[SeoulGlow]

Podcast Description

This is a video podcast about Seoul specifically and Korea in general that mixes different segments – ranging from vox pop and in-depth documentary to funny skits and trips to new venues, with interviews with movers and shakers in Seoul. It will be subtitled in Korean and English. We break new ground by showing that regardless of nationality or race, young Seoulites merely want smart, fresh information that tells them something new about this great city, country, and society. We don’t pull punches, we don’t condescend, and we know what you really wanna watch. And if we don’t, we’ll ask. Along with our own segments, we also encourage user submissions so that we can build the most truly dynamic video podcast ever. It has not been a long time since Korean society has known freedom from authoritarian rule and heavy censorship, or had the chance to really interact with the outside world. But nevertheless, Korea calls itself a “globalized” society and has come a long way since then. Yet, the representations in traditional media in Korea still disappoint. They just don’t match the many types of beautiful people all around, on the street, or I gaze at through my camera. Unfortunately, in the traditional media, all I see are stereotypes and caricatures of real people, who only sing songs, do silly dances, and are prevented from showing a true personality. Many people – and not just foreigners – are denied voices in a society that values people following what others do, buying what others buy, and even thinking what others think. But we can resist this by stopping to think critically, stopping to notice that the story we are told to accept is often not true. In this society, there are Koreans who don’t like spicy food, foreigners who speak Korean, feminists who like men, gay men who don’t look feminine, poor people who aren’t lazy, smart students who don’t go to famous schools, as well as fat people, Koreans with curly hair, short girls with big feet, and all kinds of other combinations of people, appearances, and personalities. No, we are not all the same, but we do share common ground. Besides the language barrier – which this video podcast tries to destroy through subtitles – we all live here in this society. We work, we pay taxes, ride the buses, eat food at street stands, fall asleep on the subway; we don’t like smog, or waiting in long lines, and don’t like getting hit by running ajumma’s elbows. Are we, as Seoulites, as 21st century citizens of the world who have email addresses, credit cards, and colorful cellphones, so different? If you are like me, the time has come for something different, for something that recognizes the diversity and true beauty of this society. And sometimes, in order to see true beauty, we have to recognize ugliness and face it, instead of simply deny it exists and look the other way. This is the attitude of our show. We make media that stimulates your mind as well as your base emotions. We make media that looks for truth in both the good and the bad. And in the end, we make smart media that’s fun to watch, not just a way to pass time. That is this podcast’s promise to you. Smart media that’s fun to watch. And that’s it. Time Magazine declared the 2006 Person of the Year to be YOU, and it truly was. Join us as we work hard to build the best show possible – with your participation, feedback, and support – and make our part of the world a little bit better for everyone. And don’t forget to “let your Seoooooul glow!