Off the Page Podcast

This week, Michelle and Sewon discuss Soft Burial by Fang Fang. The novel explores the tragedy that unfolds within two landlord families during China’s land reform period, as well as the life of a protagonist who, burdened by deep trauma, loses her memories of the past. Through her story and those of the people around her, the novel portrays how individuals lived through that turbulent era.Moving between China’s past and present, the narrative reveals how pain and suffering transcend time, leaving lasting echoes across generations. As they read the novel’s unfolding tragedy, Michelle and Sewon couldn’t help but be reminded of the Jeju April 3rd Incident.In remembrance of the victims of the Jeju April 3rd Incident, we dedicate this episode to them.*Coming Up Next: The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh*00:00 Intro: Michelle learns a new swimming stroke & Sewon sneaks in a precious 30-minute pre-yoga nap10:00 Michelle's post-swim exhaustion, Sewon's diet struggles, and an endless food talk25:16 About Project Hail Mary31:38 Sewon’s new YouTube crush (feat. 파이아키아나보세요~!)38:45 Soft Burial1:00:58 The April 3rd Incident1:23:05 Outro + next week’s book

This week, Michelle and Sewon take a closer look at the Netflix original The Art of Sarah (레이디 두아)—a story of a woman who, driven by circumstance, reinvents herself through multiple identities in a relentless pursuit of success.The series explores the tension between opposites—real and fake, light and darkness—revealing a character who is constantly pulled between what is seen and what lies beneath.*Coming up next: Soft Burial (연매장) by Fang Fang (팡팡)*00:00 Intro: Why we missed last week’s recording + Sewon’s fun first virtual meeting with Michelle’s friend Su!09:20 Coach’s new mini-book keychains: the Honmono (혼모노) keyring is out!17:20 Contemporary vs. earlier Korean literature20:25 We need to read more Korean literature! (featuring We Love Poetry (우시사) by Munhakdongne, Seoul Review of Books (서울리뷰오브북스), Prof. Youngmin Kim (김영민 교수님) aka the legendary Chuseok guy, Korean.American.Podcast ❤️, our office book club, Michelle getting shy over her professor’s encouragement, and Sewon’s obsession with the “안녕이라 그랬어” episode)32:25 The Art of Sarah (⚠️Spoiler alert + enjoy some impromptu acting by Michelle & Sewon!)39:44 Sewon discovers the concept of “입전개” + thoughts on Mu-gyeong + super charming Sarah50:22 Yeo-jin and Sarah’s relationship… is it love?1:01:16 Sewon’s favorite episode of The Art of Sarah (aka “Teatime”)1:06:10 What does “Lottbon Keul-mee Eun-jang” even mean?1:10:30 Seong-shin and Sarah… is it love?1:20:06 Two reasons Sewon didn’t love The Art of Sarah 1:23:58 Michelle & Sewon’s thoughts on luxury handbags (+ Sewon getting teased at work for wearing a backpack 🤣)1:30:13 Michelle’s final thoughts on The Art of Sarah1:32:47 Outro + next week’s book

This week, Michelle and Sewon talk about Gabriel García Márquez’s "No One Writes to the Colonel" and Kurt Vonnegut’s "Slaughterhouse-Five."The two novels confront the brutal realities of war, the lingering pain carried by those who survive it, and the profound sense of life’s fragility and absurdity—all expressed through remarkably concise and restrained prose. Although these books were published in the 1950s and 1960s, war has not disappeared in 2026. In that sense, the messages of both works remain painfully relevant today. If you’d like to explore the quiet sorrow and clear-eyed humanity captured by these two great writers—stay tuned!*Coming Up Next: The Art of Sarah (레이디 두아) (Netflix Original)*00:00 Intro: Sewon's voice issue08:40 Special thanks to our mutual friend: Sunny P!13:10 Michelle's weekend updates: the so-called "wet pigs'(capybaras')" trip to Inje (인제) and Sokcho (속초)28:30 Sewon's weekend updates: how she ended up visiting Taebaek (태백) six times48:08 1st book of this week, 아무도 대령에게 편지하지 않다 (No One Writes to the Colonel)1:10:45 2nd book of this week, 제5도살장 (Slaughterhouse-Five)1:37:20 Outro + next week’s book(X) Netflix original series(O)

