The Dark Side of Seoul Podcast
Korean dark history, ghost tales, folklore, serial killers, true crime, and more. You are about to discover why Korea has the spookiest stories and darkest history. Folklorist Shawn and history buff Joe delve into Korea's gruesome stories of massacres, betrayals, and blood. It's like "Game of Thrones" in Asia. We share our passion for Korea and its struggles throughout time. If you enjoy shows like "Kingdom," this is the podcast for you. Even if you know nothing about Korea, its history will become your new addiction. Subscribe, sit back, and enjoy.
Episodes
Slaves, Bastards, and Bureaucrats | The Fall of Joseon, Part 19 (1801-1803)
King Jeongjo is barely in the ground and his entire reform project is already under threat. This episode covers 1801–1803: the regency of Queen Dowager Jeongsun, two significant but fatally incomplete reform measures, and the beginning of the Andong Kim clan’s century-long stranglehold on the Joseon court.
Topics covered:
The political situation Queen Dowager Jeongsun inherited when the eight-y
The History of Korean Horror
Joe and Shawn are joined by Justin Kyle, co-host of the weekly horror film podcast Straight Chilling, for a decade-by-decade guide to Korean horror cinema. Starting from a lost 1924 silent film made under Japanese occupation and running through Na Hong-jin's divisive 2024 creature feature, Justin leads a structured tour of the films, directors, themes, and historical forces that shaped one of worl
The Problem with Korean Ghosts
Why do ghosts conveniently conform to the culture of the people seeing them? Korean folklore gives us the cheonyeo gwishin, Western traditions have their own recognizable specters, and decades of movies have taught us that ghosts should be translucent, vaporous, and obviously dead.
Joe and Shawn question whether any of those images are useful when examining claims of actual ghost encounters. If gh
The Museum That Won't Tell You Its Own Story
Joe visited a brand-new free museum in Seoul's Insadong neighborhood built on a six-year archaeological excavation. The dig exposed a layer of the city from the late 1590s, right before the Japanese invasions reduced large parts of Seoul to rubble. The artifacts are fascinating. The signage is a list of measurements. The actual story, that this neighborhood was frozen in the moment before catastro
Tourist Season: How is Insa-dong?
Topics Discussed
Insa-dong as one of Joe and Shawn’s first experiences of SeoulHow the neighborhood has changed since the early 2000sTraditional Korean incense and surviving specialty shopsThe hidden waterways that shaped Insa-dong’s streetsInsa-dong during the late Joseon period and Korean EmpireHow Japanese colonial rule helped create the antiques districtLooted temple and palace artifacts enter
Tourist Season: Nami Island & Tourist Trap River
Topics Discussed
Nami Island’s origins, General Nami and the false tomb, Korea’s domestic tourism boom, Winter Sonata and the early Korean Wave, K-drama tourism, artist Kang Woo-hyon’s transformation of the island, the Republic of Naminara, tourism marketing, Gapyeong attractions, Instagram tourism, overtourism, and whether Nami Island is actually worth visiting.
Useful Timestamps
00:00 Tourist Se
Tourist Season: The Dark Side of Korean Tourist Sites
Tourist brochures rarely tell the whole story. In this Tourist Season replay, Joe and Shawn revisit one of the podcast's most popular travel episodes, uncovering the wars, massacres, murders, ghost stories, and redevelopment controversies hidden behind some of Korea's best-known tourist destinations.
Topics Discussed
Tourist Season summer replay series
Why famous destinations deserve deeper h
Tourist Season: Tourists from Hell
This week kicks off our summer rerun series, digging up the best tourism episodes from the archive while we take a break from new true crime deep dives. First up: 141, Tourists from Hell.
