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?

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 shares how he went from being a dog-person to a cat-person, his favorite dog breed, and other personal, funny, and insightful stories from his childhood that makes Daniel realize they had many similarities despite growing up in very different environments.

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 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?

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 gets a bit emotional sharing a story about his dad, Jun shares his hope and optimism for Korean society, and both share their personal opinions on some potentially controversial topics.

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 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?

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 Western bias on a variety of topics ranging from celebrities to wealth, and Jun shares his thoughts on Korea’s transition as a society to becoming more individualistic.

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 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? 

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 a story about buying a car right after moving to Korea, Jun bravely attempts his Gyeongsangdo accent, and both hosts place themselves on the Korean Korean to American American spectrum.

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 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?

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 and Jun discuss blood types, zodiac signs, and share their resolutions for the coming year. Additionally, Jun reveals some exciting personal updates, while Daniel does a live reaction to having his first traditional Korean fortune read. 

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 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.

From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank all our listeners and people supporting us. Without you, we wouldn’t have had the confidence or motivation to start this in the first place, let alone release an episode weekly for the past 5+ months. Y'all the real VVIPs! See you in 2024!

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 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?

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 says something incredibly cringe, while Jun’s cat makes a lengthy appearance.

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 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? 

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 describes his experience attending a Korean work dinner known as hweshik (회식), while Jun describes one of his favorite drinking experiences in Korea that is not possible in America.

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 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.

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 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.

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)