Today’s episode is all about butt-wiping, or toilet paper. There are a few ways it’s used in Korea that Westerners might find bizarre. Some might find them gross, but YOU might find them fascinating. We are also going to tell you how a roll of toilet paper can wish someone good fortune in Korea. And for the Deep Talk segment, we are going to start covering a new topic: the art and anatomy of gratefulness.

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Episode Summary: Section 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 삽질하다; Section 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 두루마리 휴지; Section 3 (깊은 얘기) = 감사하는 마음

There is this music genre popular in Korea that’s more Korean than K-Pop, K-Ballads, K-R&B and things like that. Eunice and Jonson talk about what it is and its place in the Korean society. They also discuss probably the most important aspect of our lives, human relationships.

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Summary of the Episode: Section 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 마음; Section 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 트로트; Section 3 (깊은 얘기) = 인간관계

There is a Korean expression that Koreans use to express their disappointment… or sadness. But it’s used differently from the way the words “disappointed” or “sad” are used in English. You will have a clear idea how it works once you listen to this episode. And we are also going to find out why you rarely see kids at playgrounds in Korea.

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Summary of the Episode: Section 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 섭섭하다; Section 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 학원; Section 3 (깊은 얘기) = 직업

What’s the Korean idiom for “bad influence”? And what’s up with that gold colored tea that almost every Korean restaurant serves for free? We are going to cover it all in this episode!

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Summary of the Episode:

Segment 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 물들다

Segment 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 보리차

Segment 3 (깊은 얘기) = 직업

Koreans love sharing their food…but not always. And maybe not anymore, at least for certain kinds of food. In this episode, Eunice and Jonson discuss the food sharing culture in Korea and how it changed over time.

Summary of the Episode: Section 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 꼬리를 내리다; Section 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 음식 나눠먹기; Section 3 (깊은 얘기) = 성격

Almost every Korean male has to serve in the military, and as a consequence, military culture permeates the entire Korean society. In this episode, Eunice and Jonson discuss the military culture in Korea as well as important military lingo commonly used by Koreans.

Summary of the Episode: Section 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 거품 물다; Section 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 한국의 군대 문화; Section 3 (깊은 얘기) = 성격

Did you know there’s one Korean word that can be used for both cold water and hot soup? Or Korean professional baseball was first created for a political reason? Or orange juice is actually bad for you?

Summary of the Episode: Section 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 시원하다; Section 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 프로야구; Section 3 (깊은 얘기) = 건강

SpongeMind Podcast is back, with a new regular guest! Jonson and Eunice, his lovely wife, are going to give you many fun conversations about Korean language and culture.

Summary of the Episode: Section 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 밥; Section 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 단군 이야기; Section 3 (깊은 얘기) = 건강

Does it mean love? Or attachment? Or heart? The Korean word 정 is not only hard to translate but also hard to explain. So in this episode, we are going to take a deep-dive and discover its core meaning. We are also going to wrap up the discussion on gratefulness (or the absence of it).

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Episode Summary: Section 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 정; Section 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 한복; Section 3 (깊은 얘기) = 감사하는 마음

In this episode, Eunice and Jonson talk about how Koreans say “OK, Boomer”. They also talk about the culture and trends around plastic surgery in Korea, and what pushes Korean girls into going under the knife.

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Summary of the Episode:

Segment 1 (오늘의 한국말) = 꼰대

Segment 2 (재미있는 한국 이야기) = 성형수술

Segment 3 (깊은 얘기) = 직업