In the second part of Yoon-Seo's #sojusessions we discuss the foreigner experience through the eyes of a Korean, Korean being “more than K-pop” and Western individualism Vs Korean collectivism. We also discuss Koreans not questioning an older person under any circumstances, what Westerners could be doing better to integrate themselves and a spot of Western stereotype myth-busting. There’s also some talk about Korea becoming more accepting towards foreigners, Koreans experiencing a type of...

In this week’s episode of #thesojusessions we speak to native Korean, Jeon Yoon-Seo (전윤서). We get into some really interesting topics from the other side of the Korea coin, including why English is seen as “mandatory” for Koreans, the Korean education system from a Korean point of view and why young Korean women don’t want to have children. We also discuss solutions to the birthrate problem, how foreigners are perceived in Korea and stereotypes Koreans have about Westerners. Loads more too...

In the second part of Ryan’s #sojusessions we discuss his side hustle of making his own mead plus his future business plans, procuring an F visa and pouring drinks for your elders in Korea. We also get into Koreans who go out on midweek benders then put a 12-hour day in the next day, hangover cures and their limited effect when you drink to oblivion and the lack of traditional Western brekkies in Korea. There’s loads more as usual, including the difference in pub snacks, hare of the dog and...

In this week's episode, we discuss escaping Ireland during COVID, choosing Korea over China and playing rugby in Seoul. We also get into the depressing fact that night-outs finish earlier as you get older, the Korean War and South Korea's un-democratic roots. There's a large focus on history this week, but there's also some chat about the perils of reunification, what NOT to do when visiting North Korea and the parallels between ROI and ROK.

In the second part of Sam’s #sojusessions, we settle a long-running lookalike debate (incredibly there are people in the world who think Josh looks like f*cking James Bond), meeting Koreans through non-traditional means (i.e. not in the pub) and starting a bioplastics company. We also discuss Sam’s current venture, Dusk Cider, and the difficulties of starting a cider company in a country with a limited cider culture, bosses who expect staff to work as hard as them and Korea’s (changing)...

In this week’s episode, we speak to expat business owner, Sam Begdouri. We talk about the woes of being a Tottenham fan, how watching Korean football compares to the Premier League, as well as a devastating bet loss. We also get into moving to Korea for love, the ignorance of (some) older Koreans and the insecurities that come with being a young adult. Loads more to listen out for too, including (but not limited to) the conflicting emotions of having children, separating in Korea when kids...

In this week’s episode, we speak to ex-Korea resident, Alison Lihalakha. We cover the genesis of the Korean Kim and Vietnamese Nguyen surnames, differences in culture in Korea compared to the Middle East and Saudi culture being different what Westerners imagine (Alison lived in Saudi pre-Korea). We also discuss Apartment adjoshis (old retired Korean fellas who act as caretakers at big apartment buildings), being able to blend in in Korea as a person of Asian heritage and older Koreans...

In this week's episode we talk to Suwon's own, Nathan Putnam. We discuss how Norway and Germany acted as a precursor to Korea, operating your own English academy (and the demands of unreasonable Korean mothers) and how easy it is as a Westerner to just show up and get on in Korea. We also get into the lack of mental health awareness in Korean schools, teaching Samsung executives (and the deference shown to Samsung employees by Korean society) and going to the 2014 World Cup. There's loads...

In the second part of Krissi's Soju Sessions, we discuss a clear shift in parenting styles from when we were young, kids acting out on planes/in public (and a solid Christopher Moltisanti reference) and asking v telling kids to do stuff. We also discuss some more ridiculous Chat GPT searches (and people who talk to it graciously (this week's poll)), the idea of Gyemoim (communal saving) in Korea and Krissi's NY Times front page article. There's also bits and pieces about the changing the...

In this week's episode, we speak to Korea-based freelance writer, Krissi Driver. We discuss the frustrations of buying things off Korean websites, briefly living in Lithuania as a child (plus a particularly harrowing Russian acid bath tale - be warned) and the even more harrowing ordeal of navigating Korea pre-smartphone. We also get into student loan repayment, the 'business-first' hagwon model (even if it's to the detriment of actual learning) and students being in a higher level than...

In this week’s episode, we speak to professional footballer and current Daejeon Hana Citizen centre-back, Aaron Calver. We discuss Aaron’s football beginnings in Australia, his transition to the K-League (and how the two compare) as well as cultural differences between the two countries/leagues. We also get into his time at both Gwangju (where he won the league) and current team, Daejeon, his future plans and national team aspirations and the competitiveness of European football compared to...

In this week's episode we speak to California native, Jackie Roberts. We discuss things like Korea's ageing problem, differences between Cali, London and Korea and navigating public transport in and around Seoul. We also get into the differences in dog (ownership) culture (and Koreans generally being scared of big dogs), Korea's fabled cafe culture and what it's like for western women being in a relationship with a Korean. There's also bits and pieces about couple wear, early impressions of...

