alcohol to differentiate themselves from other forms of variety content. “With TV shows, there are strict regulations on scenes featuring alcohol consumption,” he said. “So, to set themselves apart, they need to cover things that weren’t on regular TV programs.” This unique distinction, coupled with the more intimate staging of interviews with celebrities, draws viewers in.
Nothing Much Prepared (차린건 쥐뿔도 없지만)
Rapper Lee Youngji launched her drinking show Nothing Much Prepared, also called My Drinking Diary, in June 2022. “Youngji presents herself as she is; silly, wild, and loud—the young hostess is unapologetically herself,” former The Kraze writer Kimberly V wrote two years ago. In that article, she noted 2.03 million subscribers were following the channel; in 2024, this has now grown to 4.01 million as of publication. Nothing Much Prepared has also opened its doors to international celebrities, like South African singer Tyla and Danish singer Christopher. Youngji’s ability to create an enjoyable and relaxed environment extends past linguistic and cultural differences.
The series has currently aired 35 episodes, growing in size by its online views and number of guests. Episodes 34 and 35 saw a total of seven celebrities—Tomorrow x Together (TXT)’s Yeonjun, Soobin, Taehyun, and Beomgyu with TWICE’s Jihyo and Chaeyoung, joined by actress Park Boyoung—sit down with Youngji. This special two-parter helped close the series’s third season with cast members that “contributed the most to Nothing Much Prepared.” Not only did Soobin feature in Nothing Much Prepared’s very first episode, Chaeyoung also contributes art to Youngji’s work.
Hyell’s Club (혤's club)
Former Girl’s Day member Hyeri hosts Hyell’s Club on her YouTube channel. The series, which started in January 2024, features Hyeri chatting with guests while they enjoy a drink she prepares for them. These drinks vary, and are usually connected to each episode’s guests. For example, Hyeri prepared a kiss of fire, a cocktail consisting of ingredients like vodka and sloe gin, for KISS OF LIFE.
Conversations can range from general idol experiences to casual topics about hobbies. Hyeri and aespa’s Karina even discussed how to fend off wild animals based on random videos from social media. While idols feature frequently on the show, Hyeri has also invited celebrities of other occupations within Hyell’s Club current 33-episode run; chefs Kwon Seongjoon and Yun Namno, Olympic fencer Oh Sanguk, and actors such as Hwang Inyoup and Bae Hyeonseong also appear.
Inssadong Sulzzi (인싸동 술찌)
Soloist and former IZ*ONE member Lee Chaeyeon started her drinking show, Inssadong Sulzzi, in January 2024. Uploaded on the Studio USOG YouTube channel, Chaeyeon ventured into her first hosting role in one involving friends and peers in the entertainment industry. The show’s name combines the Insadong district in Seoul where the show is filmed; the word inssa (인싸), meaning someone who gets along with others well; and sulzzi (술찌), a lightweight drinker.
Before ending in July, Inssadong Sulzzi ran for 22 episodes. Notable guests included her sister Chaeryeong from ITZY, former IZ*ONE groupmates Kang Hyewon and Jo Yuri, and comedians Tanaka and NEEDMORECASH. Inssadong Sulzzi received a spinoff show in August. Though not a sool bang, the show Challenge Delivery follows Chaeyeon as she learns dance challenges from various idols.
YeSulGa (예술가)
Soloist and former GFRIEND member Yerin hosts YeSulGa, a show that combines drinking and art. Starting on Yerin’s YouTube channel in September 2024, YeSulGa adds an artist element to the drinking show format. The show’s name makes a pun between Yerin’s name and three words:
Sul (술, meaning “alcohol”)
Ga (가/家, meaning “house”)
Yesulga (예술가, meaning “artist”)
At the end of each episode, Yerin and the guests draw portraits of each other. Though idols are musical artists, many do not consider themselves skilled in drawing: the images often create laughter and jokes between Yerin and her guests. The first few YeSulGa episodes featured Yerin’s friends like Bill Entertainment labelmate Lee Jinyhuk, Laboum’s Solbin, actress Park Youna, and her idol friends from high school: Red Velvet’s Joy and Apink’s Hayoung. The show’s first seven-episode season ended on October 25, but hopefully more are on the way.
Edited by Clark Royandoyan