Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Korean. American. Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 109: The Wailing(곡성) Review (Media) | 13 Nov 2025 | 01:12:19 | |
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 examine the film's commentary on faith, superstition, and mob mentality, while also touching on the masterful cinematography, the haunting shaman ritual scene, and the unforgettable performances. If you're interested in understanding why this film is considered one of Korea's most important horror achievements, how Korean shamanism and religious syncretism create the story's ambiguity, why the film's open-ended interpretation makes it endlessly rewatchable, or Daniel's instant regret watching a horror film late at night in the dark, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also features discussion about recognizing famous Korean actors (including Hwang Jung-min, one of Korea's top movie stars), comparisons to The Blair Witch Project, and reflections on how the film uses the real city of Gokseong as its setting. As a reminder, we publish our episodes bi-weekly from Seoul, South Korea. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 108: Chuseok Recaps, Scammers, No Kings Protests and Tapgol Park Changes | 30 Oct 2025 | 01:43:12 | |
This 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 Tapgol Park in Seoul, the tragic incident involving Koreans in Cambodia, and the W Magazine Breast Cancer Awareness campaign controversy. The episode concludes with listener questions about Korean apartment uniformity and a spirited debate about nunchi, sparked by a question from a previous guest episode. If you're interested in understanding how Korean efficiency and collectivism shape everything from apartment design to consumer products, learning about the No Kings movement and its significance in American politics, exploring the concept of nunchi and indirect communication in Korean culture, or hearing about nonprofit youth programs bridging Korean and American communities, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! As a reminder, we record one episode a week in-person from Seoul, South Korea. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!: Sponsored Content This episode is sponsored by City Youth Martial Arts, a nonprofit taekwondo program serving Milwaukee's diverse urban neighborhoods. Find out more at https://cityyouthmartialarts.org We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 99: The Match Review (Media) | 29 May 2025 | 01:59:00 | |
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 AlphaGo vs. Lee Sedol match in 2016 and its symbolic impact on Korean society's understanding of AI. Through scene-by-scene analysis, they highlight cultural details from 1980s Korea including car parades for international achievements, traditional family hierarchies, smoking culture, and nostalgic elements like fumigation trucks and Nikon cameras as status symbols. If you're interested in learning about the cultural significance of Go in East Asian societies, understanding Korea's approach to celebrity scandals and cancellation culture, exploring the philosophical differences between individualism and traditional hierarchy in Korean society, or discovering nostalgic details about 1980s Korean life including housing styles and family dynamics, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also touches on topics like the decline of Go's popularity in modern Korea, the East Asian "Cold War" competition in Go between Korea, Japan, and China, and how the film serves as a metaphor for Korea's journey from copying to innovating on the global stage. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 9: The 80-Hour School Week (Education) | 07 Sep 2023 | 00:45:33 | |
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 college admissions process work? What do planes and police have to do with the Korean SAT? How has the role of public school teachers changed? Why does Daniel love the daycare/preschools in Korea? Who are some of the top earners in Korea? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 8: Everywhere Bagels (Trends) | 31 Aug 2023 | 00:34:02 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 7: Won't You Be My Neighbor? (Relationships) | 24 Aug 2023 | 00:34:46 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 6: Size Matters (Geography) | 18 Aug 2023 | 00:27:02 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 5: i do, thank u, next (Weddings) | 10 Aug 2023 | 00:52:33 | |
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, bouquet toss, and favors, how do these compare across the two styles of weddings? What might an American find most appealing about a Korean wedding? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 4: Do You Even Lift? (Beauty) | 03 Aug 2023 | 00:28:37 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 3: An Ounce of Prevention (Healthcare) | 30 Jul 2023 | 00:38:39 | |
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 Korea warned about before going to the US? As broken as the health care system in the US seems to be, what does an American living in Korea miss about it? What do ahjussis and NBA stars have in common? Why do Koreans prefer to "sweat it out" when they have fevers? What do dentists in Korea and the US have in common? Have you ever gotten "scaling" done from the dentist? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 2: Too Sweet or Not Too Sweet (Food) | 30 Jul 2023 | 00:30:42 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 1: Pilot | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:07:09 | |
Daniel 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! We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 98: Listener Grab Bag ft. Credit Cards, Board Games, Climate Change & Libraries (Media) | 22 May 2025 | 01:36:38 | |
