American K-sisters

The season is changing, and it is time for us to wrap up the Season 4. In this last episode of the season, Heena and Linda share what they have enjoyed and learned from the last two seasons, recording all the episodes in English. They also talk about the challenges they experienced and how they resolved the issues working together as best friends. There is a big announcement at the end, so stay tuned! [Mentioned In This Episode] Episode 21: Who Are American K-sisters? From Hot Seat Questions to the Advent of Our Podcast   Get Updates on Heena’s Future Project from this channel and our Instagram account @AmericanKsisters   Follow Linda! Sign up for Linda’s monthly essayletter at DefinitelyNotOkay.com See Linda’s artwork on Instagram @KoreanLinda Her Goodbye Grandmother Project on Instagram @GoodbyeGrandmother   [More on American K-sisters] Website: AmericanKsisters.com Instagram: @AmericanKsisters YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        Music: MissChristineMusic.com

How has your Summer been? Have you traveled anywhere for your vacation, or are you planning a trip in the near future? In this episode, Linda talks about her recent trip to ‘down under’, Australia and New Zealand (Aotearoa), where she suffered a near heart attack from quokka’s cuteness and proudly donned a Korean flag during the 2023 Women’s World Cup games even when Korean players were not playing (find out more in the episode!). Also, Linda shares that she powered through seasickness with Gin Gin during her trip and wrote a letter to BTS RM! Are you ready for Linda’s spectacular travel story?   [Mentioned in this Episode] Quokka   Kia ora   Aotearoa   Māori people   BTS Bon Voyage Season 4 (2019)   Note 1: Hooligans and ultras, groups of soccer fans often associated with violence and disorderly behavior at soccer matches, are the words Heena couldn’t remember (15:18) Note 2: The video Heena mentioned in the show (31:10) is actually from a Rugby game   [More on American K-sisters] Website: AmericanKsisters.com Instagram: @AmericanKsisters YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        Music: MissChristineMusic.com

True friends don’t come by easily, especially when you are all grown-up and do not belong to any schools or organizations. In this episode, Linda and Heena talk about various aspects of friendship they have experienced.  Linda has become quite good at finding new social groups through frequent moves but confesses challenges in developing the relationships further. As an ‘introverted’ social butterfly, Heena practices her socializing skills at work and alumni events. They also share the hardship of losing friends due to inevitable alienations and other life circumstances. How do you usually make & maintain friendships? Share your tips & memorable friendship stories with us!      [Mentioned in this Episode] Episode 30: How We Became American K-sisters, From Greeting with Ni-hao to Making a Korean Podcast Together    Meetup.com Eventbrite: A website where you can browse, create, and promote local events   [More on American K-sisters] Website: AmericanKsisters.com Instagram: @AmericanKsisters YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        Music: MissChristineMusic.com

