Ella, a Korean content creator living in Jerusalem, built her Instagram following by documenting everyday life in Israel — from home-cooked meals to local experiences. But since the war with Iran under Operation Roaring Lion, her content has taken a more urgent turn, offering a personal glimpse into life under sirens.
Despite having around 6,000 followers, most of them Israeli, Ella’s recent videos have reached far wider audiences. Some of her latest posts about living through the war drew around 100,000 views, reflecting growing interest in firsthand accounts from civilians.
Interview with Ella
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Ella, a Korean creator documents her everyday life in Israel
(Photo: from Ella's Instagram)
Ella moved to Israel with her husband in October 2022, when he began studying archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Around three years later, she says she has found unexpected cultural similarities between Israelis and Koreans.
“In Korea, we have a concept called ‘chong,’” she explains — a deep sense of emotional connection and care between people, expressed even in small daily interactions. “My Israeli friends showed me that kind of ‘chong’ so much,” she says, describing what she sees as a shared social fabric between the two cultures.
Her social media content often bridges those worlds, introducing Israelis to Korean food and skincare while presenting Israel through her own lens. “They’re really curious,” she says of her followers. “And I think they enjoy seeing Israel from my perspective.”
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Ella introduces Korean skincare routines to her Israeli followers
(Photo: from Ella's Instagram)
Since the outbreak of the current conflict, however, her daily routine — and her content — has shifted. Living in Jerusalem, she frequently experiences air raid sirens. Having already lived through a previous round of fighting, she describes the experience as “strangely familiar,” though still unsettling.
“When the sirens go off, I feel really tense,” she says. “But my husband is very good at being my stabilizer, so I will be fine.”
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When sirens sound in Jerusalem, Ella documents the reality of daily life under fire
(Photo: from Ella's Instagram)
She has also found guidance from locals. Israelis, she says, have shared practical advice on how to respond during alerts — from using the safe room (known in Hebrew as a mamad, a reinforced security room in many homes) to simple steps like locking doors and staying prepared.
Back in South Korea, her family watches anxiously. “They were so worried,” she says. “We FaceTime every single day and show them our safe room to prove we are OK.” She also finds herself explaining Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system to reassure friends that, despite the headlines, there are layers of protection in place.
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Ella shows how she and her husband take cover during alerts in a public shelter
(Photo: from Ella's Instagram)
Even amid the stress of war, moments of normalcy persist. Ella recently celebrated her birthday in Jerusalem — a subdued occasion under the circumstances, but one that turned meaningful thanks to her Israeli friends, who surprised her with a visit.
“They came to my house,” she says. “It was a surprise.”
Food remains another source of connection. While her videos often highlight Korean cuisine, she has developed a taste for local dishes as well. Shakshuka, she says, feels familiar, while hummus has become a favorite — though she admits she has yet to try some of its more traditional variations.
As her audience grows and her content evolves, Ella continues to document life as it unfolds — capturing both the strain of conflict and the resilience of routine, one post at a time.