Explore every episode of the podcast Korean. American. Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 60: 2024 Paris Olympics (Sports) | 29 Aug 2024 | 01:27:20 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 59: Exhuma Movie Review and Shamanism (Media) | 22 Aug 2024 | 01:23:00 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 50: Korea? North or South? (Stereotypes) | 20 Jun 2024 | 01:20:50 | |
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 foreign for Koreans who have never lived outside of Korea? What is a common frustration that both Koreans and Korean Americans share? Do Americans live in constant fear of getting shot? Are all Koreans good at math? How bad does Korean food smell? How bad do Americans smell? Do Americans really hook-up as much as Western media depicts? Do Koreans still eat dog meat? Are all Koreans good at computer games? Is America perfect? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 49: White Truck Of Doom (Media) | 13 Jun 2024 | 01:21:35 | |
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 is one reason why K-drama plots seem to lack continuity? What are the origins of product placement in K-dramas? What are our hosts’ all-time favorite K-dramas? Why aren’t there multiple seasons to popular K-dramas, at least historically before the Netflixization of them? Is Korea a harder place to live than other countries? Why are the foreign actors in K-dramas always so bad at acting? What can we learn about Korean society from the many K-drama tropes that appear in drama after drama? Which tropes actually reflect reality, and which are equally unbelievable to Korean viewers? What is the perilla leaf controversy (깻잎논쟁) and what does it say about Korea’s level of jealousy and standard boundaries when in a dating relationship? Listen in as our hosts have a truly meandering conversation about everything K-drama related, big and small. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 48: Korean News Headlines - May 2024 (News) | 06 Jun 2024 | 01:08:00 | |
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 resonate with Koreans? What is LINE, and why is the Japanese government pushing for Naver to give up control over the product they built? Do our hosts agree on the fairness of such a move? How does this compare to the US threatening to ban TikTok unless it’s parent company ByteDance gives up control? Or is it more similar to another decision the Korean government has made regarding a foreign digital service? How are geopolitics playing into this? What exactly is overseas direct purchasing, and why is the Korean government banning it for certain products? What is underlying this decision by the Korean government? What is a customs number, and why is it such a foreign concept for most Americans? What is Psick Univ and what caused their recent backlash? Who is Kang Hyung-wook, and what is the allegation against him? Why is cancel culture in general seemingly much stronger in Korea? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 47: Having A Korean Field Day (Culture) | 30 May 2024 | 00:43:33 | |
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? What was traditionally the most important and memorable part of sports day that Daniel found surprising? How would this work differently had it been done in America? What about sports day is reflective of Korean society at large? And what remnants continue to be seen in modern Korean corporations and Korean American church communities alike? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 46: Wait, What Did You Jeonse? (Housing) | 23 May 2024 | 01:08:09 | |
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 jeonse? How do Koreans and Americans think differently about real estate, at a very fundamental level? How do Koreans manage to get such a high deposit amount? What is appealing about this system to Koreans? What are the other options available to renters besides jeonse? What does the day of look like when Koreans move into a jeonse? What role do real estate agents play in Korea? Is there an equivalent to the escrow system that exists in America? What is an important factor in real estate investing that isn’t important in the US? What are the cracks that are beginning to appear in the jeonse system in particular, and the overall Korean real estate ecosystem more broadly? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 45: Korea Visitor Interview #1 (iyagi) | 16 May 2024 | 01:15:11 | |
This week Jun and Daniel have another guest interview with their friend and former co-worker, Alex, who is a frequent visitor to Korea. This time, Alex is visiting Korea to celebrate his daughter’s first birthday. What is something that the cities of Ilsan and Bundang share? What was the first food Alex and his wife sought out upon landing? What are some ways that Koreans are innovative, food-wise? What are some things Alex thought was Korean growing up, but is actually Japanese? What does Alex look forward to while he is in Korea? Why are Koreans hesitant to help strangers in public? What is a fear that Alex has as a visitor, that seems to be more commonly held by Korean Americans than Korean Koreans? Do Koreans have a plan in case of an emergency attack from the North? Where has Korea tried to relocate their capital city to, and why? What are some uncomfortable questions one should be prepared to have when meeting with extended family in Korea? What’s one bit of Korean culture Alex would export to America if he could? What stops him from moving to Korea permanently? How can Koreans tell Korean Americans apart from Korean Koreans? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 44: Judgments Unclouded (Milestones) | 09 May 2024 | 00:58:06 | |
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 or 70th birthday called in Korea, and what is typically done to commemorate the milestone? What are the traditional Confucian beliefs about various birthday milestones? How do weddings and the associated events compare across the two countries? What are some other cultural celebrations Daniel got to experience in America, due to its broader diversity? Which country parties harder, and does either country take celebrating too far? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 43: Min Hee-Jin Press Conference, Korean Soccer Failure (News) | 02 May 2024 | 00:33:16 | |
