Korea Deconstructed

Episodes

• 
  Russia, North Korea, and the Politics of Historical Memory (with Nika Pasko) #139 24.10.2026 1h 19m

  In this episode of Korea Deconstructed, I speak with Nika Pasko about the relationship between Russia and North Korea, and how historical memory and ideology help bring the two countries together. From competing interpretations of the past to the places and symbols through which history is remembered, we explore how yesterday continues to shape the politics of today. Nika Pasko is a PhD candidate in the Department of Korean Studies at Hanyang University. She got her BA in Asian Studies and MA in International Relations in Moscow. She is currently writing a thesis on North Korea's relations with the United States and China and researching modern North Korea–Russia relations, focusing on the role of historical memory and ideology in their alliance. Find her online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nika-pasko-koreanstudies/ Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 2:25 Russia 10:05 Korean Studies 16:05 History and Memory 28:55 Russia and North Korea 50:10 North Korean Historical Memory 58:50 The Uses of History and Memory 1:08:45 Sites of Memory Join Our Patreon Community Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 A huge thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Schuman, Christopher Futter, Andreas Wendtland, Patrícia Bastos, Ann Hong, Max Kerman, melon mail club. You are stars!! David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed These podcasts are recorded live in Seoul. Big thanks to the studio owner and my friend 한정철: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/ 
• 
  Korean Women on Mental Health, Beauty, and the Pressure to Be Perfect 15.10.2026 1h 4m

  A lot is said about Korea online. In fact, one of the easiest ways to attract attention on social media these days seems to be to feature Korea in your content. This has been good for the country in many ways, raising awareness, building pride, and showcasing its fantastic transformation from a country devastated by war and division into a cultural and economic powerhouse. But social media rewards attention, and attention often comes from exaggerated, provocative, and sometimes misleading takes. With that in mind, nine students from Seoul Women's University embarked on a project to put together a podcast episode of their own. They chose the topics, reached out to people online, worked together, and ultimately found the courage to get in front of the camera themselves. Their teamwork and bravery throughout made me incredibly proud. I'll share some behind-the-scenes photos on Patreon for anyone interested in seeing how we put this together. In the meantime, sit back and listen to four young Korean women describe the country they live in, in their own words. Their five friends are just off camera, supporting them all the way. The guests: Hyeseong, Gaeul, Hyejin, Gayeon Supporting the project: Dahyeon, Yuri, Gahyeon, Yeyoung, Hajin Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 3:00 Plastic Surgery in Korea 10:07 Perfectionism in Korea 16:55 Are Koreans depressed? 22:18 Do Koreans drink a lot? 27:05 Koreans should go to Hagwon? 36:40 Is Korea full of cults? 40:33 Koreans always take photos of food? 42:50 Does Han affect modern Korean people? 49:15 Feminism in Korea? 53:10 Samgypsal, Nunchi, and Jeong 58:40 Goodbyes A huge thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Schuman, Christopher Futter, Andreas Wendtland, Patrícia Bastos, Ann Hong, Max Kerman, melon mail club. You are stars!! Join Our Patreon Community Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed These podcasts are recorded live in Seoul. Big thanks to the studio owner and my friend 한정철: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/
• 
  Koryo-saram and the Korean Diaspora (with Nathalie M Kwon) #137 12.09.2026 1h 6m

  Nathalie Marver-Kwon is a visiting researcher at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies who studies inbound immigration from the Korean diaspora. Nathalie's substack: https://nathaliemk.substack.com/ Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 2:13 The History of Koryo Saram 14:03 Koryo Saram in Central Asia 20:55 Koryo Saram, the Church, and South Korea 28:20 The Overseas Koreans Act 37:50 Koryo Saram Communities in Korea 40:55 What Does it Mean to Be Korean? 47:00 Koryo Saram and Korean Politics 51:05 Advocacy and Improvements Find my other conversation with Koryo Saram in Episode 66: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt_vJxn8K-k A huge thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Schuman, Christopher Futter, Andreas Wendtland. You are stars!! Join Our Patreon Community Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed T hese podcasts are recorded live in Seoul. Big thanks to the studio owner and my friend 한정철: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/ 
• 
  Jeju Island and the Haenyeo of Korea (Kylie Genter) #136 06.09.2026 1h 5m

