Podcast · Society & Culture

Korean. American. Podcast

by Daniel and Jun · English · Society & Culture

How does modern day Korea compare to America? Join co-hosts Daniel and Jun every week as they explore a topic and discuss it from both the American and Korean perspective. If you're looking to learn more about Korean society and culture, are a part of the Korean diaspora and curious how Korea has

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 42 min
Latest: 20 Aug 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

20 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 43 min

The Finale: One Korean. One American. One Last Conversation.

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 di...

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

5 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 29 min
Episode 128: The Final Ssamary Pt.2
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 ef...
22 Jul 2026 · 58 min
Episode 127: The Final Ssamary Pt.1
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 e...
8 Jul 2026 · 53 min
Episode 126: Thank You, Halmonis
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 fl...
25 Jun 2026 · 59 min
Episode 125: A Stockholm Castle Wedding, Jeonse Stress, and Kids’ Milestones
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, a...
13 Jun 2026 · 3 min
A Special Announcement
🎉 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 u...
11 Jun 2026 · 52 min
Episode 124: The One With the Little Guests
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 on...
29 May 2026 · 1 hr 50 min
Episode 123: A Busan Birthday, Tank Day Disaster, and Spitting Watermelon Seeds
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 Jaz...
14 May 2026 · 45 min
Episode 122: The Beginning of the End
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 dri...
30 Apr 2026 · 2 hr 14 min
Episode 121: A Spontaneous Dinner Guest, Spring Smiles, and The Joy of Defamiliarization
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 ...
15 Apr 2026 · 2 hr 14 min
Episode 120: A Korean 1st Grade Entrance Ceremony (입학식), BTS Comeback, and The Gift of Perspective
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 ...
2 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 29 min
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 ...
18 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 49 min
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 ...
4 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 36 min
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 place...
18 Feb 2026 · 2 hr 14 min
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 Englis...
5 Feb 2026 · 2 hr 33 min
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, ...
22 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 43 min
Episode 114: Culinary Class Wars 2 Media Review
This week, Jun and Daniel sit down to review the highly anticipated second season of "Culinary Class Wars" (흑백요리사). In a break from their usual format, the hosts dedicate the entire episode to dissecting the show, noting how this season felt less like a global competition and more like a "love letter" to Korean cuisine, ingredients, and geography. They discuss the shift in casting—notably the lack of foreign chefs compared to season one—and analyze the distinct narrative arcs that made this s...
7 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 55 min
Episode 113: Outside the Seas Vacations, D+4 Kimchi, and Yet Another Data Leak
This week, Jun and Daniel kick off 2026 (while still technically in 2025) with a travel-centric episode filled with cultural observations. Daniel recounts his family trip to Okinawa, sharing his struggles with driving on the "wrong" side of the road and his honest takes on local culinary quirks like taco rice and fruit sandwiches. Jun shares his recent experience in Beijing, contrasting the city's futuristic, cashless convenience with its lingering "old school" habits like indoor smoking and ...
25 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 27 min
Episode 112: 2025 Year End Wrap Up “SSAMary”
This week, Jun and Daniel celebrate Christmas and close out 2025 with their third annual "Ssamary"—a comprehensive year-end wrap-up. The episode begins with a look at their current holiday vibes, exploring why Daniel is struggling to feel festive this year and Jun's memories of his father's unique "sparrow" surveillance tactic for behavior. As they transition into the review, they break down the podcast's statistics, celebrate milestones like surviving creative burnout to find a sustainable s...
11 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 51 min
Episode 111: Pizza Injustice, American Jeong, and A Growing Sense of Home
This week, Jun and Daniel catch up on a busy month of events, kicking things off with Daniel’s participation in "No Shave November" and the cultural stigma surrounding beards in Korea. The conversation moves to a visit to a US Army base for Halloween, which sparks a debate about cultural differences in fairness and connections highlighted by a specific incident involving a pizza order. Daniel also vents about his frustration with household items constantly breaking in Korea, leading to a broa...
27 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 39 min
Episode 110: Silla Gold Crown, London Bagel Museum Controversy, Suneung English
This week Jun and Daniel discuss recent news and cultural trends from November 2025. The episode covers APEC 2025 hosted in Gyeongju where Korea gifted Trump a Shilla gold crown, contrasting Korean labor debates between the London Bagel Museum overwork death and dawn delivery service bans, the viral Gwangjang Market pricing scandal, and the election of Zoran Momdani as New York City's first Muslim and youngest mayor in over a century. The hosts also discuss Gen Alpha slang, tackle Suneung Eng...
13 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
