This week Jun and Daniel discuss the evolution of acquired tastes in food, turbulent political news from America, controversial tech updates, and a thought-provoking listener perspective on violence in Western vs. East Asian culture. Daniel shares his milestone of finally accepting sundae (Korean blood sausage) after years of trying, prompting a broader conversation about cilantro, kimchi, and how palates develop differently across cultures. The hosts then dive into heavy news topics including immigration enforcement affecting Korean nationals and the deeply polarizing assassination of Charlie Kirk. Jun analyzes recent tech updates from Apple's "liquid glass" iOS design to KakaoTalk's controversial Instagram-like interface changes, examining the concept of originality versus imitation. The episode concludes with a powerful listener message from Portugal about perceptions of violence in American society versus the emotional intimacy of East Asian media, sparking reflection on whether the global rise of K-content represents a cultural backlash against Western chaos.

If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more!

As a reminder, we publish our episodes bi-weekly from Seoul, South Korea. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
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Questions/Comments/Feedback? Email us at: [email protected]

Member of the iyagi media network (www.iyagimedia.com)

This week Jun and Daniel return after a two-and-a-half-month break with updates on the future of their podcast and stories from their summer European travels. They announce changes to their recording schedule required to maintain a predictable and sustainable release cadence. The hosts explore their different European experiences, comparing notes on coffee culture, American tourists abroad, and the stereotypical beauty of European cities. They then discuss the latest news and trends from August 2025 before closing by reading a meaningful email they received from a listener. Additionally, they reflect on taking breaks from creative work and how refreshing time off can be, even from something you love doing.

If you're interested in learning about any of these topics, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also touches on items such as Korea’s credit card fraud protection, Daniel's first time in Europe, and predictions on a Korean fast food chain's launch in the US.

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
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We’re back!

This week Jun and Daniel finally tackle the highly anticipated media review of "K-Pop Demon Hunters" (or "케데헌" in Korea). After discussing the massive global success of the Netflix animated film—which became the number one Netflix original movie of all time—they dive deep into various aspects of the production. From analyzing what defines authentic K-pop versus generic pop music, to exploring the typical K-pop group format and how the film made Korean culture accessible to non-Korean audiences, our hosts examine everything from the nostalgic snack spread featuring classic treats like 새우깡 to the film's blend of traditional and modern Korean cultural elements. They also grapple with complex questions about cultural authenticity, discussing director Maggie Kong's Korean Canadian background and whether Korean Americans can represent "authentic" Korean culture, while exploring the natural evolution of cultural export from origin countries to diaspora communities.

If you're interested in understanding the cultural significance of K-pop group roles (visual, rapper, leader, maknae), learning about the differences between how Korean Americans and Korean Koreans preserve traditional culture, exploring questions of cultural appropriation versus cultural evolution in the context of Korean content, or hearing Daniel and Jun's personal reactions to a film that has captivated audiences worldwide, tune in to hear them discuss all this and more! This episode also touches on the broader K-wave phenomenon, comparisons to other Korean cultural exports like Squid Game, and the emotional impact the film's soundtrack has had on families.

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
https://twitter.com/korampodcast
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Questions/Comments/Feedback? Email us at: [email protected]

Member of the iyagi media network (www.iyagimedia.com)

⚠️Disclaimer⚠️

This episode was recorded in early May while Daniel was traveling, as an experiment during their regular recording schedule. Some references may feel slightly dated as it's being released during their summer break.

This week Jun and Byeong explore the fascinating evolution and cultural layers of language, particularly focusing on Korean linguistic heritage and cross-cultural language acquisition. Through Byeong's perspective as a Korean Canadian with deep knowledge of linguistics, they dive into how Korean has been influenced by Chinese characters (hanja), Japanese colonial period vocabulary, and modern English borrowings. The conversation covers everything from discovering that everyday Korean words like "sukgarak" (spoon) and "tamaneegi" (onion) have unexpected origins, to examining how government language purification efforts selectively target Japanese words while embracing English ones. They also discuss the cultural implications embedded in common phrases, the challenges of learning Korean as a heritage speaker, and how understanding etymological roots can deepen one's connection to both language and culture.

If you're interested in learning about the historical layers that shape modern Korean vocabulary, understanding why certain borrowed words feel more "foreign" than others, discovering how language reflects cultural attitudes and hierarchies, or hearing insights about navigating multiple languages as a heritage speaker, tune in to hear Jun and Byeong discuss all this and more! This episode also features discussions about the politeness levels embedded in seemingly casual Korean expressions, the connection between Chinese characters and Korean subway station names, and Byeong's personal journey of discovering Japanese loanwords he thought were originally Korean.

