Korea Deconstructed

Dr. MinJung (MJ) Doh is a US-licensed psychologist and the CEO of You&Me Psychological and Consulting Services (YPCS) in Seoul, Korea. Her specialties include Depression, Anxiety, Relationship Issues, Trauma, Eating Disorders, Identity Difficulties, Bereavement, Adjustment, Alcohol Use, Transracial Adoption, and Military Families. This conversation is about counselling and mental health in Korea. MJ provided her opinions of the most common psychological problems in the country today, whether it points to a national malaise, and if such conditions are unique to Korean or part of a wider global trend. We also looked at the rising popularity of MBTI tests and increased use of medication here in Korea. You&Me Psychological and Consulting Services: http://www.ypcskorea.com/ Dr. Doh Minjung: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minjung-mj-doh-51399365/ 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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast... ▶ Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com... ▶ Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_desig... ▶ Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disoriental...

Lina Kwon is a TV/radio personality based in Seoul. She has hosted Arirang TV’s “Showbiz Korea,” EBS FM’s “Morning Special” and currently hosts Arirang Radio’s news magazine show “Good Morning Seoul.” During her career she has interviewed and worked with some of Korea's biggest stars. We discussed the nature of fame and celebrity in South Korea. We also explored the media's role in all of this and how social media has affected both the way we consume information and the way we view others' lives. Lina also talks about the challenges of being a woman in the industry, particularly in terms of unequal pay and a glass ceiling. Find her every morning from 7am - 9am here: http://www.arirang.com/Radio/Radio_Ho... 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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast... ▶ Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com... ▶ Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_desig... ▶ Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disoriental...

Kyungyeon (Kay) Park is an 18-year-old Korean high school student. She has won competitions in the National Student Heritage Commentating Contest (전국학생문화유산외국어해설 텐츠대회) and been recognized by the National Council of Youth Organization in Korea (한국청소년단체협의회). She is also in the process of writing a book on aspects of Korean history. Alongside her studies, she works as a tour guide in Seoul at some of the country's most important historic sites. There she provides information and insight to visitors to South Korea. We spoke about identity, Korean culture, nunchi, history, Seodaemun Prison, the country's palaces, Korean independence, international relations, and much more. 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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast... ▶ Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com... ▶ Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_desig... ▶ Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disoriental...

Sihoon Baek is a phenomenon. We spoke about Generation Z, their values, their interests, and fears as well how this plays out across technology. We also spoke about one of his great passions: politics and social issues. Despite the growing complexity of political discourse, Sihoon is able to explain and analyze what takes place in South Korea from a very real perspective and cognizant of the effect that social media has on discourse and narratives. We chatted for more than 3 hours yet there was still much more to be said. And oh yeah, he’s seventeen!   Sihoon Baek’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sihoon-baek-62744a1b6/   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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128?l=en Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com/spotify Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_design/?hl=en Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/?hl=en

This is a conversation which explores the concept of “han” (한/恨) – something previously ubiquitous in Korean literature and western writing about the country but which Dr. Kang challenges. He argues that Koreans are being condemned to passive suffering and then manifesting that through a perceived essentialist concept which is believed unique to them. He points to its destructive nature as well as the damaging effects on gender relations and women in society. Instead, he draws on the reality of what “han” is as well as its origins while also acknowledging the scars, suffering, and inter-generational trauma that many have faced. He also addresses how elements of the Korean diaspora might have reclaimed the term in a different setting. From there, we looked at intellectual history and the creation of myths more broadly and how this applies to Korea. Minsoo is a charismatic, engaging, and honest speaker. We stopped after 3 hours but it could’ve been much longer. Discussion Outline 0:00 What is ‘han’? 36:44 The connection between han and history 51:17 Seopyeonjae and han 1:04:38 Gender and han 2:12:41 Do we have free will? 2:35:16 What is the meaning of life? Dr. Minsoo Kan 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 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsoo_Kang 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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast... ▶ Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com... ▶ Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_desig... ▶ Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disoriental...

Wooseok Ki is the author of K-POP: The Odyssey - Your Gateway to the Global K-Pop Phenomenon and a NYC-based corporate lawyer focusing his practice on blockchain and technology. He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania Law School and UC Berkeley, and has been featured in The Korea Times, Korea Daily, and NBCLX. If you are interested in K-pop or Korean hip-hop, this conversation takes a journey through the following artists: Epik High, Twice, Ahn Ye-Eun, Eric Nam, Dean, Crush, Justthis, Bloo, Homies, Seonmi, Chung Ha, 88rising, BTS, Snoop, Seotaeji, Cho Young Pil, Big Bang, and G-Dragon. Really enjoyed listening to Wooseok’s take on music. The exploration of NFT technology, which stars are using it, and how fans are reacting was particularly enlightening for an old dude like me. Wooseok's Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PW3MLPN/ Instagram: instagram.com/wooskiworks Twitter: twitter.com/wooskiworks Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wk810/ Article: https://news.koreadaily.com/2021/01/20/society/generalsociety/9024924.html 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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128?l=en Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com/spotify Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_design/?hl=en Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/?hl=en

