Advertise on podcast: Korean. American. Podcast

After nearly 130 episodes and three years of conversations, Korean. American. Podcast. is coming to a close. What began as a naive and unassuming attempt to deepen our understanding of each other's cultures grew into something neither of us could have ever expected: an English-language learning podcast. Jokes aside, as the episodes got longer and the topics became more complicated, we discovered that when it comes to cultural differences, there rarely is a right and wrong. There is simply different. And if you approach those differences with an open mind and try to understand where they come from, you won't just learn more about others—you'll learn more about yourself. In preparing for our final episodes, we've had a chance to look back and reflect on the journey: the late nights and early mornings; the laughter and tears; the fears, frustrations, doubts, and insecurities; but also the excitement, joy, and yes, jeong, that we've experienced along the way. We're continually amazed by how much our perspectives have changed, and by the conversations and connections this podcast has created. From the beginning, our mission was to spark self-reflection and conversation about the intersections of Korean and American culture—to challenge assumptions, deepen understanding, and explore the ways culture shapes our identity, heritage, and worldview. To that, we can both proudly say: mission accomplished. And what we've come to understand through all of those conversations is that, yes, our cultures are very different, and yes, we are deeply shaped by the cultures we grow up in. Yet, in the end, we are all similar in that each of us is simply trying to do our best with the circumstances we've been given. As much as this is a goodbye to our podcast, it is mostly a thank you. To our friends and families, thank you for supporting and believing in us. To our listeners, thank you for laughing with us, listening to us, challenging us, and encouraging us. Your emails, comments, messages, and in-person conversations have not just been heartfelt, encouraging, and thought-provoking, but reading them has truly brought us so much happiness. Thank you. But while this podcast is ending, we hope the conversation doesn't. Continue to observe, introspect, learn, grow, share. If this podcast has taught us anything, it's that thoughtful conversation can broaden our perspectives, challenge what we think we know, and ultimately create greater empathy and connection. The world needs as much of that as we can provide. We know our own journeys of trying to better understand ourselves and one another will never end, and we hope yours won't either. Thank you for being a part of ours, as much as we were a part of yours. 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 sit down for Part Two of their final podcast summary, diving deep into the core pillars of Korean culture they’ve explored over the last 125+ episodes. Attempting to create a definitive "Korean American Podcast Dictionary," the hosts debate the true definitions of Jeong, Han, Nunchi, and Guk-rule. Daniel challenges the romanticization of Jeong by highlighting the healthiness of American boundaries, while Jun explains how Nunchi acts as the ultimate tool for social efficiency in a high-context, homogeneous society. The hosts also tackle the deep psychological differences between Korea's scarcity mindset and America's abundance mentality. They explore why Korea's struggle with modern economic inequity—highlighted by the recent Samsung strikes over SK Hynix bonuses—directly stems from a post-1950s history where equality meant fairness. Finally, Daniel and Jun reflect on the unfulfilled goals of the podcast—from exploring K-Pop and Korean Adoptee stories to the lack of morning culture in Seoul—and reminisce over their terrible early audio quality and hilariously creative old episode titles like "The Cleaning Towel of Evil". 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 escape the studio for a special 24-hour "vacation" to a modern hanok in Seoul's Seochon neighborhood to record their final wrap-up episodes. With the podcast winding down, the hosts take a moment to reflect on their incredible journey, starting with a recap of their very first in-person listener meetup. Daniel shares his awe at seeing 60 listeners gather at a Korean pub to mingle in an "American-style" standing party, highlighting the beautiful culture clash of the event. The hosts also dive into the lifetime stats of the Korean American Podcast. They reveal they’ve reached nearly 1 million downloads on Buzzsprout and over 380,000 views on YouTube, with a surprisingly balanced 50/50 male-to-female gender split among their video audience. Jun confesses a secret about his Myers-Briggs personality type and the late-night sacrifices he made to keep the podcast's Instagram Reels growing, while Daniel reflects on why staying true to their "sincere" format was the proudest achievement of their three-year run. 