From Seoul to the States: How a Korean Tradition Is Redefining How to Drink Responsibly

In South Korea, drinking carries meaning beyond the glass; it’s a ritual of togetherness, community, and care. Whether it’s clinking soju glasses over sizzling samgyeopsal, celebrating a company milestone, or simply catching up with old friends, these gatherings are woven into the fabric of Korean culture. But alongside this culture of connection, there’s another deeply rooted habit that might surprise those outside Korea: the tradition of “pre-drinking prep.”

Back in 1992, Korea saw the launch of its first beverage marketed exclusively for hangover relief. At the time, it drew little attention. Most people still relied on traditional remedies like haejangguk, the rich, meaty “hangover soup” believed to revive the body after a long night out. But as Korea’s wellness culture expanded through the 2000s and 2010s, the market for more convenient hangover cures boomed.

By 2019, this trend had transformed from a communal habit into a reflection of broader cultural change. Consumers who once reached for hangover cures after a heavy night were now taking supplements before drinking, even after just a glass or two, as part of a self-care routine. Today, if you walked around Seoul, you could find jelly sticks at the checkout of every convenience store, ads plastered with K-pop idols holding jelly sticks all over subway stations, and friends cheers’ing sticks along with their drinks in pochas and clubs.

That evolution is exactly what day–guard brings to the States: Doctor-formulated and developed by a top pharmaceutical company in Korea, our jelly sticks are packed with antioxidants, electrolytes, B-vitamins, and prebiotics, supporting liver function, gut health, and recovery after drinking. Beyond our ingredients, day–guard represents a piece of Korean culture you carry: a moment of care before the first toast.

In Korea, offering someone a hangover jelly before a night out says, “I’ve got your back.” It’s an act of community, friendship, and foresight. Now, that same gesture is crossing borders, reimagined for an American audience that’s starting to see wellness not as an afterthought, but as part of the celebration itself.

So the next time you raise a glass, raise a jelly stick too. It’s more than just preparation; it’s the start of a new ritual, one that blends Korean tradition with modern mindfulness.