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
https://twitter.com/korampodcast
https://www.tiktok.com/@koreanamericanpodcast

Questions/Comments/Feedback? Email us at: [email protected]

Member of the iyagi media network (www.iyagimedia.com)

This week Jun and Daniel conclude their three-part series commemorating their 100th episode milestone by reflecting on episodes 67-99 of their podcast journey. They explore the evolution of their show from deep cultural discussions to more structured formats including regular news episodes, listener comment segments, and media reviews. The hosts discuss memorable episodes covering topics like Korean food debates (Jjik or Treat), MBTI personality types and their cultural significance in Korea, Korean cinema through films like Lady Vengeance, and various cultural phenomena from Korean masculinity terminology to strawberry quality comparisons between countries. They also reflect on how their podcast found its groove through consistent episode formats and regular guest appearances, making content creation more sustainable while maintaining freshness.

If you're interested in understanding how a podcast evolves over time, learning about the cultural significance of personality typing in Korean society, exploring Korean food debates that reveal deeper cultural identity patterns, or hearing nostalgic reflections on two years of cross-cultural conversations between Korea and America, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also features their thoughts on podcast longevity, the importance of structured content formats, and appreciation for their growing community of listeners and Patreon supporters.

A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible listeners for joining us on this amazing journey through 100 episodes! From our very first recording with just one microphone between us to this milestone moment, your support, thoughtful engagement, and wonderful comments in our Discord community have truly made this podcast what it is today. Whether you've been with us since episode one or just discovered us recently, knowing that you're out there listening, learning, and sharing in these cross-cultural conversations has meant the world to us. We'll be taking a temporary summer break to recharge and plan for the next chapter of our conversations. Until we meet again!

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
https://twitter.com/korampodcast
https://www.tiktok.com/@koreanamericanpodcast

Questions/Comments/Feedback? Email us at: [email protected]

Member of the iyagi media network (www.iyagimedia.com)

This week Jun and Daniel continue their milestone celebration by tackling episodes 34-66 in the second part of their three-part series honoring 100 episodes. From exploring the N-Po Generation's societal pressures to diving deep into Korean concepts like jeong and han, our hosts reflect on their middle third of episodes that covered some of their most meaningful cultural discussions. They revisit topics ranging from the unique Korean rental system to daily life observations, guest interviews with former coworkers and visitors, and media reviews of trending K-dramas and films. The conversation spans cultural phenomena like sports day (운동회), hygiene differences, food debates, and the evolution of Korean-American identity, while the hosts note how this period represented their "sweet spot" with deeper guest perspectives and more challenging topics.

If you're interested in hearing Daniel and Jun's reflections on covering major Korean cultural concepts, their experiences with viral social media content and reaching #1 on Korean podcast charts, insights into the evolution of their episode formats, or simply enjoying their nostalgic journey through episodes covering everything from trending words to Netflix shows, tune in to hear them discuss all this and more! This episode also features discussions about their growth during this golden era of the podcast, memorable interactions with listeners, and how their understanding of Korean culture deepened.

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
https://twitter.com/korampodcast
https://www.tiktok.com/@koreanamericanpodcast

Questions/Comments/Feedback? Email us at: [email protected]

Member of the iyagi media network (www.iyagimedia.com)

This week Jun and Daniel celebrate reaching their 100th episode milestone by embarking on a comprehensive journey through their podcast's first 33 episodes. From their humble pilot episode recorded with a single microphone to exploring major cultural topics like food, healthcare, education, and social relationships, our hosts reflect on their evolution as podcasters and their deepening understanding of Korean and American cultures. They share nostalgic memories of their early recordings, discuss how their perspectives have changed over two years of living in Korea, and highlight key revelations and takeaways from each episode. The conversation also includes updates from recent listener visits, including a thoughtful Portuguese couple who brought gifts and sparked discussions about colonization, slavery, and European cultural sophistication.

If you're interested in hearing Daniel and Jun's personal reflections on their podcasting journey, learning which episodes stood out most to them, understanding how their cultural perspectives have evolved since starting the show, or simply enjoying a nostalgic trip through topics ranging from Korean pizza and wedding culture to beauty standards and workplace dynamics, tune in to hear them discuss all this and more! This episode also features discussions about their early technical challenges, memorable guest interactions, viral social media moments, and the unexpected ways this podcast has helped them track the passage of time while living abroad.

