This week, we speak with Jeff Nazareno about his recent experience attending KCON New York, a convention celebrating K-pop music and other elements of South Korean culture; he also discusses some things that trouble him about some people’s reactions to the event and the evolving place of K-pop in America and its mainstream pop culture. Also, Charles Hinshaw returns to discuss two new movies: War For The Planet Of The Apes, directed by Matt Reeves and starring Andy Serkis and Woody Harrelson; and Lady Macbeth, directed by William Oldroyd and starring Florence Pugh, Cosmo Jarvis, and Naomi Ackie. And along the way, Radio Dispatch’s Molly Knefel explains recent statements from the Department of Education which appear to support so-called “men’s rights”; a woman named Tomi tells us about turning 21 and why she thinks that milestone birthday is overrated; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by Brian Hill and the Noh Starrs from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

Mentioned in the episode:

“KCON Returns to New York” // BTRtoday

“Op-Ed: Racism Keeps America From Embracing K-Pop Awesomeness” // BTRtoday

00:00 - Intro

01:10 - Jeff Nazareno on K-pop and the American mainstream

32:32 - 1st Person: Tomi // On Growing Up

36:03 - Movie Review: ‘War For The Planet Of The Apes’ w/ Charles Hinshaw

39:10 - Movie Chat: ‘War For The Planet Of The Apes’ (spoiler alert)

50:27 - Movie Review: ‘Lady Macbeth’ w/ Charles Hinshaw

52:57 - Movie Chat: ‘Lady Macbeth’ (spoiler alert)

64:00 - Molly Knefel // Men’s Rights and the Dept. of Education

67:00 - “Oh Please” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Brian Hill and the Noh Starrs

70:08 - Outro / Credits

70:49 - Finish.