Years of running walking tours and food tours in Seoul means years of collecting the worst behavior tourism has to offer. Hand holders who never read their confirmation emails. Tour-splainers who think they know
The Ulsan Family Tragedy
Episode Summary
A father and his four children were found dead in their home in Ulsan after months of severe financial hardship. While the case was ruled a murder-suicide, the discussion quickly expands beyond the crime itself into the failures of Korea's welfare system, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the bureaucratic obstacles that can leave vulnerable families without meaningful suppo
The Weird Science Behind Korean Food Nationalism
Dark Side of Seoul Podcast
Episode 316
The Weird Science Behind Korean Food Nationalism
Episode Description
A 2023 paper published in the Journal of Ethnic Foods argues that Korean cuisine developed in isolation, authentic Korean food isn't spicy, and even that royal court cuisine isn't truly Korean. In this episode, we examine the paper's historical, linguistic, archaeological, and scientific c
The Korean Ghost and Mr. Skeptic
Send us Fan Mail
After the release of his book Supernatural Encounters in South Korea, one of the comments Shawn received surprised him.
Several readers expected a book about ghosts to be written by a true believer. Instead, they found a surprisingly skeptical approach to paranormal claims. One reviewer described the book as "a rather clever turn," while another called Shawn "a more
Paper Problems: South Korea's Election Fiasco Explained
Send us Fan MailSouth Korea just held its 9th nationwide local elections on June 3, 2026, and what should have been a routine referendum on President Lee Jae-myung's first year turned into a genuine mess. Polling stations in Seoul started running out of ballot paper mid-day. Voters waited hours. Some gave up and left. In Songpa and Gangnam, people were still voting at 10 p.m. And then the proteste
Burned Twice
Send us Fan MailA car exploded in Shawn’s neighborhood, setting off a chain reaction that destroyed multiple vehicles and exposed a brutal insurance loophole in Korea.In this Fun Sized episode, Joe and Shawn discuss the recent fire involving a smoking vehicle that erupted near a GS25 convenience store, igniting a nearby van and damaging surrounding buildings. The discussion quickly turns to the af
The Dark Side of Finger Hearts - Fun Sized
Send us Fan MailAI scams are getting weirder.In this Fun Sized episode, Joe and Shawn discuss the rise of biometric crime in Korea and how AI tools can now potentially lift fingerprints from ordinary photos posted online. Korean security experts are warning that common hand gestures like peace signs and finger hearts may expose enough detail for criminals to recreate biometric data.The hosts explo
Korean Myths that Won’t Die, and Some New Myths We Created | FUN SIZED!
Send us Fan Mail“Koreans are better surgeons because they use metal chopsticks.”“Korean grammar makes people more emotionally intelligent.”“Korean relationships are deeper because the language has honorifics.”You’ve probably heard some version of these before.In this Fun Sized episode, we look at some of the strangest Korean nationalist myths, where they come from, why people believe them, and how
Korea's Flashing Problem
Send us Fan Mail
Flashing and public indecency have been a problem in Korea for decades, but recent cases suggest the issue may be getting worse.
In this Fun Sized episode, we look at the rise in flashing incidents across South Korea, including cases involving schools, parks, buses, apartment complexes, and public transportation. We also explore the psychology behind exhibitionism, the surprisingl
The Composer Korea Tried to Execute
Send us Fan MailIsang Yun was one of Korea’s most important composers, blending traditional Korean sounds with modern European music.But in 1967, he was kidnapped off the streets of West Berlin by South Korean agents, tortured, and sentenced to death.In this episode, we explore Yun’s life, his music, and the political forces that turned a composer into a target. From his early years under Japanese
Fun Size: Why Teachers in Korea Can’t Take Sick Days
Send us Fan Mail
We’re back with another Fun Size episode.
This time, we’re looking at something that sounds simple on paper: sick leave. In Korea, it’s legally guaranteed. In reality, it’s often difficult, discouraged, or just not used at all.
From teachers paying out of pocket for substitutes to cultural pressure to keep working no matter what, the system doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to.
W
The Korean Cherry Blossom Controversy
Send us Fan Mail
Cherry blossoms might seem like the most harmless part of spring in Korea. But behind the crowds, festivals, and photo spots, there’s a deeper story that most people don’t notice.
In this episode, we explore the quiet controversy surrounding cherry blossoms in Korea, from their role during Japanese colonial rule to the modern debates about whether they should even be celebrated at
Fun Size: The Gwanghwamun Sign Controversy
Send us Fan Mail
We’re trying something new.