Beth is a writer and translator whose roots are in Seoul and Vancouver, Canada. She is currently a copy editor at The Korea Herald, where she also co-hosts a Korean books and culture podcast. This is a conversation about Korean literature and feminism as well as the interaction between the two. Beth describes the ways in which the lived experiences of Korean women has manifested in writing and how generational trauma can be communicated through art. Today, Korean authors are winning international prizes and critical acclaim. Much of this success has been driven by women and stories revolving around their lives. We explored the work of Han Kang (한강), Cho Nam-joo’s Kim Ji-young: Born 1982, Park Wan-suh (박완서), Oh Jung-hee (오정희), Kim Chi-won (김지원) and more. This is a broad and wide-ranging discussion that moves beyond writing and into deeper questions about what it means to be human. Literature here is seen a medium through which the oppressed in society can find their authentic voice and transcend/break the avatar they have constructed for daily survival.   Beth's Work Beth’s linktree: https://linktr.ee/betheunhee Translations: https://nabillerakorea.com/?s=beth+hong Korean Women’s Fiction Book Review: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220224000105 International Women’s Day podcast episode: https://youtu.be/ZPPz3J1PFe8   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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128?l=en Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com/spotify Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_design/?hl=en Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/?hl=en

Yunjeong Hwang is an English-speaking lawyer and provides legal services in Korea. She runs Lawyer Hwang Law Office and legal services cover civil, criminal and family cases, and international divorce cases. We spoke about the culture and law of divorce in Korea. This includes issues related to adultery, compensation, custody, visas, and differences between judicial divorce and divorce by agreement. We then spoke about law more broadly including the defamation law, lenient punishment for sexual crimes, and the intersection between law and politics. Ms. Yunjeong Hwang ▼▼▼ Website: https://lawyerhwang.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2t-... 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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard ▶ Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast... ▶ Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com/ ▶ Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_desig... ▶ Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disoriental...

Dr. Bong Youngshik holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from Yonsei University. He is a Research Fellow at the Yonsei University Institute for North Korean Studies   Dr. Bong is positive about Korea’s democracy, the role of youth, and the possibilities for the future. He also interesting observations about human nature and political action. Our conversation was about the recent South Korean presidential election. Dr. Bong explained who president-elect Yoon Seok-yeol is and why he has built a reputation for fairness and justice in South Korean society, including the investigations into former Jsutice Minister Cho Kuk and two ex-Presidents, Park Geun-hye and Lee Myoung-bak. He then criticizes elements of Yoon’s victory which focused on a divisive approach to gender. He offered insight as to Ahn Chul-soo’s possible future and why his unification with Yoon nearly backfired. He also looked at the Justice Party and Sim Sang-jung’s poor performance and gave reasons for this. Finally, we looked at what the Conservative Party’s victory says about President Moon’s legacy.   Dr. Bong Youngshik ROK and US Views on the Foreign Policy of the Abe Administration Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youngshik-bong-b2404318/?originalSubdomain=kr   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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128?l=en Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com/ Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_design/?hl=en Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/?hl=en

Dr. Sojin Lim is a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor, Course Leader for both MA North Korean Studies and MA Asia Pacific Studies, and Co-Director of the International Institute of Korean Studies (IKSU) at the University of Central Lancashire. She works as Co-Editor of the ‘Routledge Research on Korea’ series and is also one of the Editors-in-Chief at Asia Pacific Viewpoint (Wiley). She is the author of articles and book chapters on sustainable development, public policy and political economy. She recently published a co-edited book Routledge Handbook of Contemporary South Korea (2021). She frequently discusses changes in the Korea Peninsula in media interviews, such as appearing on BBC.   Our conversation was about South Korea’s economic and societal development. It was enriched by Sojin’s many personal recollections of growing up in a country that was fighting authoritarian rule. We discussed what “the miracle on the Han River” actually means and how the “new village movement” affected the people of South Korea. We looked at foreign aid and the effectiveness of neo-liberal policies. We also questioned the role of culture in all of this. More broadly we explored the idea of altruism, aid, and gift-giving. We then discussed North Korea and whether aid or sanctions are the most effective policies for what Sojin sees as a fragile state. Finally, we looked at the field of Korean Studies more broadly and how the discipline is changing over time.   Dr. Sojin Lim’s Recent Publications Website: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/academics/dr-sojin-lim  “South korean Popular Culture in the Global Context: Beyond the Fandom,” Routledge (edited) (2022) “Routledge Handbook of Contemporary South Korea”, Routledge (co-edited) (2021)  “Assessing the Landscape of Taiwan and Korean Studies in Comparison,” BRILL (co-edited) (2021)   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: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidTizzard Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/co/podcast/korea-deconstructed/id1587269128?l=en Listen on Spotify: https://koreadeconstructed.libsyn.com/ Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_design/?hl=en Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/?hl=en