Bookmark this always-updating directory to the best episodes of the 17 Carat K-Pop podcast!
17 Carat K-Pop is available wherever you get your podcasts and at the links below!
“Study Guide” Episodes: A crash course on a topic with the help of K-pop references!
Mythology explained through The Star Seekers…
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
… and K-pop artists’ work
Stream “Music and Mythology” on Spotify here!
Stream “Music and Mythology” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Music and Mythology” elsewhere here!
Stream a LE SSERAFIM-themed episode on Spotify here!
Stream a LE SSERAFIM-themed episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream a LE SSERAFIM-themed episode elsewhere here!
Stream a NewJeans-themed episode on Spotify here!
Stream a NewJeans-themed episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream a NewJeans-themed episode elsewhere here!
Shakespeare, The Great Gatsby, mythology, and more, understood through ENHYPEN’s work
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Dual Worlds” on Spotify here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Dual Worlds” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Dual Worlds” elsewhere here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Epic Tales” on Spotify here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Epic Tales” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Epic Tales” elsewhere here!
Stream “DARK BLOOD Recap” on Spotify here!
Stream “DARK BLOOD Recap” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “DARK BLOOD Recap” elsewhere here!
Stream “MANIFESTO : DAY 1 Deep Dive” on Spotify here!
Stream “MANIFESTO : DAY 1 Deep Dive” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “MANIFESTO : DAY 1 Deep Dive” elsewhere here!
The Little Prince, as told through TXT’s work
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Peter Pan, Something Wicked This Way Comes, tales of Faust and Mephistopheles, and more, understood through TXT’s work
Stream “The Name Chapter: FREEFALL and What’s Next for TXT” on Spotify here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: FREEFALL and What’s Next for TXT” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: FREEFALL and What’s Next for TXT” elsewhere here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide” on Spotify here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide” elsewhere here!
Stream “TXT Story Recap” on Spotify here!
Stream “TXT Story Recap” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “TXT Story Recap” elsewhere here!
Stream “TXT’s Neverland” on Spotify here!
Stream “TXT’s Neverland” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “TXT’s Neverland” elsewhere here!
Matilda and Enchanted Night, as told through Billlie’s work
Stream “Billlie’s World 2.0” on Spotify here!
Stream “Billlie’s World 2.0” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Billlie’s World 2.0” elsewhere here!
Stream “Billlie’s World” on Spotify here!
Stream “Billlie’s World” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Billlie’s World” elsewhere here!
Philosophy concepts explained through TAEMIN’s work
Stream “Taemin.” on Spotify here!
Stream “Taemin.” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Taemin.” elsewhere here!
Stream “Taemin’s Newest Act” on Spotify here!
Stream “Taemin’s Newest Act” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Taemin’s Newest Act” elsewhere here!
Stream “Taemin’s Encore” on Spotify here!
Stream “Taemin’s Encore” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Taemin’s Encore” elsewhere here!
Famous works of art in K-pop content
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
The Divine Comedy, explained through CIX’s work
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Don Quixote, understood through SEVENTEEN’s work
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron and other works referenced by G-DRAGON
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
The “BTStudy Guides” series
Ep. 1: Demian by Hermann Hesse
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 2: “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 3: Black Swan
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 4: Into the Magic Shop by James R. Doty
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 5: The Owl Service by Alan Garner
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 6: Louder Than Bombs
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 7: Haruki Murakami books
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
The “RM’s Recs” series
Ep. 1: The Classics: The Catcher in the Rye, 1984, and The Stranger
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 2: Utopias: Walden, Walden Two, and other writing on the possibility of a utopian society
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 3: Almond: In this episode about a new favorite book of mine, I summarize Almond, break down the main characters’ many layers, share the most powerful quotes, and open up about the power of seeing a neurodivergent character represented in literature in such a refreshingly nuanced way.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 4: The Noonday Demon: After a brief introduction to The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, I spend time covering the biological, social, psychological, and other dimensions of depression as described by Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 5: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook, and The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Favorite Interviews
R&B artist ELHAE opens up about going independent, collaborating with I.M and Crush, the art forms besides music that inspire him, and future plans!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Singer, songwriter, and producer H. Kenneth breaks down the making of “MY TREASURE” by TREASURE, “Ready to love” by SEVENTEEN, and more!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
K-pop reporter Jeff Benjamin discusses behind-the-scenes stories from interviewing K-pop stars, the elements of fair and beneficial K-pop media coverage, and more!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