  Korea is a country of skyscrapers and semiconductors, but if you go south, far south, you find a different version of the country. you find Jeju Island and the Haenyeo (해녀). They are women who have outlasted empires, Japanese occupation, and the modern world's desperate attempt to turn them into a souvenir. Kylie Genter decided to join them and now shares stories about the realities, the community, the humor, and the people. Together, we give these ladies their flowers and, most importantly, see them as human beings. Find Kylie Online Kylie's Instagram: instagram.com/migookhaenyeo Haenyeo Hangout Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haenyeohangout Haenyeo Hangout YouTube: youtube.com/@HaenyeoHangout Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction to Jeju Island 8:30 The Haenyeo (해녀) 22:15 An American Haenyeo 28:40 A Day in the life of a Haenyeo 38:00 The Rules of the Sea 54:30 Haenyeo Etiquette A huge thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Schuman, Christopher Futter, Andreas Wendtland. You are stars!! Join Our Patreon Community Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=6204... David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed These podcasts are recorded live in Seoul. Big thanks to the studio owner and my friend 한정철: /https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/ Listen to Korea Deconstructed ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast... ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0... ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com
• 
  How Taoism Helps You Escape Yourself | Dr. Alexander Douglas #135 27.08.2026 1h 10m

  Dr. Alexander Douglas serves as a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of St. Andrews. His work navigates Eastern and Western thought, focusing on the philosophy of religion, Spinoza, and early Daoism. In his latest book, Against Identity: The Wisdom of Escaping the Self, he draws a line between the Zhuangzi, Spinoza, and René Girard to argue that our obsession with a fixed self is the root of social pathology, and that liberation lies in embracing uncertainty and ambiguity. Find Alex and his work online Against Identity (book): https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/456203/against-identity-by-douglas-alexander/9781802063318 Alex's Substack: https://axdouglas.substack.com/ Discussion Outline 0:00 The Story of Hundum 4:52 The Zhuangzi 11:30 The Self and Identity in Modernity 21:15 Confucius and Zhuangzi 26:00 Explaining the Tao 33:30 Rejecting Identity 37:50 Are We Gods? 41:10 Rene Girard and Mimetic Desire 49:15 A Brave New World 59:35 Living without Identity A huge thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Schuman, Christopher Futter, Andreas Wendtland. You are stars!! Join Our Patreon Community Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed These podcasts are recorded live in Seoul. Big thanks to the studio owner and my friend 한정철: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/ 
• 
  The Goryeo Dynasty and the Samguk Yusa | Dr. Remco Breuker #134 10.08.2026 1h 19m

  Dr. Remco Breuker, one of the world's leading scholars of pre-modern Korea, joins us to explore the Samguk Yusa, a treasure trove of Korean myth, history, and folklore. We dive into the kingdom of Goryeo, its ruling elites, the position of women, the reality of slavery in old Korea, and why this period remains so misunderstood today. From women tigers to creation myths, from royal power struggles to the everyday lives of commoners, and court poets who drink too much, there should be something in here for everyone. Find Remco and his work online Vestiges of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea: A Translation of the Samguk yusa : https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/vestiges-of-the-three-kingdoms-of-ancient-korea-a-translation-of-the-samguk-yusa/ Yi Kyubo: https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/not-everything-unfolds-as-anticipated-selections-from-yi-kyubos-tongguk-yi-sangguk-chip/ https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/institute-for-area-studies/korean-studies Discussion Outline 0:00 The Samguk Yusa 5:20 The Monk Iryeon 2:20 The Language of Goryeo 18:18 Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism 31:34 The Ruling Family of Goryeo 38:30 The Position of Women 42:10 Slavery in Old Korea 46:50 Translating the Samguk Yusa 1:01:52 The Stories of Samguk Yusa 1:10:45 Yi Gyu-bo 1:15:10 Recommendations A huge thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Schuman, Christopher Futter, Andreas Wendtland. You are stars!! Join Our Patreon Community Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed These podcasts are recorded live in Seoul. Big thanks to the studio owner and my friend 한정철: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/ 
• 
  South Korea's First Five Presidents Explained | Jihoon Suk 24.07.2026 1h 46m