‘The aftermath of a road rage incident between two strangers who brought chaos to each other’s life’ perfectly describes the 2023 Emmy nominee Netflix show ‘Beef’.    In this episode, Linda and Heena review the show from a variety of angles - from personal experiences with anger and depression to social issues such as immigration, wealth gaps, and parental relationships.   A BIG SPOILER ALERT: If you haven’t watched the show, pause our episode right now and come back after finishing the show!   [SHOWNOTE] Watch Beef on Netflix The New Yorker Review: Comic High Jinks and Repressed Despair in Netflix’s “Beef”   [More on American K-sisters] Website: AmericanKsisters.com Instagram: @AmericanKsisters YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Shaya Morgan (she/her) has been a K-pop fan for eight years. Her first encounter was Psy’s Gangnam Style, and the girl group Sistar led her into the myriad of K-pop songs and dances. Her ult group is Exo, but a variety of artists fill her 58-hour-long Spotify playlist. Shaya, as a Guyanese American, also shares her personal experiences of navigating anti-Black sentiments in K-pop music and its fandom.    [Mentioned in This Episode] Shaya’s IG Shaya’s Spotify playlist: The Ultimate K-POP Playlist        EXO’s Showtime (2013) YouTube reaction video for EXO - EX’ACT album   [More on American K-sisters] Website: AmericanKsisters.com Instagram: @AmericanKsisters YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Happy Summer! We can’t believe half of 2023 has passed by already. How’s your year been so far? Are you still sticking with your new year’s plans?    In this episode, Linda and Heena check in on their individual goals and share their progress. Tune in to learn more about Linda’s beautiful artwork and Heena’s new passion projects (which you can sign up for!)    What’s your biggest gain in the first half of this year and what are you looking forward to in its second half? Let us know by taking a poll on our Instagram story @AmericanKsisters!    [Linda’s Creative Work] Subscribe to the Monthly Essay at DefinitelyNotOkay.com May Essayletter: Rest in Peace, Moonbin Artwork on IG @KoreanLinda Goodbye Grandmother Project IG @GoodbyeGrandmother Instagram #Testercall (knitting and crochet patterns) Crochet BT21 Mang with no mask #KoreanLindaCrochet   [Heena’s Projects] If you’re a young professional navigating your career or a recent graduate, reach out to Heena at AmericanKsisters@gmail.com for a casual career talk and Q&A 희나언니와 커피챗 - 미국 유학 & 취업 상담 Peloton digital app membership   [More on American K-sisters] Website: AmericanKsisters.com Instagram: @AmericanKsisters YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        Music: MissChristineMusic.com  

We invited our music sponsor Miss Christine to talk about walking on their journey of queer discoveries and creating space for queer folks in their original songs. Christine Moad, a bassist and singer-songwriter, blends indie rock with blues and soul influences delivered with a defiant punk attitude to open listeners’ minds to possibilities beyond the gender binary. This episode is a fantastic way to wrap up Pride month; however, remember that the struggles and celebration of LGBTQ+ lives continue throughout the year.   [Miss Christine Bio] Christine Moad has traveled the world from Tennessee to Monaco as a professionally touring bassist. They attended the Berklee College of Music before gaining experience as a session musician in Nashville. Christine defied expectations yet again by leaving Nashville behind for a farm near Iowa City where they write and record their original songs. Miss Christine released their debut solo album, Conversion, in 2019. The follow-up, “Bittersweet,” is now available on CD with a digital release set for 2023.   [Miss Christine Links] Miss Christin Website New album Bittersweet Instagram @MissChristineMusic   [Book Recommendations by Christine] Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon Ace by Angela Chen How to They/Them by Stuart Getty  What's Your Pronoun?: Beyond He and She by Dennis Baron How to Be You: Stop Trying to Be Someone Else and Start Living Your Life by Jeffrey Marsh   [LGBTQ Resource List from Christine] Genderbread person The Trevor Project Resources One Iowa Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund Twitter @ErinIntheMorn (an independent journalist who posts frequently about LGBTQ news around the country)   [More on American K-sisters] Website: AmericanKsisters.com Instagram: @AmericanKsisters YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        Music: MissChristineMusic.com

June has something special to celebrate: LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH! To join the celebration, we invited a special guest: our cohost Linda. Linda talks about her queer identity and learning about each one. Also, she shares the story of coming out to herself, her partner, friends, and family over several years. Heena helps out with the conversation with various questions including “What are your day-to-day challenges of living in this hetero-normative society?” “What would you like to say to our queer listeners?”   [Time Stamps] (00:00) Intro (00:23) Opening: Today’s Topic (01:34) Linda’s Queer Identities (17:14) Coming Out Story (30:26) Daily Challenges (40:16) Messages to Queer Listeners   [Mentioned in This Episode]                                                       Meetup.com Resources compiled by The Trevor Project   [More on American K-sisters] Website: AmericanKsisters.com Instagram: @AmericanKsisters YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        Music: MissChristineMusic.com