This is our first Fun Size episode—a shorter format where we tackle current topics that spark debate in Korea.
This time, we’re looking at the controversy surrounding the sign at Gwanghwamun. Should it be written in Hangul or Hanja? It sounds like a simple design choice, but it opens up deeper questions about history, identity, and how Korea presents it
The Korea “Would You Rather” Episode You Didn’t Know You Needed
Send us Fan Mail
This episode takes a lighter turn with a “This or That” game that somehow turns into strong opinions about Korean food, hiking, cities, and history.
We compare Bukhan-san and Inwang-san, break down bibimbap preferences, and get into the difference between taxi buffets and mountain restaurants. Along the way, we talk about cooking at home versus eating out, the cultural weight of t
Why You Can't Bury Your Pet in Korea
Send us Fan Mail
Pet ownership in Korea is growing rapidly, but what happens when a beloved animal dies?
In this episode, Joe and Shawn explore the surprising and often emotional world of pet funerals in Korea. From strict burial laws that classify animal remains as “waste” to private cremation services that hold full memorial ceremonies, the reality of pet death reveals an unusual intersection of
SEAblings vs. K-netz: When K-pop Fandom Turned Into a Regional Reckoning
Send us Fan Mail
A minor concert rule violation at a Day6 show in Kuala Lumpur ignites a much larger confrontation between Southeast Asian K-pop fans, known online as SEAblings, and Korean netizens, or K-netz.
What began as frustration over DSLR camera use quickly escalated into accusations of racism, ingratitude, and cultural superiority. In this episode, Joe and Shawn explore what this clash rev
Reading the Dead: What Korean Graves Tell Us
Send us Fan Mail
Winter is cemetery season in Korea.
With the grass dead, snakes gone, and sightlines open, this is when Korea’s hillside cemeteries quietly reveal their stories. In this episode, Joe and Shawn talk about what they see every year while wandering through Korean burial grounds: traditional mounds and stone guardians, Christian symbols mixed with Confucian motifs, rare Western-style g
Who Should Still Be Driving in Korea?
Send us Fan Mail
South Korea became a super-aged society in 2025. The effects are showing up everywhere, but nowhere more visibly than on the roads.
In this episode, Joe and Shawn talk about the sharp rise in accidents involving elderly drivers, including several deadly incidents in Seoul and beyond. They dig into the numbers, the government’s largely ineffective license return programs, and why s
Where Have All the Soju Tents Gone? Part 2
Send us Fan Mail
Our 300th episode!
Pojangmacha didn’t disappear by accident.
In Part 2 of Where Have All the Soju Tents Gone, Joe and Shawn trace how Seoul’s soju tents went from survival spaces to cultural nuisances, then to nostalgic props. From Olympic-era crackdowns and hired enforcers to violent evictions, gentrification, and sanitized “sensibility pocha streets,” this episode looks at how m
Where Have All the Soju Tents Gone? Part 1
Send us Fan Mail
There is no Waffle House in Korea.
For decades, the pojangmacha was the last line of defense against going home hungry, broke, or blackout drunk. It was cheap, social, messy, and human. And then it slowly disappeared.
In Part 1 of Where Have All the Soju Tents Gone, we trace the origins of the pojangmacha from Japanese yatai and Joseon-era taverns to its explosion after the Korean
Christmas Nightmares 2: Holiday Crimes
Send us Fan Mail
Christmas is often framed as a moment of peace, forgiveness, and reflection. But in Korean history, Christmas Eve has repeatedly been chosen for violence, punishment, and erasure.
In Part 2 of Christmas Nightmares, we examine three chilling cases tied to the holiday. We begin with the Seokdal-ri Massacre of 1949, when South Korean soldiers burned a mountain village and executed do
Christmas Nightmares 1: Darkest Holiday Stories
Send us Fan Mail
Christmas is supposed to be a time of warmth, safety, and reunion. But history doesn’t always cooperate.
