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The Political Mobs of Syngman Rhee (1945-1960)
Episode 161
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Korea’s gangsters went from the streets into the government. This is the second era of the history of Korean organized crime.
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3 years, 3 months ago
The Savage Age of Gangsters (1930s-1945)
Episode 160
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Colonial 1930s Korea was a time of independence activists, street gangs, and the Yakuza. This is the first of the four gangster perio…
3 years, 3 months ago
When Gods and Ghosts Rest: Lunar Leap Year
Episode 159
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Even the Korean lunar calendar has a leap year. Instead of an extra day, there's an extra month. Here's what to do.
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3 years, 3 months ago
The Afterlife & the Cemetery Tour
Episode 158
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The concept of an afterlife is consistent across cultures. How do old Korean traditions view the land of the dead? PLUS: a talk about…
3 years, 3 months ago
Dragons, Gods, & Cold Food: The Folklore of the Third Lunar Month
Episode 157
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Our series continues covering the folk traditions of each lunar month. This time it’s the third month - the onset of spring, farming…
3 years, 4 months ago
Hayashi: Korea's First Gangster
Episode 156
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A young Korean man in Japan’s construction industry became the most powerful crime boss in 1930s Seoul. We talk about Korea’s early m…
3 years, 4 months ago
Majang Meat Market
Episode 155
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“The scariest market in Korea.” Majang Meat Market is not only unique in Seoul, it’s unique to all of Korea! It’s the only market ded…
3 years, 4 months ago
Child Abuse at All-time High
Episode 154
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Some topics are hard to discuss. And some we prefer to not cover more than once. But child abuse has become an epidemic in Korea and …
3 years, 4 months ago
Spirits, Bugs, and Frog Eggs: The Folklore of the Second Lunar Month
Episode 153
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Ghosts and rites and folk, oh my! Our series on the monthly folk traditions on the Korean lunar calendar. It’s full of folklife custo…
3 years, 5 months ago
Interview with the Horror Artist
Episode 152
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Guest: Ji-yun Park
The artist for the new volume of “Dark Side of Seoul: Weird Tales from Korean Lore” talks about her process in brin…
3 years, 5 months ago