[Spoiler Alert] Happy Pride Month! Grace discusses the show When the Stars Gossip (2025, tvN) starring Gong Hyo-jin and Lee Min-ho, written by Seo Sook-hyang and directed by Park Shin-woo. Grace wonders when a K-drama will allow a woman to have sex and get pregnant out of wedlock and not be punished by death in the end. Grace’s guest is the very talented Los Angeles-based clown Oscar Fuentes (@irongogi on Instagram). They discuss clown “rules,” feedback, art, rejection, love and California Pizza...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 196
[Spoiler Alert] Happy Pride Month! Grace discusses the show Tastefully Yours (2025, ENA) written by Jung Soo-yoon starring Kang Ha-neul, Go Min-si, Kim Shin-rok and Yoo Su-bin directed by Park Dan-hee. Grace is impressed by Go Min-si’s transformation after her terrifying appearance in The Frog . She is also fascinated by how the show emulates Seon Buddhist nun Jeong Kwan’s culinary skills and the cultural significance of that. Grace’s guest is Madison-based comedian and comedy show producer John...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 195
[Spoiler Alert] Happy Pride Month! Grace discusses the show When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025, Netflix) written by Lim Sang-choon starring IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon directed by Kim Won-seok. Grace compares the show to the Reply series and how they utilize nostalgia triggering materials and historic markers to hail Korean audiences with retro items. Grace also offers a thorough update as to why she hasn’t been podcasting—mostly because she’s been adjusting to a whole new li...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 194
Grace will be performing stand-up in Milwaukee at Pomona Cider Company on September 13th! No K-drama coverage today. Grace is super tired after her first week of teaching. She went on a night hike for the first time in a very long time and saw some beautiful things. She is also adjusting to Wisconsin’s active scene. She hopes to make the most of it. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available everywhere as a hardcover, paperback, e-book ...
Sep 09, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 193
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show The Frog (2024, Netflix) starring Kim Yoon-seok, Yoon Kye-sang, Go Min-si and Lee Jung-eun, directed by Mo Wan-il. This is part two of the series coverage. Grace wonders where the demented cruelty of the female antagonist comes from. She also wonders what the bigger overarching message of the show is. Perhaps the show ought to have been just a film or ended at a stranger point. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean...
Sep 02, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 192
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show The Frog (2024, Netflix) starring Kim Yoon-seok, Yoon Kye-sang, Go Min-si and Lee Jung-eun, directed by Mo Wan-il who also directed The World of the Married . This is part one of the series coverage. Grace will continue the show’s coverage next week in part two. Grace is impressed by Mo’s filmic stylings as a TV director, comparing him to the Safdie brothers. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is avai...
Aug 26, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 191
Grace has three shows coming up this weekend. August 23rd at the Den Theater in Chicago, August 24th at Zanies Comedy Club in Chicago and August 25th at the Milwaukee Improv. [Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Born Again (2020, KBS) starring Jang Ki-yong, Jin Se-yeon and Lee Soo-hyuk. Grace appreciates Jang Ki-yong’s role playing a mentally unstable character. It is exactly what she needed. She also loves how terrible the show is. She qualifies it as a makjang for the books. Grace’s new bo...
Aug 19, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 190
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Miss Night and Day (2024) starring Lee Jung-eun and Jung Eun-ji, and K-drama productions’ laudable choice to cast middle-aged women as the lead on a show. Grace’s guest today is former Berlin comedian Shirah Roth who is currently based in Israel working as a teacher to children on the autism spectrum. They discuss how to surrender to what it is moment-by-moment, honoring wildness, the unpredictability of life, being an old soul, ice prince, and how domest...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 189
No K-drama today. Grace talks about going out dancing, learning about contemporary pop artists from a Gen-Zer and finding alignment, peace and calm. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available everywhere now: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/9780762485727/ Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show at http://www.patreon.com/kdramaschool . Visit the K-Drama Schoo...
Aug 05, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 188
[Spoiler Alert] Grace is in clown make-up today as she discusses the show Tell Me That You Love Me (2023, Disney+) based on a Japanese TV show from 1995. Grace admires Jung Woo-sung’s acting chops playing a deaf/mute person but doesn’t understand Shin Hyun-been’s appeal as a performer. There are several quotes that Grace loves from this show which she shares. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available everywhere now: https://www.h...
