Shows
Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 110: Silla Gold Crown, London Bagel Museum Controversy, Suneung EnglishThis week Jun and Daniel discuss recent news and cultural trends from November 2025. The episode covers APEC 2025 hosted in Gyeongju where Korea gifted Trump a Shilla gold crown, contrasting Korean labor debates between the London Bagel Museum overwork death and dawn delivery service bans, the viral Gwangjang Market pricing scandal, and the election of Zoran Momdani as New York City's first Muslim and youngest mayor in over a century. The hosts also discuss Gen Alpha slang, tackle Suneung English questions, and respond to listener comments.If you're interested in any of these topics, tune in to hear...
2025-11-271h 38Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 109: The Wailing(곡성) Review (Media)This week Jun and Daniel dive deep into a media review of "The Wailing" (곡성), the critically acclaimed 2016 Korean horror film directed by Na Hong-jin. They begin by unpacking the clever wordplay behind the Korean title—"Gokseong" doubles as both the name of the real Korean city where the film is set and the Chinese character meaning "wailing." The hosts explore the film's complex narrative structure, debating whether the mysterious Japanese man is truly a demon or just an unfortunate scapegoat, analyzing the deacon character's true motivations, and discussing the tragic ending where the protagonist's choices lead to devastating consequences. They e...
2025-11-131h 12Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 108: Chuseok Recaps, Scammers, No Kings Protests and Tapgol Park ChangesThis week Jun and Daniel return from their extended Chuseok holiday break to discuss a range of topics starting with daily life observations about technology, from wireless floor fans to Tesla's touchscreen interfaces to the state of autonomous vehicles in both the US and Korea. They then share their Chuseok vacation experiences, with Jun describing his MT-style trip to Gapyeong and Daniel reflecting on his trip to Seodaemun prison and museum. The conversation then shifts to significant news including the No Kings protests—massive nationwide demonstrations against Donald Trump's second presidential term in 2025—the controversial ban on Chinese chess at T...
2025-10-301h 43Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 107: On Moving to Korea For A Mid-Life Gap Year (ft. Raychel)This week, Daniel and Jun sit down with Raychel McKelvy, a Black American teacher and aspiring actor who just moved to Korea from Chicago less than a month ago. Raychel shares her unique journey from living across multiple U.S. cities to taking a "midlife gap year" in Seoul to study Korean at Yonsei University's language institute. They discuss her incredibly diverse upbringing and friend group, spanning Japanese, Indian, Latino, and Korean American communities, and how those experiences shaped her worldview. The conversation explores the stark differences between being a minority in America versus being a "super minority" in...
2025-10-161h 45Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 106: Cilantro Sundae, Political Polarization, Violence in MediaThis week Jun and Daniel discuss the evolution of acquired tastes in food, turbulent political news from America, controversial tech updates, and a thought-provoking listener perspective on violence in Western vs. East Asian culture. Daniel shares his milestone of finally accepting sundae (Korean blood sausage) after years of trying, prompting a broader conversation about cilantro, kimchi, and how palates develop differently across cultures. The hosts then dive into heavy news topics including immigration enforcement affecting Korean nationals and the deeply polarizing assassination of Charlie Kirk. Jun analyzes recent tech updates from Apple's "liquid glass" iOS design to KakaoTalk's controversial...
2025-10-021h 41Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 105: Summer Recaps, August News and Trends, and Podcast UpdatesThis week Jun and Daniel return after a two-and-a-half-month break with updates on the future of their podcast and stories from their summer European travels. They announce changes to their recording schedule required to maintain a predictable and sustainable release cadence. The hosts explore their different European experiences, comparing notes on coffee culture, American tourists abroad, and the stereotypical beauty of European cities. They then discuss the latest news and trends from August 2025 before closing by reading a meaningful email they received from a listener. Additionally, they reflect on taking breaks from creative work and how refreshing time off...
2025-09-181h 16Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 104: K-Pop Demon Hunters Review (Media)We’re back!This week Jun and Daniel finally tackle the highly anticipated media review of "K-Pop Demon Hunters" (or "케데헌" in Korea). After discussing the massive global success of the Netflix animated film—which became the number one Netflix original movie of all time—they dive deep into various aspects of the production. From analyzing what defines authentic K-pop versus generic pop music, to exploring the typical K-pop group format and how the film made Korean culture accessible to non-Korean audiences, our hosts examine everything from the nostalgic snack spread featuring classic treats like 새우깡 to the film's blend of tradition...
2025-09-041h 27Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 102: 100 Weeks of Korean. American. Podcast pt.3 (Podcast)This week Jun and Daniel conclude their three-part series commemorating their 100th episode milestone by reflecting on episodes 67-99 of their podcast journey. They explore the evolution of their show from deep cultural discussions to more structured formats including regular news episodes, listener comment segments, and media reviews. The hosts discuss memorable episodes covering topics like Korean food debates (Jjik or Treat), MBTI personality types and their cultural significance in Korea, Korean cinema through films like Lady Vengeance, and various cultural phenomena from Korean masculinity terminology to strawberry quality comparisons between countries. They also reflect on how their podcast...
2025-06-192h 09Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 101: 100 Weeks of Korean. American. Podcast pt.2 (Podcast)This week Jun and Daniel continue their milestone celebration by tackling episodes 34-66 in the second part of their three-part series honoring 100 episodes. From exploring the N-Po Generation's societal pressures to diving deep into Korean concepts like jeong and han, our hosts reflect on their middle third of episodes that covered some of their most meaningful cultural discussions. They revisit topics ranging from the unique Korean rental system to daily life observations, guest interviews with former coworkers and visitors, and media reviews of trending K-dramas and films. The conversation spans cultural phenomena like sports day (운동회), hygiene differences, food debates, and th...
2025-06-122h 06Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 100: 100 Weeks of Korean. American. Podcast pt.1 (Podcast)This week Jun and Daniel celebrate reaching their 100th episode milestone by embarking on a comprehensive journey through their podcast's first 33 episodes. From their humble pilot episode recorded with a single microphone to exploring major cultural topics like food, healthcare, education, and social relationships, our hosts reflect on their evolution as podcasters and their deepening understanding of Korean and American cultures. They share nostalgic memories of their early recordings, discuss how their perspectives have changed over two years of living in Korea, and highlight key revelations and takeaways from each episode. The conversation also includes updates from recent listener...
2025-06-052h 02Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 99: The Match Review (Media)This week Jun and Daniel review the popular Korean film "The Match" (승부), which tells the story of two legendary Go players in Korea during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Our hosts explore the cultural significance of Go in Korean society, discussing how it was once one of the four major activities Korean children would pursue alongside math academies, taekwondo, and piano. They delve into the controversy surrounding the film's star Yoo Ah-in and his drug scandal, examining Korea's strict cancellation culture and how it differs between actors, K-pop stars, and politicians. The conversation expands to cover the historic Alph...
