Episode 18: The One With All The 90s References (Media)

11/09/23 • 55 min

This week Jun and Daniel wax nostalgic and take a walk down memory lane as they recount various TV shows from their respective childhoods in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. From children’s cartoons to daytime soaps, Daniel discovers that Korean and American youth had quite a great deal of overlap. What is AFKN, and how did it enable Korean youth to get access to even more American TV shows than some American kids? What was the Sunday morning ritual for kids in Korea growing up in the 80s and 90s? What were the popular Korean cartoons from that time? What K-pop group was the origin of modern day idol culture and fandom? What US shows found outsized success in Korea? What TV shows and other forms of entertainment in Korea were inspired by shows in the US, and vice versa? And for the 90s kid who grew up in America, we know you’ll enjoy the nostalgia that comes from hearing the letters T.G.I.F.
If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! In this episode, Daniel and Jun show great restraint by not (completely!) going down tangents related to Korea-Germany connections, K-pop, K-dramas, and famous memes. Additionally, hear Daniel go on a rant about the pitfalls of having a very common name, and learn who was Jun’s favorite Friends character. And yes, don’t worry, Daniel is already quite embarrassed by his glaring omission of The Simpsons, amongst many other inaccuracies, and apologizes in advance to those who listen all the way through to the bitter end.
Thank you Matthew Perry for all the memories and laughs; you were there for us, and connected so many people across the globe.

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As a reminder, we record one episode a week in-person 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!
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Previous Episode

Episode 17: Hold The Onions (Culture)

This week Jun and Daniel talk about something in Korean culture that Daniel still really struggles to understand, which is their commitment to obeying the letter of the law with no regard to the spirit of the law. Also, why restaurants rarely offer any ability to customize their menu options, and why Koreans are so inflexible and unwilling to make exceptions in general. Listen in as Daniel recounts various stories from his time in Korea that make him shake his American head. Will Jun’s explanations of the Korean perspective result in Daniel nodding his head in agreement? What staples of Costco and Ikea are not a thing in Korea? How do Koreans respond when they are forced to make many individualized choices? Why does everything in Korea have so many rules? And what food ingredient is so decisive that Koreans will accept your request to hold it?
If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, Jun comes up with a way to measure Daniel’s progress in speaking Korean, suggests a book idea, and reveals his second great mystery of Korea, while Daniel details the varied responses to his poor Korean speaking ability, calls out Jun’s ungrounded assertion of progress within Korean society, and has his mind blown repeatedly.

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Next Episode

Episode 19: The Devil Wears Kodak (Fashion)

This week Jun and Daniel take on a topic neither is quite comfortable with: fashion. Daniel has had a growing list of fashion-related questions that he finally gets to discuss. Winter has come in Korea, and with it, another change in the clothing you see people wearing. What are some of the latest fashion trends in Korea? While yoga pants are rarely seen on the streets, who is wearing athleisure wear on the regular? What is the Korean term for luxury goods, and is Korea really that obsessed with them? What started off as an anti-brand, that has now become its own brand? What famous global brand is now owned by Korea? Why are certain brands much more popular in Korea, than the US? What American brands that have no relation to clothing become very popular clothing brands in Korea, and why? How has Burberry forever left its mark on the Korean fashion world? Are matching couple outfits still a thing, or have they evolved? Who is one of the most influential figures in fashion today? And what do pandas and killer whales have in common?

If you're interested in any of these questions, tune in to hear Daniel and Jun discuss all this and more! Also in this episode, Daniel reveals his most precious clothing item from high school, while Jun shares something personal about himself that leaves Daniel both shocked and inspired.

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