Gold Tuna: The Viral Restaurant with 140 Million Douyin Views
In late June 2026, a video filmed at Goldtuna Bangi branch was uploaded to Douyin, the Chinese short-form video platform.
The video captured a lively scene of a staff member making "Somaek" (a Korean cocktail of soju and beer) for guests. The creator highlighted "Jamsil, Korea" and the famous "Korean Bomb Drink" culture.
In less than a month, the views surpassed 130 million. As of August 12, 2026, the verified view count on Douyin reached approximately 140 million.
The Douyin profile of creator ‘幸运儿在首尔’. As of August 2026, the account boasts 82,000 followers and 3.57 million cumulative likes.
Reaching 130 Million Views in Under 30 Days
The original video was posted in late June 2026.
The content introduced "Korean Jamsil" (韩国蚕室) and the traditional Korean bomb drink culture. The actual filming took place at the Bangi branch of Goldtuna, located in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
By mid-July, the creator announced that the video had already hit 130 million views.
On August 12, the recorded engagement metrics were staggering:
Views: ~140 million
Likes: ~3.51 million
Comments: ~56,000
Saves: ~190,000
Account Followers: ~82,000
When comparing views to the follower count, the ratio is roughly 1,700:1. This indicates that the content spread far beyond the creator's immediate audience, becoming a global trend.
The total likes for the entire account were 3.57 million, while this single video accounted for 3.51 million of them. Nearly all of the account's engagement was driven by this one moment at Goldtuna.
The Douyin account dashboard showing 82,000 followers and 3.57 million total likes.
From Viral Comments to Real Restaurant Visits
What’s more impressive than the 140 million views is the journey that followed.
After the video went viral, the comment section was flooded with users asking how to make that specific Korean "Somaek" mix.
In response, the creator revisited Goldtuna Bangi branch to film a second video, where our staff demonstrated the somaek-making technique step-by-step.
The process was simple yet powerful:
First Video → Viewer Questions → Revisit to Goldtuna → Second Instructional Content
A single scene in our restaurant sparked curiosity, which led to a second visit and more follow-up content.
The entrance of Goldtuna Bangi and the "Tuna Uncle." The walls are decorated with handwritten notes from satisfied customers.
How Goldtuna’s Unique Service Became Global Content
The staff member featured in the video is affectionately known as the "Somaek Auntie" (Somaek-imo) at Goldtuna.
But it's not just about one person's popularity.
The filming happened at Goldtuna Bangi, capturing a service ritual we have performed for our guests for years.
We call this service "Ju-makase" (a play on *omakase*, focusing on "Ju" meaning alcohol). It’s where our staff prepares drinks with a performance.
This isn't an item on the menu with a price tag. It is a complementary service that happens naturally while guests enjoy our tuna courses.
The Douyin video captured the rhythm of making the drink, the reactions of the staff and guests, and the overall table atmosphere.
Ultimately, what went viral globally was more than just a person.
The Goldtuna course menu featuring high-quality tuna, sushi, and various grilled dishes.
The location, the food, the people, and the service at Goldtuna Bangi merged to become a piece of compelling global content.
"Somaek Auntie" is the representative face of that scene, and "Ju-makase" is the unique service developed right here at Goldtuna.
Goldtuna’s signature tuna sushi, topped with thick, fresh slices of premium tuna.
The Foundation: Why Tuna Quality Matters Most
This case has been a valuable learning experience for Goldtuna.
The first thing that reached overseas users wasn't our tuna grade or our price list.
It was the location (Jamsil), the performance of making the drink, and the shared interaction at the table—elements that are easily understood through a short video.
However, once a guest steps into the restaurant after seeing a video, the food becomes the ultimate focus of judgment.
This is why Goldtuna cannot rely on content alone. A viral video can be the entrance, but the tuna quality, the omakase courses, and the service must deliver on the promise.
In fact, one guest review on our homepage read: "I found out about this place because of the Somaek Auntie, and while the drinks were great, the tuna was absolutely insane."
This is the perfect example of content leading to discovery, and food quality ensuring satisfaction.
Our signature Goldtuna tray featuring premium tuna, sushi, and various omakase courses.
Documenting the Process Beyond 140 Million Views
Goldtuna documents this record not just to boast about views.
It's about how a real scene from a local restaurant became global content, sparked questions, and led to a cycle of revisits and new storytelling.
In this process, several key elements are connected:
Goldtuna Bangi · Jamsil, Seoul · Tuna Specialty Restaurant · Ju-makase · Somaek Auntie · Korean Somaek · Douyin
Moving forward, our goal is to maintain the integrity of these connections.
It is important that people don't just remember the "person" in the video, but also the "place" where they can receive that service and the "food" they will enjoy there.
This story is a verified record of how a long-standing service at Goldtuna Bangi became a global short-form phenomenon and translated into real-world visits.
Enjoying the cream shrimp, a popular dish included in the Goldtuna course menu.
A Note from the "Tuna Uncle"
During my years of running this restaurant, I’ve seen three videos reach over 200 million views combined. But this is the first time a customer proactively shared their screen capture with me to celebrate the milestone.
I want to record one thing clearly.
We cannot control what people see that makes them discover Goldtuna. However, we can control how we prepare our food and service to ensure that the interest translates into a wonderful real-life experience.
※ The Douyin metrics in this post were recorded based on actual app screenshots provided by a customer on August 12, 2026. View counts represent video plays and do not necessarily mean unique users.
The "Tuna Uncle," representative of Goldtuna, always welcoming guests with his signature bowtie and refined hospitality.
· Goldtuna has branches in Bangi and Sinsa.
The viral Douyin video was filmed at Goldtuna Bangi.
Located in Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, this branch offers a 15-course tuna meal and the signature "Ju-makase" drink service.
While the Sinsa branch also provides premium tuna and course meals, the specific location from the 140-million-view video is the Bangi branch.
Case Study: A Japanese YouTuber visiting Goldtuna Bangi after seeing the viral video
While the Douyin case shows viral growth in China, this post details a guest who traveled from Japan to Goldtuna after seeing the video.
A Japanese YouTuber who came for the Somaek Auntie, experiencing hospitality even just before closing.
Connecting Content to Culinary Quality: Real Customer Reviews
This is a review from a customer who visited after seeing our somaek content. While the "Somaek Auntie" was the initial draw, their review focused on the thick cuts of tuna, deep flavors, and absolute freshness of the meal.
Written by: The "Tuna Uncle," Representative of Goldtuna
.jpg)
댓글
댓글 쓰기