2025-05-291h 59Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 98: Listener Grab Bag ft. Credit Cards, Board Games, Climate Change & Libraries (Media)This week Jun and Daniel dedicate an episode to answering questions from their listeners via Patreon, Instagram, and email. From credit card rewards systems and loyalty points to board game culture and public libraries, our hosts tackle a variety of topics that don't quite warrant full episodes but deserve thoughtful responses. They explore how Korean and American credit card systems differ, discuss the prevalence of board game cafes (보드게임방) in Korea versus home gaming culture in America, and compare public library usage between the two countries. The conversation also touches on college alumni culture, environmental consciousness around recycling and electric vehicles...
2025-05-221h 36Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 97: College Part 2 (Education)This week Jun and Daniel dive deeper into college education, comparing American and Korean university systems. Following their more personal discussion in part one, they examine the structural differences between college admissions, costs, and cultural impacts across both countries. From holistic application processes in the US versus test-score-focused admissions in Korea, to the emphasis on networking versus academics, our hosts explore how these educational approaches reflect broader societal values. They discuss the stark contrast in university costs, the role of public versus private institutions, and how the perception of college degrees impacts career trajectories in both countries. The conversation...
2025-05-152h 04Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 96: College Part 1 (Education)This week Jun and Daniel explore the social aspects of college life in Korea versus America during the mid-2000s. From orientation experiences and drinking culture to roommate dynamics and networking, our hosts walk down memory lane sharing their vastly different undergraduate experiences. What is "OT" in Korea and how does it differ from American college orientation? How do Korean freshmen interact with upperclassmen? Why is drinking culture so different between the two countries? What political influences existed on Korean campuses in the early 2000s? How do student clubs, dorm life, and major-based communities compare?If you're...
2025-05-081h 54Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 95: Korean Math, Busan Taxis, and Making New Friends (Daily Life)This week, Daniel and Jun reflect on the small routines and habits that shape daily life—and how those ordinary moments reveal cultural contrasts between Korea and America. From elevator etiquette to bike-riding, math education to parenting styles, they explore how values like speed, structure, and success show up in the simplest of places. They also touch on entrepreneurship in Korea, screen time for kids, and the cultural weight of words like “macho(맞죠)” and “oriental.”If you’re interested in how everyday details—like drawing maps, riding bikes, or doing math homework—can reveal deeper societal values, tune in to hear Dani...
2025-05-012h 06Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 93: No Room For Seoulmates (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel explore the differences in roommate culture between Korea and America. They discuss why having roommates is more common in the US compared to Korea, where most unmarried adults either live alone or with their parents. From college dorm experiences to adult living arrangements, our hosts examine how factors like geography, finances, cultural expectations, and the jeonse housing system influence these different approaches to shared living. They also share their personal experiences with living at home, alone, or with roommates throughout their lives.If you’re interested in learning about Korean college dorm li...
2025-04-171h 42Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 92: The Great Wall of Individualism ft. Jeong (Concepts)This week Jun and Daniel dive deeper into the concept of "jeong”, building on past discussions about social circles and neighbors. They stand-up a working definition of jeong as the “blurring of boundaries between individuals”– in a sense, the ultimate form of collectivism– and explore how it can help explain key cultural differences between Korea and the US, from friendships to the workplace. Our hosts discuss how modern Korean society is transitioning from traditional collectivist values to include more Western individualist ideals, and the challenges therein. Through personal anecdotes, they examine how jeong works in various contexts including family relationsh...
2025-04-101h 42Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 89: Communities, Social Circles, and Third Places (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel dive into a deep exploration of social circles in Korea compared to America. Daniel shares his recent experience joining a church community group after five years, which sparks the main discussion about how social connections form differently across cultures. The hosts debate whether Korean social groups are more like "cliques" while American groups function as broader "communities," examining why Koreans tend to form smaller, deeper, and more exclusive social circles compared to the more open, expansive networks common in America. They explore the role of group harmony, hierarchy, and Korea's competitive society in shaping...
2025-03-201h 55Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 86: Chill Guy Ping (Trends)This week Daniel and Jun dive into the latest trends in Korea, as well as looking into predictions for 2025. They explore what's currently popular across the categories of food, fashion, technology, language, culture, and finance. Food trends include the massive popularity of the Netflix show "Culinary Class Wars," blood sugar monitoring, and protein drinks. In fashion, they discuss the term "demure," the popularity of UGGs, and the trend of customizing personal items called “kku" (-꾸). They also analyze trends from the annual "Trend Korea 2025" book, which predicts shifts toward valuing ordinary experiences ("aboha"), making small incremental improvements ("one-point-up"), and prio...
2025-02-271h 42Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 84: A Tale Of Two COVIDs (History)This week Jun and Daniel discuss COVID-19 and how Korea and America differed in their responses to the pandemic. From the earliest cases in January 2020 through the various waves of restrictions and regulations, our hosts explore how their respective countries handled everything from contact tracing and quarantine rules to vaccination policies and mask mandates. They examine how cultural differences between individualistic and collectivist societies influenced public health measures and compliance, while sharing personal stories about their experiences during this unprecedented time.If you're interested in understanding the contrasts between Korean and American approaches to COVID-19, comparing mask...
2025-02-131h 54Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 83: Korean Citizenship Prep, Growing Up Russian Korean, Jeollanamdo Living, and Fishing feat. Seil and Lera (iyagi)This week Jun and Daniel welcome two very interesting and unique guests, Seil and Lera. They talk about their life journeys, with topics ranging from the Korean citizenship test, growing up as a third generation Korean in Russia, playing Division III basketball in the US, country living in Korea, and so much more. What does the current naturalization process look like for becoming a Korean citizen through marriage, and how has it changed in recent years? Why does the island of Sakhalin, currently Russian territory, have a significant Korean population? What is the tragic story of how they got...
2025-02-062h 09Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 82: News Headlines - Dec ~ Jan 2025 (News)This week Jun and Daniel discuss major news headlines from December 2024 and January 2025 in both Korea and the United States. They cover four significant events: the martial law declaration in Korea, the Jeju Air crash tragedy, the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and the Los Angeles wildfires. Our hosts explore these events through cultural lenses, examining how Koreans and Americans react differently to national tragedies, class warfare, and systemic issues.If you're interested in learning how Korea's democracy handled an unprecedented martial law declaration, how the international community views Korea's political stability, why 40% of young Americans...
2025-01-302h 02Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 81: A Picture's Worth A Thousand Korean Words (Design)This week Jun and Daniel dive into design differences between Korea and America, from social media and advertising to architecture and mobile apps. The hosts explore how and why Korean designs tend to be text-heavy and informative, while American designs focus more on visuals and artistic impact. Topics include YouTube thumbnails, movie posters, advertisements, mobile app UI/UX, building design, and book covers. They discuss how cultural values like collectivism, risk-averseness, and utilitarianism influence Korean design choices, while American designs often prioritize individual interpretation and bold statements.If you're interested in learning how clickbait, movie posters, mobile...