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, age-exclusive venues, and intergenerational socializing patterns. Throughout the episode, they acknowledge the deeper, more complex questions they've received about topics like disabilities, adoption, and racism that require more research and preparation to address properly. If you're interested in learning about Korean loyalty point systems and how they're consolidated through major conglomerates, understanding why Korean libraries are primarily used for studying rather than book borrowing, discovering the evolution of board game cafes from communal spaces to private rooms, or hearing about the cultural differences in physical punishment games and cross-generational activities, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also features Daniel sharing his Costco adventures, Jun's spontaneous membership decision, and both hosts reflecting on their different childhood reading cultures and the universal appeal of gaining cultural perspective. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 97: College Part 2 (Education) | 15 May 2025 | 02:04:15 | |
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 also touches on topics like diversity in student populations, the prevalence of medical school aspirations in Korea, and how sports culture shapes American university life. If you're interested in how Korean universities are shifting from pure test scores to more holistic admissions, or why top-performing Korean students overwhelmingly choose medical school instead of other fields, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 96: College Part 1 (Education) | 08 May 2025 | 01:54:12 | |
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 interested in learning about college admissions processes, the infamous "enrollment wars" for Korean class registration, department rivalries, online gaming obsessions, or the impact of military service on Korean college timelines, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also features stories about Daniel's online poker side hustle, Jun's experiences with politically charged university culture, and the striking differences in how students form social bonds in each country. The hosts reveal their regrets and lessons learned, including Daniel's decision to graduate early and Jun's reflections on focusing too much on academics. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 95: Korean Math, Busan Taxis, and Making New Friends (Daily Life) | 01 May 2025 | 02:06:56 | |
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 Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 94: News Headlines - Feb ~ Apr 2025 (News) | 24 Apr 2025 | 01:44:53 | |
This week, Daniel and Jun recap significant news events from February to mid-April 2025. They discuss several major stories including the impeachment of the Korean president and upcoming emergency elections, the worst wildfires in Korean history and how Indonesian foreign workers heroically helped with rescue efforts, controversial allegations surrounding Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, and the viral trend of Ghibli-style AI-generated images. They also touch on American politics including Trump's firing of officials and controversial tariffs, while reflecting on Johnny Kim, a Korean American doctor, Navy SEAL, and astronaut who recently made headlines. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 93: No Room For Seoulmates (Culture) | 17 Apr 2025 | 01:42:06 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 92: The Great Wall of Individualism ft. Jeong (Concepts) | 10 Apr 2025 | 01:42:53 | |
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 relationships, peer groups, and professional settings, while debating the merits and downsides of boundary-free relationships. If you're interested in understanding why Koreans might feel betrayed by seemingly friendly American interactions, why Korean social circles tend to be smaller but deeper, and how hierarchy can complicate jeong-based relationships, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also features a fun unboxing segment of Minnesota goodies from a podcast listener, a thoughtful exploration of whether individualism is "cold" or "healthy” depending on the cultural context, and insights into spaces where Korean society seems to be evolving to incorporate clear boundary setting. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 91: Canadian Multiculturalism, Maknae Life, Hell Joseon and Kimchi Poutines ft. Byeong (iyagi) | 03 Apr 2025 | 01:50:43 | |
This week Jun and Daniel welcome their guest Byeong, a Korean Canadian who shares his unique cultural journey growing up in Toronto, working in Hong Kong, and now living in Korea. Through exploring Byeong's experiences as a "third culture kid," our hosts dive into fascinating discussions about Canadian multiculturalism, the concept of being a "freeloader" younger sibling with fewer parental expectations, and the privilege of being able to opt in or out of Korean culture as needed. The conversation touches on topics like Hong Kong's changing identity, the evolution of the "Hell Joseon" mentality in Korea, and how different immigrant communities form their identities abroad. If you're interested in understanding the nuances of Korean Canadian identity compared to Korean American, exploring how Canada's multicultural foundation differs from America's melting pot, or hearing thoughtful perspectives on navigating between cultures, tune in to hear Daniel, Jun, and Byeong discuss all this and more! This episode also features discussions about beautiful travel destinations in Canada, the origins of the term "Hell Joseon," and Jun's revelation about his parents' surprisingly relaxed expectations of him as a second child. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 90: I Am Solo Season 24 Review (Media) | 27 Mar 2025 | 02:38:37 | |