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 sit down for a deeply personal and emotional episode dedicated to honoring the lives, sacrifices, and unconditional love of Daniel’s two halmonis (grandmothers). With his family's impending move back to the US, Daniel shares one of his biggest regrets: failing to formally archive his 102-year-old grandmother’s incredible life story before her memory faded. Daniel recounts the awe-inspiring resilience of his paternal grandmother—who survived Japanese occupation and fled south during the Korean War with his one-year-old father strapped to her back, dodging guards and riding atop crowded train boxcars to reach Daegu. He then reads a touching eulogy written for his maternal grandmother in 2008, remembering her not just as an immigrant who moved to America to raise him, but as a college-educated woman, an orphanage director in Baengnyeongdo, and a living example of unconditional love. The hosts also discuss the broader generational shift in Korea, mourning the loss of the profound wisdom and history held by the last generation to live through the war. 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 delay the topic they were supposed to discuss and instead catch up after Daniel's recent trip to Stockholm, Sweden. Daniel brings back some authentic Swedish Fish and speed-runs his observations on Nordic life—from the beautifully balanced philosophy of lagom, the prevalence of dads out alone with their young children, and the sheer amount of bicyclists flying about town. He also recounts his deeply emotional "Avicii pilgrimage," surviving Finnish airport security, and the highly structured, chant-filled festivities of a Swedish castle wedding, while Jun adds on with the "SwedenGate" hospitality debate that went viral in Korea. If you're interested in learning about what Daniel’s biggest stress is, logistics-wise, with his impending move back to the US, some recent trends our hosts have observed, or what surprisingly expensive item Jun may or may not have, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! The hosts also take a moment to express their heartfelt gratitude for the flood of touching listener emails following the announcement of the podcast's end. 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)

🎉 We're finally doing it! After a year and a half of talking about it, we're having our very first (and probably only 😅) in-person Korean. American. Podcast meet-up! Come hang out with us, grab some food and drinks on us, ask us anything, take a photo, and meet fellow listeners. We'll also have a small giveaway for attendees. 📅 Monday, June 22 🕖 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 📍 Tap Public (Pangyo Station Branch) A few reasons to come: 🍻 Food & drinks on us  📸 Photo opportunities  🎙️ Ask us anything 🎁 Small giveaway We've had so many people suggest a meet-up over the years, and before Daniel heads out, we wanted to make it happen at least once. No formal agenda. No speeches. Just a relaxed evening hanging out, chatting, and getting to know everyone. We know this is very short notice, and we're sorry about that. But we're genuinely excited to finally meet some of you in person. Hope to see you there! ❤️ — Daniel & Jun 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 sit down for a very special, one-of-a-kind episode featuring four unprecedented guests: Daniel’s children! Ranging in age from 3 to 11, the kids have spent the last five years growing up in South Korea, and with the family’s impending move back to the United States, Daniel and Jun wanted to capture their unique perspectives as a family time capsule. If you’re interested in what third culture kids think about transitioning from Korean elementary schools to American ones, how playground politics are divided by language fluency, or the hilarious ways children interpret adult podcast conversations (hint: interest rates and elevators), this episode is a must-listen. The kids also share their earliest memories of moving to Korea during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—including the two-week mandatory quarantine, daily cotton swabs, and the indoor arcade in their temporary housing. We even get a live, unscripted Pokémon card unboxing! 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 sit down for their final "regular" episode before Daniel's upcoming move back to the US. Daniel shares the stressful reality of his international moving logistics, from the staggering drop in the USD-KRW exchange rate destroying the value of his Jeonse deposit, to the uniquely Korean anxiety of landlords holding deposits hostage until a new tenant moves in. Meanwhile, Jun recounts his birthday trip to Busan's trendy Jeonpo-dong and his observations from the Seoul Jazz Festival, where leaving luxury bags unattended on picnic blankets and organizing synchronized audience light shows is perfectly normal. If you're interested in the disastrous Starbucks Korea "Tank Day" marketing fail that mocked the Gwangju Uprising and led to the CEO's resignation, why Korean men are increasingly embracing Kkeul-gyeo (shaved armpits) to match the asexual aesthetic of K-Pop idols, or the massive FOMO driving Samsung employees to strike over SK Hynix's insane profit-sharing bonuses, this episode is a must-listen. The hosts also discuss the cultural etiquette of spitting watermelon seeds, the depressing reality of Korea's only legal casino for locals, and unbox some incredibly thoughtful listener gifts sent from around the world. 