
Korea Deconstructed
Korea Deconstructed is a show that talks to Korean people about Korean issues. It seeks that which is real, authentic, and experienced, often taking place beyond the reach of headline news and geopolitics.
It is hosted by David Tizzard who has lived and worked in Korea for nearly two decades and has a PhD in Korean Studies
Latest episodes

Jan 21, 2024 • 2h 40min
Constructing Literature and Space in 1970s Korea | Tanner Rogers
Tanner Rogers is a 2023-24 Fulbright U.S. Student Program Winner. His research consists of the literary analysis of fictional texts produced during the Park Chung Hee era (1961-1979), particularly focusing on the development of “space” in its various physical and conceptual forms, and how texts engage with the rapid urbanization and industrialization of cities like Seoul and Incheon during this time. We spoke about books, life, and Korea. This episode again featuring Jeon Yunseo Instagram: @y_jeon_s Discussion Outline 0:00 Tanner's Introduction to Korea 15:55 The Park Chung-hee Era 40:05 Korean Literature 53:44 The Dwarf (난장이가 쏘아 올린 작은 공) 1:11:08 The Concept of Han 1:18:05 Hwang Sok-yong 1:36:34 Changing Korean Traditions 1:55:50 The Concept of Space 2:12:05 The Urbanization of Korean Space 2:25:35 1970s Korea vs 2024 Korea 2:36:25 Book Recommendations Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube: /davidtizzard ▶ 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/ ▶ Music: Mindstrap by David Tizzard ▶ Recorded at 허브 36.5: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/

Jan 10, 2024 • 1h 49min
Can You Speak English? | Three Korean Women's Experiences
Can Korean people speak English? That was the question we explored in this discussion. Three young women studying at Seoul Women's University in South Korea talked about their own experiences of learning a foreign language and how it ultimately became something more than just education or study. Hyun Minjung is a second-year student in the Department of Child Studies Eo Gyeongin is a first-year student in the Department of Applied Food System Jeon Yunseo is a first-year student in the Department of Journalism and Media This episode again featuring Jeon Yunseo Find them on Instagram Yunseo: @y_jeon_s Minjung: @llovnj Gyeongin: @djurbyrfish Discussion Outline 0:00 Encountering English for the First Time 7:50 Was English ever hard? 13:35 What kind of English Accent? 25:45 Learning English in Korea 34:15 Is there a Socio-Economic Aspect to English in Korea? 40:50 Having an English Name? 48:14 Korean Celebrities Speaking English 53:30 Interacting with Foreigners 1:01:20 Swearing in English 1:07:13 Is English more Democratic than Korean? 1:14:28 Would you Date Someone Who can't Speak English? 1:23:00 How to Learn English Online? 1:30:50 Advice for Learning English 1:47:40 Changing Korean Identity Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube: /davidtizzard ▶ 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/ ▶ Music: Fighting by Disorientalz (https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/) ▶ Recorded at 허브 36.5: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/

Jan 7, 2024 • 1h 33min
ID:Earth | Korean Artists and Making Music Beyond K-Pop
ID:Earth is a singer, songwriter, and music producer from Seoul, Korea. She sings about human civilization, existence, birth, and the Earth with her music providing a fantastic backdrop for these explorations. Her latest album Space Station was released on December 12, 2023. We sat down with her to learn more about her music, her life, and being an artist in South Korea. ID:Earth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamidearth/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCVo9uVMP5JWUfXQh_hUDK0g Her latest album Space Station: https://www.melon.com/artist/song.htm?artistId=2622503 Discussion Outline* 0:00 The Birth of ID: Earth 14:18 “Aliens” 22:18 Finding a Minimalist Sound 27:18 Being an Artist in South Korea 35:23 “Fire” 41:57 Writing Choruses 48:18 Creating OSTs for Dramas and Movies 1:03:21 “Sky Where You Are” 1:06:40 People’s Brains 1:10:37 ID:Earth’s Favourite Song 1:17:25 What ID:Earth is Listening to These Days 1:21:34 ID:Earth’s Plans for 2024 1:26:00 Advice for Young Artists 1:28:22 Message to the Fans *Due to copyright reasons on audio platforms, we had to remove the audio of the 3 songs we played in the studio. You can find the tracks on YouTube or anywhere else. This episode again featuring Jeon Yunseo Find her on Instagram: @y_jeon_s Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube: /davidtizzard ▶ 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/ ▶ Music: Fighting by Disorientalz (https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/) ▶ Recorded at 허브 36.5: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/

Dec 24, 2023 • 1h 23min
Finding Meaning Through Ideas | David Tizzard
Having just finished a semester teaching 9 different classes at Seoul Women’s University and Hanyang University, I thought I’d end the year sharing some of the theories and thoughts I’ve been exploring with my students. This includes David Matsumoto’s work on culture, Han Byung Chul’s explorations of modernity and psychology, and Mark Fisher’s assertion that we are witnessing the slow cancellation of the future. These three frameworks seem to resonate with the students and, whether they agree with them or not, they all seem to have taken them on-board and understood them. There was much more I wanted to include here, including the rice theory of culture, explorations of cultural appropriation and pronouns in Korea, multiculturalism, the LGBTGQ community and contact hypothesis, but time got the better of me during the finals season. I’ll return to these again at some point in 2024. I have a lot of fantastic guests already lined-up for the new year so normal service will resume very shortly. This was just a special little way of saying thank you and Merry Christmas. Discussion Outline 0:00 David Matsumoto 23:00 Han Byung Chul 42:30 Was Korean Modernity Worth it? 52:55 Mark Fisher Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube: /davidtizzard ▶ 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/ ▶ Music: Fighting by Disorientalz (https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/) ▶ Recorded at 허브 36.5: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/