  South Korea's first presidents are often remembered as either heroes or villains. But history is rarely that simple. Historian Jihoon Suk joins Korea Deconstructed to explore the country's first five leaders, the social and cultural times they inhabited, and how their legacies continue to shape Korea today. Jihoon Suk is a historian and PhD candidate at Yonsei University specializing in modern Korean history. His research focuses on Korea's colonial period, particularly how film, radio, and recorded sound shaped Korean culture and ideas of tradition. He has worked with institutions including the Korean Film Archive, the National Museum of Contemporary Korean History, the Seoul Museum of History, and the National Gugak Center. Find Jihoon and his work online Insta: https://www.instagram.com/idea0853 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jihoon.suk.1 This is his second time on the podcast. Find the first conversation here: https://youtu.be/fjIUd-PiMQI?si=Q6cZUu4oictfmlyb Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 3:27 Syngman Rhee (이승만) 16:00 Francesca Donner 25:22 Park Chung-hee (박정희) 44:30 Yun Poson (윤보선) 51:20 Government Atrocities 54:30 Sasanggye and Chang Chun-ha 1:06:44 Choi Kyu-ha (최규하) 1:12:33 Chun Doo-hwan (전두환) 1:21:00 Purification of Society (사회정화) 1:25:43 Gwangju (광주) 1:33:50 History Deconstructed A huge thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Schuman, Christopher Futter, Andreas Wendtland. You are stars!! Join Our Patreon Community Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed These podcasts are recorded live in Seoul. Big thanks to the studio owner and my friend 한정철: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/ 
• 
  Why Confucianism Isn't a Religion (And Why That Matters for Korea) | Dr. David Tizzard #132 25.06.2026 37m

  When we think of Confucianism in the West, we often box it into a category alongside world religions like Christianity or Buddhism: a neat, systematic philosophy created by a single figure. But as I've learned through my time in Korea and my own deep dives into the tradition, this is a fundamental misnomer that actually obscures the truth. In this episode, we strip away the Western labels to look at what Confucianism—or as it's known in the East, Rujia or Yugyo—actually is. It isn't a religion of divine revelation; it is a scholarly tradition, a social ethic, and a political ideology that prioritizes the lived reality of human relationships. Confucius wasn't a prophet; he was a teacher of humanity who believed that by mastering the art of being human, we don't just improve our own lives, we manifest heaven on earth. In this episode: - Why Confucianism doesn't fit the Western "religion" box - The difference between Rujia, Yugyo, and "Confucianism" - How Confucian thought shapes Korean society today - What it means to "master the art of being human" David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873  
• 
  Myths, Stories, and the Origins of Korean Civilization and History | Dr. Minsoo Kang #131 30.05.2026 2h

  Dr. Minsoo Kang is a historian and writer. Currently, he is an associate professor of European intellectual history in the Department of History at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Find Minsoo and his work online Against Han: https://aeon.co/essays/against-han-or-why-koreans-are-not-defined-by-sadness The Story of Hong Gildong: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Hong-Gildong-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143107690 The Melancholy of Untold History: https://www.amazon.com/Melancholy-Untold-History-Novel/dp/0063337509 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsoo_Kang This is his second time on the podcast. Find the first conversation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=queE_0_mWeo Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 2:35 The Story of Tangun 8:31 The Truth of Tangun 16:00 Important Korean Myths 19:40 The King From Elsewhere 25:08 5,000 Years of Korean Dynasty 32:00 Chinese Influence on Korea 36:19 Confucianism in East Asia 42:05 Asadal 47:30 Wi Man 52:50 Kim Bu Sik 59:16 Korea-China Relations 1:05:20 When Did Koreannes Begin? 1:16:30 Korean Ethnonationalism 1:32:56 North Korea 1:48:05 National Foundation Day and Daejonggyo 1:54:05 The King's Warden Analysis Timeline of Korean History Gojoseon 2333 to 108 BCE Goguryeo 37 BCE to 668 CE Baekje 18 BCE to 660 CE Silla 57 BCE to 935 CE (unified the peninsula in 668) Balhae 668 to 935 CE Goryeo 918 to 1392 CE Joseon 1392 to 1897 CE Korean Empire 1897 to 1910 CE ROK 1948 – present Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed Listen to Korea Deconstructed ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com
• 
  Who Was Ahn Chang Ho (안창호)? | Conversation with His Grandson Philip Ahn Cuddy (#130) 24.05.2026 1h 27m