In Part 1 of our two-part Christmas Nightmares series, we explore some of Korea’s darkest stories tied to the holiday season. We begin with the Heungnam Evacuation of 1950, remembered as the Miracle of Christmas, when nearly 100,000 refugees escaped North Korea by sea. But behi
K-Hacked: How Coupang Exposed Korea’s Cybersecurity Mess
Send us Fan Mail
Shawn and Joe dig into Korea’s crumbling cybersecurity myth and the Coupang leak that exposed almost every user in the country. Korea sells itself as an IT powerhouse, but behind the fiber optics sit outdated servers, neglected government systems, weak regulations and a corporate culture that treats security like a box to check.
From the SK Telecom and Lotte Card breaches to the g
Weird Tours
Send us Fan Mail
Shawn and Joe trade war stories from the front lines of Seoul’s tour scene. Influencers melting down in costume, drunk guests apologizing between vomit breaks, bathroom disappearances, oddball actors who steal the show, couples who arrive mid-argument, and reviews born from pure misunderstanding.
The episode digs into what really derails a tour, how guides survive it, and why some
Short: The Expat Quest for Thanksgiving
Send us Fan MailThis is a blog post I (Joe) wrote on ZenKimchi.com in 2012 about the extreme lengths expats in Korea would go to for creating Thanksgiving in their adopted country. I exhume this post every year to remind myself and others that giving thanks goes beyond turkey, Macy’s parades, and football. Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.comSupport the showJoin our Patreon to get more stuffhttps
The Secret Military Club That Hijacked Korea
Send us Fan Mail
Korea’s modern history has plenty of villains, but Hanahoe might be the most quietly terrifying. This was the private club of military officers that spent decades pulling strings behind the scenes and building the foundation for South Korea’s authoritarian era. Chun Doo hwan and Roh Tae woo did not just show up and grab power. They were groomed for it inside this secret alumni clu
Moving Graves
Send us Fan Mail
Special Guest: Ron Chang
Korean graves do not always stay where you put them. In this episode, Ron Chang joins us to talk about what it is really like to exhume and relocate family graves in Korea. Ron recently moved the graves of his grandmother and grandfather from a remote mountain cemetery in Yangju to the special North Korean heritage cemetery near Paju.
We talk about Korean
The West Comes Knocking | The Fall of Joseon, part 18 (1791-1801)
Send us Fan Mail
When a Dutch sailor shipwrecked on Jeju in 1627, he thought he’d been captured by cannibals. Instead, he became Korea’s first Westerner—and the first sign of change that would shake Joseon to its core.
This episode traces the arrival of Western guns, God, and ideas—from Jan Janse de Weltevree to the Catholic persecutions of 1801—as Korea’s Confucian order faces its first real coll
Haunted Barracks: Korea’s Military Ghost Stories
Send us Fan Mail
The Korean military is haunted — literally and culturally. Soldiers whisper about phantom footsteps, cold spots inside fences, and radio calls from the dead. In this episode, we look at the legends that thrive in Korea’s barracks: the White-Clad Old Man, the Combat Boot Ghost, the Ammunition Depot Spirits, and the Fog Ghost along the DMZ.
We also unpack why these stories endure. I
Shawn Wrote a Spooky Book
Send us Fan Mail
Here it is! Finally! Shawn Morrissey's much anticipated book of Korean supernatural encounters is released. We ask him your questions. Will he answer them?
Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Support the show
Join our Patreon to get more stuff
https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul
Book a tour of The Dark S
Why Korean City Slogans Sound So Weird (and Why We Love Them Anyway)
Send us Fan Mail
Korean cities love English slogans, but rarely get them right. From “Hi Seoul” to “Busan is Good,” we explore how Korea’s branding obsession created a national genre of delightful linguistic chaos.
Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Support the show
Join our Patreon to get more stuff
https://patreon.c
From Madness to Reform | The Fall of Joseon, part 17
Send us Fan Mail
King Jeongjo inherited a kingdom broken by madness, murder, and factional greed. In this episode, we look at how the grandson of Yeongjo—and son of the doomed Prince Sado—tried to rebuild the dynasty. From political purges and paranoid advisors to free-market experiments and the rise of new factions, Jeongjo’s reign was a fight to heal a wounded court without losing his crown.