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 sit down for a very special, albeit bittersweet, episode disguised as a fake media review of the movie Decision to Leave. After five beautiful and transformative years of living in South Korea, Daniel makes the official announcement: his family is packing up and moving back to the United States this summer. The hosts spend the episode reflecting on Daniel’s incredible five-year journey from a temporary visitor to a seasoned local. They discuss the logical factors driving the move (specifically, navigating the education system as their kids approach middle school), Daniel’s evolution from being terrified of the Korean bus system to finding peace in the culture, and why maintaining a "temporary visitor mentality" for five years remains his biggest regret. Daniel also shares his most cherished memory of experiencing true, spontaneous neighborhood Jeong over convenience store ice cream. If you’re interested in why Jun's lack of an "American fantasy" makes him feel more Korean than his peers, what Daniel's retirement plans in Busan might look like, or the ultimate fate of the Korean American Podcast once Daniel crosses the Pacific, this episode is a must-listen. Finally, the guys announce their plan to donate all their accumulated Patreon and YouTube earnings to a good cause, and they need your help deciding where it should go! 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 ditch the "News and Trends" segments for a massive, all-encompassing "Daily Life" episode. Daniel shares his recent family trip to Gyeongju, reviewing the underwhelming scale of the Cheomseongdae observatory and the endless street food options on Hwangridan-gil, before showing off his incredibly lucky $3 denim jacket find at a Korean Goodwill. Daniel also recounts a rare, magical streak of spontaneous social interactions—from hosting their kids' tutor for a homemade taco night to a five-hour, impromptu neighborhood playground hangout that gave him a heartwarming preview of what community life in America might look like. If you're interested in the traumatic, old-school Korean school gate "hair checks", why Jun desperately avoids making eye contact with the older men at his 7:30 AM gym sessions, or why Daniel no longer feels the urge to offer help to the growing number of foreigners in Pangyo, this episode is for you. The hosts also dive into a deep culinary debate about American vs. Korean snack profiles, explaining why US Doritos and gum pack a much heavier punch, and analyzing the cultural divide between Korean sweet potatoes (Goguma) baked into pizzas and cakes versus American yams smothered in marshmallows. 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! Sponsorship Note:  This episode contains a paid sponsorship for KimlyParc. KimlyParc is the premiere instant coffee brand with amazing flavors and the highest quality ingredients. This week, we are so excited to highlight their brand new Sweet Potato Latte! Made with real Korean sweet potato (Goguma) extract and naturally sweetened with allulose, it's a rich, caffeine-free treat that tastes amazing both hot and iced. If you’re in the US, head to kimlyparc.com and use the code “KAP20” at checkout to get 20% off your order today. If you’re in Korea, search “킴리팍” on Naver. US: https://kimlyparc.com/discount/KAP20  Korea: https://smartstore.naver.com/kimlyparc 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 catch up on their busy lives. Jun rants about his tech startup's obsession with AI efficiency over actual value, sparking a deep dive into why the Korean mindset fixates on perfecting "methodology" and process rather than focusing on the big picture. Meanwhile, Daniel navigates his first Korean elementary school Iphaksik (entrance ceremony), observing everything from a surprisingly sobering speech by the principal to the painstakingly meticulous cultural requirement of labeling every single colored pencil with a name sticker. If you're interested in why Daniel's midnight comfort food has evolved into a bizarre "Spam Dubu Kimchi" hybrid, the game-theory brilliance behind Korea's shared traffic accident liability rules (where it's rarely 100-to-0), or why K-Pop idols are ironically wearing retro floral "Kimjang vests," this episode has it all. We also review BTS's massive, city-stopping comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Palace, marvel at Apple's genius Korean pun for their new M5 chip, and unpack a listener's email that leads to Daniel's realization that Pangyo might be the absolute worst place in Korea to experience true community and "Jeong." 