Shi Shi Turns Food Memories into Friendship in New English-Korean Single “Tteokbokki”

Golden Melody Award-winning singer-songwriter Shi Shi has released her new English-Korean single “Tteokbokki,” a warm and nostalgic track inspired by childhood memories, friendship, and her roots in South Korea.

The song is Shi Shi’s second English-Korean release following “Falling in Love” earlier this year. It also serves as the latest preview of her upcoming EP The Taste Of…, which will be released on July 10.

For Shi Shi, who grew up in South Korea, tteokbokki is more than a familiar snack. The traditional spicy Korean rice cake reminds her of walking home after school, gathering with friends, and spending time in small eateries filled with warmth and conversation.

A Song Built on Food and Memory

Unlike many of Shi Shi’s earlier songs, which often drew from romantic relationships, “Tteokbokki” explores the emotional power of food memories.

The track captures the comfort of old friendships—connections that feel natural, familiar, and rare. Through the song, Shi Shi reflects on the kind of bond that may not always be dramatic, but remains deeply meaningful over time.

The single opens with a self-recorded audio clip from a busy Korean market, immediately placing listeners in the environment that shaped the song’s feeling and imagery.

A Retro Sound With International Reach

Shi Shi worked with Chinese-American producer Morrison Ma, also known as MOSUN, to create the track’s gentle retro sound.

The production gives “Tteokbokki” a soft, lived-in quality that matches the song’s theme of looking back while moving forward. Its English and Korean lyrics also reflect Shi Shi’s growing interest in making music for a broader international audience.

Leading Into Her First English-Based EP

“Tteokbokki” arrives ahead of Shi Shi’s upcoming EP The Taste Of…, her first English-based project.

The EP will feature songs in English, Mandarin, and Korean, reflecting Shi Shi’s multicultural identity as a third-generation South Korean-Chinese artist based in Taiwan.

The project marks an important step in her career as she continues to expand beyond regional audiences and introduce more listeners to her sound.

From Taiwan Recognition to Global Ambition

Shi Shi has already earned major recognition in Taiwan’s music industry, winning Best Female Singer and Best Album at the prestigious Golden Melody Awards.

She also gained wider popularity through the title track “Someday or One Day” for the hit Taiwanese series Someday or One Day, and collaborated with South Korean jazz artist Lee Jin-ah on the 2024 single “Goodbye Spring.”

With “Tteokbokki,” Shi Shi opens a more personal and cross-cultural chapter—one that uses food, memory, and language to tell a story that feels intimate but universally familiar.

A Personal Taste of What Comes Next

“Tteokbokki” shows Shi Shi leaning into her roots while preparing for a wider international stage.

By turning a simple childhood food into a song about friendship and memory, she reminds listeners that some of the most meaningful stories begin with everyday moments: a walk home, a favorite snack, and the people who made those memories last.