Korea Deconstructed

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

Subin Kim is a writer, translator, and journalist. His work currently appears in Al Jazeera and he's previously been associated with the BBC and NK News. He's a self-described serf and a lover of pigs. Our conversation started with understanding what webtoons actually are and who reads them. We discussed the popular webtoon Miaseng (미생) and how a lot of content seems to be based on daily life and people's ordinary struggles. Subin told me about the relationship between webtoons and portal sites. Gang Full (강풀)'s 2003 Soonjung Manhwa was the first webtoon to achieve great success and from there we looked at popular modern stars such as Yaongyi (야옹이). Subin recommends Damage Over Time as a webtoon that would make a great Netflix adaption. We then talk about the future in terms of whether they will become more interactive, and if they can achieve international success like K-pop and K-dramas. Subin's website: https://subin.kim/ Subin's writing on webtoons for Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/1/31/korean-webtoons Twitter: https://twitter.com/SubinBKim 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

Seohyun Lee was born and raised in central Pyongyang, North Korea. She went to China to study when she was a sophomore at Kim Il Sung University and earned her bachelor's degree of Science in Finance from Dongbei University of Economics and Finance in 2014. She defected from North Korea in October 2014 during a heightened period of brutal purges by the Kim Jong Un regime. With her long- term vision to build a liberal democratic system and bring freedom in North Korea, she pursues further graduate studies an currently runs a YouTube channel 'Pyonghattan' with her brother. Our conversation started with language and Seohyun made it clear that rather than being called a defector or escapee, she prefers the term North Korean freedom seeker. She had done nothing wrong before leaving her country and wants to find a term that best encapsulates that sense of innocence and positivity. She spoke about her childhood in North Korea: what toys she had, what games she played, and what school was like. She also recounted the pressures of trying to stay warm in the country during the cold winters. She explained dating culture in North Korea, shopping, drinking, and the dangers of watching South Korean content. In terms of politics, Seohyun finds problems with the theocratic leadership in North Korea rather than the citizens. She paints a picture of what socialism means in the country in day-to-day life and describes the misconceptions and misunderstandings that many have about the country. Finally, she gave us her views on life, its meaning, and what the future holds. Pyonghattan YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Pyonghattan Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pyonghattan Why I Left North Korea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5AoG... 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...