The Soju Sessions

In our latest episode, we speak to American expat Sarah Mack, who is campaigning to bring the pots outside Hanshin Onggi in Haebangchon back to where they belong. She explains what happened, why she believes the pots are part of the neighbourhood's cultural fabric, and why she's determined to see them reinstated. But where do you stand? Should long-standing features like these be protected as part of a neighbourhood's character, or should local authorities be free to remove them when rules aren't being followed? Let us know in the comments. And if you've spent time in Haebangchon, we'd especially love to hear your thoughts. The full story is in our latest episode. Give it a listen, share it with someone who knows Seoul, and follow us for more stories and questionable journalism from Korea.

In this week’s (month’s) episode, we discuss: Substitute teaching in England HBC’s Onggi Wall Haebangchon’s Block Party A Japanese streamer accused of racism/Japan’s superiority complex Ansel Elgort wearing a kimono in Seoul Japan banning the Taegukgi for the Asia Games AI blitzing the Suneung/AI taking over in 2034/AI slop Foreign cards finally working on Korean buses The weird world of Chuseok gifts A Michelin-starred restaurant using ants as garnish Jongno-3 being named the world’s coolest neighbourhood by Time Out magazine Rising anti-China sentiment US favourability at an all-time low in Korea

In this week’s (month’s/quarter’s) episode, we dig into Korea’s performance at the World Cup, the Iran v Egypt Pride match and a long-standing debate around who is the best Korean footballer of all time, Son Heung-Min or Park Ji-Sung. We also discuss a developing Korea, Japan and Philippines alliance, people (and corporations) who publicise good deeds and JungKook’s stalker. Loads more in this one too, including the Kim lineage north of the border, foreigners being eligible for public office, socialist ideals, and the apparent death of Korea’s fabled drinking culture, and loads more.

In this month’s episode, we discuss the BTS comeback gig, Yoon’s prison life and old people being banned from public transport in rush hour. There’s also talk about President Lee’s recent comments on Israel, Japan’s imperialist ideologies, Koreans saying ‘I Love You’ and the Kim Dynasty. Loads more too this month, including (but not limited to) how the Middle East conflict is affecting Korea, the UK’s absurd economic and extremist policies, K-pop marketing and an asylum seeker held in Incheon airport for 14 months.

In this month’s episode, we discuss Yoon’s recent life sentence, the Epstein files (and a notorious former resident of Cheongju), and people on death row (not the rap label). We also get into the IOC messing up the Korean flag (and playing the wrong national anthems), Stray Kids and effeminate Korean men, Ssireum and Korea’s Winter Olympic performance. Loads more too, including the behaviour of Chinese tourists, a potential solution for Dokdo, and the recent South Korea v SE Asia arguments. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.

In this week’s (month’s ?) episode, we discuss our recent appearance in one of the world’s foremost media outlets, President Yoon’s sentencing, the exploitative practices of Chaebols, and BTS’s return (and the delusion of some of their fans). We also get into the Trump administration recently acknowledging kimchi as a superfood, a Korean mum jailed for stealing test papers, fruit prices and the lack of football talent in Korea. Loads more too, including a recent fire in a Gangnam slum, conscription in England, gay dating shows and marital expectations in Korea. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.

In this week’s episode, we discuss recent happenings on the Korean peninsula, including ciggie-style warning on soju, falling asleep on the Seoul subway and low-skilled workers having to show complete deference to everyone in Korean society. We also talk about Josh’s weird behaviour-management techniques, recent ChatGPT searches, the division of India and Pakistan, and Nuns and Priests being the very last people suited to running schools (we never quite know where these conversations will go). Loads more too, including people who get in the lift to go down one floor, a Jeonbuk Motors coach being banned for racial gestures, Dad Heung-Min, Hongdae Man and foreign property ownership in Korea. Oh, and Turkey teeth. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.

In this week’s episode, we discuss Josh’s reverse culture shock now that he’s back in England, the Suneung and the absolutely horrible questions Korean kids have to deal with, as well as Chat GPT potentially diminishing the need for language acquisition. We also talk about the Korean government recently giving off North Korea vibes with the announcement that they're cracking down on foreign content creators slagging them off, defamation laws in Korea, and nuclear submarines. Loads more too, this week, including drones dropping gear into nick, chaebol nepotism, the recovery of a 600-year-old ship off the Korean coast, more ket turning up on Jeju beaches, and men potentially being allowed to study in female-only universities. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.