Jul 29, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 187
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Connect (2022, Disney+) based on a webtoon by Shin Dae-jung and directed by Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike starring Jung Hae-in, Go Kyung-pyo and Kim Hye-jun. Grace critiques Go Kyung-pyo’s unconvincing performance as a psycho killer but praises Miike’s mise-en-scene choices throughout the show as well as the very original storyline. Grace tears down King Spa and Sauna in Chicago as a shitty place to relax due to poor customer service and the disgruntle...
Jul 22, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 186
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses an old-school show entitled Maestra (2024, tvN) starring Lee Young-ae. She compares it to Tár, Youth, and Mozart in the Jungle . She discusses the heroine Cha Se-eum’s character and what it means to be an ambitious modern Korean woman with no one to rely on or trust in a competitive society today. Grace problematizes the show’s unsympathetic portrayal of drug addicts. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is avai...
Jul 15, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 185
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses an old-school show entitled Summer Scent (2003, KBS) starring Song Seung-hun and Son Ye-jin directed by hallyu K-drama director Yoon Seok-ho of Autumn in My Heart (2000) and Winter Sonata (2002). Grace mentions the Coen brothers’ A Serious Man (2009) and compares its essential message to Zen Buddhism. Grace wonders what Indian saints who live with nothing would think of Grace’s materialist consumer lifestyle in America. Grace has relocated to Madison, WI and makin...
Jul 08, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 184
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (2024, tvN) starring Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon directed by Ahn Pan-seok who directed shows like Something in the Rain and One Spring Night . The show focuses on cram school teachers who are paid well for their work while teachers remain underpaid. Grace comments on the chemistry between the two lead actors. But Grace was blown away by Seo Jung-yeon’s performance and admires the show’s mise-en-scene whenever her character ...
Jul 01, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 183
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Shoot for the Stars (2002, SBS) starring a young Jo In-sung, Jeon Do-yeon, and comedic actor Park Sang-myun. Grace appreciates the chemistry among these talented performers, especially the comedy brilliance between supporting actress Byun Jung-soo and Park Sang-myun. Grace also wonders why New York spends so much money on advertising how great it is when it’s not a city that requires such. Grace is also critical of Disney’s K-drama curation and how awful ...
Jun 24, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 182
[Spoiler Alert] Grace lists some queer K-dramas to celebrate pride month, and some Korean actors who are queerly iconic in her book. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available everywhere now: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/9780762485727/ Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show at http://www.patreon.com/kdramaschool . Visit the K-Drama School Store at ...
Jun 17, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 181
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Sweet Proposal (AKA Delicious Proposal ) starring Jung Joon, Son Ye-jin, So Ji-sub and So Yujin. Grace is at the last stop of her cross-country road trip. Grace celebrates pride month by declaring all K-dramas queer. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available everywhere now: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/9780762485727/ Please visit K-Drama School’s Pat...
Jun 10, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 180
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the show Hi, Bye Mama! starring Kim Tae-hee. Grace also gives an update on her road trip cross country back to New York. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available everywhere now: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/9780762485727/ Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show at http://www.patreon.com/kdramaschool . Visit the K-Drama S...
Jun 03, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 179
No K-drama today. Grace had a very hectic week. Her car got broken into and got her equipment stolen. She also wrote, directed, produced and starred in a short film. Grace is preparing for courses she will be teaching in the fall and spring, and discusses what she’ll be covering. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available everywhere now: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/9780762485727/ Please vis...
May 27, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 178
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the latest Netflix series The 8 Show starring Korean Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee and Bae Seong-woo as the clown. Grace explores the clown as an archetype and compares it to the Korean clown or “gwangdae” which dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available everywhere now: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/9780762485727/ Please visit K-D...
May 20, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 177
[Spoiler Alert] Grace is leaving Los Angeles and feels a little blue but she is excited for the next chapter ahead. She discusses the show Lovestruck in the City (2020) and the mockumentary format’s advantages and disadvantages. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available everywhere now: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/9780762485727/ Please visit K-Drama School’s Patreon page to support the show ...