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 sit down for a dedicated media review of Park Chan-wook's newly released dark comedy thriller, No Other Choice (어쩔수가없다). Starring heavyweights like Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, the film follows a desperate man who loses his corporate job and resorts to lethal measures against his competitors to win it back. The hosts break down the film's stark social commentary on the "American Dream" in a Korean setting, the brilliant subversion of the corporate rat race, and the terrifying reality of an AI-driven dystopian future. If you’re interested in why Koreans historically associate eel and "Bokbunja" (raspberry wine) with male stamina, the quirky 1980s history behind naming dry cleaners "Computer Cleaning," or why giving shoes as a romantic gift in Korea is a terrible idea, this episode is for you. We also discuss the shifting symbols of luxury cars—from the classic 90s Hyundai "Gak-Grandeur" to the Cadillac Escalade—the Korean cultural stigma surrounding layoffs compared to the US, and why the idiom "an aching tooth falling out" perfectly captures the film's chaotic climax. 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)

Disclaimer: Everything shared in this conversation represents the guest's own personal experiences and perspectives — not advice, instruction, or advocacy of any kind. This week, Jun and Daniel welcome a very special guest, Claire, who bridges the gap between the corporate world and the spiritual realm. As a global business development manager by day and a practicing psychic and tarot reader by night, Claire shares her fascinating journey of navigating her dual identities. She opens up about her transition from practicing Western "Wiccan" magic to dealing with the realities of Korean Mu-ism (shamanism), including her intense experience with "Shin-byeong" (spirit sickness) and undergoing a "Nu-reum-gut" ritual to suppress her spiritual calling. If you’re interested in learning the fundamental differences between Western magic and Korean shamanism, this episode is for you. The trio dives deep into the surprising parallels between shamanic visions and Christian prophecies and Claire's unique take on how Korean, Japanese, and American ghosts differ based on her own supernatural encounters. We also feature a live tarot reading session where Claire predicts the future of the podcast, advises Jun on his housing dilemmas, and reveals why Jun's cat Gorong feels "poor" despite living a highly privileged life. 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: A TCK based in Korea, Claire balances a career in Business Development with a deep practice as a Tarot reader. Her identity is defined by the spaces in between: the cultural bridge between Korea and the U.S., and the spiritual bridge between the mundane and the magical. After years as an eclectic witch, her journey has led her toward the ancestral roots of Korean Mu-ism, where she continues to explore life at the crossroads.  Claire’s teacher’s socials for people in spiritual trouble:  - https://www.instagram.com/youngsan409  - https://www.threads.com/@dodong_7981 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 catch up on a whirlwind of events, starting with a frightening story about a fire at Jun's parents' house in Daegu that led to an unexpected fridge-clearing catharsis. Daniel shares observations from his recent trips to a Korean dentist, as well as a recent conversation with his kindergarten that perfectly illustrates the indirectness of the Korean language discussed last week. The hosts also debate the cultural mechanics of eating rice: why do some Korean poke places not give out chopsticks by default, and what is the primary utensil used to eat rice in Korea? If you're interested in the recent online turf war between Korean netizens (“Knetz”) and Southeast Asian K-pop fans (“SEAblings”) over concert etiquette, why Korean national pride during the Winter Olympics seems to be waning, or why Bad Bunny’s culturally charged Super Bowl Halftime show might have ruffled some feathers, this episode is for you. We also discuss Korea's first single malt whiskey (Ki One), debate whether vinyl records are genuinely making a comeback or just a leftover "mid-century modern" prop, and reflect on a touching listener email regarding racial blindness and microaggressions. 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 back into their regular programming with a packed episode. Daniel shares his recent first-time shopping experience for men's skincare at Olive Young and his realization that he completely missed the start of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Jun gives a quick update on starting his new job and feeling the generational gap with his surprisingly young coworkers. The hosts also cover a wide range of news, from Samsung adopting English as its official internal language and SK Hynix's massive employee bonuses, to a somber discussion about the recent ICE controversies in the US and the complexities of political protests. If you're interested in learning the Korean term for a cat "making biscuits", the current state of Korean men wearing make-up, or the cultural meaning behind mallard ducks at traditional Korean weddings, this episode has it all. Our hosts also explore linguistic trends like the (over)use of indirect phrasing, taste-test a viral, lazy-person "icebox cake", and read an email from a listener living in Boston. 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)