American K-sisters did not begin as sisters (We are not blood-related). We actually met at a Meetup group to practice the Chinese language. Huh? Get to know the backstory of how Heena and Linda met and became best buddies. We will share the memorable moments of getting closer and the wishes we have for ourselves. We also announce the end of Season 3 at the end. See you soon!    [Time Stamps] (00:00) Intro (00:23) Opening (Today’s Topic) (02:25) What we do together (11:58) How we met (19:00) Moments we got closer (25:00) Wishes for ourselves (30:18) Closing and End of Season 3   [Mentioned in This Episode] Meetup.com   [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Who is ready for spring? Me, me, me! While Heena and Linda eagerly await spring, they share all sorts of ways they try to stay active and upbeat during the winter. Attending Zumba online and using light boxes surely help. Also, you can’t miss videos of gorgeous k-pop idols and steamy Korean soup. Join in with a cup of your favorite tea! We are sure that spring will knock on our doors any time soon.    [Time Stamps] (00:25) Opening - Today’s Topic (03:23) How has your winter been? (13:18) Favorite winter food (21:08) What we look forward to in spring (28:01) Closing - Next episode   [Mentioned in This Episode] Resources - K-pop dance classes online and in NYC: ILoveDanceNYC.com  - Online exercise classes: OnePeloton.com - Light Therapy Box: verilux.com Korean Food - 된장찌개 doenjang jjigae: fermented soybean paste stew - 떡만두국 Tteok Mandu Guk: Rice Cake Soup with Dumplings - 쌈장 Ssamjang (Korean spicy dipping sauce) K-pop Reality Videos - BTS In The Soop - Seventeen In The Soop   [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com

We hope you all had a heart-warming Valentine’s Day full of love, including love for yourself! To celebrate February, the month of love in all shapes, American K-sisters continue their talk about relationships. We put together two awesome K-wives: Linda and our special guest Sandra. You might ask, “What is a K-wife?” We define K-wife as a Korean woman married to a non-Korean partner. In this episode, Linda and Sandra shared marriage stories, including pushbacks from their families and unforgettable unique weddings. Share this episode with your romantic partners and friends rocking in their international, intercultural, and interracial marriages!   [Time Stamps] (00:24) Today’s topic (03:01) Fun wedding parties (25:22) Challenges - family issues (39:20) What’s special about your marriage? (51:45) Wrap-up & next episode   fun way to push people out of their comfort zones and learn more about their preferences. Heena and Linda chose 10 questions related to dating and relationships to celebrate love abound in the month of Valentine’s Day. Ranging from high school crushes to love languages, their talk knocked on every corner of their hearts. Join in with your favorite sweets or a cup of hot chocolate!    [Time Stamps] (00:23) Today’s topic (02:41) 100 messages a day or 1 message a month? + more questions! (22:38) Are you up for a marriage proposal in front of thousands of people? + more questions! (42:38) Wrap-up and next episode   [Mentioned in This Episode] - Check out episode 22 'Celebrating Holidays as an International and Interracial Couple' (Special Guest: Linda’s Chris)   [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com

“Would you rather get 100 messages a day or one message a month?” Balance game is a fun way to push people out of their comfort zones and learn more about their preferences. Heena and Linda chose 10 questions related to dating and relationships to celebrate love abound in the month of Valentine’s Day. Ranging from high school crushes to love languages, their talk knocked on every corner of their hearts. Join in with your favorite sweets or a cup of hot chocolate!    [Time Stamps] (00:23) Today’s topic (02:41) 100 messages a day or 1 message a month? + more questions! (22:38) Are you up for a marriage proposal in front of thousands of people? + more questions! (42:38) Wrap-up and next episode   [Mentioned in This Episode] 5LoveLanguages.com   [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com  

