Alek Sigley is a founding partner of Tongil Tours, an Australia-based organization specializing in educational tourism to North Korea founded while he was a student at the Australian National University's College of Asia and the Pacific. He is a regular traveler to the DPRK, and has lived in China, Japan, and South Korea, near-fluent in all three languages. Alek’s research interests revolve around North Korean film and literature. You can connect with Alek and Tongil Tours at www.tongiltours.com, their Facebook page, and Twitter.

Ep. 15 - Alek Sigley on North Korea Tourism, Literature, and Beach Parties

Over a million and a half non-Koreans call South Korea home. This number grows every year as the country continues to internationalize through travel, investment, finance, IT, culture, technology, and other sectors. At the center of it all lies Seoul, among the largest metro areas in the world. This podcast is a showcase of the diversity of the city and the surrounding areas.
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Robert Koehler is a long-time Korea resident, who rose to fame - at least among expats in Korea and those interested in the country - by way of blogging. The Marmots Hole, as his site was called, was for a time arguably the most well-known and well-written blog of its kind. It was certainly a tremendous conduit for those interested in Korean politics, society, history, and just general everyday life here. Now Robert spends his time wearing many hats - he writes books, he edits columns, he tours, and he takes photos - beautiful photos. We talk about all of that, his decision to terminate the Marmot, and what it’s like living in Seoul for some two decades. You can follow him on instagram at rjkoehler74, and while you’re there check out TooSix Media Group at tsmg_sound. This episode was recorded and co-produced at their studio in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea. You can also check them out at their website at toosixglobal.com. Full show notes can be found at www.settlersofseoul.com Lastly, don't forget to rate Settlers of Seoul on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Ep. 28 – Robert Koehler on Blogging, Travel, and Photography

Darcie Draudt is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. She is currently in Seoul as a Korea Foundation dissertation fieldwork fellow and a visiting scholar at the Yonsei University Department of Political Science. Darcie's research comprises US-Northeast Asian relations and Korean identity and multiculturalism, and we spend a lot of time on what it means to be Korean today and how the country is grappling with internationalism and growing migration, and how that forces a reconciliation of sorts with traditional - or lets say, conventional - Korean values and perceptions of self. You can connect with Darcie on Twitter, @darciedraudt and view all of her work and current research at darciedraudt.com As always if you like the show please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, it’s the fastest way to help grow our audience. And lastly, a huge thank you to TooSix Media group, which is making this show possible by recording and co-producing Settlers of Seoul at their studio in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea. You can check them out on Instagram at tsmg_sound and at their website toosixglobal.com   Full bios and show notes can be found at  settlersofseoul.com

Ep. 27 - Darcie Draudt on Multiculturalism and Korean National Identity

Colin Marshall is a Seoul-based essayist, broadcaster, and public speaker on cities, language, and culture. He writes the Los Angeles Review of Books Korea Blog, and his work has appeared in Guardian Cities, Open Culture, the Times Literary Supplement, and many more. Colin is also a regular contributor to a Seoul urbanism radio feature on TBS eFM’s Koreascape. You can follow him on Twitter and at colinmarshall.org This episode of the podcast is brought to you by TooSix Media Group and recorded and co-produced at their studio in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea. You can check them out on Instagram at tsmg_sound and also at their website, toosixglobal.com Full bios and show notes can be found at www.settlersofseoul.com

Ep. 26 - Colin Marshall on 30+ Benefits of Living in Seoul

Joey Croner is the founder and owner of The Dice Latte board game cafe in Seoul's Dongdaemun district. In this interview we talk about the market for board games in Korea, what the locals like to play, discuss what it’s like starting one's own business in Korea, and how The Dice Latte distinguishes itself from competitors. This last part is hugely important as board games become tremendously popular not just in Korea but seemingly everywhere. Keen listeners to Settlers of Seoul have noticed the name was inspired by a certain board game – a favorite of my friends and family. Anyway, The Dice Latte is a really cool spot and I encourage everyone to check it out - after, of course, listening to this podcast. For bios and show notes please visit www.settlersofseoul.com, and connect with the show on Facebook and Twitter, at Settlers of Seoul.

Ep. 25 - Joey Croner on Running a Board Game Cafe and the Game Scene in Korea

Laura Bicker has worked for the BBC for 18 years. She is currently the BBC Seoul Correspondent, covering everything from North Korea to women’s rights. She is one of the more well-known foreign correspondents on the peninsula, not only for her excellent news coverage but for her willingness to ask the kinds of questions and dig deeper in a way the local press does not. Connect with Laura on Twitter @BBCLBicker   For bios and show notes please visit www.settlersofseoul.com, and connect with the show on Facebook and Twitter, at Settlers of Seoul.

Ep. 15 - Alek Sigley on North Korea Tourism, Literature, and Beach Parties

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