Explore every episode of the podcast African Seoulmates

This episode takes us back to Suspicious Partner, the drama where Ji Chang-wook truly delivered. As prosecutor Noh Ji-wook, he finds himself wrapped up in a legal tangle with rookie lawyer Eun Bong-hee (Nam Ji-hyun), who’s been falsely accused of murder. Between courtroom battles and unexpected romance, this drama had us hooked from the first episode… or did it? Tune in to hear some polarizing takes – then come tussle in the DMs if you’d like!

The aptly named Thirty-Nine takes us into the world of three best friends on the cusp of their forties. Played by Son Ye-jin, Jeon Mi-do, and Kim Ji-hyun, the trio navigate careers, love, family (drama), and life, nje. Akunna (@akunnaonwu), a Day 1, joined this episode and brought laughs, shade, mispronunciations, and more to this review. Tune in for a chuckle and occasional seriousness - and tell us your KFC rating!

Following their run as the second couple in Goblin, Yoo In Na and Lee Dong Wook return to the screen as the leads in this lighthearted rom-com. Oh Yoon Seo is an actress preparing for her comeback to the big screen by filling a short-term role as Attorney Kwon Jung Rok’s secretary. An office drama can only mean hijinks from a (hopefully hilarious) supporting cast. Tune in for the review and tell us if this drama (ahem) touched your heart!

In this episode, we dive into the world of high school, beauty standards, and self-discovery with True Beauty. The drama follows Lim Ju-kyung (played by Moon Ga-young), a high school student who masters the art of makeup to transform herself from a bullied outcast into a confident "goddess." But what happens when the school’s top heartthrobs, Lee Su-ho (Cha Eun-woo) and Han Seo-jun (Hwang In-yeop), see beyond the makeup? Join us as we unpack the love triangles, friendships, and the deeper messages about self-esteem and inner beauty.

Gyeongseong Creature sees a Korean businessman, father-daughter duo, and many others band together in a fight for survival during the Japanese occupation. Han So Hee portrays the relentless, no-nonsense Yoon Chae-ok, who is on a mission to find her missing mother, while Park Seo Joon plays the wealthy, borderline arrogant, do-what-you-gotta pawnshop owner, Jang Sang-Tae. We had a blast reviewing this drama with our Day 1, Ronell. Tune in and tell us what you thought!

What’s better than a revenge drama? One that includes some kind of time travel! Kang Ji-won (portrayed by Seoulmate fave Park Min-young) gets a chance to go back ten years in time to live her life differently and escape a messy fate at the hands of her husband - and so-called bestie. Benny, our A-one since Day 1, popped in to share her thoughts and drop a KFC rating of Marry My Husband!

The Red Sleeve had us seriously reflecting on the dynamics between the Crown Prince and the court lady he falls in love with. (As in - are we the problem here?) Lee Jun Ho and Lee Se Young (sorry for mis-naming her in this episode) are captivating as the lead characters, Yi San and Deok Im, respectively. One of our favorite Seoulmates since Day 1, Sandra, joins us to review this gripping, award-winning historical drama!

Given the chance, how many times would you go back in time to try to change fate and save the love of your life? That’s a question we’d like Im Sol (portrayed by Kim Hye-yoon) to answer about Ryu Sun Jae. Ratings aside, a drama that creates new pr-OPPA-ganda (hello, Byeon Woo-seok) is surely worth checking out! Tune in to hear if our guest, Margareth (host of KDrama Chingus), agreed!

What do you get when you mix the desire for power and immortality with a sprinkle of magic, a pinch of martial arts, and a dash of mistaken identity? The plot of Alchemy of Souls. In the land of Daeho, we meet an elite warrior and the heirs of four wealthy families who possess special powers to be used for good (in theory). This two-part drama had us taking notes, from beginning to end, to keep track of the characters and plot twists!

