NCT 127’s JOHNNY is officially a podcast host, and his debut episode of JOURNEY with JOHNNY is already giving fans a whole new side of him. The Chicago-born K-pop star opened up about the cultural differences he navigates between America and Korea, and the one tradition he just cannot do is the naked sauna. Even though Korean saunas are a huge part of bonding culture, JOHNNY made it clear he prefers Korean spas where everyone keeps their clothes on, sharing the now-viral line“I don’t want to see you naked.”
Beyond the sauna talk, JOHNNY touched on how Koreans tend to avoid the small talk that Americans love, shared some personal fun facts like his favorite color and his generally chill mood, and even offered tips for visitors, such as following recycling rules and avoiding overly casual language. It’s the kind of candid, personality-forward content fans have been wanting.
Meanwhile, NCT 127 is having a massive season. The group released their seventh studio album, BLINGY, last month, and their fifth tour, Neo City: The Redline, opens September 18 at KSPO Dome in Seoul. Between the podcast, the album, and the tour, JOHNNY is everywhere right now.
Have you ever experienced culture shock while traveling or living abroad? Tell us your story in the comments.
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.