  Who was Ahn Chang-ho, and what is the real legacy of one of Korea's most revered independence activists? In this episode of Korea Deconstructed, we sit down with his grandson, Philip Ahn Cuddy, to explore the human story, the fight against Japanese colonization, and the enduring impact of the Dosan legacy. Philip Ahn Cuddy served as the founding director of the Korean American Museum in LA and is the administrator of the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho · Susan Ahn Cuddy Archives. Learn more about the archives and legacy: https://www.dosan.org/ Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 2:25 The Lineage 6:50 Dosan Ahn Chang Ho 22:20 The Colonization of Korea 32:00 Journey to America 42:11 The Provisional Government 52:45 The Challenge of Unity 1:15:03 Park Chung Hee 1:17:50 Meeting Korean Presidents 1:20:50 North Korea Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed
• 
  Korean Culture without the K | Colin Marshall #129 02.05.2026 1h 29m

  Colin Marshall is a Seoul-based essayist, broadcaster, and public speaker focusing on cities, language, and culture. Through his Substack newsletter, Books on Cities, he writes long-form essay-reviews exploring those very themes. He is the author of the Korean essay collection "한국 요약 금지" (No Summarizing Korea) and "Korean Newtro: Where Youth Meets Tradition". Additionally, he recently contributed a story to the Seoul-set mystery anthology "그날, 서울에서는 무슨 일이." He currently writes a column for the Korean newspaper 동아일보. His essays have appeared in a wide range of outlets, including The New Yorker, Guardian Cities, Open Culture, the Times Literary Supplement, and the Los Angeles Review of Books (where he authored the Korea Blog for six years). Find Him Online Email: colinjmarshall@gmail.com Twitter: https://x.com/colinmarshall Korean Newtro: https://www.amazon.com/Korean-Newtro-Where-Youth-Tradition/dp/156591533X No Summarizing Korea: https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000212263515 Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 5:30 Writing in Korean for Koreans 13:05 The Korean Language 17:25 Korean Language and Translation 24:30 Park Chan-wook and Spacelessness 34:35 Korean Newtro Book 46:00 Seeing Korean 촌스러워 56:25 The Dabang 1:05:20 Korean Social Taboos 1:19:10 Consumption of Culture 1:25:45 Advice for Korea Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed 
• 
  Korean Dragons, Religion, and Culture Explained by David Mason | #128 23.04.2026 1h 13m

  How do dragons affect Korean culture, philosophy, and cosmology? I brought my friend Professor David Mason back into the studio to explore the differences between Asian and Western dragons. The "Dragon King's" role in Buddhism, Shamanism, and Taoism. Why East Asian cosmology views the world without a concept of absolute evil. And how these ancient symbols can still offer solutions to modern life. Learn about history, pansori, Korean temples, and the hidden "Tao" behind it all. The Guest David A. Mason recently retired as a Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism at Kyung Hee & Sejong Universities for 17 years, and is a longtime researcher on the deep religious characteristics of Korea's mountains. Prior to this, he served as a consultant for the national Ministry of Culture and Tourism for five years. Mason earned a Masters' Degree in the History of Korean Religions from Yonsei University in 1997, and was appointed the national Honorary Ambassador of the Baekdu-daegan Ranges in 2011. He has authored and edited ten books on Korean culture and tourism. He is now a tour-guide and public-speaker, based in Seoul. A native of the USA, he has been living in South Korea for 40 years now. For tours and books, find him online: mtnwolf@gmail.com sanshinseon.com mntnwolf@facebook Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 2:25 Asian Dragons & Western Dragons 8:31 Do Dragons Exist? 17:30 Dragons in Korean Culture 27:40 The Animals of the Zodiac 33:10 The Dragon King in China and Korea 38:44 Dragons in Buddhism and Shamanism 42:05 The Dragon King in Pansori 54:43 No Evil in East Asian Cosmology 57:15 Taoism 1:06:30 Dragons in the Modern World 1:10:55 Life Advice Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen, Cody Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com 
• 
  Koreans, BTS, and Reactions to the Arirang Comeback #127 05.04.2026 1h 18m