In this week’s episode, we begin with news of a bit of recognition from none other than broadcasting royalty, the BBC (courtesy of Josh). We then discuss things like tattooing finally being legal now in Korea, and a shout out to an old friend, marriage expectations, and men claiming money from famous wives when they get divorced. We also discuss the backlash you receive if you ever say anything about K-pop fellas that could be perceived as negative, the recent suicide of a Korean author, and loads of ket washing up on a Korean beach. Loads more too this week, as we get into Trump and Korea, comfort women, anti-China sentiment in Korea, shirtless running in Seoul and a rant (again) about Spotify playlists.

In this week’s episode (recorded a couple of weeks ago), we discuss Josh’s reverse culture shock as he re-adapts to life in England, dealing with differentiation in class, the lack of a need for discussion about objective issues in class and the results of our white supremacy/parasol poll. We also discuss the recent issue of Koreans being arrested by ICE, people overstaying visas in various places, the contrast between Koreans driving and Koreans face-to-face, and the historic abductions of Korean children being sent to America for adoption. Loads more this week, too, as we get into current parallels to 1984, PE teachers not being real teachers, winter World Cups, obesity in Korea and a rant about cultural appropriation, too. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the idea that Koreans using a parasol is (somehow) linked to white supremacy, Korea’s greatest ever footballer, Son Heung-Min, calling it a day on his Spurs career and whether or not he makes it into the top-25 Premier League attackers of all time. We also talk about a recent Han River monster sighting, Korea’s ageing population increasingly turning to suicide and the conclusion of a decades-long case of a woman biting the tongue off her attacker. Loads more too, this week, including cutting willies off for cheating, a K-pop singer going down for rape and driving/parking etiquette. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it. #seoul #korea #expatskorea #britsinkorea #parasol #racism #racisiminkorea #sonheungmin #spurs #premierleague #hanriver #seamonster #ageingkorea #suicide #suicidekorea #selfdefence #kpop #kpoprapist #drivinginkorea #bts #koreanculture #korea4expats #itaewon #hongdae #koreanstyle #koreanpolitics #koreanfood #hallyu #southkorea

In this episode, we dig into gig culture in the UK (v Korea) after Josh's trip home to see Oasis, defend British food and a warning from Josh's Grandad re: trans women. We also discuss overzealous parents stealing the Suneung test, Korea's rainy season and the country's strong anti-immigration stance. There's also bits and pieces about Government stipends, Koreans in the Asian hierarchy, Park Chung-Hee's assassination (spoiler alert: it was his best mate) and a touch of probability for the maths fans out there. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.

After a considerable amount of time off, we're back with an all-new format for season 3! Heading off in a new direction, we will be reviewing the weekly (or bi-weekly) news happenings in Korea. Think of it like a tasteless Korean dispatches or gonzo "journalism" at its finest. This week, we report back on what the listeners would put in their Korean Room 101 before discussing the fabled Korean norae bus, setting a subway car on fire and some good news for K-League Football Manager players. We also talk Squid Game 3, propaganda speakers and shit balloons, and an absolutely mental story about American Jesus enthusiasts trying to send rice and dollar bills to North Korea via the sea. Loads more too, including a shout out for The North Sentinelese, Korea's stand-up scene and the best way to kill half a million of any species. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.

In this week's milestone instalment, we salute our soju family - anyone who's listened to even one episode so far. We also discuss the (often lengthy) editing process (thanks to the mental tangents we've been known to go off on, that should never see the light of day), plus the vastly eclectic mix of guests we've had on so far. We also discuss the lessons we've learned, the difficulties of starting a (niche) podcast, as well as the things we've learned along the way. There's plenty more on offer too this week, as we bring back a much-loved segment - the absolute drivel we've searched on Chat GPT the past few weeks, as well as Josh's showering procedure and the different perspectives we might now have on Korea because of doing this podcast. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.

In this week’s (delayed) episode, we speak to music writer (and fellow Scouser) Jamie Finn about northerners in Korea tending to gravitate towards each other, heading to the peninsula for an adventure, basically not knowing anything about it and writing about the local Korean music scene through multiple outlets. We also discuss the evolution of music and events in Korea (and the beginnings of nonconformity), starting his own magazines, gentrification and its effects on the local culture (mainly in HBC), and the Busan music scene compared to Seoul There’s plenty more this week, including (but not limited to) iconic Liverpool institution, The Krazyhouse, Robbie and Barry from Eastenders (we never quite know where these conversations will turn), Korean societal problems and the differences in gig culture between Korea and the West. As always, something for everyone. Get on it.