This week Jun and Daniel review the popular Korean reality dating show "Na Neun Solo" (I Am Solo). They explore the format of the show where six men and six women live together for five days in hopes of finding love, using pseudonyms throughout their stay until revealing their real names during the final confession. From analyzing the various character "types" assigned to contestants, to discussing the show's portrayal of Korean dating culture, our hosts examine what makes this series both entertaining and culturally revealing. Topics include Korean beauty standards, flirting techniques, the concept of "pretending" in relational societies, and the contrast between Korean and American approaches to dating and courtship. If you're interested in understanding Korean reality TV dynamics, learning about how dating shows reflect cultural values, or simply enjoying Jun and Daniel's reactions to some of the more cringe-worthy moments of Season 24, tune in to hear them discuss all this and more! This episode also features Daniel's careful notes from watching the entire season, Jun's explanations of Korean concepts like "cat-style" faces versus "dog-style" faces, and both hosts' analysis of which pseudonymous character they would be if they appeared on the show themselves. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 107: On Moving to Korea For A Mid-Life Gap Year (ft. Raychel) | 16 Oct 2025 | 01:45:50 | |
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 Korea, navigating the challenges of staring and othering, and finding beauty in cultural differences. Raychel opens up about her language learning journey, the reality of living in a co-living space in Yeongdeungpo, and adjusting to Korean social norms around public transit etiquette, restaurant timing, and high-context communication. If you're interested in hearing a fresh perspective on moving to Korea, understanding the complexities of race and diversity across cultures, learning about the unexpected challenges and joys of language immersion, or gaining insights into how collectivism and individualism shape American versus Korean society, tune in to hear Daniel, Jun, and Raychel discuss all this and more. This episode offers an honest, thoughtful look at cultural adaptation, the privilege of diversity, and the courage it takes to completely upend your life for personal growth. As a reminder, we publish our episodes bi-weekly from Seoul, South Korea. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! Guest bio: Raychel is an American currently living in Korea and attending Korean language school. When she is not studying Korean, she can be found talking to her family or nerding out on her 2 podcasts: MultiNerds Podcast and Tavern of Tomes. Follow her Korean adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raychelmckelvy Links: MultiNerds: https://open.spotify.com/show/6cDn8vhL0XRTTBxl5z5xaL?si=PrrWuVz4TDyMA-d_sz0esQ Tavern of Tomes: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sx3q8fhQ7mNLvt2I9PRJk?si=FTh-4cX3T-Sw_mLY5fEcoQ We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 89: Communities, Social Circles, and Third Places (Culture) | 20 Mar 2025 | 01:55:16 | |
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 these differences, and discuss the concept of "third places" - neutral social environments outside of home and work - which Daniel feels are notably missing in modern Korean society. If you're interested in understanding why Korean social groups often require multiple commonalities while American groups might form around just one shared interest, how utilitarian values factor into relationship-building in Korean society, or how much things have changed from the previous generation, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Daniel also shares his personal struggles adapting to the Korean social landscape despite living in the country for well over three years. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 88: Finding Heaven On Earth And Being A Bridge ft. Nelson aka @sochourner (iyagi) | 13 Mar 2025 | 02:08:33 | |
This week Jun and Daniel interview Nelson, a third-culture kid who was born and raised in Brazil before attending college in the US and eventually settling in Korea. They explore his unique journey navigating multiple cultural identities, from experiencing racism as an Asian in Brazil to voluntarily serving in the Korean Marines during a college gap year. Nelson shares how being an "outsider" everywhere ultimately became his superpower, allowing him to bridge different cultural groups. They discuss a wide range of topics including what life was like in a Brazilian international school, cultural differences in dating, gift-giving customs, military service, and Nelson's unexpected rise to social media fame in Korea. If you're interested in hearing a fresh perspective on Korean culture from someone who approaches it with a "bridge-builder" mindset, or learning about the rich complexity of Korean diaspora experiences beyond Korean Americans, tune in to hear Daniel, Jun and Nelson discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, Daniel shares his struggles with maintaining a fresh perspective on familiar surroundings, Jun explains why Koreans might be hesitant to greet strangers, and Nelson reveals his theory about how societal environments shape our behavior more than we'd like to admit. Guest Bio Nelson is a third culture kid trying to build bridges. You can find him on: We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 87: Listener Comments - Read and Response (Media) | 06 Mar 2025 | 01:36:14 | |
This week Jun and Daniel respond to comments from their Instagram Reels, YouTube channel, and emails in their second "Read and Response" episode. From discussing American strawberries tasting like "vegetables you put in soup" to deeper conversations about Korean American identity, our hosts thoughtfully address both supportive feedback and critical comments. They explore topics like Korean snowmen versus American snowmen, the concept of Jeong (정) in Korean society, Korean parents' decisions about teaching their children Korean, and how modern Korea approaches its past. Throughout the episode, they aim to foster greater cross-cultural understanding while responding to misunderstandings with empathy and nuance. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 86: Chill Guy Ping (Trends) | 27 Feb 2025 | 01:42:09 | |