*삶의 경험이 쌓이면서 원한의 무가치함을 깨달았기 때문이다.The more I have lived, the clearer it has become that a life filled with hate and anger is not one worth living.因為從更多的生活經驗中, 我逐漸認識到,懷著怨恨的人生是不值得過的。*This week, Michelle and Sewon talk about the book called “I Deliver Parcels in Beijing” by Hu Anyan. This memoir follows a young man in China who moves through nineteen different jobs—from nighttime warehouse loading and parcel delivery to working at a bicycle shop, a gas station, and even launching an online shopping mall—while documenting the realities of life under capitalism. Contrary to what he was taught by his parents—that one only needs to work diligently and avoid burdening others—the economic marketplace demands shrewdness and street smarts from those trying to survive as workers, and personal freedom is constantly under threat. If you’re curious whether it’s possible to live as a worker without losing one’s sense of freedom—and how this young man confronts that question head-on—stay tuned!*Coming Up Next: “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut and “No One Writes to the Colonel” by Gabriel García Márquez*00:00 Intro in Chinese (surprise!)01:28 Podcast 제조 schedule: Thursdays have become the last day of the week06:23 Michelle's weekend updates: she went to see the play 살아있는 자를 수선하기 again!13:40 Sewon's weekend updates: her poor time management and TOCFL test25:30 Book of this week, 나는 북경의 택배기사입니다 (I Deliver Parcels in Beijing)59:55 Short readings from the book (in Korean and in English)1:30:48 Outro + next week’s book

This week, Michelle and Sewon talk about 김애란 (Kim Ae-ran)’s short story collection 안녕이라 그랬어 (They Said "Annyeong"). Acclaimed as “a work that sharply demonstrates a distinctive ability to capture the particles of emotion drifting through social spaces and render them with clarity,” 안녕이라 그랬어 (They Said "Annyeong) brings together seven short stories that construct a richly layered world through powerful emotional resonance and probing dilemmas. In this collection, “space” emerges as a central motif—not merely functioning as background, but as something inseparable from the characters’ very lives. Certain spaces serve as markers of one’s economic and social standing while also operating as complex, holistic sites that contain the full history of a person. The conflicts that unfold around these spaces therefore become clashes between differing standards of life. (Kyobobook book description, translated excerpt)Curious which story Michelle and Sewon picked as their favorite—and what moved Michelle to tears? Stay tuned!*Coming Up Next: 나는 북경의 택배기사입니다 by 후안옌 (I Deliver Parcels in Beijing by Hu Anyan)*00:00 Intro: Timestamp announcement01:42 Michelle's Seollal updates: time spent in 경산 (Gyeongsan) and 청도 (Cheongdo)04:45 Listener feedback07:45 Podcast visual update + special thanks to Michelle's friend!10:35 Sewon's Seollal updates: family trip to 마산 (Masan) and her all-time favorite 경상 (Gyeongsang) regional specialty, 콩국15:25 Book of this week, 안녕이라 그랬어 (They Said "Annyeong") and the terms "계급통 (class anxiety)," "서민통 (working-class pain)"20:13 홈 파티 (Home Party)26:30 숲속 작은 집 (A Small House in the Forest)36:15 좋은 이웃 (A Kind Neighbor)42:27 이물감 (A Sense of Discomfort)50:27 레몬케이크 (Lemon Cake) + Sewon reflects on her mixed feelings about her aging parents58:42 안녕이라 그랬어 (They Said "Annyeong") + the benefits of communicating in a foreign language (in relationships)1:06:03 빗방울처럼 (Like Raindrops) + what made Michelle cry while reading on the bus + why Sewon thinks people want to make more money1:19:21 Michelle and Sewon's favorites1:19:55 Outro + next week’s book

This week, Michelle and Sewon talk about the Japanese horror novel “About a Place in the Kinki Region,” comparing Japanese and Korean ghosts and sharing their thoughts on the book. They also reflect on their weekend experiences, with Michelle attending the play “살아있는 자를 수선하기 (Repairing the Living)” and Sewon visiting the 국립부여박물관 (Buyeo National Museum) to see the 백제금동대향로 (Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner of Baekje).We are aiming to upload new episodes weekly for the time being—stay tuned!-Coming Up Next: 안녕이라 그랬어 by Kim Ae-ran-00:00 Intro: 2026 Super Bowl LX Halftime Show 11:48 Michelle's Friends' Reaction to the Pilot25:56 Weekend Update: Michelle's Thoughts on the Play She Saw35:30 Weekend Update: Sewon's Short Trip to Buyeo51:16 긴키 지방의 어느 장소에 대하여 (About a Place in the Kinki Region)

Two Korean colleagues, Michelle and Sewon, are starting a podcast!Each week, we share a bit about our everyday lives and talk about what we’ve been reading lately.We’re not entirely sure how our conversations will go, but we’re giving it a try and seeing what happens!