This week we speak to Belfast's own Sean Armstrong, a big-time frequenter of the 2013 Cheongju bar scene. We discuss some of the mad characters who could be found rolling around some of the CJ bars back in the day, staff meetings in hostess bars and the challenges of teaching in Ireland. We also raise the steaks (pun intended) by discussing Sean's side-hustle/long-term vision of bringing Korean BBQ to Belfast. We explore the social and interactive side of K-BBQ, the challenges and benefits...

In this week’s episode, we welcome back our first-ever guest on the pod. And it’s safe to say we get through quite a lot. We discuss the influx of Koreans (and Russians) in Vietnam, job offers in Taiwan and more socio-economic policy chat which smarter people than us have almost certainly spent years studying, which we’ve butchered in less than a minute. We also get into being sent out of class in school/college, giving money to beggars in India and travellers “begpacking” around SE...

In the second part of Niall’s #sojusessions we get into his slightly unorthodox reason for learning Korea, Korean wedding rituals and (some) foreigners in Korea relying heavily on their Korean spouses. We also discuss Korean spouses abroad, the rampant negativity in Korea surrounding the birth rate crisis and the fabled solo pint. There’s also some chat about a hagwon bringing in an actual bear to show the kids, some cultural things Koreans think are weird about us and dealing with British...

In this episode, we speak to another Cheongju stalwart about the art scene in Korea compared to England, more uninformed art reviews (and general nonsense) and the differences in applying to uni compared to the actual course in Korea. We also discuss our own uni experiences, including (but not limited to) referencing people who didn't exist, building a house in Korea and more ludicrous chat GPT searches. We will also hopefully get to the bottom of a long-running debate in this episode's...

In this week's episode, we discuss loads of stuff from the nightmarish 'A Serbian Film', to the level of English within the adult population and older Koreans who take it upon themselves to tidy up the neighbourhood. We also discuss shit driving Korea, buying soju by the shot in some restaurants now, watching Muay Thai in Lumpinee and a recent podcast milestone. As always, something for everyone. Get on it.

In this week's episode of #thesojusessions, we have a very special guest as Josh's Dear Mum joins us, fresh off the back of her trip to Korea. We look at Korea through the perspective of the holidaymaker and discuss things like eating puffer fish and eel, as well as Korean tending to approach Western women more than they might men. Oh, and there's also more ridiculous Chat GPT searches. We also get into midnight runs, a fight in the street between two Korean women and the...

In this week's episode we speak to our first EVER Korean guest, which we're extremely excited about. We briefly discuss Daniel's job (he's a bodyguard), why Korean men often call Western men handsome and the reason why we've wanted a Korean on for so long: How Korean people view Westerners who live in Korea. We also get into common culture clashes from a Korean perspective, the bluntness of some Koreans when speaking English and more (shocking) Josh lookalikes. As usual, something for...

In the second part of Kevin's #sojusessions (finally), we discuss Guinness (potentially) being overrated, disruptive students, Liverpool's cultural behemoth, Brookside (specifically Barry Grant) and Kevin's YouTube channel - Korea Brewing Adventure. We also get into the fabled midweek night-out in Korea, Korea's "bali-bali" culture, Kevin's future brewing plans, as well as the first seeds of a #sojusessions social being planted. As usual, something for everyone. Get on it.

In this week's episode of #thesojusesions, we speak to Canadian teacher/YouTuber/brewer, Kevin Grabb. We discuss (not) shouting insults at Korean mates out the window of a moving car like you would friends at home, complaining whilst living in a first-world country and not taking the small things for granted. We also chat about Kevin brewing his own makgeolli (traditional Korean booze) and ale, the outrageous price of booze in Dubai and how easy it was to make friends in Korea 10+ years ago...

In this week's episode, we speak to American teacher Lizzie Hobbie. We discuss all sorts of things including (not) waving at old people, questionable driving in Korea and not having an adult conversation at work for 5 years. We also get into a BBC show which claimed Koreans are unhelpful, Korean people asking how old you are within 5 minutes of meeting (and also being shocked at how Westerners address older people) and another hot take on geopolitics (this time the Taiwan-China...

In this week's episode of #thesojusessions, we talk to university lecturer and part-time DJ, Paul Wynne. We discuss leaving England and heading to Korea at 40, living in rural Korea and the cultural phenomenon that is Koreans using roundabouts. We also get into Paul’s passion for Northern Soul music and playing local festivals in Seoul and the wider East Asia area, our shared disdain for K-Pop, as well as vinyl snobs. Have a listen, you might like it. Or don't. I'm not the boss of you.

In this week’s episode we speak to the organiser of the Jinju English FIlm Festival, Steve Alexander-Larkin.We discuss a couple of University scandals, one including a K-Pop band who were receiving free grades and not attending, the other a spot of blackmail, as well as the reasons the Jinju Film Festival came about.We also get into the use of Chat GPT in the classroom, Josh’s last 5 Chat GPT searches (which will almost certainly be a regular segment going forward) and South Korea’s “Hero...