Kor
Kidnapped!
Send us Fan Mail
Kidnapping and abduction attempts are on the rise in Korea, with more than nine cases per week. We break down the numbers, the shocking cases from Seoul to Jeju, and the weak court responses that leave parents furious. From lures near schools to drug-laced drinks, we look at why this trend is growing and how authorities and families are responding.
Korea's #1 ghost and dark histor
Cursed Landmarks
Send us Fan Mail
We tour Korea’s “cursed landmarks,” from the Blue House to Jongno Tower, the National Assembly, Cheonggyecheon, and beyond. These sites carry dark folklore, bad feng shui, ghost stories, and political baggage. What makes a landmark “cursed,” and why do Koreans still talk about them?
Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Get your comic at DarkS
Cruel Summer 2: Crueler Summerer
Send us Fan Mail
Our follow-up to Cruel Summer shows Korea’s August crimes were just as horrific. A shaman murdered her niece in a ritual. Couples turned their homes into crime scenes. Babies were abandoned for cash. Convenience store clerks were stabbed for no reason. This summer didn’t cool down. It only got darker.
Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Get
Cruel Summer
Send us Fan Mail
Summer in Korea sucks. This was a record-breaking year for temps. Floods were awful again. Crime was pretty damn bad, too. Big one, little details: headless body found in Taebaeksan; wearing winter clothing - so been there a while.
Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Support the show
Join our Patreon to
K-Pop Demon Hunters: Folklore & Satire
Send us Fan Mail
K-Pop Demon Hunters looks flashy on the surface, but it hides a lot of Korean folklore inside the glitter. We talk about mudang rituals, dokkaebi, tiger and magpie tricksters, and why the movie is both a tribute to K-Pop and a satire of idol culture.
Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
Support the show
J
The Wailing Woman and the Red-Hatted Ghosts of Korea | Spooky Chills Summer
Send us Fan Mail
We close out Spooky Summer with a set of chilling Korean ghost stories and urban legends. Joe shares tales of the Wailing Woman, the Red-Hatted Ghosts, and the eerie story of “Visiting the Grandparents.” Shawn brings first-hand accounts from interviews, from couples plagued by unseen forces to political hauntings at City Hall. A mix of folklore, rumor, and lived experience rounds
Ghost Stories That Grew Up With the City | Spooky Chills Summer
Send us Fan Mail
A chill night-walk through Korea’s darker folklore: we bring together old graves, cursed bills, haunted portraits, and digital terrors. Hear how a man’s midnight pit stop frees a trapped virgin ghost in 1930s Jeonju, why a gruesome urban legend is said to hide inside Korean currency, and how a painting and an elevator can quietly rewrite your life. Then we go online — the Red Room
11 Haunted Haunts of Seoul | Spooky Chills Summer
Send us Fan Mail
Shawn and Joe guide you through 11 of Seoul’s eeriest locations—from the pressure-draining crossroads at Sejong Intersection to the ginkgo-guarded spirits of Marronnier Park. Along the way you’ll encounter singing servants of a Japanese collaborator, phantom beggars at Jongmyo Park, wailing soldiers outside the university morgue, and more. Get your map ready, because these spots a
Unsettling Urban Legends | Spooky Chills Summer
Send us Fan Mail
Turn off the lights. Slip on your headphones. Tonight’s Spooky Summer episode takes you to the edge of your seat with five skin-crawling tales of the unexplained:
A lone soldier buried a war widow’s baby by moonlight—then dared to steal her ransom. What he unearthed under the old tree was far more terrifying than combat.
Three boys discover a mirror that doesn’t reflect—and a
Echoes in the Dark: Our Creepiest Stories | Spooky Chills Summer
Send us Fan Mail
Ready to pucker up from sheer creepiness? Ditch the cheery summer playlists and crank your earbuds—these tales will haunt your dreams. From phantom hands blocking elevator doors to severed pianist fingers humping keys in a jar, we’ve rounded up the nastiest, most head-scratching Korean urban legends your average tourist guide sniffs at. Think you can handle a blood-red diary dicta
Ghost Stories on Jayuro Highway | Spooky Chills Summer
Send us Fan Mail
Shawn and Joe take you on a fog-shrouded drive down Paju’s Jayuro Highway to hunt the road’s most bone-chilling legends: the Woman in Sunglasses, blood-oozing meat packages, and the cursed box no driver wants to touch. They sift witness accounts from freaked-out truckers and local ghost hunters to figure out whether these tales are urban myth or something far more sinister.
