Korean. American. Podcast

This week Jun and Daniel discuss the 2024 Paris Olympics. They cover highlights from Korea's performance, memorable moments, and reflect on famous Korean Olympians throughout history. The hosts also explore cultural differences in how Korea and America approach the Olympics, from medal counting methods to how athletes are celebrated.

If you're interested in hearing about breakout stars like Korea's "air pistol meme girl", controversial moments involving Korean athletes, or the hosts' personal Olympic memories, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This episode also touches on topics like military service exemptions for medalists, compensation for Olympic success, and how Olympic popularity has changed over time in Korea.

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!

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 Korean shamanism and occult practices through a review of the popular Korean movie "Exhuma" (or "파묘" in Korean). How integrated is shamanism in modern Korean society? What are some common superstitions and spiritual practices in Korea? How does the movie portray traditional Korean beliefs and anti-Japanese sentiment? What aspects of the film might be lost on non-Korean viewers?

If you're interested in learning more about Korean spiritual beliefs, fortune telling practices, and how they compare to Western perspectives, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! This week they also touch on topics like feng shui, Korean naming customs, and cultural differences in seeking guidance for major life decisions.

As a reminder, we record one episode a week 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 discuss some notable news headlines from July 2024. What led to the scandal surrounding popular mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang, and what does it reveal about Korea's entertainment industry and cyber bullying culture? How significant is the recent Supreme Court ruling recognizing same-sex couples' rights, and what might it signal for LGBTQ+ progress in Korea? Are Gen Z workers really more outspoken about workplace issues, and how does this reflect changing work culture across generations? What are "cyber wreckers," and how do they impact Korean online culture?

If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Daniel also shares insights from his recent U.S. trip, while Jun offers perspectives on evolving Korean societal norms. The hosts explore how traditionally conservative issues are changing in modern Korea, examining cultural contrasts and sharing personal perspectives on these timely topics.

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!

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 shares his reflections after spending a month back in the United States with his family. Listen in as Daniel and Jun discuss the stark differences between life in Korea versus America, from diverse communities to driving habits to portion sizes. What aspects of American life did Daniel miss most while living in Korea? How did his perspective on the US change after living abroad? What cultural adjustments did he have to make going back? The hosts also touch on some major US news events from July 2024, talk about the amazing-ness of Italian ice, and discuss why Southern California might be the best place to live in.

If you're interested in hearing a Korean American's evolving views on American culture after living in Korea, tune in for Daniel and Jun's entertaining and insightful conversation! This episode also includes updates on the podcast's growth, fan support, and chart rankings.

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 are joined by special guests Young and Grace to discuss parenting in Korea vs. America. How does the Korean postpartum care system differ from the U.S.? What level of independence do Korean parents give their children compared to American parents? How do discipline styles vary between the cultures? What is the hagwon system and why is it so prevalent in Korea? How do definitions of success for children differ?

If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel, Jun, Young and Grace discuss all this and more! Young and Grace share their experiences raising kids in Korea as Korean Americans, aiming to blend the best of both cultures. The group also touches on topics like the pressure of Korea's competitive education system, cultural expectations around academics, and defining success beyond just finances.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Guest Bios
Young was born in Korea and immigrated to the US in 4th grade. He studied architecture in college and recently built his dream house in the countryside (시골). He enjoys spending time with his family traveling, doing outdoor activities and exploring nature. 

Grace is a Korean-American mom of three living in Korea and shares her experience on her podcast “Motherhood in the Motherland”. 

With a background in psychology and counseling, she loves talking all things parenting, education and culture.

Links
https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/motherhood-in-the-motherland/id1701445472

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 E-sports and gaming culture with a friend of the show and professional gaming coach, Wizard Hyeong. Korea is famously known as the birthplace of Esports, where the Korean e-Sports Association (KeSPA), an arm of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was founded in 2000 to promote and regulate esports in the country. From PC Bangs to TV channels dedicated to showing games such as Starcraft, gaming culture has been and continues to be a deeply integral part of Korean society. Who are some of the most popular professional gamers in Korea, that even grandmothers would know? What does a professional gaming coach do? How much can professional gamers make? How long do most professional gamers’ careers last, and what do they do after retiring? How does professional gaming culture differ between America and Korea? What role does PC Bangs play in Korean society? As a professional coach, what are the three swamps that gamers fall into, and how can they get out of them? How does Korea’s obsession with fairness play out in the gaming world? What does the future of Esports hold, from the perspective of an insider in the industry? How do Esports in Korea compare to regular athletic sports in America? How does Korea’s approach to practice and improvement differ from America? 

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 the highlight of his own gaming career, Jun plays the role of a casual non-gamer, and both are surprised by how many parallels can be drawn from gaming culture to Korea’s overall culture and life in general.

