Minsoo Kang, an author celebrated for his debut novel inspired by East Asian mythology, joins Ed Lin, a historian renowned for dissecting narratives. They dive into the intricacies of storytelling, exploring the balance between familiar tales and innovative narratives. Kang shares the journey of a storyteller trapped in despair, while Lin discusses the intersections of history and fiction. The duo further examines how personal backgrounds shape perspectives on imperialism and challenges faced in academia today, weaving together threads of mythology and history.