Korean. American. Podcast

Episode 119: No Other Choice (어쩔수가없다) Media Review

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 [https://www.patreon.com/koreanamericanpodcast] 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: koreanamericanpodcast@gmail.com Member of the iyagi media [https://www.iyagimedia.com/] network (www.iyagimedia.com)

Episode 118: Korean Mu-ism, Spiritual Tarot Reading and Western Magic ft. Claire

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.instagram.com/youngsan409]  - https://www.threads.com/@dodong_7981 [https://www.threads.com/@dodong_7981] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/koreanamericanpodcast] 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: koreanamericanpodcast@gmail.com Member of the iyagi media [https://www.iyagimedia.com/] network (www.iyagimedia.com)

Episode 117: A House Fire, The 5-Minute Dentist, Salad Utensils, and Matters of National Pride

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 [https://www.patreon.com/koreanamericanpodcast] 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: koreanamericanpodcast@gmail.com Member of the iyagi media [https://www.iyagimedia.com/] network (www.iyagimedia.com)

Episode 116: A 2964% Bonus, Indirectness Overload, and The Complexity of Taking a Stand

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 [https://www.patreon.com/koreanamericanpodcast] 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: koreanamericanpodcast@gmail.com Member of the iyagi media [https://www.iyagimedia.com/] network (www.iyagimedia.com)

Episode 115: Dubai Chewy Cookies, The K-Town Time Capsule, and The Sacredness of Goodbyes

This week, Jun and Daniel return from a month-long hiatus packed with international travel. Jun shares his experience in Los Angeles, discussing the eerie perfection of Waymo’s autonomous taxis, the specific "80s accent" found in Koreatown, and a confusing dining experience that sparked a debate on microaggressions. Daniel recounts his family trip to Australia, covering everything from the shock of "Iced Coffee" (which includes ice cream) to a troubling incident of casual racism on a flight, and why Bluey World left the parents more exhausted than the kids. If you’re interested in hearing about the "gym police" in Tokyo who enforce 20-minute timers on machines, what about Australian airport security feels like 1990s America, or a deep emotional reflection on aging parents triggered by a stranger's goodbye, this episode is for you. We also finally taste test the viral "Dubai Chewy Cookie" (Dujjoncoo) to see if it lives up to the hype, briefly touch on the intense geopolitical news starting 2026, and respond to a heartwarming listener message about Korean-American identity. 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 [https://www.patreon.com/koreanamericanpodcast] 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: koreanamericanpodcast@gmail.com Member of the iyagi media [https://www.iyagimedia.com/] network (www.iyagimedia.com)