Not far from COEX Starfield, I found myself in a restaurant that serves only one thing: jokbal (족발), braised pig’s trotter. Unlike Dosan Jokbal, where V, Jin, and Jimin once ate a spread of pork dishes, this place was devoted entirely to jokbal and nothing else.

When the plate arrived, it looked almost too rich, the meat glistening in neat slices. On its own, it was a bit too fatty for me, but eaten alongside the sharp kimchi, the crisp radish, garlic, and dipping sauces, it transformed into something satisfying. The sides cut through the heaviness, each bite balancing what came before it.

It was also my first time really noticing how different jokbal is from bossam. Bossam feels lighter, a pork belly you wrap with cabbage or lettuce leaves. Jokbal, though, is heavier, darker in flavor, and more indulgent—something you linger over, not rush through.

This meal may not be tied to BTS history, but for me, it was an indulgence, a taste of Korean food culture that adds texture to my journey. Some indulgences are sweet, some are heavy, and some, like this one, leave you thoughtful after the last bite.

And so, while my relics remain the albums, photos, and memories within the Purple Vault, my indulgences are the meals that color the path I take toward them, reminders that the fan journey is not only preserved in objects but also in experiences lived along the way.