The hot pots spice was more grainy/textured.  I suspect it was ground up chilis, as opposed to the powdered spices in Samyang.  I don't recall the Samyang inducing the coughing of the hot pot.   The hot pot definitely numbed the lips.

Another thing, the ramen v. the vermicelli noodles were also different.  I've always thought the ramen soaks up the sauce pretty good.  The vermicelli were like slippery gummy worms in their consistency and didn't retain the flavor.

Just finished a bowl.

We put all of everything in the mix.  It was definitely hot, but I didn't get the hiccups, which is kind of a boundary line of hotness for me. Seemed like the broth had some sweetness and rich savoriness, i definitely liked it.  Ate everything, sucked down all the broth.   It was fun.  Put in a few cooked jumbo skrimps when I served it.  One package is a *lot* of food.

Shared it with my GF, she whined a little but finished.

Verdict: awesome and fun.

Glad you survived the challenge.  Let us know of any after effects in the next 24 hours.  I got my daughter to try a spoonful.  It was beyond her pain threshold!