Korean Tea in K-Dramas

From Hadong green tea sipped in Moon Lovers to the healing Ssanghwa-cha in Crash Landing on You: in every K-drama, a simple teacup whispers what the characters dare not say out loud. Here are the authentic Korean teas you have seen on screen and what they truly signify.

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1. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo – The Green Tea of Aristocrats

Sageuk (Historical Drama) · 2016

In this historical epic set during the Goryeo Dynasty, courtly scenes are systematically anchored by green tea. The precise way the princes serve it—or refuse to pour it—reveals their true character long before their actions do.

The green tea of that era, the precursor to today's premium sejak, was strictly reserved for nobility. The director masterfully uses it as a visual cue for social status: when Hae-soo serves tea to the princes, she symbolically crosses class boundaries. The Hadong region, already renowned during the Goryeo period, produced the most prized leaves for the Korean royal courts.

→ Hadong Grand Cru Organic Sejak Green Tea — Ssanggye

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2. Crash Landing on You – The Ssanghwa-cha of Reconciliation

Romance · 2019–2020

One of the most talked-of scenes in Crash Landing on You appears simple on the surface: Yoon Se-ri, accidentally paraglided into North Korea, tenderly prepares a dark herbal infusion for Captain Ri, who has just been injured while protecting her.

The herbal broth she brews—made from a complex blend of medicinal roots, deep ink-black in color, and served in a ceramic bowl—is Ssanghwa-cha, the quintessential traditional Korean herbal tonic. Prepared for over a thousand years, it blends licorice, cinnamon, peony, ginger, and jujube.

This choice is deeply intentional. In Korean culture, brewing Ssanghwa-cha for someone is a silent declaration that means "I am taking care of you." It is an act of domestic love—discreet, grounded, and profound.

→ Traditional Korean Ssanghwa-cha Herbal Infusion

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3. My Love from the Star – The Yuja-cha of Seoul Winters

Fantasy · 2013–2014

It is impossible to forget Cheon Song-yi, the famously capricious top star played by Jun Ji-hyun, and her dramatic way of ordering yuja-cha as if it were the ultimate elixir of life. Throughout several episodes, this warm brew—honey-candied yuzu citron diluted in hot water—is her immediate remedy whenever she feels exhausted, stressed, or just unapologetically... Song-yi.

Yuja-cha is one of the most iconic winter comfort drinks in Korea. With its bright golden hue, floral yet tart citrus aroma, and honeyed sweetness, it makes a comforting appearance in dozens of contemporary dramas. Its popularity soared internationally as drama fans discovered that such a nuanced, layered beverage could be prepared effortlessly from a single jar.

→ Korean Yuja Citron-Honey Tea · Convenient Individual Portions

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4. Mr. Sunshine – Omija-cha, the Five-Flavor Berry

Sageuk (Historical Drama) · 2018

In Mr. Sunshine, scenes set in traditional Korean hanok homes frequently showcase a beverage of a striking, intense crimson hue: omija-cha, an infusion made from the "five-flavor berry" (encompassing sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent notes all at once).

Director Lee Eung-bok brilliantly employs the deep scarlet color of omija as a visual motif: whenever the tea turns up bright red, the atmosphere turns solemn. The characters sipping it know that something irreversible is unfolding.

Mungyeong omija, universally regarded as the finest in Korea, is harvested in the clean high-altitude mountains of Gyeongbuk. Its flavor profile is so beautifully complex that it defies a single description—just like the intricate characters of Mr. Sunshine.

→ Mungyeong Omija Berry Infusion — The Five-Flavor Berry

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5. Reply 1988 – The Bori-cha of Everyday Families

Family Comedy-Drama · 2015–2016

In Reply 1988, you will find no precious porcelain teapots or formal aristocratic ceremonies. Instead, there is a giant glass juice bottle repurposed as a pitcher sitting on the dinner table, forever filled with a warm, golden-brown liquid: bori-cha, or roasted barley tea.