My conversation with Stephanie Kariuki, supervising producer at VICE, about the making of the podcast Authentic: The Story of Tablo!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Songwriter and producer Tushar Apte shares the stories behind songs from BTS, BLACKPINK, Lu Han, and more K-pop and C-pop stars!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Rolling Stone India’s former K-pop columnist, senior writer, and video producer Riddhi Chakraborty talks about the massive K-pop fan base in India, elements of K-pop reminiscent of Bollywood films, and much more.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Max Cho talks about his management company, the “wedding ring analogy” he uses to explain his management philosophy, parallels between working on movies and music, and more.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Journalist Kat Moon talks about everything from K-drama recommendations to how K-pop journalism can describe fans and their idols in the best, most accurate way.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Episodes of “STAY Tuned,” featuring stories about the music industry overall
Ep. 15: The history behind the Taylor Swift concert ticket fiasco
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 11: Why does it seem like so many artists nowadays are getting sued for copyright infringement? Why are more artists than ever adding writers to song credits after a song’s release? Is there a legal distinction between sampling and interpolating an artist’s work? The first half of this episode addresses these questions, with context from landmark lawsuits and experiments on the psychology of copying. The second half of this episode covers all sorts of other tech and entertainment news.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 8: The bizarre story of the man who accidentally ended up competing on a C-pop reality show, the first NFT marketplace in South Korea, and more.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 4: A guide to what NFTs are and why musicians put faith in cryptocurrency.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Misc.
Naomi Klein, “NEXUS,” and New Worlds: Naomi Klein has an excellent new book out called Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World. It’s about the existential angst that comes with being constantly mistaken for an “Other Naomi,” who says and does things to which Klein is vehemently opposed. Klein’s writing explores much more than the emotional effects of getting a reputation for what someone else says and does, though. She questions how solid her own identity is if people can easily mistake her for someone with only surface-level commonalities, and she takes readers with her down a research rabbit hole into the ways a “Double” has appeared throughout book and movie plots. I explore these references through a new lens: the “SMCU”! aespa’s digital alter egos, U-KNOW’s dimension-hopping “NEXUS” short film, TAEMIN’s and KAI’s multiple selves… the SM Entertainment Cinematic Universe is filled with examples of clones! This unique episode explains why uncanny resemblances are unnerving, what one’s “shadow self” symbolizes, and how pop culture can be a tool for better understanding both one’s self and one’s anti-self.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
BTS Book Recap: Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS is so jam-packed with interesting anecdotes about BTS and big-picture insights into the world of K-pop overall that it deserves a two-part recap! The first part covers Big Hit Entertainment’s humble beginnings, rap feuds, an uncharacteristic outburst from “Mr. Bang,” the context behind some make-or-break live performances, and other pivotal moments in the timeline of BTS.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
BTS Book Recap (Part 2): This second part of a guide to Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS covers the backstories of specific BTS songs, touching moments when the members showed their true brotherhood, what went through their minds as they debated contract renewals, and more.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
K-Pop Merch History: The past, present, and possible future of K-pop light sticks, photo cards, cup sleeves, and more! This episode is both a guide to K-pop merchandise and some thoughts on the best and most creative K-pop album packaging and light sticks ever!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
“That was a Remake?!”: On countless occasions, K-pop songs have interpolated, sampled, remixed, or otherwise drawn inspiration from other songs. This episode features the stories behind the most iconic, strangest, funniest, and most surprising examples!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Best K-Pop x J-Pop: A guide to the best J-pop albums, songs, and music videos released by K-pop artists!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
HYBEs and Lows: A breakdown of a LOT of massive business decisions made by HYBE and SM Entertainment and what they say about the future of the K-pop industry.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
K-Dramas Past and Present: A brief history of K-dramas, a Squid Game primer, and an explanation of how and why Korean television became a massive hit globally.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
“Guess the K-Pop Song” games!
Stream round #1 on Spotify here!
Stream round #1 on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream round #1 elsewhere here!
Stream round #2 on Spotify here!
Stream round #2 on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream round #2 elsewhere here!
Other episodes include…
View the full back catalog here, here, and here!
Check out an episode guide for my other podcast, Enthusiasts, here!
“Study Guide” Episodes: A crash course on a topic with the help of K-pop references!
Mythology explained through The Star Seekers…
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
… and K-pop artists’ work
Stream “Music and Mythology” on Spotify here!