  When you live and work in Korea, it's hard to escape talk around BTS. Their comeback concert in Gwanghwamun generated a huge amount of media attention, both positive and negative. Moreover, the use of traditional elements such as Arirang and Gyeongbuk Palace generated both national pride and a sense of domestic fatigue. I got a group of young adults who have grown up with BTS to talk about their reactions to the showcase, the album, the psychological pressure the group face, and the practice of streaming and fandom in K-pop culture. I am joined by two young Korean adults, Esha and Namu, as well as two international students living and studying here in Korea, Violet and Alina. Discussion Outline 0:00 Reacting to the Album 13:48 No. 29 and Korean Philosophy 23:56 The Comeback Concert 46:00 The Psychological Pressure of Being an Idol 55:15 Fan Labour and Streaming 1:07:30 Korean Nationalism and Culture Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com 
• 
  The Human Cost of Korean Cults | #126 31.03.2026 1h 34m

  Why do people join cults? The reality is seemingly very complex. In this episode of Korea Deconstructed, I sit down with Peter Daley, a long-term resident of Korea and someone who has spent decades observing and documenting the world of fringe religious movements and cultic groups. Peter Daley is an Australian who has lived in Korea since 2002. He worked at Keimyung University in Daegu for eight years, teaching English for six years and spending two years working in Keimyung's Office of International Affairs. He has been teaching English at Sookmyung Women's University since 2012. Find him online: https://peterdaley.net/strangerthings/ https://internationalculticstudies.org/ (ICSA) Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction to Cults 7:00 The Unification Church (통일교) 13:00 Church or Cult? 20:00 Who Do Cults Approach? 23:56 Shincheonji 29:00 Christianity 37:20 Influence in Korean Society 40:55 Aum Shinrikyo 46:50 Former Members of Cults 56:30 Scientology 1:06:00 The Necessity of Empathy 1:11:20 Getting People Out of Cults 1:17:02 Are Cults Getting Bigger or Smaller in Korea? 1:20:10 How to Spot Cults? 1:25:55 Mass Weddings Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed  ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com 
• 
  The God of Pyongyang: How Christianity Built North Korea | #125 22.03.2026 1h 23m

  How was North Korea, a state that famously mandates atheism, built on a foundation of Christian fervor? In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Cheng, the Wall Street Journal's China Bureau Chief, to discuss his new book, Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea's Personality Cult. We trace the journey of Pyongyang from the "Jerusalem of the East" to the center of the world's most rigid cult of personality. From the collapse of the Joseon Dynasty's caste system and the arrival of missionaries like Samuel Moffett to Kim Il Sung's own Christian upbringing, we explore how the linguistic and structural tools of the church were co-opted to create a "God on Earth." We cover the Pyongyang Revival and the "Mystical" texts of early Korean Christianity. How the oppression of the Joseon era made the peninsula fertile ground for a new faith. The "Exodus South" and the influential figures like Cho Man-sik. Why Kim Il Sung remains the most pivotal—and misunderstood—figure in modern Korean history.   The Book: https://koreanmessiah.com/ Find Jonathan onlie Twitter: @jchengwsj LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-cheng-546b703/   Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 5:15 The Joseon Dynasty 11:25 The Erasure of Kija 14:45 Christianity's Arrival in Korea 19:25 Samuel Moffett and the Jerusalem of the East 30:00 The Figures of Pyongyang's Church 37:15 Jeonggamnok (정감록, 鄭鑑錄) 43:50 Kim Il Sung's Christian Upbringing 50:00 Cho Man Sik (조만식) - the Gandhi of Korea 56:00 The Legend of Kim Il Sung 59:40 The Christian Exodus South 1:04:25 Cults in Modern Korea 1:16:25 Recommendations Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed  ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com 
• 
  The SEAbling War: Why Koreans and Southeast Asians are Fighting Online | #124 15.03.2026 1h 4m

