Nami Island and Tourist Trap River
One of Korea’s most promoted destinations is–well, it was conceived as a tourist trap. We talk about the history of the island and other places to avoid down Korea’s Tourist Trap River. Nami Island’s National Anthem “Island of the Sky” Verse 1 Everyone in...
Lanterns, Buddha, & Balsam: The Folklore of the Fourth Lunar Month
The fourth lunar month is arguably the most important time of year for Buddhists. Various ceremonies linked to Buddha’s birthday, good fortune, and brightening the darkness permeate the lore and traditions of this time of year. Join our Patreon to get more stuff...
K-Ghost Hunters
Ghosts may be trapped in the past, but ghost hunters today bring modern methods to track them down and send them scurrying to the afterlife. Some Korean ghost hunters even use rap music! Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book...
South Korea’s 1980 Concentration Camp
In 1980, Chun Doo-hwan created a re-education “university” for criminals and ne’er do wells. It really was a concentration camp for anyone who didn’t fit in. “SEOUL SAID TO HOLD 15,000 IN CAMPS WITHOUT TRIAL” – The New York Times (Sept 20, 1981) Join our Patreon...
K-Poverty
Behind the corporate gloss of K-pop, Samsung, and the hallyu wave lurks a tragic reality: poverty. Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Do you have...
The Political Mobs of Syngman Rhee (1945-1960)
Korea’s gangsters went from the streets into the government. This is the second era of the history of Korean organized crime. Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at...
The Savage Age of Gangsters
Colonial 1930s Korea was a time of independence activists, street gangs, and the Yakuza. This is the first of the four gangster periods of modern Korea. Umi-gwan Theater Sincheongyodang practicing in the church Young Kim Du-han The Umi-gwan Gang years later Politician...
When Gods and Ghosts Rest: Lunar Leap Year
Even the Korean lunar calendar has a leap year. Instead of an extra day, there’s an extra month. Here’s what to do. Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at...
The Afterlife & the Cemetery Tour
The concept of an afterlife is consistent across cultures. How do old Korean traditions view the land of the dead? PLUS: a talk about our new cemetery tour and what we have coming up this year! Join our Patreon to get more stuff...THE DARK SIDE OF SEOUL PODCAST Subscribe, sit back, and enjoy.
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