Following an unfortunate, career-wrecking incident, photographer Cho Sam-dal returns to her hometown of Jeju. While trying to get back on her feet, she is reunited with her former sweetheart, Cho Yong-pil (a weather forecaster), and her childhood friends. Plot aside, K-drama heavy hitters Shin Hye Sun and Ji Chang Wook remind us that excellent actors will deliver on ANY script! Tune in and let us know your KFC rating of this drama.

Three years into their marriage, Hong Hae-in and Baek Hyun-woo find themselves far from the happily-ever-after they envisioned. Family drama, illness, miscommunication, and just-about-anything-you-can-imagine is thrown at the Queens Group heiress and the small town golden boy, as they try to find their way back to one another. This record-breaking drama, starring Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won, stirred up many emotions - and hot takes! Tune in to find out why.

Against the backdrop of the Qing invasion of Joseon, My Dearest takes us on an epic love story between Yoo Gil Chae and Lee Jang Hyun. Ahn Eun Jin and Namkoong Min reel us in with their portrayal of lead characters who are more similar (read: chaotic) than they are different. Tune in as our amazing first guest, Nas (host of Swoon Diaries Pod) joins us to share her thoughts on the award-winning drama!

Cue applause: we made it to Season 3! Thanks for sticking it out with us, Seoulmates - and welcome, if you’re new to our brand of chaos! Tune in to hear what we - your hosts Melissa, Nolizwe, and Nomsa - have been up to, and what we’re looking forward to this season. Our Instagram DMs are always open (@africanseoulmates); come through!

A whole Season Two in the bag?! Join us (Melissa, Nolizwe, and Nomsa) as we reflect on the little season that could. In this episode, you can expect the usual: chemistry analysis, jokes, and some of your fave oppas catching a stray or two (come fight us in the DMs!). It's always love and gratitude for you, African Seoulmates! Thank you for tuning in.

Seoulmates, hands up if your younger self ever made truly questionable decisions when it came to a love interest. So questionable, in fact, that your besties bombastically side-eyed you? Yu Na-bi (portrayed by Han So-hee) and Park Jae-eon (played by Song Kang) navigate the world of dating among their fellow art school friends in this messy yet somehow relatable drama, Nevertheless. Tune in for a combination of Judgey Ajumma and Chingu-Who-Gets-It vibes!

Gather 'round, fellow drama aficionados! Get ready to immerse yourself in the opulent world of 'The Heirs' with our latest podcast episode. Join us as we dissect the captivating narrative, star-studded cast, and emotional rollercoaster that defines this timeless Korean drama. Delve into the lives of the privileged elite and follow the intricate relationships that unfold against a backdrop of wealth, rivalry, and undeniable romance. From the magnetic performances of the cast to the unforgettable soundtrack, we leave no stone unturned in our exploration of why 'The Heirs' continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide.

In this episode, recorded at Banchan Restaurant in Johannesburg, South Africa, we delve into the world of Korean food. While sharing a hearty meal with owner Jamie Jeong, we explore the nuances of Korean cuisine and its role in storytelling. From the classic ramyeon to mouthwatering bulgogi, we uncover the flavors that add a special touch to our favorite K-dramas and their history.

A taxi service set up as a front for a vigilante justice organization? You’ve got our attention, Kim Do-gi (Lee Je Hoon), Chairman Jang, and the Rainbow Deluxe Taxi team! It’s heartbreaking that this revenge/action drama is inspired by real-life crimes, but we’re here for the action sequences and justice being meted out. Whether you would select the blue or red option (IYKYK), tune in and let us know your KFC rating of this drama!

Fake smiles and feigned politeness mask the deeply competitive vibes among the moneyed and connected residents of Sky Castle. The drama shows that parents don’t play when it comes to their children’s futures - sometimes at the expense of their offspring’s own happiness. Tune in to find out why we were on edge from beginning to end, with plot twist after plot twist.

There’s no way to capture what Korean dramas mean to individual African Seoulmates and our community as a whole. In this episode, though, we share some of the reasons that drew us in or kept us coming back. Tune in and tell us why you started watching K-dramas and continue to do so.

