If you’ve ever visited Korea during winter, you’ve probably seen a uniquely Korean scene: people wrapped tightly in long padding coats, snow falling all around them… and in their hands? An iced Americano.
 |
| Korean culture winter trend “Eoljuk-a” |
Eoljuk-a (얼죽아) is short for “얼어 죽어도 아이스커피,” which translates to “I’d drink iced coffee even if I freeze to death.”
This trend isn’t new, but it keeps getting stronger every year. So what makes iced Americano so irresistible to Koreans, even when temperatures drop below zero? Let’s explore the cultural, emotional, and surprisingly practical reasons behind this beloved winter ritual.
1. Iced Americano Is a Daily Essential
For many Koreans, A-ah (iced Americano) isn’t just a beverage — it’s a lifestyle.
When asked why they still choose iced coffee in winter, many people jokingly say:
👉 “Because life makes me hot-headed!”
Behind the humor is something deeply true: iced coffee cools you down fast, satisfies thirst instantly, and feels cleaner and lighter than hot drinks. For people constantly on the move, it’s the perfect pick-me-up.
2. It Fits Korea’s Fast-Paced Lifestyle
Korean life is busy. Students race through short breaks between classes, and office workers only have a few precious minutes during lunch.
Hot drinks? They take time to cool down.
👉 Iced Americano is the ultimate grab-and-go drink — quick to sip, refreshing, and efficient.
It’s the fuel that keeps Korea running.
3. The Taste Just Hits Different
Korea’s coffee culture has evolved from sweet, gentle vending-machine coffee and coffee milk to today’s specialty brews. But one thing remains: many Koreans prefer smooth, clean flavors.
Enter iced Americano — refreshing, light, and never overpowering.
👉 Think of it as the modern version of barley tea or scorched-rice tea: mild, hydrating, and endlessly drinkable.
The colder temperature brings out subtle flavors that many find more enjoyable than hot coffee.
4. It’s Trendy, Youthful, and Instagram-Friendly
Somewhere along the way, iced Americano became a whole vibe.
Memes like Eoljuk-a, A-ah, and the playful “tribes” (iced lovers vs. hot lovers) turned cold coffee into part of youth culture. Plus, most viral drinks, cold brews, and café trends launch iced first — because:
✨ It looks better
✨ It photographs better
✨ It blends better
In Korea’s trend-driven café scene, iced is simply cooler — literally and socially.
5. Winters Aren’t as Harsh — and Cafés Are Heated
While Korean winters still get cold, they’re not as bone-freezing as decades ago. And with indoor heating everywhere, drinking iced coffee inside feels completely normal.
Unless you’re walking outside during a snowstorm, an iced Americano is perfectly comfortable in winter.
 |
| Iced Americano is a trendy and youthfyl choice in Korea |
The “Eoljuk-a Effect” on Korea’s Coffee Market
What seems like a quirky habit has become a major economic trend.
At Starbucks Korea, about 76% of all beverage sales are iced — even in winter. This shift is so strong that brands now release cold drinks year-round and sometimes prioritize iced beverages over hot ones.
Iced coffee isn’t a fad — it’s a cultural powerhouse.
Netizens’ Reactions You’ll Love
Korean social media is full of hilarious and passionate comments supporting the iced coffee lifestyle:
• “Hot or cold, it’s always A-ah for me!”
• “She deserves to be the president of the Eoljuk-a tribe.”
• “My love for iced coffee ignores all seasons 😎”
In Korea, people jokingly divide themselves into two tribes:
❄️ Team Eoljuk-a — “I’ll drink iced coffee even if I freeze!”
🔥 Team Jjeo-juk-ddeu — “I’ll drink hot coffee even if I steam!”
Whichever team you’re on, one thing is clear: Korea’s passion for iced Americano isn’t cooling down anytime soon.
SEO Keywords
Korean iced Americano trend, Eoljuk-a meaning, Korean winter culture, iced Americano Korea, Korean café trends, A-ah slang, Korea coffee culture, winter coffee habits Korea, why Koreans drink iced coffee in winter, Korean lifestyle trends.