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 prioritizing real-world experiences over digital ones. If you're interested in keeping up with the latest changes in Korea, this episode is for you! Daniel and Jun discuss why reading culture in Korea is so different from the US, and debate whether any of the 2025 predictions will come true. Also in this episode, Daniel amazes Jun with his knowledge of Korean children’s cartoons, while Jun once again demonstrates his superior knowledge of scholars and philosophers. This episode contains a paid sponsorship for KimlyParc, which is 90s Korean instant coffee, reimagined and reinvented. KimlyParc is the premiere instant coffee brand with amazing flavors and the highest quality ingredients. If you’re in the US, head to kimlyparc.com and use the code “KAP” at checkout to get 20% off your order today. If you’re in Korea, search “ 킴리팍” on Naver. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 85: Office Drama, Daddy Spoons, In-Laws World, and Salty Toothpaste ft. HoneyJam (iyagi) | 20 Feb 2025 | 01:54:50 | |
This week Jun and Daniel host their first guest interview with Korean American couple Janice and David Jung from the HoneyJam podcast. Listen in as they discuss navigating Korean American identity, their extended stay in Korea for IVF treatment, and David's innovative venture dehydrating Korean food for camping. From exploring the evolution of jeong in modern Korean society to comparing food culture and social norms across countries, the conversation weaves through various aspects of the Korean-American experience and what it means to exist between two cultures. If you're interested in learning about Korean workplace dynamics from a Korean American perspective, understanding the cultural expectations when living with Korean in-laws, or hearing about the challenges and joys of spending an extended period in Korea as Korean Americans, tune in to hear Daniel, Jun, Janice and David discuss all this and more! This episode also touches on topics like the hierarchy of spoons in Korean households, the differences in customer service culture, and David's upcoming venture to bring dehydrated Korean food to the camping market. Guest Bios Janice Jeong co-hosts a podcast with her best friend called the Honey Jam Podcast. Give their podcast a listen as the two share funny and relatable stories about their lives and also hold discussions about their latest Korean drama/food/music obsession. Janice also creates content about her life, whether that be her fun and silly moments or her IVF journey. IG: @honeyjampod @haitsjanice TikTok: @haitsjanice David is a Korean American content creator focused on food in the outdoors. He makes and preserves his own korean backpacking meals for his trips and regularly joins Janice on her podcast HoneyJam. @davidsjeong on all platforms We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 84: A Tale Of Two COVIDs (History) | 13 Feb 2025 | 01:54:03 | |
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 and vaccination cultures, or learning about quarantine experiences and social distancing measures, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This week they also touch on topics like remote work culture, the lasting impacts of the pandemic on society, and how COVID-19 ultimately led to Daniel moving to Korea and the creation of this podcast. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 83: Korean Citizenship Prep, Growing Up Russian Korean, Jeollanamdo Living, and Fishing feat. Seil and Lera (iyagi) | 06 Feb 2025 | 02:09:59 | |
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 there? What is it like living in the truly rural parts of Korea? What was it like growing up Russian Korean, and then moving to Philadelphia? How does fishing compare in the various parts of Korea, and where is the best fishing spot in the country? What are some of the best food recommendations in Jeollanamdo overall, and Tongyeong in particular, from someone living there? What was the sentiment of Russians towards Asians overall and Koreans in particular in the 90s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union? What brought Seil and Lera from the US back to Korea, and what perfect storm of circumstances have kept them here until now? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 82: News Headlines - Dec ~ Jan 2025 (News) | 30 Jan 2025 | 02:02:07 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 81: A Picture's Worth A Thousand Korean Words (Design) | 23 Jan 2025 | 01:49:23 | |
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 apps, and architecture differ between Korea and America, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, Daniel and Jun teach each other English vocabulary, discuss the various brands of different countries, and make fun of Korean apartment naming conventions. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 80: Yes, Uh, Jin, Jee (Taiwan) | 16 Jan 2025 | 01:28:54 | |
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 does humidity feel like when it isn’t hot? What animal seems to be trending in popularity in Taiwan? What Korean things were Daniel surprised to find in Taiwan? What unlikely food item seemed to appear unexpectedly throughout the trip? What were some of Daniel’s most memorable meals? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 106: Cilantro Sundae, Political Polarization, Violence in Media | 02 Oct 2025 | 01:41:46 | |