Guest Bios
Born and raised in Korea, moved to USA in his early 20s to pursue an esports career. Officially immigrated and has been living in America. Still working in esports.

Links
https://www.youtube.com/@wizardhyeong

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 experiment with a new format in which they read and respond to various channels of fan and follower engagement. For the inaugural episode, our hosts look at comments left on their Instagram Reels and YouTube media. After reading and discussing some of the most popular comments, our hosts then give each a rating from mild, to spicy, to incendiary, and discuss. How can our Korean American host have such poor Korean language skills, and is this common for so-called gyopos? What has driven the podcast’s growth, and how do our hosts feel about it? What are our hosts’ actual experiences with not only wearing shoes inside the house, but on the bed? For some of our listeners who lived abroad, who do our hosts remind them of? What is a surprising but apt comparison made between washing dishes and taking a bath? What do all Koreans know about various ramen brands? What mentality in Korean can be applied across a wide swath of events, ranging from weddings to birthday parties? What does one person see in Korean American men’s facial expressions that our American host finds surprising? What unhealthy food in America doesn’t have the same reputation 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 vulnerably and painfully reads in Korean, and Jun reveals his moderation practices. This episode is only made possible due to the great engagement from our followers, so as always, thank you all for your support and please continue to like, follow, and comment!

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 on another so-called pillar of Korean culture and society: han. How does Jun define han, and what issue does he take with the definition from its Wikipedia page? What was behind Jun’s initial reluctance to dedicate an episode to this topic? What are some of our hosts’ personal examples of han? What does it mean to have han at a national level? What are some other countries or people groups that share something in common with Korea that may result in similar han-like sentiments? What makes Korea uniquely suited to embody han? What does arirang have to do with han? What is the Korean word for ferment, and how is it beautifully connected to the concept of han? How does Daniel believe his experience of han compares to that of his parents or the older Korean population? What is something about the Korean language that Jun believes contributes to the feeling of han? What classic Korean film from 1993 was all about han, and was the first movie to surpass 1 million viewers 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, Jun and Daniel nearly reveal their MBTIs, and dedicate more time than usual to the nuances of various English words.

Links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_(cultural) (Han Wikipedia article)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-n3W8OXaY8 (서편제 Movie)

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 the one-year anniversary of the podcast, and successfully releasing “1 Korean. 1 American. 1 Topic Weekly.” for the entire duration. Our hosts each reflect on their most recent trips to the US and how the podcast has impacted their experience and understanding of both American and Korean society and culture. How has the mission and vision for the podcast changed since launch? What is driving some of their relative success? How do Americans use their national flag in a way that is different from Koreans? Who does Jun find to be oddly happy in America? What is one small tidbit about America did Jun notice, due to it being discussed on the podcast? What is jarring about the American music Daniel hears in Korea? What is Daniel saying “mission accomplished” to, regarding his time in Korea? How long does it take for a new country to feel like “home”? What is one piece of American culture that Jun still cannot accept? What about Daniel with regards to Korean culture? What are the core root causes of differences between Korean and American society that keep coming up over the course of the podcast? What is one notable missing reason, one that a typical outsider might find surprising?

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 share similar stories involving their names and North Korea, and rate themselves on the Korean. American. bicultural scale in a very meta fashion.

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 Korean culture through a recently trending popular K-drama: Lovely Runner (Episode 1). This time slip, romantic comedy drama series bounces between modern day and 2008 Korea. Our hosts watch the first episode and exchange notes of various cultural nuances and differences that stood out to them. What’s interesting about the title that a Korean might note? Is it right that American media titles get transliterated to Korean, whereas Korean media gets translations? What does fish food have to do with drama viewing culture in Korea? What are some cameos by very famous Koreans that go completely over Daniel’s head? What is a misconception Daniel had about sasaeng fans (사생팬) from a previous episode? What are some other common things in Korean fandom culture that Daniel finds shocking? Why is email not used in Korea, like it is in America? How is mental health thought about in Korea? How is the accessibility of Korea for people in wheelchairs, compared to America? Why do Koreans wear umbrellas when it's snowing? What are some similarities and differences between classroom environments in Korea and America? Why do Koreans frequently not communicate in a straightforward fashion? How are conceptions of living situations different?

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 why he enjoyed watching this drama despite it being heavily targeted towards women, Jun nerds out about the architecture of a popular site in Seoul, and Daniel discovers one of Jun’s boomer tendencies.

NOTE: While this is not an episode review per se, as we focus more on cultural aspects depicted in the drama rather than the plot and characters of the drama itself, this episode still may contain spoilers. If you have not watched Lovely Runner Episode 1 and do not want anything spoiled, consider yourself warned!

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)