Korea'
Spooky Summer Ghost Stories 2025
Send us Fan Mail
We kick of Spooky Chills Summer 2025 with three fresh stories and more.
Brace yourselves for three spine-tinglers in Spooky Chilly Summer Part 7:
• The Hong Kong Grandma’s deadly Q&A—answer wrong, and you’re never seen again
• The Forest Chair that traps souls in a vision of their own funeral
• The Subway Ghost who still asks, “Can you take me home?”
Shawn and Joe also unveil
Prince Sado’s Madness and Murder | The Fall of Joseon, part 16 (1735-1762)
Send us Fan Mail
Prince Sado’s life reads like a gothic horror: crowned heir, but driven mad by his father’s cold perfectionism, he slew palace servants and terrorized court ladies—then was locked in a rice chest by King Yeongjo, left to die over eight harrowing days. Drawing on Lady Hyegyeong’s 1805 memoir, we untangle Sado’s paranoia, rituals, and possible political frame-up, and reveal how his
POSCO Unforged: Corruption, Accidents, & Cover-Ups
Send us Fan Mail
POSCO helped forge modern South Korea, but at what cost? We trace the company’s origins under Park Chung-hee’s grand steel plan, its “Right-Turn Spirit” cult of willpower, and its risky “backward” build strategy. Then we peel back the polish to expose repeated fatal accidents, toxic pollution, sexual assault cover-ups, and corrosive “POSCO mentality” boondoggles—from F1 circuits t
North Korea 75 Years Later with Jacco Zwetsloot (NK News Podcast)
Send us Fan Mail Seventy-five years after the Korean War began, North Korea still defines its identity by the conflict. NK News Podcast host Jacco Zwetsloot explains how Pyongyang marks the anniversary, what myths it perpetuates about victory over the U.S., and which historical flashpoints—from land reforms to the nuclear program—have shaped Kim Il Sung’s successor states. We’ll also hear Jacco’s
Unwelcome Guests: The 1871 US Incident in Korea
Send us Fan MailFeaturing Thomas Duvernay, PhD | Sinmiyangyo: The 1871 Conflict Between the United States and KoreaWhen American warships steamed into Korean waters in 1871, they ignited more than just cannon fire—they opened a chapter of resistance, cultural clash, and a legacy that still echoes today. This week, historian Dr. Thomas Duvernay guides us through the Shinmiyangyo (신미양요), the United
Yeongjo’s Quest for Balance: Ending Factional Fury | Fall of Joseon 15
Send us Fan MailAfter the Noron and Soron slaughter of 1721–22, Joseon lay fractured. When Prince Yeoning ascended as King Yeongjo, he resolved to break the cycle. Through calculated pardons, strategic reshuffles, Confucian exhortations against in-group politics, and reforms of the powerful Ministry of Personnel and private schools, Yeongjo pursued an uneasy peace. Yet rival camps continued schemi
Korea and Canada Share Folklore?
Send us Fan MailYou may find it hard to believe that two countries as different as Korea and Canada have shared folklore. Why is that? And just what do they share? In this episode, we have a listen to a presentation on the topic made at the invitation of Seoul City and the Canadian Embassy. For the video version of this episode, watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0gUR7VdRRU Korea's #1
Unexplained Deaths of Expats in Korea
Send us Fan Mail Death is inevitable, but for many expats in Korea, the cause of death remains a mystery. In this episode, we delve into the unsettling number of unexplained deaths among foreign nationals living in Korea. From recent tragedies like the case of a Bangladeshi man who collapsed on the dance floor in Hongdae to the broader statistics of migrant workers and their untimely deaths, we ex
When Love Meets Politics | Fall of Joseon, part 14
Send us Fan MailKing Sukjong's reign, beginning at just 13 years old, was a turbulent time for Joseon, marked by power struggles, love affairs, and the downfall of factions. His relationship with concubine Lady Jang became the focal point of one of the most dramatic political upheavals in Joseon history. When Sukjong named Lady Jang's son as Crown Prince, it sparked a fierce backlash from the West
Tragic Ghosts
Send us Fan MailWhat makes a ghost so moody, and why are some spirits bound to haunt the living with vengeance and sorrow? We explore the most tragic and unfulfilled spirits in Korean tradition, from wonhon—the ghosts of the forsaken, to yeommae and taejagwi—the spirits of those who died in anguish or sorrow. Join us as we uncover the stories behind these forlorn spirits and the folklore that surr
Ask Us. We Dare You!