In this week’s episode we get into the weeds and discuss how NOT to run an English academy in Korea, following a very bad recent experience. We chat about closing the door on Korea for good, Korea losing its appeal due to inflation and saving potential, and the idea that everyday things like fruit are now a bit of a luxury. We also get into signing a contract before seeing the apartment (don’t EVER do that), hagwon bosses expecting you to live in an unfurnished shoebox and calling out greed/penny-pinching within the teaching industry. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it (link in stories) #korea #korealife #korea4expats #expatsinkorea #expatlife #expatkorea #seoullife #seoul4expats #koreanculture #koreansociety #hagwon #koreanhagwon #seoulhagwon #inflation #expensivefruit #hagwonhorror #greed #pennypinching #wonjangnim #oneroom #koreanapartment #prison #shoebox #gettofuck #koreaneducation #instagood #f4f #cheongju4life #suwon #seoul

WE BACK! First and foremost, apologies for the delay in episodes; it wasn’t planned. Been a pretty turbulent past month or so with moving back to Korea only to find out the job/apartment wasn’t quite what was expected, but more on that in our special next weekend. In THIS WEEK’s episode, we speak to the founder of Korean Image (Instagram), Blair Naujok. But before we proceed any further, we should first apologise to Blair for sitting on this episode for so long (this was recorded over a month ago), whilst simultaneously thanking him for the postcards with Korean images on which he sent to both me and Josh - a lovely touch. This episode touches on how the archive first came about, Blair’s family history and viewing 50s and 60s Korea in colour for the first time. We also discuss a positive aspect of COVID (the birth of the archive), expanding and categorising the archive and contributing to various exhibitions. Of course, there’s loads more in this one, including (but not limited to) understanding heritage…

In the second part of Joon-Young’s #sojusessions we discuss alternate things for expats to do (not just go drinking in Itaewon or Hongdae), the differences between the mentality of Koreans in small-town Korea (Cheongju) and Seoul, Koreans persistently comparing themselves to one another, and Koreaboos searching for oppa. We also get into Korea’s collective society system, Asian fear of the dreaded Westerner, the future of Joon-Young’s Mad Korean Class, as well as some solid advice for learning Korean.

In this week’s episode, we speak to Joon-Young from Mad Korean Class (craziest Korean class in Sinchon). We discuss the tactics of Hongdae F-Boys (including some pretty debatable pickup lines), Koreaboos, leaving home for the States at 16 as an exchange student and dealing with bullies. We also get into the perceptions young Koreans have of Westerners (before meeting any), some differences between Western and Korean teenagers and strategies for fitting in when studying abroad. Plenty more, too, this week, including (but not limited to) cultural differences between American and British high schools, reasons for starting Mad Korean Class and the differences in language-learning approaches between Koreans and Westerners. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.

In the second part of Matt's #sojusessions, we discuss what Trump's policies towards the Korean peninsula might be, Obama being misportrayed as a saint and Westerners finding a purpose in Korea (and becoming better). We also talk about Korea being a second home to many ex-pats, homelessness in Korea (versus the West), young Koreans missing out on life experiences by living at home until they get married and the military toughening up young Korean men.

This week, we speak to one of the Cheongju old guard, Matt Phillips, about ex-pats possibly thinking a little too highly of Busan, small-town vs. big-city Korea, and Cheongju being the Wild West back in the mid-2000s. We also discuss the difference between Korea now and two decades ago, Yoon’s failed war plans, the K-wave boom, and the rise of democracy in Korea. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.

In this week's episode, we mix it up a touch and look at the differences between Dubai and Seoul for expats. As you might imagine, there's a lot to get through, including (but not limited to) officials stopping workers from going to the beach (in Dubai), the eclectic mix of people who live in Dubai and expat kids who've grown up there. There's also bits and pieces about the cost of living (mental), having to download an app for everything and everyone trying to rip you off. Loads more too this week, including wearing £500 sunglasses indoors, the never-ending stream of traffic fines and some of the grotesque things Westerners with too much money get up to. There truly is something for everyone this week. Get on it.

In this week’s episode, we speak to Cheongju’s finest, Camila Ugarte, about first impressions of Korea, the legendary Cheongju social scene and shitting yourself in public (you heard). We also discuss injuring yourself trying to impress Korean men, the communal culture of Korea and strangers touching you in a jimjilbang (Korean sauna). Loads more, too, including (but not limited to) misunderstanding doctors, Korean efficiency, how (some) Koreans treat people who look differently and the juxtaposition of old and new in Korea. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.

In this week’s episode, we speak to native Korean Lee Da-Eun (이다은) about racism in Korea, the attitudes of older Koreans towards foreigners and the perception of foreigners only coming to Korea to party. We also discuss Koreans as introverts, fashion and identity in Korea, the challenges of integrating as an expat and superficial compliments from Koreans (think being called handsome by middle-aged taxi drivers, lads). Loads more too this week, including legally-covered discrimination, the biggest problems when learning Korean and/or English and what Korean society could take from Western society. As always, something for everyone. Get on it.