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 and culture that can help people understand the country’s reaction to this press conference? What else is going viral as a result of the press conference? How is this all going to conclude? Second, Korea’s beloved soccer team failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. What are the most popular events for Koreans during the Olympics? What is the overlap with the most popular events in America? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 42: Call Me, Maybe? (Language) | 25 Apr 2024 | 01:17:13 | |
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 ascended to the level of being used as an official title, along with lawyer, doctor, and teacher? What are some shocking ways in which teachers will refer to their students? What are the titles related to birth order, and the corresponding stigmas associated with them? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 41: Korea Exit Interview #1 (iyagi) | 18 Apr 2024 | 01:09:33 | |
This week Jun and Daniel interview their former coworkers who have been living in Korea but are moving back to America. This episode is the first in our “iyagi” (“story” or “conversation” in Korean) series, in which we interview guests about their time living in Korea. Today, our conversations cover such questions as: What brought them to Korea in the first place? What are the first foods that they crave after landing in Korea and America? How do our guests define ‘home’, and where does it feel most like it? What are the top things our guests have come to appreciate about Korea? Does our American feel comfortable leaving their laptop while going to the bathroom at Starbucks? What are some misconceptions that people have about Korea and America? What is something our guests miss most about America after living in Korea for some time? What would it take for our guests to consider settling down in Korea long-term? What gifts do our guests bring with them when they visit Korea or America? What was the first bit of “culture shock” our guests faced in Korea? What bit of Korean culture would our guests like to bring back to America? What was their most memorable experience while in Korea? How does gym culture differ between Korea and America? How does parenting culture differ between the two countries? If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel, Jun, Rae, and E discuss all this and more! Links We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 58: Korean News Headlines - July 2024 (News) | 15 Aug 2024 | 01:33:55 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 40: Dreams of Food Court Kids' Meals (Japan) | 11 Apr 2024 | 01:12:38 | |
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? How family friendly did Daniel find Japan? What stood out in Japan, after living in Korea? What are some things that Daniel only just now realized originated in Japan? What was the worst experience from Daniel’s trip that unfortunately reminded him of life in the US? How do Jun and Daniel’s perceptions of Japan differ, growing up in Korea compared to America? What are some things that Americans would attribute to Japan, that Koreans would not? How are relations currently between Korea and Japan? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 39: The Cleaning Towel of Italy (Hygiene) | 04 Apr 2024 | 00:49:04 | |
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, what are some unhygienic consequences of this? What are some common home appliances in Korea that aren’t found in American homes? Are there any differences in food hygiene? What are our hosts' feelings towards public bathrooms in Korea? How about sneezing or blowing your nose in public? Are there differences in oral hygiene standards between the two countries? What is with Korea’s obsession with UV light cleaners? What is a common misunderstanding that Koreans have of Western hygiene standards? What is an “italy” towel? Do our hosts have different feelings towards public baths? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 38: When You Wish Upon A Dragon Ball (Culture) | 28 Mar 2024 | 00:35:40 | |
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 many popular Korean dramas that most Americans would never have heard of? What are some things about American comic books that a Korean person would find surprising? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 37: How About Them Apples.. At Night (Culture) | 21 Mar 2024 | 01:01:33 | |
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 be eating apples? How do Korean dragons fly without wings? What is a very unlucky number in Korea, to the extent that Koreans used to skip it on building floors and even building numbers? What is good luck in Korea? What common action takes on much more meaning in Korea, compared to America and Japan? Are Koreans generally more susceptible to myths and superstitions than Americans? How is skepticism connected to optimism? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 36: Black-Haired Foreigner (Daily Life) | 14 Mar 2024 | 01:09:25 | |
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 to America 50 years ago. How is it for Daniel, living with one foot in Korea and one foot in America? How was Jun’s time as a graduate student in America? Did he ever feel targeted or discriminated against? What does he miss about living in the US? Has Jun ever considered emigrating from Korea? What is Jun’s overall level of interaction and perception of foreigners/expats? What race does Daniel sometimes get mistaken for? Where do Koreans in America go for Korean culture? Is there anywhere for Americans in Korea? What does Jun think of Koreatowns in the US? And while you’ve heard of Korean Jesus, have you heard of Baby Korean Jesus? How do Korean angels differ from Western angels? Between Korea and America, which society is more transient overall? What role do Korean churches play in the US that it doesn’t in Korea? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 35: Jeong (Concepts) | 07 Mar 2024 | 00:35:56 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 34: N-Po Generation (Culture) | 29 Feb 2024 | 00:39:19 | |