Send us Fan MailWhat is something about Korea that’s overrated? Why is shamanism viewed so negatively? How has Korean changed since COVID? We took your questions and we answer them! Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.comSupport the showJoin our Patreon to get more stuffhttps://patreon.com/darksideofseoulBook a tour of The D
Ghost Book Sneak Peek
Send us Fan MailShawn gives us a preview of his upcoming book about Korean ghost stories, encounters, and folklore. Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.comSupport the showJoin our Patreon to get more stuffhttps://patreon.com/darksideofseoulBook a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.comPitch
Gwangjang Market: Secrets, Snacks, and the Shady Side of Seoul’s Most Famous Market
Send us Fan MailGwangjang Market is a street food paradise… but what’s lurking behind the bindaetteok stalls and mayak gimbap counters? In this episode, we dig into the tangled history of Korea’s oldest covered market—from its rebellious beginnings and refugee-fueled food scene to whispered stories of political gangsters, sky-high stall rents, and tourist price traps. Whether you’re here for crisp
Boondoggles: Korean Grand Prix
Send us Fan MailSouth Korea's hosting of the Formula One Grand Prix in Yeongam (2010-2013) was supposed to bring global prestige, but instead became one of motorsport’s biggest flops. We dive deep into how mismanagement, cultural misunderstanding, construction disasters, and financial chaos turned Korea’s ambitious F1 dreams into an international embarrassment. Along the way, we explore Korea's lo
Strange Things Found on Naver Maps
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Dark Side of Seoul Podcast, we take a deep dive into the strange, unusual, and downright bizarre things we’ve found on Naver Maps. From mysterious statues and remote tombs to quirky landmarks like the Dokdo emoji, we explore the oddities that don't always make it into guidebooks. But it's not all fun and games — some of these discoveries also bring up questio
Joseon Korea vs. Qing China: A Kingdom Caught Between Loyalty and Survival | Fall of Joseon, part 13
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Fall of Joseon, we dive into the political turmoil and military invasions that rocked Joseon Korea in the 17th century. Join us as we explore the first Qing invasion of 1627, the devastating effects of political factionalism, and the lasting consequences for Joseon’s political landscape. From King Injo’s chaotic rise to power and the internal conflicts of the
Korean Tourism 50 Years Ago
Send us Fan Mail What was Korea like for tourists in 1975? In this episode, we explore the unique travel experience of that time, based on a fascinating book from the era. From the government’s tourism promotions to the must-see sites of the day, discover what Korea looked like for international travelers half a century ago. Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.