  What happens when you take the wrong camera to a Day6 K-pop concert? In this episode of Korea Deconstructed, we explore the recent "SEAbling War". Discussing viral memes to deeply uncomfortable conversations about race and history, our four guests demonstrate why this is about much more than just social media comments. For them, it's also a lived experience and connected to their own identity as individuals bridging multiple cultures. The Guests 1) Gabby https://www.instagram.com/gabrielaimanuels/ 2) Yelynn 3) Dabin https://www.instagram.com/dabinnjung 4) Nuri https://www.instagram.com/nurichoii/ Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 3:25 What Happened at the Day6 Concert? 7:30 The SEAblings Internet War Begins 11:27 Nouveau-riche Nationalism 15:30 Lived Experience in Korea 19:15 The Influence of Media: Racket Boys (라켓소년단) 23:50 Online Behavior 33:58 Indonesian Culture in Korea 53:50 Looking Forward Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert, Daniela Körppen Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. Connect with us: ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed Listen to Korea Deconstructed ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com
• 
  100 Years of Queer Korean Fiction | Dr. Samuel Perry 09.03.2026 1h 1m

  What does it mean to be queer in a society often defined by its rigid traditions, colonial scars, and rapid neoliberal transformation? In this episode of Korea Deconstructed, we sit down with Dr. Samuel Perry from Brown University to challenge the common misconception that LGBT issues are a "new" or "Western" import to the Korean peninsula. Through his new anthology, A Century of Queer Korean Fiction, Dr. Perry reveals a long-standing tradition of diverse sexualities and gender expressions that have navigated censorship, war, and dictatorship for over a hundred years. We explore the coding of literature during oppressive eras, the dangers of using Western yardsticks to measure Korean resistance, and how the rise of neoliberalism has impacted social visibility versus true acceptance. From figures like Yi Gwangsu to the gritty, three-dimensional characters of modern writers like Sang Young Park, we explore a literary history that is as complex but, at the same time, beautiful. About the Guest: Samuel Perry is an Associate Professor of East Asian Studies at Brown University. A specialist in Japanese and Korean history, culture, and literature, he is the author of Recasting Red Culture in Proletarian Japan: Childhood, Korea, and the Historical Avant-garde. His most recent work includes the dual-language anthologies A Century of Queer Korean Fiction and 한국의 퀴어 문학: 한 세기 (2023).   Public Profiles  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emersonius/ Publications: https://sites.brown.edu/samuelperry/publications/ Brown Profile: https://vivo.brown.edu/display/sperry   Find the book here: https://mngbookshop.co.uk/9781603296274/a-century-of-queer-korean-fiction/   Discussion Outline  0:00 Introduction 7:00 Queer Issues are Not Modern 13:30 Yi Kwangsu and Colonial Queerness 18:30 Does Modernity Oppress Queerness? 25:00 What is Korean Literature? 31:00 Sang Young Park 44:00 Yi Seoyoung 48:00 Changing Language 54:00 The Future of Queer Literature   Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert  Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com 
• 
  The Fall of Yoon: Martial Law, the Far Right, and the Power of Minsim | Dr. Benjamin A Engel 27.02.2026 59m