Dec 17, 2023 • 1h 49min
Koryo Saram │Identity, Language, and Culture
Koryo Saram refers to the ethnic Koreans who migrated to the Russian Far East and Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The migration was mainly a result of economic opportunities and political instability in the Korean Peninsula during that period. But beyond the political and historical existence, there are people. Daniil and Yona are two of these people both trying to find their way in modern Korean society. Their identities, language skills, and feelings towards their homeland are very different, yet they relate to each other. With the help of Yunseo, we explored what it means to be a Koryo Saram and discovered much along the way. Find them online/instagram Pak Yona: @pkyo1 Daniil: @dnlyeux Yunseo: @y_jeon_s 고려인 Youth Organization: https://www.instagram.com/ks.youthwave/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== 대한고려인협회: https://www.instagram.com/koryosaraminkorea/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== Overseas Koreans: https://www.okocc.or.kr/portal_en/global/okf_webzine.do Discussion Outline 0:00 Introducing the Koryo Saram 25:00 Leaving Moscow: War and Politics 33:15 University and Visas 39:42 Language and Culture 45:30 Appearance and Visuals 53:33 Famous Koryo Saram in Pop Culture 59:20 Multicultural Korea 1:05:00 The Geography of Koryo Saram 1:11:30 North Korea 1:22:50 Misconceptions about Koryo Saram 1:42:50 Final Observations Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube: /davidtizzard ▶ 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/ ▶ Music: Fighting by Disorientalz (https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/) ▶ Recorded at 허브 36.5: https://www.instagram.com/the_story_from_you/

Dec 3, 2023 • 2h 19min
Exploring Seoul, Finding Life │iGoBart
Bart van Genugten is a Dutchman with a passion for people, history, stories, and 분위기 (atmosphere). His recent project, Welcome to my Dong, looks to explore all of Seoul's 467 dongs (neighborhoods) and it has proved incredibly successful online, with millions of views, countless stories, and a host of well wishers. Bart is keeping history alive amidst a rapidly changing urban culture and it is no surprise that many of his greatest fans are Koreans themselves. During his journey, Bart is also discovering himself. Coming to terms with mental health, online identity, his Dutch family, and his place in Korean society. He is also a published author, cowriting a book (직항은 없다) with his wife, 김휘아, describing his experiences in Pyongyang with his father. Find Bart online YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iGoBart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igobart_/ Discussion 0:00 Korean life and drinking culture 18:10 Welcome to my Dong 42:13 The ethics of filming people 45:10 Online success 1:00:45 The people of Seoul 1:13:00 Does Hallyu help? 1:17:26 North Korea 1:35:55 Subtitles and Content 1:41:49 Working with your wife 1:52:28 Fans of the channel 1:55:53 Mental health 2:06:50 The beauty of Korea Thanks to 전윤서 for some help with this episode Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube: /davidtizzard ▶ 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/ ▶ Music: Fighting by Disorientalz (https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/)

Nov 25, 2023 • 2h 8min
Pole Dance, Body Image, and Yoga │Jasmyn Kim
Jasmyn Kim is doing a PhD at Yonsei University in the Department of Sport Industry Studies, she is a pole dance instructor at Tara Pole Dance in Jong-ro, and she also teaches a Yoga course at Yonsei University. Her academic research focuses on body image and the gendered nature of pole dance as a modern Korean fitness phenomenon, and the physical and psychological effects it can have on women. In this conversation, we explore how and why pole dance has become so popular in South Korea and, in the process, transcended the reputation it had in the 1990s. If I spoke a bit too much during this one, please blame it on the coffee. I'm always working hard to become a better listener, host, and conversationalist, so please be patient with me. I'm trying. Jasmyn Online - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jazzyxbelle - Tara Pole Dance: https://www.instagram.com/tarapoledance - Academic Research: https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2022.2138511 https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2022.2132252 Discussion Outline 0:00 Pole dancing 10:00 Why did it get popular? 17:00 Who is pole dancing? 32:50 Cultural aspects of pole 37:00 Academia and the pole 43:05 Gender and Pole Dancing 55:40 Identity and Korea 1:17:25 Yoga 1:38:30 Social media and life 1:50:20 Dealing with body image Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube: /davidtizzard ▶ 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/ ▶ Music: Savage Penguin by David Tizzard

