Cafe Seoul: Expat Life In Korea

After 17 episodes and our longest season to date, we are now hanging it up for season 3. We'll be back in either September or October with a whole new season roaring and ready to go.But, since we're taking a break, this episode is about getting out of Seoul to see the countryside.We were very happy to have Jennifer Flynn join us for this episode.News of the Weird w/Eugene-Korean parents want "a white female babysitter who can do freetalking"-Foreign tourists allowed to traverse N. Korea by rail (on guided tours, not through the country on their way to China)-Korea Observer publishes ill-advised op-ed piece describing how rude Koreans areAsk Blossom, Rob, and Eugene & On the Street w/HyewonWhere is the best place to visit outside of Seoul for a Vacation?On the Pulse w/RobWith Korean Scholar Jennifer Flinn, we discussed the best ways we could get out of Seoul and see the countryside.Jennifer also plugged the Royal Asiatic Society

We're breaking yet another record, making season 3 our longest season yet!... each week we continue... But this is the penultimate episode of season 3. We need a break.News of the Weird w/Eugene-Public video screen shows porn in Shanghai-World in Words podcast fails at deconstruction of the word 기분-Koreans react to US Supreme Court decision on same sex marriageAsk Blossom Rob & Eugene-Please speak in Korean and talk about how well you speak Korean.On the Pulse w/Rob-Joey Croner of Dice Latte game cafe tells us the best way to have a vacation in Seoul if you live here

In this episode we switched things up a bit. Rob is doing News of the Weird, with Eugene doing On the Pulse. The show is about how Korea sees the outside world, and how it relates to them. We had planned to make the show about 사대주위, or the Korean tendency to idolize powerful countries, but it didn't quite work out the way we planned.News of the Weird w/Rob-The Korea Times reports on the Chicago BEARS (a football team) winning the Stanley Cup (an ice hockey championship)-Korean student in U.S. claims to have been accepted to both Harvard and Stanford, except she wasn't-Lighting Round: MERS Mania!!!Ask Blossom Rob & Eugene-Which countries does Korea look up to, and is that relationship volatile? If so, why?On the Pulse w/Eugene-An Interview with Dr. Emanuel Pastreich, Director of the Asia Institute, discussing his book "The Korea Unknown Only to Koreans."

It's Blossom's first episode as permanent cohost! She did very nicely for her first time out, and this episode was mostly about teaching English in Korea, a topic we have not quite touched despite being around for so long.News of the Weird w/Eugene-Korean Zoo Quarantines Camels-Japanese Netizen Impersonates Korean Troll-Famous Blogger Complains About Gentrification In the 'twonAsk Blossom Rob & Eugene and On The Street w/ MichaelIs teaching English in Korea rewarding?Skit: The Hagwon crew lose a teacher and have to hire a replacement.On the Pulse w/Rob-We spoke to Ben Goldie and Jason Kifer of ESLROK.com about the state of the English teaching industry in Korea. Be sure to check out their website and submit your resume if you feel so inclined.

It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to Olivia. Olivia has been with the podcast since its beginning and we will miss her very very much. Also included in this episode:-Discussion about former pop star Yoo Seung Jun asking forgiveness from Koreans for allegedly changing his citizenship more than 10 years ago to avoid military service-Part 2 of the discussion about English Language Radio with Chance Dorland of the Chance and Dan Do Korea Podcast. Chance introduced a new internet radio station called KoreaFM. The station can be found at koreafm.netAsk Aaron and Olivia without Aaron (as he had his final appearance last episode)-What will you miss most if/when you leave Korea?-Discussion with Olivia about her Korea Journey and FarewellSome of the music in this episode came royalty free. It is Music by Dan-O at DanoSongs.com

Aaron's last episode as host of Café Seoul features part 1 of a round table discussion with Chance Dorland of the Chance and Dan Do Korea Podcast.News of the Weird w/Eugene-Korean government underwhelmed with Korea's depiction in Avengers: Age of Ultron- Baseball player T-Plush (Nyjer Morgan) gets in trouble in the KBO. -TMZ sparks controversy with "racist" segment targeting K-pop girl groupAsk Aaron & Olivia and On the Street w/Michael-What misconceptions about Korea come from Korean dramas?On the Pulse Special Roundtable Discussion Part 1-English Language Radio in Korea, best and worst experiences, what's lacking in English language radio in KoreaThanks a lot Aaron for being our faithful co-host. We will miss you!