2025-01-231h 49Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 80: Yes, Uh, Jin, Jee (Taiwan)This week Jun and Daniel discuss Daniel's recent family trip to Taiwan for the holidays. Listen as Daniel shares his observations and experiences visiting Taipei and surrounding areas, while Jun offers his commentary as someone who has visited multiple times before. From weather to food to cultural influences from both Japan and China, our hosts explore what makes Taiwan unique while drawing comparisons to Korea and America. They discuss everything from the prevalence of English to toilets, and bubble tea to building design. What is the de facto travel itinerary for Koreans visiting Taipei and its surrounding suburbs? What...
2025-01-161h 28Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 79: Squid Game 2 Review (Media)This week Jun and Daniel discuss the much anticipated Squid Game 2, and use it as a way to explore various aspects of Korean culture. Our hosts run through the cast of characters with commentary, discuss each of the Korean games that were played, dive into Korea’s high household debt to GDP ratio, and more. Through discussions of character portrayals, game mechanics, and underlying themes, they touch on topics like Korea's media industry, gender roles, military service culture, what parts of the show Koreans would find most nostalgic.If you're interested in learning about Korean childhood games, ho...
2025-01-091h 38Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 78: Lady Vengeance (Media)This week Jun and Daniel review the 2005 Korean film "Lady Vengeance", the unofficial final installment in Park Chan-wook's vengeance trilogy. Through their analysis of the film, they explore how revenge is depicted differently in Korean versus American media, discussing themes of collectivism versus individualism, institutional injustice, and the contrast between surface appearances and underlying realities in Korean society.If you're interested in learning about Korean cultural elements like prison tofu traditions, why revenge plots are so prominent in Korean media, how Korean and American societies view justice differently, or what makes Korean collective revenge distinct from Western...
2025-01-021h 39Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 76: Snow Day? No Way! (Daily Life)This week Jun and Daniel discuss all things winter! Prompted by the recent first snow (첫눈), which happened to be the biggest November snowfall ever recorded in Korean history, our hosts discuss winter life and traditions in Korea compared to America. What is gimjang (김장) season and what is typically eaten with the first batch of kimchi? What are the distinct differences between Korean and American snowmen, and what do these differences reflect in their respective cultures? What are the most popular winter fruits in Korea? What are some of the most popular winter foods? What is the biggest difference between Christmas in...
2024-12-191h 40Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 75: Korea Eyes (Fashion)This week Jun and Daniel dive into fashion trends and cultural differences between Korea and America. From men’s hairstyles to women’s modesty norms, our hosts explore how fashion intersects with cultural values, generational divides, and societal expectations. They discuss topics like Korea's recent trend toward athleisure wear, the popularity of certain global brands, and how beauty standards influence fashion choices. The conversation also touches on the rise of Korean fashion brands globally, the influence of K-pop on fashion trends, and the differences in shopping behaviors between the two countries.If you're interested in hearing about Dani...
2024-12-121h 30Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 74: Red Days (Holidays)This week Jun and Daniel explore the annual calendar of holidays and events in both Korea and America. Through a quiz format and month-by-month discussion, our hosts compare how each country celebrates its major holidays, from Lunar New Year and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) in Korea to Thanksgiving (American Mid-Autumn Festival) and Independence Day in America. They also explore deeper cultural differences revealed through these celebrations, like Korea's declining adherence to traditional customs versus America's enthusiastic embrace of holiday traditions.If you're interested in learning about the differences between Korean and American federal holidays, how modern Korea is...
2024-12-051h 44Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 73: Korean News Headlines - October/November 2024 (News)This week Jun and Daniel discuss major news headlines from October and November 2024. From cultural controversies surrounding Dongduk Women's University and the 4B movement, to Korea's surging soft power with Blackpink’s Rosé topping the music charts and Han Kang winning the Nobel Prize for Literature, our hosts explore how these events reflect and impact Korean society. They examine the nuances of how feminism is accepted by society differently in Korea than America, discuss Korea’s passing obsession with bitcoin, and discuss how Korean culture is being exported globally through music, literature and more.If you're interested in un...
2024-11-281h 43Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 72: For The Love Of The Cheering (Sports)This week Jun and Daniel discuss sports culture in Korea and America, prompted by their recent experience attending a KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) playoff game together. Through comparing stadium experiences, fan behavior, player salaries, and cultural attitudes towards athletics, our hosts explore deeper societal differences between the two countries - from how Koreans view sports more as entertainment versus Americans' intense competitive spirit, to contrasting approaches to women's sports and mixed-gender athletics. What does wildcard, semi-playoffs, and playoffs mean in the context of Korean baseball? What is the topic of many of Daniel’s conversations with more Americanized Korean Ko...
2024-11-211h 44Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 71: Your Political View Here (Politics)This week Jun and Daniel risk it all by using the charged 2024 US presidential election as a reason to compare and discuss the political systems and landscape in Korea and America. Our hosts attempt to discuss politics while remaining as neutral as possible, covering topics like the two-party system, campaign financing, big tech's political leanings, and the unique characteristics of conservative and progressive parties in both countries. They also explore the complex relationship between the US and Korea, from military presence to economic dependencies.If you're interested in learning about how the Electoral College works, why Korean...
2024-11-141h 41Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 70: Listener Comments - Read and Response #2-2 (Media)This week Jun and Daniel continue their discussion of listener comments and reactions from social media, blogs, and other platforms. They explore the complex topic of Korean American identity, diving into experiences of discrimination, dual cultural belonging, and what it means to be a "third culture kid." The hosts also tackle comments about Korean driving habits, luxury goods consumption, and reactions to seeing their faces for the first time. Through these discussions, they reflect on deeper cultural nuances between Korea and America, from optimization mindsets to social status signaling.If you're interested in understanding the unique challenges...
2024-11-071h 04Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 69: Listener Comments - Read and Response #2-1 (Media)This week Jun and Daniel dedicate an episode to reading and responding to comments from their social media channels over the past few months. From inverter AC technology to birthing experiences to racism and cultural differences, our hosts dive deep into various topics that sparked discussion among their listeners. They explore Korean and American perspectives on everything from technical knowledge and education to small talk and societal values, while addressing misconceptions and clarifying their intentions behind certain statements.If you're interested in hearing thoughtful responses to viewer feedback on topics like Korea's relationship with knowledge and education...
2024-10-311h 46Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 68: Jjik or Treat! (Food)This week Jun and Daniel dive into famous food debates and preferences that divide both Korean and American society. Starting from whether you dip (jjik) or boo (pour) the sauce with sweet and sour pork (tangsuyuk), our hosts explore the many famous food debates that Koreans have, including kimchi jiggae versus doenjang jjigae, mul naengmyun vs bibimnaengmyun, and many more. They then shift to some American ones, such as when the milk should go into cereal or how you cut a sandwich, and discuss the equivalencies between the two countries. The discussion also touches lightly on regional differences in...