This 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 Instagram-like interface changes, examining the concept of originality versus imitation. The episode concludes with a powerful listener message from Portugal about perceptions of violence in American society versus the emotional intimacy of East Asian media, sparking reflection on whether the global rise of K-content represents a cultural backlash against Western chaos. If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! As a reminder, we publish our episodes bi-weekly from Seoul, South Korea. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 79: Squid Game 2 Review (Media) | 09 Jan 2025 | 01:38:19 | |
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, how Netflix seems to be influencing K-drama production, or perspectives on trans representation, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! In this episode, our hosts also share their favorite and least favorite characters, and highlight several cultural notes that loyal listeners of the pod may have also picked up on. Links We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 78: Lady Vengeance (Media) | 02 Jan 2025 | 01:39:40 | |
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 individual revenge, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This week they also explore hierarchical power dynamics in Korean society, debate the role of physical appearances, and share their thoughts on harmony versus authenticity in collectivist cultures. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 77: 2024 Year End Wrap Up (Podcast) | 26 Dec 2024 | 01:43:11 | |
This week Jun and Daniel reflect on 2024, and look ahead to 2025 in their year-end wrap-up “SSAMary” episode. The hosts examine their podcast's growth over the past year including reaching #1 on the Apple Podcasts Korea charts and 27000% growth in YouTube subscribers. Additionally, our hosts discuss their most and least favorite episodes, dive into stats across various platforms, highlight memorable milestones, and share their personal and podcast hopes and goals (don’t call them resolutions!) for the upcoming year. If you're interested in hearing about how our hosts did against their goals from a year ago, or want to hear their personal reflections on 2024 (including Daniel's year of not working and Jun's transition to a new job), tune in to hear them discuss all this and more! This episode also touches on topics like finding community, maintaining creative motivation, and whether they feel like they still have room to grow. This was quite a year for the podcast, full of many unexpected but exciting events. To all of our listeners and supporters– from the bottom of our Korean and American hearts, thank you so so much! We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 76: Snow Day? No Way! (Daily Life) | 19 Dec 2024 | 01:40:36 | |
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 Korea vs America? How do Koreans dress up their trees for the winter? Do any of the traditional Christmas smells in America carry over to Korea? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 75: Korea Eyes (Fashion) | 12 Dec 2024 | 01:30:30 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 74: Red Days (Holidays) | 05 Dec 2024 | 01:44:04 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 73: Korean News Headlines - October/November 2024 (News) | 28 Nov 2024 | 01:43:59 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 72: For The Love Of The Cheering (Sports) | 21 Nov 2024 | 01:44:05 | |
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 Koreans? Is there a difference between ‘hwaiting’ (화이팅) and ‘paiting’ (파이팅)? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 71: Your Political View Here (Politics) | 14 Nov 2024 | 01:41:34 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 70: Listener Comments - Read and Response #2-2 (Media) | 07 Nov 2024 | 01:04:41 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 105: Summer Recaps, August News and Trends, and Podcast Updates | 18 Sep 2025 | 01:16:41 | |
This 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 can be, even from something you love doing. If you're interested in learning about any of these topics, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also touches on items such as Korea’s credit card fraud protection, Daniel's first time in Europe, and predictions on a Korean fast food chain's launch in the US. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 69: Listener Comments - Read and Response #2-1 (Media) | 31 Oct 2024 | 01:46:29 | |
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, different cultural approaches to small talk, perspectives on racism across cultures, or how living in Korea has shifted Daniel's viewpoint when reading comments, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, the hosts share insights about the challenges of engaging with social media comments, debate the nuances of cultural sensitivity, and openly discuss their evolving understanding of complex societal issues. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 68: Jjik or Treat! (Food) | 24 Oct 2024 | 01:18:57 | |
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 cooking. Listen in as our hosts arrive at a very interesting conclusion about how Koreans lean more towards framing food preferences between commonly competing dishes as part of their personal identity, while Americans lean towards debating the "correct" way to prepare a single dish. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 67: MBTI (Culture) | 17 Oct 2024 | 01:49:12 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 66: Korean News Headlines - August/September 2024 (News) | 10 Oct 2024 | 01:02:45 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 65: Culinary Class Wars Review (Media) | 03 Oct 2024 | 01:07:10 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 64: Small Talk feat. Connecting (Culture) | 26 Sep 2024 | 01:59:33 | |
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. #connecting #커넥팅 #korean #american #koreanamerican #podcast #koreanculture We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||