25.07.20.Today News : Controversy Over ‘Ulleung Pul Pork’ in Ulleungdo: Half-Fat Pork Belly Costs ₩15,000 Per Serving

Controversy Over ‘Ulleung Pul Pork’ in Ulleungdo: Half-Fat Pork Belly Costs ₩15,000 Per Serving

• YouTuber criticizes fatty meat and uncomfortable hotel experience in Ulleungdo

A popular YouTuber recently shared a video documenting his disappointing experience at the pork belly restaurant ‘Ulleung Pul Pork’ and an inconvenient hotel stay during his trip to Ulleungdo, sparking renewed debate over tourism services on the island.

Comparing YouTube videos to real-world menus

YouTuber ‘kkujun’, who has over 530,000 subscribers, uploaded a video on July 19 titled “Is Ulleungdo always like this? It was my first time, and I was really shocked.” In the video, he shared a series of unexpected and frustrating experiences from his visit to Ulleungdo.

He first visited a pork restaurant named ‘Ulleung Pul Pork’ to have dinner. However, the pork belly he received was almost half fat, which surprised and disappointed him. “Is this right? Half of it is just fat,” he remarked while showing the meat being grilled. The price for one serving (120g) was ₩15,000.

When he questioned the restaurant staff about the high fat content, they responded, “We don’t trim the meat like on the mainland. We slice it thick and serve it naturally.” While the staff claimed that customers usually enjoy the taste after grilling, the YouTuber expressed that first-time visitors might be shocked.

Later, he described additional issues at his hotel. The air conditioner did not work all night, leaving him sweating in the heat. Even after the owner came to check, no action or apology was offered. The next morning, the front desk simply said, “It’s under repair,” with no mention of compensation.

He added, “I’ve stayed at many hotels across the country, but I’ve never seen a check-out time of 10:30 AM, a room with a warm refrigerator, and all this for ₩90,000 per night.” He urged local service providers to consider tourists’ perspectives before requesting them to check out early or accept poor conditions.

He concluded, “If you’re coming to Ulleungdo to enjoy nature and local life, that’s fine. But if you expect the same service quality as on the mainland, you might leave with bad memories.” He emphasized that his comments were only based on his own experience and not a judgment of the entire island.

The video sparked strong reactions from viewers. Some commented, “That’s not pork belly, it looks more like front or hind leg meat,” while others criticized the hotel’s lack of professionalism. Many agreed that the YouTuber, known for his calm tone, must have been truly upset to post such a video.

Ulleungdo has previously faced criticism over tourist treatment, including rejecting solo diners and overpriced meals. Though the local government has implemented pricing regulations and was awarded for its efforts in 2023, recent controversies continue to cast doubt on Ulleungdo’s tourism readiness.

One-line summary : YouTuber ‘kkujun’ sparked controversy after exposing his poor experience with overly fatty pork belly at ‘Ulleung Pul Pork’ and a malfunctioning hotel air conditioner during his Ulleungdo trip.