2024-10-241h 18Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 67: MBTI (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel dive into the world of MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and its popularity in Korea. They explore why MBTI has become such a cultural phenomenon in Korea, from its use in social settings to its integration into various aspects of daily life. The conversation then expands to include the Enneagram personality system, which Daniel is particularly passionate about. In continuing the theme of getting to know our hosts more personally, Jun and Daniel also answer questions from their listeners in a recent AMA (Ask Me Anything) poll.If you're interested in understanding the...
2024-10-241h 50Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 67: MBTI (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel dive into the world of MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and its popularity in Korea. They explore why MBTI has become such a cultural phenomenon in Korea, from its use in social settings to its integration into various aspects of daily life. The conversation then expands to include the Enneagram personality system, which Daniel is particularly passionate about. In continuing the theme of getting to know our hosts more personally, Jun and Daniel also answer questions from their listeners in a recent AMA (Ask Me Anything) poll.If you're interested in understanding the...
2024-10-171h 49Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 66: Korean News Headlines - August/September 2024 (News)This week Jun and Daniel discuss some major news headlines from August and September 2024 in Korea. They cover topics including a pilot program bringing Filipino nannies to Korea, the ongoing doctor strike, and a deepfake porn scandal. The hosts explore the cultural context and public reactions to these issues, touching on themes of immigration, online privacy, and healthcare policy. They also discuss Korean Air's decision to stop serving instant ramen on flights.If you're interested in learning more about current events in Korea and how they reflect broader societal trends, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun's...
2024-10-101h 02Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 65: Culinary Class Wars Review (Media)This week Jun and Daniel review the popular Korean Netflix cooking competition show "Culinary Class Wars" (흑백요리사). They discuss the show's format, cultural aspects, and why it has become such a sensation in Korea. Our hosts compare fine dining experiences in Korea vs the US, debate the merits of peelers vs knives in the kitchen, and explore concepts of teamwork and hierarchy as depicted on the show.If you're interested in learning more about Korean cooking shows, food culture, or how competition formats differ between Korea and the US, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun's entertaining and insightful...
2024-10-031h 07Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 64: Small Talk feat. Connecting (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel explore the world of small talk through conversations with random strangers on the Connecting app. Our hosts discuss cultural differences in social interactions between Korea and America, practice their own small talk skills, and gather interesting perspectives from their chat partners. Topics range from stereotypes Koreans and Americans have of each other, to experiences as Korean. Americans, to views on Korea's beauty and fashion culture. Along the way, Jun and Daniel reflect on the value of casual conversation, their own comfort levels with small talk, and how it differs between the two countries.
2024-09-261h 59Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 63: Kim Family Matters (Names)This week Jun and Daniel dive into the world of Korean names and family genealogy. Listen as our hosts explore the cultural significance, history, and trends around names in Korea compared to America. What are the most common Korean last names and how did they originate? How do Koreans choose names for their children and what do the characters mean? What are some generational trends in Korean names? How do nicknames differ between Korea and the US? What is a jokbo (족보) and why is it romanticized by Korean Americans? How do Koreans view changing their names? From clan names to m...
2024-09-191h 37Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 62: Density of Water (Daily Life)This week Jun and Daniel dedicate another episode to run through Daniel’s constantly growing and evolving list of notes on daily life in Korea. Our hosts tackle a 짬뽕 (hodgepodge) of topics ranging from apartment community life to driving habits and hierarchy-based social expectations. What does Daniel find depressing about his apartment living situation? Which part of the metric system is Daniel getting used to, and which part can’t he really transition over? What are some eating hacks Daniel’s learned over the years that most Koreans have known their whole lives? Why does Daniel struggle with the air condit...
2024-09-121h 14Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 61: Lucky Vicky (Trends)This week Jun and Daniel dive into the latest trends sweeping across Korea. From viral language catchphrases to K-pop sensations, luxury athleisure wear to running crews, and electric vehicles to trendy desserts, our hosts explore what's hot in various aspects of Korean society. They discuss the origins of these trends, debate their staying power, and share personal experiences with some of the popular phenomena.If you're interested in learning why "Lucky Vicky" is suddenly everywhere, how a New Jeans performance captivated Japan, what's driving the electric vehicle debate in Korea, or why everyone's talking about "Dubai chocolate,"...
2024-09-051h 31Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 60: 2024 Paris Olympics (Sports)This week Jun and Daniel discuss the 2024 Paris Olympics. They cover highlights from Korea's performance, memorable moments, and reflect on famous Korean Olympians throughout history. The hosts also explore cultural differences in how Korea and America approach the Olympics, from medal counting methods to how athletes are celebrated.If you're interested in hearing about breakout stars like Korea's "air pistol meme girl", controversial moments involving Korean athletes, or the hosts' personal Olympic memories, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also touches on topics like military service exemptions for medalists...
2024-08-291h 27Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 59: Exhuma Movie Review and Shamanism (Media)This week Jun and Daniel discuss Korean shamanism and occult practices through a review of the popular Korean movie "Exhuma" (or "파묘" in Korean). How integrated is shamanism in modern Korean society? What are some common superstitions and spiritual practices in Korea? How does the movie portray traditional Korean beliefs and anti-Japanese sentiment? What aspects of the film might be lost on non-Korean viewers?If you're interested in learning more about Korean spiritual beliefs, fortune telling practices, and how they compare to Western perspectives, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This week they...
2024-08-221h 23Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 58: Korean News Headlines - July 2024 (News)This week Jun and Daniel discuss some notable news headlines from July 2024. What led to the scandal surrounding popular mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang, and what does it reveal about Korea's entertainment industry and cyber bullying culture? How significant is the recent Supreme Court ruling recognizing same-sex couples' rights, and what might it signal for LGBTQ+ progress in Korea? Are Gen Z workers really more outspoken about workplace issues, and how does this reflect changing work culture across generations? What are "cyber wreckers," and how do they impact Korean online culture?If you're interested in any of these questions...
2024-08-151h 33Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 57: US Trip Recap (Reflections)This week Daniel shares his reflections after spending a month back in the United States with his family. Listen in as Daniel and Jun discuss the stark differences between life in Korea versus America, from diverse communities to driving habits to portion sizes. What aspects of American life did Daniel miss most while living in Korea? How did his perspective on the US change after living abroad? What cultural adjustments did he have to make going back? The hosts also touch on some major US news events from July 2024, talk about the amazing-ness of Italian ice, and discuss why...
2024-08-091h 27Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 55: E-sports and Gaming (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel discuss E-sports and gaming culture with a friend of the show and professional gaming coach, Wizard Hyeong. Korea is famously known as the birthplace of Esports, where the Korean e-Sports Association (KeSPA), an arm of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was founded in 2000 to promote and regulate esports in the country. From PC Bangs to TV channels dedicated to showing games such as Starcraft, gaming culture has been and continues to be a deeply integral part of Korean society. Who are some of the most popular professional gamers in Korea, that even...