This episode is all over the place! Not only do we cover Children's Day, we also discuss "Things Not to Say to Adoptees" with special guest Blossom P.News of the Weird w/Eugene-1. Take a bath in ramen in Japan-2. Full House to reunited for reunion and spinoff-3. Korean government to collect tax on alleged prostitute's earningsAsk Aaron & Olivia / On the Street (w/ Mike Jones)-Do you like Children's Day? Yes or no?Story time w/ Hyewon-About Children's DayOn the Pulse w/Rob-Special Guest Blossom P. talks about what not to say to adoptees.

I've been too busy to edit these on time, so here's an episode form 3 weeks ago.News of the Weird w/ Eugene-We had some really downer stories this week, so it became news of the utterly depressingAsk Aaron & Olivia, On the Street w/MichaelQuestion about Korean BaseballOn the Pulse w/RobRob interviews Young Suk Yang about intercultural communication

Holy Bajeebus! Aaron and Olivia are both here at the same time for once!News of the Weird w/Eugene:-Guy's ex and current jump into river to make him save them-Single ladies in Japan get married to nobody just for pics and honeymoons-High-speed rail to Beijing to be completed soon?Ask Aaron and Olivia - Why can't they just choose one spelling for Korean words and stick with it?On the pulse w/Rob - Well actually, we were going to talk about the stresses of student life, but instead we ended talking about our guest's bad blind dating experiences. GASP!ALSO! There's a chance to score a blind date with her yourself! If you are younger than 26, have good hygene, and are in the market for a hot babe, then listen to find out how YOU could win a blind date!

Olivia was out and about this episode, so we had a substitute host, Molly Kim.The theme of this episode is all about Korean Cults.News of the Weird w/Eugene1. Expat recommends fining businesses that don't speak English2. Korea's embassy in Jamaica has greeting in Patois on webpage3. Koreans (over?)react to attack on US AmbassadorAsk Aaron and Olivia - Why are there so many churches in Seoul?On the Pulse - Today we talk to Peter Daley, curator of the website jmscult.com. He is likely the expat most versed in the culture of Korean cults, and he shares his thoughts and experiences with us.

Café Seoul goes underground in this episode, as we talk to Dan from the Korea Underground Podcast, (whom we beat out for best podcast of 2014). Aaron is away doing real work, so Eugene dusts off his hosting hat.News of the Weird w/EugeneIkea Korea has a pencil shortageDouchebags mock Sewol victims with fish snacksTwitter explodes as gay characters kiss on 'Walking Dead'Ask Aaron and Olivia (without Aaron)Why do Koreans say they hate Japan so much, yet still consume Japanese products?On the Pulse w/RobDan from Korea Underground explains all the ins and outs of podcasting in Pohang with Steve and Teresa!Please visit Korea Underground at http://www.korea-underground.com/

It's the Café Seoul Drunk Episode! Aaron, Oliva, Rob and Eugene went to the Revolución Caribbean Bar, Grill and Guesthouse in Kyeongnidan (near Noksapyeong Station, in the vicinity of Itaewon) to get our drink on!News of the Weird w/Eugene:Creamy Beer all the rage in JapanDiscrimination in Job Interviews Deemed Okay Korea Asked by IOC to Share 2018 OlympicsOn the Pulse w/Aaron:Aaron spoke with Peter, the owner and operator and our gracious host at Revolución.Special OFFER! Listen to the Podcast and get a discount!Visit their website:https://www.facebook.com/revolucionseoul