The cast of Business Proposal takes us down memory lane to some of our favorite over-the-top romcoms (ahem, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim). The sound effects, fashion, second leads, and humor really had us wondering if we were back in 2016 or 2018! Tune in to hear what we thought of Kim Se-jeong and Ahn Hyo-seop’s respective portrayals of employee Shin Ha-ri and black-card-carrying CEO Kang Tae-moo, contractually bound to a fake relationship.

In this episode, we go back to the first time at least one of us encountered the talent that is Lee Je Hoon. Imagine the casting choice of Shin Min-a (a firm fave) and “Bae” Hoon oppa as love interests Song Ma Rin and Yoo So Joon! If romance and time travel and questions about whether or not we can change fate pique your interest, tune right in, then let us know how you would rate Tomorrow, with You.

Park Eun-bin stars as Woo Young Woo, a rookie attorney at a top law firm in Seoul and a woman on the autism spectrum. The drama focuses on how Attorney Woo navigates adulthood, workplace drama, and more, against a backdrop of riveting legal cases. Tune in for the review and let us know your rating!

Have you ever met a fine somebody who is nice to look at but is also so loud and cocky (literally and in terms of how they dress)? That’s Moo Hak, and he couldn’t be more different from - yet, some might argue, so perfect for - Da Li, who seems quieter and more “posh.” Or is she? Tune in to find out why we thought this drama could easily have been entitled “Da Li and the Congolese Prince.” Then, tell us how many bowls of gamjatang (IYKYK) you would give as your rating!

If the title didn’t already give it away, this spoof-ish romantic comedy centers on two characters who, in theory, embody a “type” that the other thinks they dislike. In just 10 short episodes, entertainment lawyer Yeo Mi-ran (played by Kim Ok-vin) and top actor Nam Kang-ho (played by Teo Yoo) bring us “awww”s, laughs, eye rolls, and everything in between. Tune in to hear why this drama was a case of “right place, right time” - i.e. exactly what we needed at the time!

Is it a podcast? Is it a community? Is it just vibes? Or - is it all that and more?! Tune in to learn a little about the three personalities behind this podcast: Melissa, Nolizwe, and Nomsa. At the very least, you’ll leave knowing how to tell who’s responding to your DMs on Instagram. But, more importantly, we hope you’ll feel welcome to plug into the community and meet more Seoulmates to share laughs and reviews with!

Another day, another good-looking centuries-old nine-tailed fox and mere mortal striking up a romance (of sorts)! Although all roads try to lead to that outcome, it’s never a straightforward journey where the supernatural and mythical are involved. (Admit it - things got a little confusing with the blue and red bead element!) Tune in to hear what we thought about this multi-genre drama, featuring Lee Hyeri and Jang Ki-yong.

A dynamic, dimpled duo. An idyllic seaside village. Sounds like the perfect combination for a romance drama of the ages! Hometown Cha Cha Cha gives us a taste of that, but also puts us through an emotional wringer with Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a), Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho), and the residents of Gongjin. Tune in to find out why this drama - a contender for Best Drama of 2021 in the African Seoulmates community - had us deep in our feelings!

(Re)connect with the African Seoulmates: three women with a shared homeland (Zimbabwe!) and a deep, deep love for Korean dramas (K-dramas). In this episode, we reflect on our first season and discuss what’s in store for season 2. Tune in for the usual messy, hilarious banter!

Pitting heavily indebted players against each other - and a ruthless system - for a growing cash prize, Writer Hwang Dong Hyuk tackles the age-old theme of social inequality in this drama. It’s all fun and (grotesque!) children’s games until someone gets killed. Curious about why Squid Game became a global hit in such a short time? Tune into this episode, then tell us if it’s worth the hype!

College athletes balance the weight of love, friendship, and family in this coming-of-age sports drama. Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk bring the “suh-waaaag” -- and laughs -- as leads Kim Bok-Joo and Jung Joon-Hyung, respectively. Tune into this episode, then let us know your KFC rating of the show!