May 13, 2024•20 min
[Spoiler Alert] Grace hosts a live recording of the K-Drama School podcast at the Hollywood Improv Comedy Club in Los Angeles to celebrate her new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television . She interviews her returning guests Ruby Bockmeier, Zack Chapaloni and Josh Edelman who play the flashcard game with her on shows like You Raise Me Up, Anna, and Queen of Tears . Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is a...
May 06, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 175
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the K-drama series Queen of Tears (Netflix, 2024) starring Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun. Grace applauds Kim Soo-hyun’s comedic performance and Kim Ji-won’s knack for melodrama. But there is the question of how shows like this tend to humanize and fetishize heteronormative chaebol families while vilifying those on the margins like orphans, single mothers, and those who come from poverty. Grace ties this into her critique of Korean chaebol groups and their economic, ...
Apr 29, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 174
[Spoiler Alert] Grace has a show at the Hollywood Improv on April 29th to celebrate her book launch and record K-Drama School podcast live with very special returning comedian guests Ruby Bockmeier, Zack Chapaloni and Josh Edelman. Grace discusses the K-drama series The Sound of Magic (Netflix, 2022) starring Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun and Hwang In-youp. Grace is impressed by the layers of its production background and the performance by the lead actors. Grace is also struggling with depressio...
Apr 22, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 173
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the K-drama series Welcome to Samdal-ri (JTBC, 2023-2024) and what failure means in the context of this current economy as well as how the show conceptualizes failure at life. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available for pre-order with a 20% discount until April 23, 2024! Use code KDRAMA20 at checkout on the Hachette Book Group webpage: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-jung/k-drama-school/...
Apr 15, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 172
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the K-drama series Be Melodramatic (JTBC, 2019) co-written and co-directed by filmmaker Lee Byeong-heon. The show is co-written by Kim Young-young and co-directed by Kim Hye-young. The series stars Han Gong-ju lead actress Chun Woo-hee, Vincenzo ’s Jeon Yeo-been and Han Ji-eun alongside Reply 1988 series alum Ahn Jae-hong and Gong Myung. Grace thanks a long-time listener for the show recommendation and praises Be Melodramatic ’s story, production and brilliant per...
Apr 08, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 171
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the K-drama series Chicken Nugget (2024, Netflix) starring Ryu Seong-ryong, Ahn Jae-hong and Kim Yoo-jung with cameo appearances by Jung Ho-yeon and Park Jin-young. Grace comments on filmmaker Lee Byeong-hun’s absurdist style on the show. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available for pre-order with a 20% discount until April 23, 2024! Use code KDRAMA20 at checkout on the Hachette Book Group webpage: http...
Apr 01, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 170
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the K-drama series You Raise Me Up (2021, Wavve) starring Yoon Shi-yoon and Hani of the K-pop girl group EXID. You Raise Me Up impresses Grace with its brilliant premise, hilarious title, and excellent performers. She also wonders why Yoon Shi-yoon's career didn't flourish as much after winning a Best Actor Award for his role as Kim Tak-gu. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available for pre-order with a 2...
Mar 25, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 169
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the K-drama series Doctor Slump (2024, JTBC) starring Park Shin-hye and Park Hyung-sik, written by Baek Sun-woo. Grace also notes a pattern of disillusionment among K-drama yuppies that all have a nostalgic longing for the slow life in a rural or agrarian environment with earthy neighbors and lifestyles. Grace’s new book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television is available for pre-order with a 20% discount until April 23, 2024! Use...
Mar 18, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 168
[Spoiler Alert] Grace discusses the K-drama series She Would Never Know (2021, JTBC) starring Won Jin-ah and Rowoon, observing similarities between this show and One Spring Night directed by Ahn Pan-seok. Grace also notes a pattern in Korean male characters that she is attracted to, as well as She Would Never Know ’s intense queerness, which she compares to Angels in America. Grace opens up about how the Pisces New Moon, the aftershock of the industry’s strike last year and her emotional overwhe...
Mar 11, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 167