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
https://twitter.com/korampodcast
https://www.tiktok.com/@koreanamericanpodcast

Questions/Comments/Feedback? Email us at: [email protected]

Member of the iyagi media network (www.iyagimedia.com)

This week Jun and Daniel review the popular Korean film "The Match" (승부), which tells the story of two legendary Go players in Korea during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Our hosts explore the cultural significance of Go in Korean society, discussing how it was once one of the four major activities Korean children would pursue alongside math academies, taekwondo, and piano. They delve into the controversy surrounding the film's star Yoo Ah-in and his drug scandal, examining Korea's strict cancellation culture and how it differs between actors, K-pop stars, and politicians. The conversation expands to cover the historic AlphaGo vs. Lee Sedol match in 2016 and its symbolic impact on Korean society's understanding of AI. Through scene-by-scene analysis, they highlight cultural details from 1980s Korea including car parades for international achievements, traditional family hierarchies, smoking culture, and nostalgic elements like fumigation trucks and Nikon cameras as status symbols.

If you're interested in learning about the cultural significance of Go in East Asian societies, understanding Korea's approach to celebrity scandals and cancellation culture, exploring the philosophical differences between individualism and traditional hierarchy in Korean society, or discovering nostalgic details about 1980s Korean life including housing styles and family dynamics, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also touches on topics like the decline of Go's popularity in modern Korea, the East Asian "Cold War" competition in Go between Korea, Japan, and China, and how the film serves as a metaphor for Korea's journey from copying to innovating on the global stage.

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
https://twitter.com/korampodcast
https://www.tiktok.com/@koreanamericanpodcast

Questions/Comments/Feedback? Email us at: [email protected]

Member of the iyagi media network (www.iyagimedia.com)

This week Jun and Daniel dedicate an episode to answering questions from their listeners via Patreon, Instagram, and email. From credit card rewards systems and loyalty points to board game culture and public libraries, our hosts tackle a variety of topics that don't quite warrant full episodes but deserve thoughtful responses. They explore how Korean and American credit card systems differ, discuss the prevalence of board game cafes (보드게임방) in Korea versus home gaming culture in America, and compare public library usage between the two countries. The conversation also touches on college alumni culture, environmental consciousness around recycling and electric vehicles, age-exclusive venues, and intergenerational socializing patterns. Throughout the episode, they acknowledge the deeper, more complex questions they've received about topics like disabilities, adoption, and racism that require more research and preparation to address properly.

If you're interested in learning about Korean loyalty point systems and how they're consolidated through major conglomerates, understanding why Korean libraries are primarily used for studying rather than book borrowing, discovering the evolution of board game cafes from communal spaces to private rooms, or hearing about the cultural differences in physical punishment games and cross-generational activities, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also features Daniel sharing his Costco adventures, Jun's spontaneous membership decision, and both hosts reflecting on their different childhood reading cultures and the universal appeal of gaining cultural perspective.

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
https://twitter.com/korampodcast
https://www.tiktok.com/@koreanamericanpodcast

Questions/Comments/Feedback? Email us at: [email protected]

Member of the iyagi media network (www.iyagimedia.com)

This week Jun and Daniel dive deeper into college education, comparing American and Korean university systems. Following their more personal discussion in part one, they examine the structural differences between college admissions, costs, and cultural impacts across both countries. From holistic application processes in the US versus test-score-focused admissions in Korea, to the emphasis on networking versus academics, our hosts explore how these educational approaches reflect broader societal values. They discuss the stark contrast in university costs, the role of public versus private institutions, and how the perception of college degrees impacts career trajectories in both countries. The conversation also touches on topics like diversity in student populations, the prevalence of medical school aspirations in Korea, and how sports culture shapes American university life.

If you're interested in how Korean universities are shifting from pure test scores to more holistic admissions, or why top-performing Korean students overwhelmingly choose medical school instead of other fields, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more!

Support the show

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation, and we're so excited to have you following us on this journey!

Support us on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/user?u=99211862

Follow us on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/koreanamericanpodcast/
https://twitter.com/korampodcast
https://www.tiktok.com/@koreanamericanpodcast

Questions/Comments/Feedback? Email us at: [email protected]

Member of the iyagi media network (www.iyagimedia.com)