This is the literal baseline drink of ordinary Korean households. It is simple, affordable, and profoundly nostalgic. In this masterpiece celebrating 1980s nostalgia, bori-cha is omnipresent—served at dinner, breakfast, or poured between characters during late-night heart-to-hearts in the alleyways of Ssangmundong.

Its cozy aroma, nutty grain notes, and lack of caffeine make it the ultimate family comfort beverage. When one K-drama character silently slides a cup over to another without a word, it is almost always bori-cha.

→ Korean Black Barley Tea · The Black Gold of Boseong

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6. Vincenzo – The Kombucha of the New Generation

Crime / Dark Comedy · 2021

Modern-day dramas like Vincenzo or Nevertheless reveal a sleek, contemporary reality: today's fast-paced Seoul, where characters briskly stir a packet of kombucha powder into cold water between the chaotic chapters of their urban lives.

Korean kombucha powder—particularly the Teazen brand, which went global after being spotted with K-pop idols—represents the cutting edge of tea culture modernization in South Korea. It keeps the core fermented, probiotic benefits of traditional teas but reimagines them in convenient on-the-go sticks with fizzy, vibrant fruit profiles.

In modern K-dramas, a character sipping a fizzy glass of kombucha is a subtle nod to a trend-conscious lifestyle: someone health-aware and thoroughly plugged into modern Seoul, yet still loyal to the ancient Korean philosophy of wellness through functional beverages.

→ Teazen Peach Kombucha Sticks

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Which Tea Matches Your K-Drama Genre?

Streaming a drama tonight and want the ultimate immersive viewing experience? Here is our quick curated pairing guide:

• Sageuk / Historical Epic (Moon Lovers, Mr. Sunshine, Jewel in the Palace) → Hadong Grand Cru Organic Sejak Green Tea – the definitive drink of the royal courts.
• Romance / Melodrama (Crash Landing on You, My Love from the Star, Goblin) → Yuja-cha Honey Citron – the warm tea of budding feelings and sweet comfort.
• High-Stakes Melodrama (Mr. Sunshine, Sky Castle) → Mungyeong Omija Infusion – five distinct flavor dimensions to match complex human emotions.
• Slice of Life / Family Comedy (Reply 1988, 18 Again) → Black Bori-cha Roasted Barley – warm, deeply authentic, and completely unpretentious.
• Late-Night Thriller (Strangers from Hell, Voice) → The Seoul Night Blend – a soothing, caffeine-free botanical cup to ground you through nail-biting cliffhangers.
• The Weekend Binge-Watch → OSULLOC Tea Garden Heritage Collection – an exquisite variety box to carry you through every episode.

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How to Prepare Your Tea Like a True K-Drama Character

Characters in K-dramas do not just mindlessly drink tea—they prepare it. This deliberate, almost meditative ritual is a key part of the show's narrative pace. Here is how to recreate that slow-living scene right at home.

Align with your mood. In Korea, wellness infusions are chosen much like an outfit: tailored to your current emotional state. Mornings belong to an clarifying green tea or a refreshing bori-cha. Afternoons are elevated by a bright yuja-cha or omija. Evenings are reclaimed with a rich ssanghwa-cha or a calming floral blend.

Respect the water temperature. Never use roaring, boiling water for premium green tea (keep it around 80°C / 175°F max). Conversely, robust herbal blends like ssanghwa-cha and roasted bori-cha thrive in piping hot water at 95°C / 203°F. Sweet yuja-cha simply dissolves beautifully to your desired warmth.

Opt for a handleless bowl over a mug. In historical dramas, tea is cradled in wide ceramic bowls. This classic open design lets the aromatic steam expand fully while warming both hands as you hold it. It is a purposeful gesture of slowing down.

Put your phone face down. Watch closely: K-drama characters place their cups down, look into the distance, or look each other dead in the eye. Korean tea is an intentional pause from the noise. Two minutes without notifications—it is a small ritual, but it changes everything.

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Every tea mentioned in this journal is available at Maison Boseong, sourced directly from premier independent South Korean producers. Explore our complete collection →