Korean Singer Jo Young Ju Captivates Vietnam with Fluent Language and Culinary Love

After a transformative 10-day trip to Vietnam in 2018, Jo Young Ju, a 29-year-old singer from Gwangju, South Korea, made the life-changing decision to relocate to Ho Chi Minh City. Initially drawn to the country as a way to escape personal pressure, she found herself 'recharged' by the friendly people, stunning landscapes, and incredible food. In 2023, Young Ju became a social media sensation in Vietnam after a video of her wearing the traditional 'ao ba ba' and speaking fluent, polite Vietnamese while visiting the Mekong Delta went viral, garnering over 11.6 million views.

Young Ju’s dedication to her second home is evident in her commitment to learning the language at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. While she finds the different regional accents challenging—especially the Central dialect—she can now confidently navigate life in the South. Beyond the language, Young Ju is 'addicted' to Vietnamese cuisine. She has developed a deep love for 'bun cha,' 'xoai' (mango), and traditional Tet dishes like 'canh kho qua' (bitter melon soup) and 'thit kho hot vit' (braised pork with eggs). She even introduced her 80-year-old grandparents to the wonders of Vietnam, a trip that left her grandfather in tears of joy while sipping coconut coffee. Although she spent this Tet in Korea, she made sure to bring 'banh chung' back to share with her family, promising to return soon to continue her artistic journey and exploration of the country she now considers home.

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