Stream “Music and Mythology” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Music and Mythology” elsewhere here!
Stream a LE SSERAFIM-themed episode on Spotify here!
Stream a LE SSERAFIM-themed episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream a LE SSERAFIM-themed episode elsewhere here!
Stream a NewJeans-themed episode on Spotify here!
Stream a NewJeans-themed episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream a NewJeans-themed episode elsewhere here!
Shakespeare, The Great Gatsby, mythology, and more, understood through ENHYPEN’s work
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Dual Worlds” on Spotify here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Dual Worlds” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Dual Worlds” elsewhere here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Epic Tales” on Spotify here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Epic Tales” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “ENHYPEN’s Epic Tales” elsewhere here!
Stream “DARK BLOOD Recap” on Spotify here!
Stream “DARK BLOOD Recap” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “DARK BLOOD Recap” elsewhere here!
Stream “MANIFESTO : DAY 1 Deep Dive” on Spotify here!
Stream “MANIFESTO : DAY 1 Deep Dive” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “MANIFESTO : DAY 1 Deep Dive” elsewhere here!
The Little Prince, as told through TXT’s work
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Peter Pan, Something Wicked This Way Comes, tales of Faust and Mephistopheles, and more, understood through TXT’s work
Stream “The Name Chapter: FREEFALL and What’s Next for TXT” on Spotify here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: FREEFALL and What’s Next for TXT” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: FREEFALL and What’s Next for TXT” elsewhere here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide” on Spotify here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide” elsewhere here!
Stream “TXT Story Recap” on Spotify here!
Stream “TXT Story Recap” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “TXT Story Recap” elsewhere here!
Stream “TXT’s Neverland” on Spotify here!
Stream “TXT’s Neverland” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “TXT’s Neverland” elsewhere here!
Matilda and Enchanted Night, as told through Billlie’s work
Stream “Billlie’s World 2.0” on Spotify here!
Stream “Billlie’s World 2.0” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Billlie’s World 2.0” elsewhere here!
Stream “Billlie’s World” on Spotify here!
Stream “Billlie’s World” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Billlie’s World” elsewhere here!
Philosophy concepts explained through TAEMIN’s work
Stream “Taemin.” on Spotify here!
Stream “Taemin.” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Taemin.” elsewhere here!
Stream “Taemin’s Newest Act” on Spotify here!
Stream “Taemin’s Newest Act” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Taemin’s Newest Act” elsewhere here!
Stream “Taemin’s Encore” on Spotify here!
Stream “Taemin’s Encore” on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream “Taemin’s Encore” elsewhere here!
Famous works of art in K-pop content
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
The Divine Comedy, explained through CIX’s work
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Don Quixote, understood through SEVENTEEN’s work
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron and other works referenced by G-DRAGON
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
The “BTStudy Guides” series
Ep. 1: Demian by Hermann Hesse
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 2: “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 3: Black Swan
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 4: Into the Magic Shop by James R. Doty
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 5: The Owl Service by Alan Garner
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 6: Louder Than Bombs
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 7: Haruki Murakami books
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
The “RM’s Recs” series
Ep. 1: The Classics: The Catcher in the Rye, 1984, and The Stranger
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 2: Utopias: Walden, Walden Two, and other writing on the possibility of a utopian society
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 3: Almond: In this episode about a new favorite book of mine, I summarize Almond, break down the main characters’ many layers, share the most powerful quotes, and open up about the power of seeing a neurodivergent character represented in literature in such a refreshingly nuanced way.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 4: The Noonday Demon: After a brief introduction to The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, I spend time covering the biological, social, psychological, and other dimensions of depression as described by Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 5: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook, and The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Favorite Interviews
R&B artist ELHAE opens up about going independent, collaborating with I.M and Crush, the art forms besides music that inspire him, and future plans!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Singer, songwriter, and producer H. Kenneth breaks down the making of “MY TREASURE” by TREASURE, “Ready to love” by SEVENTEEN, and more!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
K-pop reporter Jeff Benjamin discusses behind-the-scenes stories from interviewing K-pop stars, the elements of fair and beneficial K-pop media coverage, and more!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
My conversation with Stephanie Kariuki, supervising producer at VICE, about the making of the podcast Authentic: The Story of Tablo!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Songwriter and producer Tushar Apte shares the stories behind songs from BTS, BLACKPINK, Lu Han, and more K-pop and C-pop stars!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Rolling Stone India’s former K-pop columnist, senior writer, and video producer Riddhi Chakraborty talks about the massive K-pop fan base in India, elements of K-pop reminiscent of Bollywood films, and much more.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Max Cho talks about his management company, the “wedding ring analogy” he uses to explain his management philosophy, parallels between working on movies and music, and more.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Journalist Kat Moon talks about everything from K-drama recommendations to how K-pop journalism can describe fans and their idols in the best, most accurate way.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Episodes of “STAY Tuned,” featuring stories about the music industry overall
Ep. 15: The history behind the Taylor Swift concert ticket fiasco
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 11: Why does it seem like so many artists nowadays are getting sued for copyright infringement? Why are more artists than ever adding writers to song credits after a song’s release? Is there a legal distinction between sampling and interpolating an artist’s work? The first half of this episode addresses these questions, with context from landmark lawsuits and experiments on the psychology of copying. The second half of this episode covers all sorts of other tech and entertainment news.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 8: The bizarre story of the man who accidentally ended up competing on a C-pop reality show, the first NFT marketplace in South Korea, and more.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Ep. 4: A guide to what NFTs are and why musicians put faith in cryptocurrency.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Misc.