Nov 18, 2023 • 2h 11min
Dangerous Discussions on Korean History │ Dr. Donald Baker
Although this started as a conversation about Gwangju and Professor Don Baker’s experiences there starting in 1971, including witnessing the aftermath of the massacre in 1980, we quickly understood there was much more for us to explore. This includes Don’s impressions of Kim Dae-jung, gender and women in the Joseon Dynasty, Korea’s historical relationship with China, Confucianism and ancestor worship, the effects of Japanese colonization, and the field of Korean Studies more broadly. It was completely spontaneous, but I also noted the following people and their work referenced throughout this conversation, demonstrating the depth and breadth of Don’s knowledge: Alexis Dudden, Dave C Kang, Alexander Woodside, Jisoo Kim, Hyaeweol Choi, Carter Eckert, Andre Schmid, Jahyun Kim Haboush, Gregory Henderson, Robert Carlin, Eugene Park, Michael Seth, John Jorgensen, Kim Sun Joo, BR Myers, Bruce Cumings, James Palais, Mark Peterson, John Duncan, Steve Shields, and David Dolinger. Despite knowing the tragedy and violence taking place in Gwangju, Don snuck into the city to find his friends and understand what was really happening. His descriptions of the attacks and murder that took place in Gwangju are heartbreaking to listen to. And through all of this, he nevertheless finishes with words of hope and positivity. Discussion Outline 0:00 Unpacking Gwangju 6:00 Kim Dae-jung 10:20 1970s Korea 20:50 On Confucianism 24:30 Korean Studies 30:00 The Joseon Dynasty 38:50 Japanese Colonization and Collaboration 51:55 Korean Studies and Factions 1:08:50 Confucianism vs Catholicism (Ancestor Worship) 1:15:30 The Assassination of Park Chung-hee 1979 1:21:40 The Gwangju Massacre 1980 1:47:00 American Involvement in Gwangju 1:55:30 Representations of Gwangju 2:03:46 Conclusions on Life and Korea Dr. Baker's Books A Korean Confucian’s Advice on How to Be Moral: Tasan Chŏng Yagyong’s Reading of the Zhongyong (University of Hawaii Press, 2023) Catholics and Anti-Catholicism in Chosŏn Korea (University of Hawaii Press) with Franklin Rausch. May, 2017 Korean Spirituality (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2008) Chosŏn Hugi Yugyo wa Ch’ŏnjugyo ŭi Taerip [The Confucian Confrontation with Catholicism in the Latter Half of the Chosŏn Dynasty] (Seoul: Iljogak Publishing Co., 1997) Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube:/davidtizzard ▶ 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/ ▶ Music: https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/

Oct 30, 2023 • 2h 44min
Korean History and its Leaders │ Korea Deconstructed #062
Steve first came to Korea in 1975 and continues his life-long love of the land of the morning calm. He has been a missionary, pastor, and leadership development officer. He has years of experience in translations and editing, has several published books and dozens of scholarly papers to his credit, mostly in theology and the religious history of the United States. He is a life member of Royal Asiatic Society Korea, served on the board of directors for many years, two terms as vice president, and is now serving a second term as president. Discussion Outline 0:00 Coming to Korea in the 1970s 15:00 On the Korean Language 27:00 Life under Park Chung-hee 36:30 Changing economic conditions 51:20 Who was Park Chung-hee? 1:08:00 Choi Kyu-ha and life after Park 1:27:40 The Royal Asiatic Society 1:52:50 Christianity and Korea 2:30:20 The Youth of Korea Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube: /davidtizzard ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast... ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com... ▶ Music: Radical Gary - K-Invisible

Sep 9, 2023 • 2h 22min
The Rise and Fall of Korean Punk │Trash Yang Moses
This episode contains a lot of explicit language. If you are interested, the YouTube video features hundreds of photos of the bands, venues, and people we talk about. Trash is a musician, designer, and tattoo artist who has been part of the Korean punk scene for two decades. Here, she talks about how she discovered underground subculture in her late teens and then watched it develop over the years. She describes the community's most important bands and people, as well as those who others might have forgotten along the way. The conversation also reveals how every time punk rock becomes mainstream in Korea something comes along to force it back underground. Much of my own twenties and thirties are a blur, but I played a lot of the same shows and venues with Trash. That she continues to keep the flame alive is a testament to her passion and desire for this scene. Find more of Trash's music, art, and work online Band (...Whatever That Means): https://www.instagram.com/wtmpunk/ Record label (World Domination Inc): https://www.wdikorea.com/ Tattoo shop (Rebellion Inc): https://www.instagram.com/rebellionin... Festival: https://ko.wdikorea.com/itsafest Discussion Outline: 0:00 Who is Trash? 6:56 The TV incident 14:25 The scene's early days 45:25 Crying Nut, Rux, and No Brain 57:50 BB Lucky Town 1:05:00 ...Whatever That Means 1:33:23 Starting a record label 1:50:16 Creating a festival 2:00:26 Life as a tattoo artist Many of the photos used are taken with permission and thanks from Ken Robinson and Juyoung Lee. If another photo is yours, thank you. Happy to credit you where necessary. Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard ▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr ▶ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62047873 ▶ Watch us on Youtube: /davidtizzard ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast... ▶ Listen on podcasts: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com... ▶ Music: Tampus Dusk - Tailspin
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