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 what traditional life goals have they given up on? Is happiness even thought of as an ideal in Korea? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 33: Noonchi (Concepts) | 22 Feb 2024 | 00:35:19 | |
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? How would noonchi change for Koreans when they leave Korea? Can you have it without an understanding of Korean culture itself? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 32: Manual Automatic Sliding Doors (Daily Life) | 15 Feb 2024 | 01:01:11 | |
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 both amazing and terrible? What did Jun find surprisingly slow in America? What is one of Daniel’s least favorite things about America, especially in contrast to the US? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 31: Gyeongseong Creature Episode 1 (Media) | 08 Feb 2024 | 01:08:26 | |
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 Nazi swastika or the n-word? What nuances, from a style of glasses to subtle language cues, would a Korean viewer pick up that are lost on Western audiences? How distracting are bad accents to a Korean viewer? If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, Daniel shares his love for Korean media and how deeply Asian representation in media matters to him, while Jun nerds out architecture, which he has a graduate degree in (from a college in Boston). NOTE: While this is not an episode review per se, as we focus more on cultural aspects depicted in the drama rather than the plot and characters of the drama itself, this episode still may contain spoilers. If you have not watched Gyeongseong Creature Episode 1 and do not want anything spoiled, consider yourself warned! We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 57: US Trip Recap (Reflections) | 08 Aug 2024 | 01:27:28 | |
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 Southern California might be the best place to live in. If you're interested in hearing a Korean American's evolving views on American culture after living in Korea, tune in for Daniel and Jun's entertaining and insightful conversation! This episode also includes updates on the podcast's growth, fan support, and chart rankings. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 30: Petiquette (Pets) | 01 Feb 2024 | 00:41:42 | |
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 declining birth rate in Korea? What is a common interaction with dogs in America that Daniel really misses? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 29: Reply 1975 (Culture) | 25 Jan 2024 | 00:45:02 | |
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 more fast-paced? How did the so-called Miracle of the Han River impact Korea's modern values? What is the Korean version of “OK boomer”? What does Jun miss from the Korea he remembers in his childhood? What are the pros and cons of Korea’s one-track, collectivist mindset? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 28: Extreme Decision (Culture) | 18 Jan 2024 | 00:40:58 | |
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 suicide, compared to America and other developed nations? Do things seem to be getting better, or worse? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 27: Did You Eat? (Language) | 11 Jan 2024 | 00:31:13 | |
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 for close to 2.5 years now changed Daniel’s Korean drama viewing experience? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 26: Of Plums and Peach Trees (Holidays) | 04 Jan 2024 | 01:05:20 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 25: 2023 Year End Wrap Up “SSAMary” (Podcast) | 28 Dec 2023 | 00:43:24 | |
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. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 24: Dork With Strengths (Language) | 21 Dec 2023 | 00:33:49 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 23: A Drinking Occasion (Food and Drinks) | 14 Dec 2023 | 01:15:19 | |
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 more alcohol? What do Koreans think of the legal drinking age in America being 21 years old? What are some interesting makgeolli (막걸리) flavors? What is the proper hierarchy-based drinking etiquette? Is alcoholism discussed amongst Koreans? What do Baskin Robbins 31 and Titanic have to do with drinking alcohol? What do Americans commonly do after drinking that Koreans find shocking? What are the most famous food/alcohol pairings in Korea? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 22: Korean Pizza (Food) | 07 Dec 2023 | 00:45:51 | |
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’s not have? What chain in Korea has a Gone With The Wind flavor? What American thing are Korean convenience stores most similar to? What Canadian franchise is coming to Korea? What US franchise does Daniel think would do well in Korea, and vice-versa for Jun? What food trends are already dying down? Does Psy have his own burger, and who is Papa Jones? If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, Daniel cringingly attempts a French accent, Jun gets flustered by having to customize his order, and both our hosts share their favorite ice cream flavors. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 21: Korean.Americano. (Culture) | 30 Nov 2023 | 00:34:03 | |
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 in Korea differ from the US? What are kid cafes and why are they such a revelation? If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, Jun flexes his coffee knowledge and vents about a recent cafe trend he doesn’t like, while Daniel makes excuses for his poor guest behavior previously. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 56: Keeping Up With The Kimses (Parenting) | 01 Aug 2024 | 02:03:24 | |