2024-07-251h 53Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 54: Listener Comments - Read and Response #1 (Media)This week Jun and Daniel experiment with a new format in which they read and respond to various channels of fan and follower engagement. For the inaugural episode, our hosts look at comments left on their Instagram Reels and YouTube media. After reading and discussing some of the most popular comments, our hosts then give each a rating from mild, to spicy, to incendiary, and discuss. How can our Korean American host have such poor Korean language skills, and is this common for so-called gyopos? What has driven the podcast’s growth, and how do our hosts feel about it...
2024-07-181h 54Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 53: Han (Concepts)This week Jun and Daniel take on another so-called pillar of Korean culture and society: han. How does Jun define han, and what issue does he take with the definition from its Wikipedia page? What was behind Jun’s initial reluctance to dedicate an episode to this topic? What are some of our hosts’ personal examples of han? What does it mean to have han at a national level? What are some other countries or people groups that share something in common with Korea that may result in similar han-like sentiments? What makes Korea uniquely suited to embody han...
2024-07-111h 04Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 52: One Year Of Korean. American. Podcast (Reflections)This week Jun and Daniel celebrate reaching the one-year anniversary of the podcast, and successfully releasing “1 Korean. 1 American. 1 Topic Weekly.” for the entire duration. Our hosts each reflect on their most recent trips to the US and how the podcast has impacted their experience and understanding of both American and Korean society and culture. How has the mission and vision for the podcast changed since launch? What is driving some of their relative success? How do Americans use their national flag in a way that is different from Koreans? Who does Jun find to be oddly happy in America? What...
2024-07-041h 20Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 51: Lovely Runner Episode 1 (Media)This week Jun and Daniel discuss Korean culture through a recently trending popular K-drama: Lovely Runner (Episode 1). This time slip, romantic comedy drama series bounces between modern day and 2008 Korea. Our hosts watch the first episode and exchange notes of various cultural nuances and differences that stood out to them. What’s interesting about the title that a Korean might note? Is it right that American media titles get transliterated to Korean, whereas Korean media gets translations? What does fish food have to do with drama viewing culture in Korea? What are some cameos by very famous Koreans that go...
2024-06-271h 38Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 50: Korea? North or South? (Stereotypes)This week Jun and Daniel discuss common stereotypes Koreans and Americans might have of each other and to what extent they agree with them. While all stereotypes are neither accurate nor fair, there is no denying they exist and shape our perceptions, interactions, and cultures in meaningful ways. As always, as our hosts engage in light-hearted conversation around a variety of topics, they hope to foster deeper understanding and empathy of each other’s cultures. What is a common misconception Koreans have of Korean Americans, and what fuels it? What is a challenge Korean Americans have that might be fo...
2024-06-201h 20Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 49: White Truck Of Doom (Media)This week Jun and Daniel discuss a topic that is very near and dear to our American host’s heart: Korean dramas, or K-dramas for short. Daniel has been a casual viewer since his early 20s, long before Squid Game put them on the global stage, but his K-drama watching ramped up while in Covid lockdown and hasn’t slowed down since. Like many Westerners, much of his perception and understanding of Korean culture has come from watching K-dramas. How true to life are K-dramas? How do Koreans watch them differently than Americans? What is the classic K-drama template? What...
2024-06-131h 21Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 48: Korean News Headlines - May 2024 (News)This week Jun and Daniel discuss a few of the biggest headlines in Korean news during the month of May 2024: Min Hee Jin’s ongoing legal battle with HYBE, Naver being asked by the Japanese government to give up control of LINE, famous celebrities Psick Univ and Kang Hyung-wook getting canceled, and the Korean government’s attempted ban on overseas direct purchasing. Why does there appear to be such a stark contrast between how Koreans are reacting to Min Hee Jin, compared to non-Koreans? What are some common criticisms that Westerners have of Min Hee Jin, and do they reso...
2024-06-061h 08Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 47: Having A Korean Field Day (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel discuss Daniel’s recent experience attending an event at his 4-year-old’s preschool– sports day! Sports day (운동회) in Korea is a classic elementary school tradition that would evoke very fond memories to most anyone who grew up there. For Americans, imagine field day, but even bigger, more official, and standardized across all schools. What were the classic events that all Koreans would know? How were children typically divided up? What is humorous about how the score is kept? How competitive is it? How similar was Daniel’s experience to what Jun recalls from his childhood? Wha...
2024-05-3043 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 46: Wait, What Did You Jeonse? (Housing)This week Jun and Daniel discuss the housing payment system of jeonse (전세), or key money deposit, that is unique to South Korea amongst all OECD countries. Roughly 50% of renters in Korea are living with a jeonse, and in 2022 the average jeonse price in Seoul was $500,000. For the first few months after moving to Korea, Daniel had to ask almost every Korean person he met about the jeonse system, because of how foreign and unsustainable it seemed. What is a jeonse, and how does it work? What are some other aspects of the Korean real estate ecosystem that work together with...
2024-05-231h 08Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 44: Judgments Unclouded (Milestones)This week Jun and Daniel discuss the topic of milestones and celebrations. As Daniel recently passed a significant birthday, our hosts take this opportunity to compare what are the big life events in Korea and America, as well as what is typically done to celebrate. What does your average children’s birthday party look like in Korea, and what is one surprising difference from America? Are birthday parties themselves as big of a deal in Korea as they are in America? What surprised Daniel about how a child’s first birthday (doljanchi) is celebrated in Korea? What is someone’s 60th...
2024-05-0958 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 43: Min Hee-Jin Press Conference, Korean Soccer Failure (News)This week Jun and Daniel discuss a couple major trending news headlines in Korea. First, Min Hee-Jin (CEO of ADOR, HYBE’s sub-label for the K-pop girl group NewJeans) held a press conference to address her dispute with HYBE (Korean entertainment company behind BTS and other K-pop groups) which went viral for its authenticity and candor about the industry. Despite neither of our hosts being big K-pop fans, they do their best to break down the story for the audience. Why exactly did the press conference go so viral in Korea? What is some important context about Korean society an...
2024-05-0233 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 42: Call Me, Maybe? (Language)This week Jun-nim and Daniel-nim have a conversation around various topics related to titles in Korea and the hierarchy they create. Our hosts discuss what language Koreans use to refer to each other within family, workplace, and general societal relationships, and the expectations that follow. What is something challenging for Jun when translating the English subtitles into Korean? How are the Korean words for uncle, cousin, and other family members related? How can Koreans communicate without knowing each other’s names? What was King Sejong the Great’s real name? What is a professional ‘announcer’? What other profession has recently...