  What happens when a democracy is pushed to the brink? In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Ben Engel to explore the outrageous martial law declaration, the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the life sentence, and the rise of the far-right in South Korea. We also explore the powerful concept of Min-sim (민심) and how ethno-nationalism is reshaping the country's democratic future. About the Guest: Benjamin Engel is an assistant professor of Korean Studies at Dankook University. He received his Ph.D. and Master's in International Studies from the Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University. He previously worked as a research professor at the Institute of International Affairs at Seoul National University and as a researcher at the Institute of Peace and Unification Studies and at the East Asia Institute. His recent academic publications include "Koreagate Revisited: ROK Government Lobbying on the Human Rights Issue" in Cold War History (2024) and "Making Amends: U.S. Public Diplomacy Efforts in the late 1980s to Address the Gwangju Democracy Movement" in Korea Journal (2024). Additionally, he has written several articles linking history to current affairs and analyses of US-ROK relations in various publications including East Asia Forum, The Diplomat, and Korea Pro and has been quoted in various media outlets including the Washington Post, Financial Times, and Korean Herald. Originally from United States and a graduate of the University of Missouri, he has been living and researching in South Korea since 2010. Public Profiles https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-engel-73178443/  https://bsky.app/profile/benjaminaengel.bsky.social Discussion Outline 0:00 Explaining What Happened 5:00 How Dangerous Was It? 7:10 Why Did Yoon Do It? 11:40 Sentencing the President 16:40 Explaining Minsim 23:10 Ideology in Korea 27:25 Ethnonationalism in Korea 33:00 Gender and Demographics 37:00 Assessing Lee Jae Myung 43:00 Democratic Lessons for the US 47:15 Korean Culture 51:40 How Did Korea Become Democratic? 58:15 Recommendations   Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. Connect with us: ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed Listen to Korea Deconstructed ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com
• 
  Kim Mi-young: Itaewon and the Search for Identity 27.01.2026 57m

  Episode Summary: What defines a neighborhood? In this episode, we are joined by Mi-young Kim, a writer and essayist who has written about the unique culture and practices of Itaewon in Seoul. We dive into her latest book, Itaewon Is My Home (이태원에 삽니다), and explore how "place" shapes our sense of self.   About the Guest: Mi-young Kim is an essayist and the Korean Director of the International Comedy Association. Having majored in Philosophy and Arts Management, Mi-young explores the intersections of identity and place. She is the author of the essay Bellefleur's Dream and her newest work, Itaewon Is My Home (이태원에 삽니다). Beyond her writing, Mi-young leads a community of creators through writing groups focused on self-discovery and healing.   Miyoung's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellefleur_de_france/ 이태원에 삽니다: https://www.yes24.com/product/goods/172736056 Discussion Outline 0:00 Introduction 2:30 Who is Kim Mi-young? 10:55 Moving to Itaewon 28:54 Being a Writer 33:22 Meditation 39:00 Discovering the Self 48:10 The Importance of the Book   Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert  Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873   David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades.  Connect with us:  ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed Listen to Korea Deconstructed ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com
• 
  Bong Joon Ho: Filmmaker and Philosopher 15.01.2026 1h 28m

  Anthony Curtis Adler is professor of German and Comparative Literature at Yonsei University's Underwood International College, where he has taught since 2006. His present research interests span modern and Classical literature, literary theory, continental philosophy, media studies, and German idealism. Academia : https://yonsei.academia.edu/AnthonyCurtisAdler Bong Joon Ho book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/bong-joon-ho-9781350414655/ Celebricities: https://www.amazon.com/Celebricities-Culture-Phenomenology-Commodity-Inventing/dp/0823270807/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Discussion Outline 0:00 The Blandness of Face 2:45 Bong Joon Ho's Reputation 9:30 Categorizing Bong's Movies 12:25 Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000) 22:20 Memories of Murder (2003) 41:10 Mother (2009) 48:50 Morality and Anti-Americanism in Bong's Movies 52:50 The Host (2006) 1:01:15 Okja (2017) and Snowpiercer (2013) 1:11:45 Parasite (2019) 1:25:45 Recommendations Thanks to Patreon members: Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell, Sara B Cooper, Anne Brennels, Ell, Johnathan Filbert Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=62047873 David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr. ▶ David's Insta: @datizzard ▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed ▶ Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/kr/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128 ▶Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zdXkG0aAAHnDwOvd0jXEE ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com