In the second part of Danielle's soju sessions, we discuss the stoicism of Russians, the difference between 'traditional' expat bars in China and Korea and those in UAE and the fabled Dubai Brunch. We also talk about hiking in Korea, the difference between Seoul and Dubai in a community sense and being followed around Tesco by Chinese people. There's also chat about the 'higher-status' person choosing and paying in restaurants, going to the toilet in the street in China and the cleanliness in UAE and Korea compared to the UK and China.

In this episode we are joined by Tony’s sister, Danielle, to discuss comparisons between Korea, China & UAE. We get into teaching in China and how it compares to the other 2 countries, “Little Emperor Syndrome” and the saving face culture of East Asia. We also talk about a terrifying incident with a samurai sword-wielding neighbour, living abroad as a female v male and the tribal focus in some rural schools in the Middle East. There’s also some talk about safety compared to the UK, Korea’s 4b movement/angry incels and differing attitudes to the English language around the world. As usual, something for everyone. Get on it.

In this week’s episode, we step way, way out of our comfort zone (and knowledge sphere) and discuss what a Trump Presidency might look like for Korea. We get into Trump’s ‘America First’ policy, Korean government spending on US military personnel and the possibility of re-opening dialogue with North Korea. We also talk about South Korean propaganda leaflets, effects on the Korean economy, Korea’s dominance of the semiconductor industry and Japan’s attitude towards Korea. Loads more too this week, including the Democrats woeful showing in the American election, people not looking at issues for their own individual merits and Korean immigration into the US. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.

In this week’s episode, we speak with expat entrepreneur/influencer Tanaya Clark about initially heading to Korea as an exchange student, starting a business in Korea and the benefits of controlling your own visa. We also discuss dating differences in Korea (compared to The West), being a black woman in Korea (and how Koreans view black people in general) and competition within the expat community. We also get into “Tall Poppy Syndrome”, the great things about living in Korea, the Korean population possibly getting a bit bigger around the waistline and the oft-derided Korean beauty standards. Plenty of bases covered this week; as usual, something for everyone. Get on it.

In this week’s episode, we speak to seoulfuldiaries creator, Sharen Hau. We discuss the lack of onboarding at hagwons, being discriminated against as an Asian-American of Vietnamese origin and how Koreans view other Asians in the English teaching industry. We also get into older Koreans’ expectations of English teachers being white Americans, content creation during COVID and the challenges of collaborating with Korean brands. Loads more too this week, including (but not limited to) being a single mother in Korea (and Korean bosses’ attitudes to pregnant women), as well as the concerns of raising a child in America. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.

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 PTSD when hearing English and the idea of society possibly pushing back against the demand on children. Something for everyone, as per. Get on it.

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 this week, including (but not limited to the mentality of the first-year teacher in Korea, Koreans and people of “higher status”, the idea that the honorific system might be holding Korean society back and how Westerners are portrayed in Korean media. Really interesting this one and should resonate with anyone who has spent any time in Korea.

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 arguably the worst thing about Korea: the bread/sandwich situation.

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) desk-warming culture. We also chat about reading the bible/churchgoers in Korea, more Pachinko chat and a guest request for Josh.

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 are involved and the idea of marriage being a disposable commodity. As always, something for everyone. Get on it.

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 staring at foreigners. There are also bits and pieces about Korea for expat kids, the lack of expectation on Westerners to speak Korean and Alison’s memoir (Salted Plums) about growing up Asian in the States.

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 more too this week, including (but not limited to) staying out til 4 am on a Wednesday, marrying into Korean culture, the legendary Inter Suwon, exploring Korea on a motorbike and returning back to the States to work for the US government. As usual, something for everyone. Get on it.

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 political landscape in Korea, Noraebang (karaoke) brothels and life in Daegu v Busan. As always, something for everyone. Get on it.

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 they should be because their parents are paying. As always, something for everyone. Get on it.

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 Asia. There are also bits and pieces about mental health awareness (or the lack of in Korea), positive experiences in Korea and playing against one Jesse Lingard. As always, something for everyone. Get on it.

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 hangul, being poked in a jimjilbang (not a euphemism), appreciating the directness of Koreans and the very English trait of mercilessly ripping your mates if they've dared to wear new gear. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.

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 of running a pop-up in Belfast, Sean's passion for Korean food and transitioning from teaching to small business ownership. Get on it if you love a bit of Korean grub.

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 Asia. There’s also bits and pieces about Mongolia, tipping culture in America and shooting cows with bazookas in Cambodia (not us). There really is something for eveyone in this one. Get on it.

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 sarcasm. As usual, something for everyone. Get on it.

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 poll, so be sure to vote! As always, something for everyone. Get on it.

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 always-well-received gift from students. As usual, something for everyone. Get on it.

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 everyone. Get on it.

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 plus loads, loads more. Something for everyone, as usual. Get on it.