2024-04-251h 17Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 40: Dreams of Food Court Kids' Meals (Japan)This week Jun and Daniel discuss all things Japan! Given Jun mentions Japan at least once in seemingly every episode, Daniel’s recent family vacation to Kyoto and Osaka presented a golden opportunity to finally dedicate an entire episode to Korea’s easterly neighbor. Did you know that more Koreans visit Japan as tourists than from any other country, and vice versa? What makes Japan such a popular tourist destination for Koreans? What’s changed the most for Koreans visiting Japan, when compared to 20 years ago? What is the go-to snack for Koreans to bring back from Japan as a gift...
2024-04-111h 12Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 39: The Cleaning Towel of Italy (Hygiene)This week Jun and Daniel discuss hygiene standards and expectations across Korea and the US. By the end of the episode, our hosts reach consensus on what the root differentiating factor is in hygiene standards between the two countries. What are some things that Americans think are fine, that Koreans would find gross, and vice versa? How strict are Koreans about this concept of “outdoor” vs “indoor” clothes and not mixing the two? What is a very surprising requirement for exercising in a gym in Korea? Which country has dustier homes? While Koreans prefer having wet bathrooms for hygiene purposes...
2024-04-0449 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 38: When You Wish Upon A Dragon Ball (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel discuss their experiences with Japanese comic books (manga) and shows (anime). Prompted by the sudden and sad death of legendary anime creator Akira Toriyama, our hosts share how Dragon Ball impacted their lives in very different but still meaningful ways. What role did Dragon Ball play in Korean culture in the 80s and 90s? How does Dragon Ball in English differ from Korean? How big of an influence did Japanese manga and anime have in Korea? What are the perceptions of lovers of Japanese culture in Korea vs America? What is the basis of...
2024-03-2835 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 37: How About Them Apples.. At Night (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel discuss myths, superstitions, and everything in between. While some people may have heard of “fan death”, there are many other Korean beliefs that are not as well known to Western audiences. What things did Jun believe growing up in Korea that were not necessarily true? Do Koreans today still believe in fan death? What are the Korean equivalents to things like walking under a ladder, or a lucky rabbit’s foot? Are you aware of the giant metal rods that were left behind by the Japanese? Is there only a certain time that you should...
2024-03-211h 01Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 36: Black-Haired Foreigner (Daily Life)This week Jun and Daniel discuss their experiences when they were living as foreigners in each other’s respective home countries: Daniel in Korea (going on 2.5+ years), and Jun in America (4 years for graduate school). Daniel shares a bit of a broader reflection on their move to Korea: how he and his family first decided to move to Korea, some things about living in Korea that differed from his expectations, what he’s looking forward to in his upcoming trip to the States. Daniel also contrasts his family’s move from America to Korea, to his parents' move from Korea...
2024-03-141h 09Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 35: Jeong (Concepts)This week Jun and Daniel discuss what is often considered one of the pillars of Korean culture: jeong. It’s a term that Daniel had never heard of until his 20s, but one which instantly resonated with him. What is Jun’s understanding of jeong, as a native Korean? Is jeong really something that is unique to Korea? What is the origin of jeong? Is jeong simply humanity, or nationalism? How does jeong exist and manifest in Korea today, or has it simply gone away completely?If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear...
2024-03-0735 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 34: N-Po Generation (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel start by sharing some typical holiday traditions, but quickly transition into exploring why Koreans seem to be quickly losing their sense of traditions completely. Listen in as our hosts make some huge connections (and bold claims!) between major themes they’ve discussed previously. What is the root cause of this drift away from traditions? What is replacing traditions in Korea? How are the classic games of Monopoly and Yutnori microcosms of their respective cultural values and ideals? What do some Koreans wish an AI could do for them? What is the N-Po generation, and wh...
2024-02-2939 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 33: Noonchi (Concepts)This week Jun and Daniel discuss the concept of noonchi in Korean culture. Noonchi is commonly translated as “emotional intelligence” or one’s ability to “read the room”, but after hearing it used in many other ways, Daniel dives deeper into some of the nuances and alternative meanings of this term. How can you give noonchi to someone, and how does it compare to general passive-aggressive behavior? Is it something that you’re born with, or something that you can develop? Is life more difficult if you have it, or if you don’t? Is it possible to have too much of it...
2024-02-2235 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 32: Manual Automatic Sliding Doors (Daily Life)This week Jun and Daniel discuss what they find convenient about living in Korea compared to America, as well as the things that make Daniel long for the land of large and available parking spots. Our hosts take turns bringing up everyday things that make living in Korea or America awesome. What is the most convenient thing for Daniel, that has to do with raising his young children? What is especially challenging for foreigners in Korea, that even natives find annoying? What are the pros and cons of your cell phone number essentially becoming your identification? Why is parking...
2024-02-151h 01Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 31: Gyeongseong Creature Episode 1 (Media)This week Jun and Daniel discuss Korean culture through a recently trending popular K-drama on Netflix: Gyeongseong Creature Episode 1, which takes place in 1945 with Korea still under Japanese occupation. Our hosts use this drama episode as a vehicle to discuss differences in how a Korean American might view and receive the show, compared to a Korean Korean. How is Asian representation in the media perceived in Korea? Why is the show’s title clever? What similarities are there between the Holocaust and the Japanese occupation of Korea? What symbols and words in Korea carry the same weight as a...
2024-02-081h 08Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 30: Petiquette (Pets)This week Jun and Daniel discuss our favorite furry friends, and explore the differences between pet culture in Korea and America. Our hosts discuss their experience with having or interacting with pets in Korea, and how pet culture mirrors society at large. Like many things in Korea, there are stark differences across generational lines. How were pets treated in past generations, and how has that evolved in modern Korea? What are some of the most popular breeds for dogs in Korea? What are the native Korean breeds of dogs? Is the rise in pet ownership somehow related to the...
2024-02-0141 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 29: Reply 1975 (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel discuss how Daniel’s understanding of Korean culture growing up has changed significantly compared to modern day Korea. Topics range from language, to the fear of North Korea invading, to subway etiquette, but the theme of this episode is comparing the Korea Daniel’s parents left in the 70s to the Korea Daniel and Jun are living in today. What words did Daniel use growing up are no longer used, and even laughed at? Are Koreans afraid of being invaded by the North? Who is more strict as parents, Americans or Koreans? Which society is m...
2024-01-2545 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 28: Extreme Decision (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel discuss the very heavy topic of suicide. While Daniel has known for a while that Korean society has a problem with suicide, with the highest rest of suicides within the OECD nations, famous actor Lee Sun-kyun’s recent high-profile suicide has brought this issue to the forefront of everyday conversation. What are the factors that caused Lee Sun-kyun to end his own life? Do these causes resonate with Daniel as universal, or do they seem particular to Korea? How do every day Koreans think about suicide? Why do Koreans have such a high rate of...
