Off the Page Podcast

[Ep. 17] Low Orbit Human (저궤도인간)

This week, Michelle and Sewon talk about the Naver Webtoon series 저궤도인간 (Low Orbit Human) by 조은영 (Eunyoung Jo). Low Orbit Human follows 재열(Jaeyeol), an aspiring writer who, after compromising with the realities of life, works as a part-time creative writing lecturer at a university. Struggling just to keep his head above water, Jaeyeol is suddenly presented with an opportunity he simply can't turn down, setting off a chain of events that quickly spirals beyond his control. Curious to hear what Michelle and Sewon think about the webtoon's unforgettable characters? Stay tuned! Coming Up Next: The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol 00:00 Announcements: publishing biweekly starting this week 18:35 Webtoon of the week: 저궤도인간 (Low Orbit Human) 1:02:34 Outro

Recorded in Korean | [Ep. 16] Taiwan Travelogue (1938 타이완 여행기)

This week, Michelle and Sewon dive into Taiwan Travelogue by Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi, winner of the 2024 National Book Award for Translated Literature and the 2026 International Booker Prize. Curious why it took them two full weeks to get through this relatively short novel? Stay tuned to find out! - Coming Up Next: Low Orbit Human (저궤도인간) by Jo Eunyoung (조은영)

[Ep.15] Puffier or More Defined After a Workout? Korea's "No Talking" Courtesy & 회식 Culture

This week, Michelle and Sewon take another break from talking about books (sorry, we need one more week before diving into Taiwan Travelogue) and instead share stories and reflections from their everyday lives.Although Michelle meets new people through her swimming classes and Sewon through her yoga classes, neither of them tends to strike up conversations with fellow participants. Could this be a uniquely Korean way of respecting personal boundaries?As coworkers, Michelle and Sewon also chat about workplace dinners (회식), work meetings, and the social dynamics that come with them. Curious to hear where the conversation goes? Stay tuned! -Coming Up Next: Taiwan Travelogue (1938 타이완 여행기) -00:00 Intro: Do You Get Puffier or More Defined After a Workout?02:55 Is "Not Talking (말 안 걸기)" a Korean Courtesy?23:45 Daily Updates34:49 Our thoughts on work meetings + 회식54:45 Outro

[Ep. 14] No Word from Gurb (구르브 연락 없다)

This week, Michelle and Sewon dive into Eduardo Mendoza’s delightfully eccentric novel No Word from Gurb, a story that follows an alien visitor searching for his missing companion on Earth. Blending science fiction with sharp satire, the novel paints a humorous portrait of Barcelona in the lead-up to the 1992 Olympics, capturing the city’s chaos, contradictions, and the wonderfully absurd lives of its inhabitants. Through the outsider perspective of an alien narrator, Mendoza introduces readers to Barcelona’s landmarks, historical moments, and cultural quirks while poking fun at the city's ambitions and imperfections. If you're curious about a novel that is both laugh-out-loud funny and critically acclaimed for its inventive storytelling, literary merit, and unique narrative voice, stay tuned for our discussion of No Word from Gurb! Coming Up Next: Taiwan Travelogue (1938 타이완 여행기) 00:00 Intro: Daily Updates (stomach cramps, swimming, Lempicka the musical) 28:23 Book of this week: No Word from Gurb (구르브 연락 없다) 1:20:55 Outro

[Ep. 13] No Longer Human (인간 실격)

This week, Michelle and Sewon discuss Osamu Dazai (太宰 治)'s No Longer Human (人間失格, 인간 실격). Although Michelle is reading the novel for the first time and Sewon has read it twice, both were intrigued by the fact that someone in the novel describes Yozo as being like "God." Was Yozo weak, gentle, manipulative, or simply misunderstood? A people-pleaser or a narcissist? Join Michelle and Sewon as they unpack one of literature's most puzzling characters and share their own interpretations of Yozo. Stay tuned! * For those interested in what we discuss around 39:10, we are referring to Bungo Stray Dogs (Japanese: 文豪ストレイドッグス; Korean: 문호 스트레이 독스), a Japanese anime and manga series inspired by famous literary authors and their works! 😝 - Coming up next: Sin Noticias de Gurb (No Word from Gurb, 구르브 연락 없다) by Eduardo Mendoza