Much like the classical music in this drama, Chae Song-Ah and Park Joon-Young’s quest for love and happiness goes ‘da capo’ to ‘crescendo’ then ‘diminuendo’ -- and all that, at different tempos. Our conversation took a decidedly unexpected turn, almost mirroring the drama and tension of the show’s musical pieces! Listen in and find out how Do You Like Brahms? struck different chords for each of us.

This is hardly the first historical show we’ve watched, but it’s the first to usher in the Joseon era to our podcast. Shin Hye-Sun and Kim Jung Hyun shine in this gender-bending drama about a chef from present-day Korea who ends up in the body of a queen in Joseon. Yup, we know. Sounds like a wild plot. Join us as we revisit this late entry to the 2020 hitlist!

Friends since medical school, the doctors at Yulje Hospital give major “no new friends” and “can’t sit with us” vibes -- but also #squadgoals! From complex medical cases to romantic (mis)adventures, these friends work hard, play hard, and always show up for each other - often with food or through music. This episode is brought to you from Banchan Korean Restaurant in Johannesburg; tune in to find out why!

Chasing your dreams - a.k.a adulting - is hardly ever as glamorous as we’d like to believe. A group of young friends trying to make it in Seoul discover that you actually have to fight for your way in this dog-eat-dog world. Relatable or what? Find out what we thought in this episode.

Song Joong Ki brings the pow-pow as Vincenzo Cassano, an Italian consigliere-turned-neighborhood-hero-who-talks-to-pigeons. Huh? Exactly. This action-packed drama warmed our hearts, crushed our spirits, fired us up, and sometimes had us scratching our heads. Tune into this episode to find out why.

Do Min-Joon has been stuck on Earth for 400 years and just wants to mind his own business, avoid entanglements with humans, and find his way back home. Meanwhile, Cheon Song-yi is a famous actress who lives for the limelight and cannot believe this alien isn’t interested in her. Talk about two worlds colliding! Tune in as we discuss one of the biggest dramas of Hallyu (the Korean wave), starring Jun Ji Hyun and Kim Soo Hyun.

When a personal trainer to the stars and a lawyer formerly nicknamed after the Roman goddess of beauty meet, what nuanced storyline could possibly emerge? In this episode, we discuss Oh My Venus, which raises so many questions about society’s twisted notions about beauty, family, and belonging.

Nothing is ever as it seems, as this dramatic exposé on friendship, marriage, and family revealed. With its themes of love, betrayal, and everything in between, tune in to hear why this show had (some of) us shook from the word ‘go.’

The underdog. A motley crew of “misfits.” A chaebol. Revenge. And one of Seoul’s most vibrant districts. Park Seo-Joon thrills in this David-vs-Goliath-esque drama. We had a lot to say about him, the diverse cast, and the emotional rollercoaster that is Itaewon Class.

What an apt title for a show about mental health (and several other topics), watched during the height of the pandemic-induced lockdown. Tune in as we discuss the messy, the petty, the heartbreaking and the downright silly that made us laugh and ugly-cry with the residents and friends of OK Psychiatric Hospital.

While showing the cutthroat nature of entrepreneurship, Start-Up also highlights how easily platonic and romantic relationships can fail to launch. In this episode, we discuss our favorite characters and what we wish the writers had done differently.

We are no strangers to workplace romances, but What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim introduced us to another level of office humor, drama, and fashion. Join us as we unpack family drama, power dynamics, and the messy, social aspect of the corporate world.

January 1, 2021 came with a big announcement in the K-drama world (if you know you know): perfect timing for the African Seoulmates to dig into the romantic drama Crash Landing on You! Tune in as we discuss some of our favorite characters and the plot twists, and give a KFC-rating to this much-loved 2020 show.

Meet the African Seoulmates! We are three women who share not only a homeland (Zimbabwe!) but also a deep, deep love for Korean dramas (K-dramas). In this episode, we discuss what drew us to this world of entertainment and what has since kept us there.