This week Jun and Daniel are joined by special guests Young and Grace to discuss parenting in Korea vs. America. How does the Korean postpartum care system differ from the U.S.? What level of independence do Korean parents give their children compared to American parents? How do discipline styles vary between the cultures? What is the hagwon system and why is it so prevalent in Korea? How do definitions of success for children differ? If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel, Jun, Young and Grace discuss all this and more! Young and Grace share their experiences raising kids in Korea as Korean Americans, aiming to blend the best of both cultures. The group also touches on topics like the pressure of Korea's competitive education system, cultural expectations around academics, and defining success beyond just finances. Guest Bios Grace is a Korean-American mom of three living in Korea and shares her experience on her podcast “Motherhood in the Motherland”. With a background in psychology and counseling, she loves talking all things parenting, education and culture. Links We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 20: There’s A Korean App For That (Technology) | 23 Nov 2023 | 00:59:28 | |
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? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 19: The Devil Wears Kodak (Fashion) | 16 Nov 2023 | 00:47:53 | |
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 now become its own brand? What famous global brand is now owned by Korea? Why are certain brands much more popular in Korea, than the US? What American brands that have no relation to clothing become very popular clothing brands in Korea, and why? How has Burberry forever left its mark on the Korean fashion world? Are matching couple outfits still a thing, or have they evolved? Who is one of the most influential figures in fashion today? And what do pandas and killer whales have in common? If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, Daniel reveals his most precious clothing item from high school, while Jun shares something personal about himself that leaves Daniel both shocked and inspired. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 18: The One With All The 90s References (Media) | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:55:50 | |
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 time? What K-pop group was the origin of modern day idol culture and fandom? What US shows found outsized success in Korea? What TV shows and other forms of entertainment in Korea were inspired by shows in the US, and vice versa? And for the 90s kid who grew up in America, we know you’ll enjoy the nostalgia that comes from hearing the letters T.G.I.F. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 17: Hold The Onions (Culture) | 02 Nov 2023 | 00:44:18 | |
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 staples of Costco and Ikea are not a thing in Korea? How do Koreans respond when they are forced to make many individualized choices? Why does everything in Korea have so many rules? And what food ingredient is so decisive that Koreans will accept your request to hold it? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 16: The Parasol Grid (Travel) | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:51:54 | |
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 valleys (계곡) in Korea? What province in Korea is known for their food? What common travel tradition do college students in Korea and America share? What do Koreans love to buy from the duty-free? What makes the rest stops in Korea so awesome? What is a ‘hocance’? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 15: Blue Blooded (Work) | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:31:55 | |
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 norm in the US? What extreme tactic do Korean companies use to prevent paying employees overtime? How do you get a government job in Korea? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 14: Don't Press My Buttons (Culture) | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:39:04 | |
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 Koreans much rather invade personal space, then ask someone to do something for them? Is commenting on physical appearances, especially weight, really not negative? Has Daniel become comfortable with silence after a sneeze? Which country has the more casual office culture? How can one tip in Korea without offending anyone? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 13: Nerd Beauty (Culture) | 06 Oct 2023 | 00:28:40 | |
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 being Korean? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 12: Don't Go, Mong! (Humor) | 29 Sep 2023 | 00:34:26 | |
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 astronauts go to drink? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 11: I See Old People (Daily Life) | 21 Sep 2023 | 00:53:34 | |
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 differently? Where does Jun feel most exposed in America? And just how many times can Daniel say “ooh, interesting” in one episode? We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 55: E-sports and Gaming (Culture) | 25 Jul 2024 | 01:53:18 | |
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 grandmothers would know? What does a professional gaming coach do? How much can professional gamers make? How long do most professional gamers’ careers last, and what do they do after retiring? How does professional gaming culture differ between America and Korea? What role does PC Bangs play in Korean society? As a professional coach, what are the three swamps that gamers fall into, and how can they get out of them? How does Korea’s obsession with fairness play out in the gaming world? What does the future of Esports hold, from the perspective of an insider in the industry? How do Esports in Korea compare to regular athletic sports in America? How does Korea’s approach to practice and improvement differ from America? If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, Daniel shares the highlight of his own gaming career, Jun plays the role of a casual non-gamer, and both are surprised by how many parallels can be drawn from gaming culture to Korea’s overall culture and life in general. Guest Bios Links We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey! | |||
| Episode 10: Water Is Self (Daily Life) | 14 Sep 2023 | 00:57:56 | |
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 the enemy of socks? What common American bathroom item in America does Daniel now consider a luxury? Learn about Koreans’ love for color coding, why Koreans are finally coming around to dryers, and what Busan drivers are famous for. 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! | |||