Tapgol Park
Send us Fan MailJoin us as we explore the history of Tapgol Park, a significant landmark in Seoul. From its origins as a temple site to its role in pivotal events like the March 1st Movement, Tapgol Park is woven into the fabric of Korea's modern history. Learn about its transformation, struggles with urban development, and what the future holds for this beloved public space. Korea's #1 ghost and
Friendly Fire
Send us Fan MailIn The Dark Side of Seoul Podcast episode "Friendly Fire," we investigate a tragic mistake during a live-fire drill in Pocheon, South Korea. Joint ROK-USA military exercises led to accidental shelling of a civilian area, injuring over 25 people and causing significant damage. What went wrong? We discuss pilot errors, the lack of coordination, and what it reveals about the ongoing r
Korean Funerals
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the emotional and cultural significance of Korean funeral rites, as seen through the lens of a recent family funeral. From the preparation and altar arrangements to the mourning rituals and final burial, we cover the detailed process that many families experience. Whether you’re curious about the customs or looking for an etiquette guide for attending a
School Murder
Send us Fan MailIn this somber episode, we discuss the tragic murder of elementary school student Kim Ha-neul, allegedly at the hands of a teacher, and the ongoing investigation into the case. This incident has shocked the nation and raised significant concerns about school safety in Korea. Was this murder an isolated case, or does it highlight systemic issues in the education system? We delve int
Korean Conspiracy Theories
Send us Fan MailExplore the rising tide of conspiracy theories in Korea, from government cover-ups to ideological divides, and how these beliefs are shaping the nation’s political landscape.Media recommendationClassic Mr. Pizza ad: The True Origins of Pizza (한글자막) Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.comSupport the showJoin o
King Injo: Factionalism, Rebellion, Factionalism | Fall of Joseon, part 12
Send us Fan MailKing Injo: Factionalism, Rebellion, Factionalism | Fall of Joseon, Part 12 delves into the turbulent reign of King Injo, who ascended to the throne following the downfall of Gwanghae-gun. Amidst the chaos of factional strife, his reign became defined by rebellion, power struggles, and intense political maneuvering. With Joseon deeply divided, Injo fought for legitimacy and control
Korean Ghosts of the 15th Century: Poltergeists, Spirits, and Vengeance
Send us Fan Mail
We’re taking a step back in time to the 15th century to uncover how ghosts were viewed in early Korean culture. From poltergeist activity to terrifying apparitions, this episode challenges today’s popular ghost stories and offers a look into the eerie events of ancient Korea.
Join our Patreon to get more stuff
https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul
Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seo
Murder! Or Self Defense?
Send us Fan Mail 🚨 What Happens When Self-Defence Goes Wrong in Korea? 🚨In this gripping episode, we examine the case of Choi Mal-ja, who defended herself from an attacker and received a prison sentence for it. Why did Korean law not recognize her self-defence? Tune in to hear how this case unfolds, the legal issues around self-defence in Korea, and the retrial that may finally bring justice.This
Squid Game 2: Korean Culture Elements You Missed, Part 2
Send us Fan MailWe dive into as many Korean cultural nuances we could find that may have had you scratching your head while watching Squid Game 2. Also, get out your maps because we track down almost every single filming location in Seoul.Join our Patreon to get more stuffhttps://patreon.com/darksideofseoulBook a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.comCreditsProduc
Squid Game 2: Korean Culture Elements You Missed, Part 1
Send us Fan MailWe dive into as many Korean cultural nuances we could find that may have had you scratching your head while watching Squid Game 2. Also, get out your maps because we track down almost every single filming location in Seoul.Guest: Ron ChangSPOILERS AHEADJoin our Patreon to get more stuffhttps://patreon.com/darksideofseoulBook a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://da
Did She Really Murder Her Father?
Send us Fan Mail🚨 Parricide Case Revisited 🚨In this gripping episode, we cover the strange and convoluted case of Kim Shin-hye, a woman convicted of killing her father in 2000. What started as a confession of revenge for sexual abuse later spirals into claims of coercion and police misconduct. This chilling case has captivated headlines again with a retrial set for 2025.Tune in for an in-depth loo
Ask Us Anything: From Hiking to Han Kang, We’re Answering It All
Send us Fan MailIn this special year-end episode, we answer your questions on hiking, Han Kang, living in Korea, and more! Tune in for fun insights and personal thoughts. Do you think that hiking is getting more popular with tourists?Why don’t you create more content? You could have 10s of 1000s of followers! (I posted this)What’s something about living in Korea that travellers don’t know?What are
The Courageous Rooster: Lessons from Korean Folklore and Culture
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we dive into the rich symbolism of the rooster in Korean culture, or dak-ddi (닭띠). Known for their courage, honesty, and strong personality traits, roosters play a significant role in Korean mythology and folklore. From their association with the dawn and their role in warding off evil, to their connection with Dangun’s founding myth, roosters embody new beginnings