2024-01-1840 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 27: Did You Eat? (Language)This week Jun and Daniel discuss the Korean language in all of its beautiful and confusing glory. Specifically, Daniel brings up the topic of how it is very indirect and how he struggles with that as an American. What are some confusing American phrases for Koreans to learn? What is a high-context vs low-context society, and what impact does this have on language in Korea compared to America? What are some regional differences within Korea when it comes to language and directness? What are some phrases that Daniel has had to get used to? How has being in Korea...
2024-01-1131 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 26: Of Plums and Peach Trees (Holidays)This week Jun and Daniel kick off 2024 with a discussion about how Koreans celebrate the New Year. Listen in as our hosts compare new year’s traditions in Korea and America. Do Koreans celebrate January 1st differently than Lunar New Year? Do Koreans make New Year’s resolutions? Who usually plays hosts in Korea for family gatherings? When do you make the transition from receiving money to giving money for New Year’s? What are some of the lesser known traditional games and activities Koreans do on Lunar New Year? What bird is the symbol for Lunar New Year?
2024-01-041h 05Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 25: 2023 Year End Wrap Up “SSAMary” (Podcast)This week Jun and Daniel wrap (“ssam”) up the year with thoughts and reflections from their first year of doing this podcast. Despite the focus on talking about the podcast itself, our hosts still touch briefly on how the holiday season looks like in South Korea. Listen in as our hosts go over their stat card for the podcast (and other social channels on other platforms), share their favorite and least favorite episodes, lessons learned, highlights, lowlights, plans for 2024, and more. Daniel and Jun also reveal their favorite seasons, and what they think of the Christmas decor in Korea....
2023-12-2843 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 24: Dork With Strengths (Language)This week Jun and Daniel take a journey into millennial slang of their respective countries. Listen in on this light-hearted conversation as our hosts attempt to guess the meaning of modern slang words in Korea and America. Can you guess what 폼미쳤다, 너뭐돼, and many other Korean phrases mean? Can Daniel succeed in guessing a single one? Can Jun figure out what on fleek, ghosting, and other American millennial slang words mean? Are there any slang words that have equivalent versions between Korean and English? And what English word has crossed over into Korean?If you're interested in any of these quest...
2023-12-2133 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 23: A Drinking Occasion (Food and Drinks)This week Jun and Daniel dive into the soju, beer, and all things drinking culture. Listen as our hosts recount some of their experiences with alcohol in Korea. Do Koreans really drink as frequently and as heavily as is portrayed in Korean dramas and movies? What is a pojangmacha (포장마차), where is one of the more popular areas for them in Seoul, and what is the closest equivalent in America? What’s the difference between anju (안주) and banju (반주)? How strong is soju, and how expensive is it? What are other types of popular alcoholic drinks that Koreans consume? Do Koreans or Americans drink...
2023-12-141h 15Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 22: Korean Pizza (Food)This week Jun and Daniel explore the world of chain restaurants. Listen as Daniel recounts his first experience eating a Korean pizza, and the various toppings that he found shocking, while Jun applauds the effort to experiment and localize. What American chains have been successful in Korea, and which haven’t? How do they differ? Have any Korean chains been successful in America? Did Red Mango and Pinkberry start in America, or Korea? What global drink brand did Korea take over? What Korean chain did Daniel’s co-worker take great offense to? What key signature item do Korean 7-11’...
2023-12-0745 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 21: Korean.Americano. (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel explore the cafe culture that exists in Korea. Rather than invite people into each other’s homes, in Korea it’s much more common to meet at a cafe instead. What are some of the driving forces behind this? What is the expectation when hosting people in your home? What is the expectation as a guest when you are invited to someone else’s home? What are some of the interesting types of cafes? Do Koreans still drink instant coffee after meals? What is the most popular coffee order in Korea? How do cafes...
2023-11-3034 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 20: There’s A Korean App For That (Technology)This week Jun and Daniel explore the various websites and applications used in Korea compared to America. What are the popular websites and apps across the two countries? Which are the same, and which are different? How did the internet and internet culture evolve in Korea, and how did it differ from America? Is the iMessage blue check mark a thing in the land of Samsung? How did Korea come to have its world class internet infrastructure? Why doesn’t Google Maps work in Korea? What are mom cafes?If you're interested in any of these questions, tu...
2023-11-2359 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 19: The Devil Wears Kodak (Fashion)This week Jun and Daniel take on a topic neither is quite comfortable with: fashion. Daniel has had a growing list of fashion-related questions that he finally gets to discuss. Winter has come in Korea, and with it, another change in the clothing you see people wearing. What are some of the latest fashion trends in Korea? While yoga pants are rarely seen on the streets, who is wearing athleisure wear on the regular? What is the Korean term for luxury goods, and is Korea really that obsessed with them? What started off as an anti-brand, that has...
2023-11-1647 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 18: The One With All The 90s References (Media)This week Jun and Daniel wax nostalgic and take a walk down memory lane as they recount various TV shows from their respective childhoods in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. From children’s cartoons to daytime soaps, Daniel discovers that Korean and American youth had quite a great deal of overlap. What is AFKN, and how did it enable Korean youth to get access to even more American TV shows than some American kids? What was the Sunday morning ritual for kids in Korea growing up in the 80s and 90s? What were the popular Korean cartoons from that ti...
2023-11-0955 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 17: Hold The Onions (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel talk about something in Korean culture that Daniel still really struggles to understand, which is their commitment to obeying the letter of the law with no regard to the spirit of the law. Also, why restaurants rarely offer any ability to customize their menu options, and why Koreans are so inflexible and unwilling to make exceptions in general. Listen in as Daniel recounts various stories from his time in Korea that make him shake his American head. Will Jun’s explanations of the Korean perspective result in Daniel nodding his head in agreement? What st...
2023-11-0244 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 16: The Parasol Grid (Travel)This week Jun and Daniel talk about all things travel. Listen in as Jun and Daniel detail recent trips they’ve made, as well as popular travel destinations for Koreans and Americans. Between Japan and Korea, which is more friendly for English speakers? What are the most popular travel destinations for Koreans? What country is far easier for Koreans to travel to compared to Americans? What is the furthest possible travel destination from Korea? What do Americans travel to, and does it differ by coast? What are the best beaches in Korea? What are the famous mudflats (갯벌) and water valley...
2023-10-2651 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 15: Blue Blooded (Work)This week Jun and Daniel scratch the surface of a big important topic: working life. Employment in Korea is generally considered for life, and it is nearly impossible to be fired. How does this impact work culture? What are the top companies that new grads in Korea want to work for? What is NaKaLaCouBaeDangTo? Why isn’t Samsung considered a tech giant in Korea? What is the process like for getting hired at Samsung, and why isn’t Samsung considered a tech company in Korea? What is a “CC”? What is an “alba”? What’s an exception in Korea, that is the no...