Naomi Klein, “NEXUS,” and New Worlds: Naomi Klein has an excellent new book out called Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World. It’s about the existential angst that comes with being constantly mistaken for an “Other Naomi,” who says and does things to which Klein is vehemently opposed. Klein’s writing explores much more than the emotional effects of getting a reputation for what someone else says and does, though. She questions how solid her own identity is if people can easily mistake her for someone with only surface-level commonalities, and she takes readers with her down a research rabbit hole into the ways a “Double” has appeared throughout book and movie plots. I explore these references through a new lens: the “SMCU”! aespa’s digital alter egos, U-KNOW’s dimension-hopping “NEXUS” short film, TAEMIN’s and KAI’s multiple selves… the SM Entertainment Cinematic Universe is filled with examples of clones! This unique episode explains why uncanny resemblances are unnerving, what one’s “shadow self” symbolizes, and how pop culture can be a tool for better understanding both one’s self and one’s anti-self.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
BTS Book Recap: Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS is so jam-packed with interesting anecdotes about BTS and big-picture insights into the world of K-pop overall that it deserves a two-part recap! The first part covers Big Hit Entertainment’s humble beginnings, rap feuds, an uncharacteristic outburst from “Mr. Bang,” the context behind some make-or-break live performances, and other pivotal moments in the timeline of BTS.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
BTS Book Recap (Part 2): This second part of a guide to Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS covers the backstories of specific BTS songs, touching moments when the members showed their true brotherhood, what went through their minds as they debated contract renewals, and more.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
K-Pop Merch History: The past, present, and possible future of K-pop light sticks, photo cards, cup sleeves, and more! This episode is both a guide to K-pop merchandise and some thoughts on the best and most creative K-pop album packaging and light sticks ever!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
“That was a Remake?!”: On countless occasions, K-pop songs have interpolated, sampled, remixed, or otherwise drawn inspiration from other songs. This episode features the stories behind the most iconic, strangest, funniest, and most surprising examples!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
Best K-Pop x J-Pop: A guide to the best J-pop albums, songs, and music videos released by K-pop artists!
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
HYBEs and Lows: A breakdown of a LOT of massive business decisions made by HYBE and SM Entertainment and what they say about the future of the K-pop industry.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
K-Dramas Past and Present: A brief history of K-dramas, a Squid Game primer, and an explanation of how and why Korean television became a massive hit globally.
Stream this episode on Spotify here!
Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream this episode elsewhere here!
“Guess the K-Pop Song” games!
Stream round #1 on Spotify here!
Stream round #1 on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream round #1 elsewhere here!
Stream round #2 on Spotify here!
Stream round #2 on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream round #2 elsewhere here!
Other episodes include…
- Concert reviews
- Webtoon recaps
- More exclusive interviews
- Headline roundups
- The best new music of each month
- The histories of K-pop music videos, band and fandom names, music shows, and much more!
- The histories of P-pop, T-pop, C-pop, and J-pop
- Artist-specific deep dives about aespa, Agust D, ATEEZ, BTS, Dreamcatcher, Epik High, EXO, Jolin Tsai, LE SSERAFIM, LOONA, NewJeans, Stray Kids, and many others!
View the full back catalog here, here, and here!
Check out an episode guide for my other podcast, Enthusiasts, here!