It's the 25th official episode of Cafe Seoul not including special episodes and supplements.It's also a month late because Eugene has been busy. But know that this means you'll be getting some episodes in close proximity to each other.News of the Weird w/EugeneGuy dies playing games in Internet CafeBig Hero 6 Hated by Korean Netizens for being too JapaneseReporter asks ignorant question to Fresh off the Boat development teamOn the Pulse w/ Rob interviews Mike Jones, former cast member during season 1, current regional head? of Toastmasters, Korea

Café Seoul enters year 3! First we react to winning Best Podcast of 2014 at the K-Blog Awards. Rob could not join us for this episode, so we have the return of Christine... who will be our super sub for the time being. Did we mention that we won Best Podcast in the K-Blog Awards and we were really happy about it?News of the Weird w/ Eugene - Honey Butter Chips, '90s Gayo (K-Pop) Revival, News Organizations Still Messing Up North And South Korea NEW SEGMENT! Ask Aaron and Olivia - Elaine in Incheon asks how you know you're no longer a Korea newb.On the Pulse w/ Christine - She interviews Lee Tae-hoon of the Korea Observer.

A not so long long time ago in a country not so far far away...CAFÉ SEOULIt is a time of yule tide cheer. Five expatshave come together under the shared love forall things nerdy to bring you a podcast episode that discusses the final frontier andthe galaxy far far away.***Special Guest Nerd - Dr. Michael Hurt***-The Prequels Strike Back - We discuss what was good about the prequels, even though the consensus is that these are generally terrible. We also try to find things we hated about the original trilogy.-Where No Jedi has Gone Before- We pair each Star Wars character with his TNG counterpart and discuss which of the two we'd rather be.-The Wrath of Rob- Dr. Michael Hurt discusses why it is that Koreans don't seem to like Star Trek.Major props to non-nerd Olivia Lim for surviving through this one.Star Wars and Star Trek and all their characters and associated music used in this podcast is the property of their respective studio

The Cafe Seoul Podcast has been nominated for Best Podcast in the Korea Blog Awards, hosted by KoreaObserver.com!Take some time to vote for us at http://www.koreaobserver.com/blogawards/podcast/Just click the stars under that happy coffee drinker!News of the Weird w/Eugene-Man sets world record for GPS picture wedding proposal-Lists of 10 naughtiest boy and girl names found-Park Geun-hye addresses MAMA AwardsOn the Pulse w/Rob - A look back at the Korean Blogosphere in 2014Special Thanks To:-Jen Lee of Dear Korea http://dearkoreacomic.com/-Adam Carr of Chase the Dot https://adamrcarr.wordpress.com/-Peter Daley of jmscult.com-The Boss of Wangjangnim http://wangjangnim.com/-Paul Ajossi http://www.paulajosshi.com/-Ms. Lee to Be of On Becoming a Good Korean (Feminist) Wife - http://msleetobe.wordpress.com/Jhoon Rhee Self DefenseThe Legend of Zelda

Holy Frijoles! Cafe Seoul has returned for another season!News of the Weird w/ Eugene-Dead snake kills chef-Koreans to go extinct by 2750-Counter protesters protest hunger strike by staging eat-inLightning Round-Japanese high school baseball game goes 50 innings-Girl goes on week long chicken binge over breakup-Consumer activists build raft from snack bagsOn the pulse w/AaronAaron interviewed the folks at Magpie Brewery!

A bar in the 'twon has posted a sign barring Africans from entry. We also say goodbye to Robin WilliamsAaron is in Hawaii getting married, so he doesn't appear in this episode.News of the Weird - Producers of US TV shows go after Korean fansubbers - Monkey takes selfie, who owns the rights? - Gaga in hot water over Korean writing on clothing in JapanOn the Pulse - Ebola

Once again we discuss tourism, and while there are no comedic skits, Steve Miller of the Asia News Weekly podcast joins us to discuss the failures and successes of tourism slogans.

This episode was released one week late because I've been busy.News of the Weird - Makeup company asks if you wanna be white - Ocean World wants you to experience a world class climax - North Korea to play Portugal in World Cup FinalDouble Jeopardy - Questions by Rob