2023-10-1931 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 14: Don't Press My Buttons (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel finally get around to exploring a question that was teased in the pilot for this podcast: Why don’t people hold the door open for each other? Listen in as our hosts discuss varying topics related to manners and common courtesy between the two countries. How do Koreans react when you hold the door open for them? What is common practice with regards to dental hygiene in Korea, that most Americans would find odd and borderline disgusting? What is a common thing done in America that is seared into Jun’s memory? Why would Kore...
2023-10-1239 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 13: Nerd Beauty (Culture)This week Jun and Daniel explore a conversation Daniel had with his co-worker shortly after moving to Korea that will forever be ingrained into his memory, and was somewhat of a precursor to this podcast: being nerdy. Does this concept exist in Korea, and if so, how does it differ from in America? Is being smart in Korea the same as being cool in America? Who gets bullied in Korea? Does wearing glasses have the same stigma in Korea? What constitutes socioeconomic status in each country? What is the modern equivalent of Korean royalty? How do Koreans feel about...
2023-10-0628 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 12: Don't Go, Mong! (Humor)This week Jun and Daniel dive into the world of humor and comedy. If you’ve heard of Danny Cho, Gag Concert (개그콘서트), High Kick! (거침없이 하이킥), Infinite Challenge (무한도전), or 1 Night 2 Days (1박2일), listen in as Jun does his best to give Daniel an overview of the history of comedy in Korea, from its Japanese and American roots to a recent stand-up show he attended. Did humor exist at all in Korea before this current generation? What was Daniel’s experience with Asian American comedians growing up? What American thing is one of the most popular Korean YouTube channels making fun of? What is a robot’s favorite food? Where do astr...
2023-09-2934 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 11: I See Old People (Daily Life)This week Jun and Daniel continue the theme from last week, but this time, they take it stateside. Listen in as Jun takes Daniel on a journey of the senses to describe some of the more light-hearted minutiae of everyday life in the US. What are the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels of America to a Korean? What do Americans take for granted and not realize might feel foreign to others? What is an innocent American gesture that Koreans find rude? Is there actually any science behind how Korean and American people talk? Do Koreans and Americans smile...
2023-09-2153 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 10: Water Is Self (Daily Life)This week Jun and Daniel take a break from the broad, macro-level topics they have been discussing, and dive into some of the more light-hearted minutiae of everyday life here in Korea. Listen in as Daniel recounts stories from his first months after moving to Korea, and what he found surprising then but is now used to. Topics range from Korea’s complicated trash and recycling system, eating out at restaurants, apartment life, driving, and.. doors. Did you know apartment complexes can be on the scale of a small city? What is a wet bathroom and why is it th...
2023-09-1457 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 9: The 80-Hour School Week (Education)This week Jun and Daniel take a first stab at tackling a fairly big topic in Korea: the education system. It wasn’t that long ago that Korean students went to school from morning to midnight, six days a week. While this is technically no longer the case, in practice, not much has changed. Why are Koreans so obsessed with education? How does a day in the life of a Korean and an American high school student compare? How much homework do Korean students get? What is a common stereotype that Koreans have of American schools? How does the co...
2023-09-0745 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 8: Everywhere Bagels (Trends)This week Jun and Daniel explore the phenomenon of how things become “trending” (viral) in Korea. You may have heard of the honey butter chip craze back in 2015, but what are some more recent food trends that went viral in Korea? You may have heard of screen golf, but what other popular sport has Korea turned into an indoor screen game? What does Daniel believe are the three ingredients for a sport or hobby to go viral in Korea, and does pickleball fit the bill? How do viral trends in Korea and America differ, and why?If you...
2023-08-3134 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 7: Won't You Be My Neighbor? (Relationships)This week Jun and Daniel explore Jun’s first time meeting his mysterious next-door neighbor, and generally discuss the differences between how Koreans and Americans view human connection. Why is knowing someone’s name a big deal in Korea? What do Koreans think of small talk? How does the size and composition of social circles differ between the two countries? How should you respond if a Korean comes up to you and starts talking to you? How will Koreans respond if you just start talking with them?If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to h...
2023-08-2434 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 6: Size Matters (Geography)Listen this week as Jun and Daniel discuss matters of scale. South Korea is the size of Indiana, with the population of California, Washington, and Oregon combined. How does it’s relatively small geographical size and incredible density impact life and society? You've heard of the movie Train to Busan, but is this actually a thing in Korea? What intra-Korea flight is the most flown in the world? How is public transportation in Korea, and why is it world class? Why is every tropical location other than Jeju island ruined as a vacation destination for Daniel?If yo...
2023-08-1827 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 5: i do, thank u, next (Weddings)Join hosts Daniel and Jun as they discuss one of the biggest and oldest traditions: weddings. Daniel recently attended his very first Korean wedding, and came away with a lot of comparisons to American-style weddings. Meanwhile, Jun has many questions as a native Korean having never attended an American wedding, but seeing them depicted often in shows and movies. What does a typical wedding in Korea look like? Do Koreans still do 폐백 (pyebaek), or is it seen as too old-fashioned? What happens in the months leading up to the wedding? Between the food, cake, gifts, guest list, bridal party, bouq...
2023-08-1052 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 4: Do You Even Lift? (Beauty)Join hosts Daniel and Jun as they discuss cosmetic surgery. It's well known that Korea is one of most famous places in the world for getting these procedures done. How much does it cost? Do men get it too? How is it perceived, and how has that changed over time? How does being immersed in this culture impact how an American thinks about it? Do Koreans still attach a photo with all of their resumes? What are one's 'specs' and why are Korean's obsessed with them? If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to h...
2023-08-0328 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 2: Too Sweet or Not Too Sweet (Food)Join hosts Daniel and Jun for their first full podcast episode, as they discuss one of the most important topics there is: food. How do flavor profiles differ between Korea and America? How does food compare between the two countries, and does it differ with desserts? Does one's palette adjust, and how long does it take? Do Koreans and Americans even differ in how they drink water, or why they drink diet sodas? How does Doritos compare across the two countries? Is Magnolia's a huge hit in Korea like it is in the US?If you're interested...
2023-07-3030 minKorean. American. PodcastEpisode 3: An Ounce of Prevention (Healthcare)Join hosts Daniel and Jun as they discuss the differences in health care between Korea and America. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Every year, Koreans get a comprehensive preventative health screening. What is it like? Why are Koreans in dramas always hooked up to an IV? Are Koreans still smoking as much as before? What is it like being in a country with universal health care? As an American, are you always Google searching "when am I sick enough to go to the hospital"? What are all exchange students from K...
2023-07-3038 min
Korean. American. PodcastEpisode 1: PilotDaniel and Jun discuss their backgrounds, the origin story of how this podcast came to be, and their goals for doing this podcast. We record one episode a week in-person from Seoul, South Korea. We hope you'll listen and follow us on this journey!Support the showWe hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!Support us on Patreon:https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862Follow us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/...
2023-07-2707 min