Ben Spencer came to Korea expecting modernity on steroids.  What he got was the most isolated teaching post in the country--a sleepy fishing settlement on Chuja-do, a small group of islands in the Jeju Strait.  He talks to The Korea File about adapting to loneliness and the idiosyncratic community he's found himself in.

BEN SPENCER is alone on Chuja island

Interviews on music, history and society from across the Korean peninsula and around the world.

History

Society & Culture

Why does Gangnam, and so much of Korea, feel artificial and improvised? How are urban apartment complexes like undemocratic military bases? And will Seoul end up another megacity playground for tourists and the super rich like London, New York or Tokyo?


Independent linguist Robert Fouser, a former Seoul National University Department of Korean Language professor and the author of the new Korean-language book ‘Exploring Cities’ joins host Andre Goulet to explore all this and more on episode 87 of The Korea File podcast.


This conversation was recorded on October 25th, 2019.

The Death and Life of Great Korean Cities

We're proud to present Singapore-based Shida Osman in conversation with TKF's Andre Goulet on 'The Podcast Show'. 

 

TPS show notes describe the conversation as follows:


“Consistency, would be the key to a successful podcast”,says Andre Goulet, podcast host of The Korea File. The conversation unveils why he chose Korea, what happened to the punk rock band that he played in, his love for Korea's architecture and why he chose Bulgogi, in the “This or That” game.


Hear more of 'The Podcast Show' at https://soundcloud.com/thepodcastshowasia


This conversation was recorded on September 12th, 2019.

TKF host Andre Goulet on Singapore's 'The Podcast Show'

Traditional Korean homes have become a victim of recent waves of gentrification in Ikseon-dong and Bukchon. But as these old residential neighbourhoods become a haven for hipsters, the unique cultural footprint of an important aspect of Seoul’s history is being erased.


On episode 86 of The Korea File, Ji-hoon Suk, a University of Michigan Ph.D. student in Asian History and a keen observer of cultural heritage in the metropolis, joins host Andre Goulet to explore the rich historic legacy of some prominent hanok affected by development.


Plus: critiquing the city government's too-little-too-late policy on managing gentrification, debunking so-called "heritage garden" Seongnagwon, investigating the architectural secrets of Seoul's long-lost Cheongnyangni 588 red-light district and more.


This episode was produced in collaboration with the Royal Asiatic Society- Korea Branch (RASKB). Find out about upcoming lectures and tours at www.raskb.com


Music courtesy of Creative Commons.


This conversation was recorded on August 25th, 2019.

Gentrification and the Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Seoul

Introducing Jeju Views, a biweekly snapshot of the global microcosm that is Jeju Island. Join host Ann Bush and guests in conversation as they discuss how to navigate the ever-evolving multicultural landscape of the South Korean island.


On episode 1, performer Gaelan Whitney opens up about a recent production of the spoken word and comedy show 'Vajeju Nights' and how some Yemeni refugees in attendance may not have been expecting what they were in for. 


CONTENT ADVISORY: This conversation explores sex and female genitalia and may not be suitable for all audiences.


Special thanks to Pitx for Jeju Views' theme music 'Caipirinha'.

NEW SHOW: 'Jeju Views' S1, E1 - Vajeju Nights

On episode 85 of The Korea File,‘Transactions’ journal General Editor Jon Dunbar joins host Andre Goulet to discuss Urban Exploration and Bong Joon-ho’s ‘The Host’, the Seoul Queer Culture Festival and the American Embassy’s rainbow Pride flag and the legacy and future of the Royal Asiatic Society-Korea Branch. 


Plus: highlights from this year’s edition of the journal including the North Korea/Guyana Friendship Association, Patrilineage and the Chaebols and the predictive power of Taemon Dreams.


Subscribe to The Korea File on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and support the show at patreon.com/thekoreafile

BEN SPENCER is alone on Chuja island

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