Korean. American. Podcast

This week Jun and Daniel discuss recent news and cultural trends from November 2025. The episode covers APEC 2025 hosted in Gyeongju where Korea gifted Trump a Shilla gold crown, contrasting Korean labor debates between the London Bagel Museum overwork death and dawn delivery service bans, the viral Gwangjang Market pricing scandal, and the election of Zoran Momdani as New York City's first Muslim and youngest mayor in over a century. The hosts also discuss Gen Alpha slang, tackle Suneung English questions, and respond to listener comments.

If you're interested in any of these topics, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode offers cross-cultural analysis on labor rights, cultural diplomacy, and social responsibility.

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/
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 deep into a media review of "The Wailing" (곡성), the critically acclaimed 2016 Korean horror film directed by Na Hong-jin. They begin by unpacking the clever wordplay behind the Korean title—"Gokseong" doubles as both the name of the real Korean city where the film is set and the Chinese character meaning "wailing." The hosts explore the film's complex narrative structure, debating whether the mysterious Japanese man is truly a demon or just an unfortunate scapegoat, analyzing the deacon character's true motivations, and discussing the tragic ending where the protagonist's choices lead to devastating consequences. They examine the film's commentary on faith, superstition, and mob mentality, while also touching on the masterful cinematography, the haunting shaman ritual scene, and the unforgettable performances.

If you're interested in understanding why this film is considered one of Korea's most important horror achievements, how Korean shamanism and religious syncretism create the story's ambiguity, why the film's open-ended interpretation makes it endlessly rewatchable, or Daniel's instant regret watching a horror film late at night in the dark, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also features discussion about recognizing famous Korean actors (including Hwang Jung-min, one of Korea's top movie stars), comparisons to The Blair Witch Project, and reflections on how the film uses the real city of Gokseong as its setting.

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/
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 return from their extended Chuseok holiday break to discuss a range of topics starting with daily life observations about technology, from wireless floor fans to Tesla's touchscreen interfaces to the state of autonomous vehicles in both the US and Korea. They then share their Chuseok vacation experiences, with Jun describing his MT-style trip to Gapyeong and Daniel reflecting on his trip to Seodaemun prison and museum. The conversation then shifts to significant news including the No Kings protests—massive nationwide demonstrations against Donald Trump's second presidential term in 2025—the controversial ban on Chinese chess at Tapgol Park in Seoul, the tragic incident involving Koreans in Cambodia, and the W Magazine Breast Cancer Awareness campaign controversy. The episode concludes with listener questions about Korean apartment uniformity and a spirited debate about nunchi, sparked by a question from a previous guest episode.

If you're interested in understanding how Korean efficiency and collectivism shape everything from apartment design to consumer products, learning about the No Kings movement and its significance in American politics, exploring the concept of nunchi and indirect communication in Korean culture, or hearing about nonprofit youth programs bridging Korean and American communities, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more!

As a reminder, we record one episode a week in-person 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!:

Sponsored Content

This episode is sponsored by City Youth Martial Arts, a nonprofit taekwondo program serving Milwaukee's diverse urban neighborhoods. Find out more at https://cityyouthmartialarts.org

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, Daniel and Jun sit down with Raychel McKelvy, a Black American teacher and aspiring actor who just moved to Korea from Chicago less than a month ago. Raychel shares her unique journey from living across multiple U.S. cities to taking a "midlife gap year" in Seoul to study Korean at Yonsei University's language institute. They discuss her incredibly diverse upbringing and friend group, spanning Japanese, Indian, Latino, and Korean American communities, and how those experiences shaped her worldview. The conversation explores the stark differences between being a minority in America versus being a "super minority" in Korea, navigating the challenges of staring and othering, and finding beauty in cultural differences. Raychel opens up about her language learning journey, the reality of living in a co-living space in Yeongdeungpo, and adjusting to Korean social norms around public transit etiquette, restaurant timing, and high-context communication.

If you're interested in hearing a fresh perspective on moving to Korea, understanding the complexities of race and diversity across cultures, learning about the unexpected challenges and joys of language immersion, or gaining insights into how collectivism and individualism shape American versus Korean society, tune in to hear Daniel, Jun, and Raychel discuss all this and more. This episode offers an honest, thoughtful look at cultural adaptation, the privilege of diversity, and the courage it takes to completely upend your life for personal growth.

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!

Guest bio:

Raychel is an American currently living in Korea and attending Korean language school. When she is not studying Korean, she can be found talking to her family or nerding out on her 2 podcasts: MultiNerds Podcast and Tavern of Tomes. 

Follow her Korean adventures on Instagram:

 https://www.instagram.com/raychelmckelvy

Links:

MultiNerds:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6cDn8vhL0XRTTBxl5z5xaL?si=PrrWuVz4TDyMA-d_sz0esQ 

Tavern of Tomes:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3sx3q8fhQ7mNLvt2I9PRJk?si=FTh-4cX3T-Sw_mLY5fEcoQ

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 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/
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 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/
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)

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
https://www.tiktok.com/@koreanamericanpodcast

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)