Episode 109: The Wailing(곡성) Review (Media)
This week Jun and Daniel dive deep into a media review of "The Wailing" (곡성), the critically acclaimed 2016 Korean horror film directed by Na Hong-jin. They begin by unpacking the clever wordplay behind the Korean title—"Gokseong" doubles as both the name of the real Korean city where the film is set and the Chinese character meaning "wailing." The hosts explore the film's complex narrative structure, debating whether the mysterious Japanese man is truly a demon or just an unfortunate scapego...
30 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 44 min
Episode 108: Chuseok Recaps, Scammers, No Kings Protests and Tapgol Park Changes
This week Jun and Daniel return from their extended Chuseok holiday break to discuss a range of topics starting with daily life observations about technology, from wireless floor fans to Tesla's touchscreen interfaces to the state of autonomous vehicles in both the US and Korea. They then share their Chuseok vacation experiences, with Jun describing his MT-style trip to Gapyeong and Daniel reflecting on his trip to Seodaemun prison and museum. The conversation then shifts to significant news ...
16 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 46 min
Episode 107: On Moving to Korea For A Mid-Life Gap Year (ft. Raychel)
This week, Daniel and Jun sit down with Raychel McKelvy, a Black American teacher and aspiring actor who just moved to Korea from Chicago less than a month ago. Raychel shares her unique journey from living across multiple U.S. cities to taking a "midlife gap year" in Seoul to study Korean at Yonsei University's language institute. They discuss her incredibly diverse upbringing and friend group, spanning Japanese, Indian, Latino, and Korean American communities, and how those experiences shap...
2 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 42 min
Episode 106: Cilantro Sundae, Political Polarization, Violence in Media
This week Jun and Daniel discuss the evolution of acquired tastes in food, turbulent political news from America, controversial tech updates, and a thought-provoking listener perspective on violence in Western vs. East Asian culture. Daniel shares his milestone of finally accepting sundae (Korean blood sausage) after years of trying, prompting a broader conversation about cilantro, kimchi, and how palates develop differently across cultures. The hosts then dive into heavy news topics includin...
18 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
Episode 105: Summer Recaps, August News and Trends, and Podcast Updates
This week Jun and Daniel return after a two-and-a-half-month break with updates on the future of their podcast and stories from their summer European travels. They announce changes to their recording schedule required to maintain a predictable and sustainable release cadence. The hosts explore their different European experiences, comparing notes on coffee culture, American tourists abroad, and the stereotypical beauty of European cities. They then discuss the latest news and trends from Augu...
4 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 28 min
Episode 104: K-Pop Demon Hunters Review (Media)
We’re back! This week Jun and Daniel finally tackle the highly anticipated media review of "K-Pop Demon Hunters" (or "케데헌" in Korea). After discussing the massive global success of the Netflix animated film—which became the number one Netflix original movie of all time—they dive deep into various aspects of the production. From analyzing what defines authentic K-pop versus generic pop music, to exploring the typical K-pop group format and how the film made Korean culture accessible to non-Kor...
30 Jul 2025 · 1 hr 39 min
Episode 103: Korean Etymology, Language Purification, and Hidden Origins ft. Byeong (Language)
⚠️Disclaimer⚠️ This episode was recorded in early May while Daniel was traveling, as an experiment during their regular recording schedule. Some references may feel slightly dated as it's being released during their summer break. This week Jun and Byeong explore the fascinating evolution and cultural layers of language, particularly focusing on Korean linguistic heritage and cross-cultural language acquisition. Through Byeong's perspective as a Korean Canadian with deep knowledge of linguisti...
19 Jun 2025 · 2 hr 10 min
Episode 102: 100 Weeks of Korean. American. Podcast pt.3 (Podcast)
This week Jun and Daniel conclude their three-part series commemorating their 100th episode milestone by reflecting on episodes 67-99 of their podcast journey. They explore the evolution of their show from deep cultural discussions to more structured formats including regular news episodes, listener comment segments, and media reviews. The hosts discuss memorable episodes covering topics like Korean food debates (Jjik or Treat), MBTI personality types and their cultural significance in Korea,...
12 Jun 2025 · 2 hr 7 min
Episode 101: 100 Weeks of Korean. American. Podcast pt.2 (Podcast)
This week Jun and Daniel continue their milestone celebration by tackling episodes 34-66 in the second part of their three-part series honoring 100 episodes. From exploring the N-Po Generation's societal pressures to diving deep into Korean concepts like jeong and han, our hosts reflect on their middle third of episodes that covered some of their most meaningful cultural discussions. They revisit topics ranging from the unique Korean rental system to daily life observations, guest interviews ...

About Korean. American. Podcast

Korean. American. Podcast is a English society & culture podcast from Daniel and Jun. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Daniel and Jun
Language: English
Category: Society & Culture
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 42 min
Latest episode: 20 Aug 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1700367421

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