Do you like K-pop? If so, what is your favorite group and who is your bias? In this episode, Linda & Heena enthusiastically talks about the K-pop artists they’re obsessed with, from the all-time favorite, BTS and Seventeen, to the 4th generation groups such as NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM. If you’re going to say “Ditto” to everything we said in the episode, check out our show notes to learn more about the artists & their songs we mentioned in the show. Enjoy!   [Timestamps] (00:00) Intro (4:41) NewJeans & RM (19:07) Lee Jinhyuk, H1-Key & LE SSERAFIM (32:16) Closing & Next Episode    [Mentioned in this Episode] NewJeans song of Linda and Heena's dance class: Ditto (Spotify Link) RM’s new album: Indigo (Spotify Link) RM 'Indigo' album interview (YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/lRy8OYhLO-A) RM’s Indigo concert (YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/6ZIh3ZLbUv8) J-hope 'Jack in the Box' album interview (YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/umSGz3WtLMg) H1-Key’s new song: Rose Blossom (Spotify Link) LE SSERAFIM documentary (YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/mjcJOJkNPRw) Heena’s LE SSERAFIM EP 1&2 combined playlist (Spotify Link) Linda & Heena's favorite dance studio: ILoveDance NYC (http://www.ilovedancenyc.com/)   [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Have you had many gatherings over the holiday season? What did you like or dislike about the events you attended? In this episode, American K-sisters talk about their experiences of participating in social events as an introvert (Heena) and an extrovert (Linda) as well as personal preferences. Also, we share the lessons we learned the hard way! Standing around at a cocktail party is definitely a challenge for Koreans who are used to having meals at a low table on the floor!    [Timestamps] (00:00) Intro (03:05) Social events we attended (11:06) Social settings we like/dislike (21:57) What we learned from these events (30:30) Closing & Next Episode   [Mentioned in this Episode] - Find local groups by interest at Meetup.com - Various interest groups of Korean speakers in major cities in the US: HeyKorean Clubs   [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Can you believe it? 2022 is over, and 2023 has come. Even the number sounds unfamiliar, yet we’ve got to move on, don’t we? In this episode, American K-sisters check on the resolutions set at the beginning of this year, summarize the year in three keywords, and discuss their plans for the new year. Join us on our journey forward!    [Timestamps] (00:00) Intro (00:23) Opening & Today’s Topic (02:20) Reviewing the resolutions from 2022 (14:52) Summarizing 2022 in Three Keywords (21:45) After Skipping the Part about Family Loss and Suicide (38:58) Plans for 2023 (45:36) Closing & Topic of Next Episode   [Mentioned in this Episode]   - Linda’s Instagram with Artwork Posts @KoreanLinda     - Linda’s Goodbye Grandmother Project on Instagram @GoodbyeGrandmother  - Linda’s Newsletter: DefinitelyNotOkay.com   - Episode 2 about Holidays from November 19, 2021 (Recorded in Korean)    - Episode 18 about Heena’s Visit to Korea  Recording in Korean: August 19, 2021 Recording in English: August 26, 2021 [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com

We’re very excited to announce our first guest episode in English! As we’re in the middle of the festive holiday season, Linda & Chris (our special guest) openly share their experience as an international and interracial couple living in the States, especially about spending holidays with each other’s families. From the biggest culture shock moment to the lessons learned the hard way, Linda & Chris have been diligently working on open and honest communications to understand each other’s struggles and cultural differences over the 13 years since they got together. Can you relate to their story? Let us know which part resonates the most. We’d love to hear from you as well!   [Timestamps] (00:00) Intro (04:21) The biggest culture shock moment (21:21) Linda & Chris’ holiday rituals & plans for this year (36:27) Tips for international & interracial couples (49:21) Closing   [Mentioned in This Episode] The Korean big bow: In the traditional way of celebrating the new year in Korea, the family members perform big bows to the elderly and in return receive blessings and pocket money in an envelope. This performative tradition is called “Keun-jeol” (큰절) or “Sebae” (세배).  Listen to our holiday episode released last year: Episode 2 (recorded in Korean)   [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Linda and Heena celebrate the launch of a new season with fun-filled festivities. Although we have released two seasons in Korean and a few episodes in English, this is going to be a full season recorded in English. So we prepared hot seat questions to introduce the co-hosts in a different way. We also reflect on what got us started on making a podcast together and what motivates us to continue.   [Timestamps] (00:00) Intro (00:25) Starting Season 3 and Today’s Topic (05:38) Heena on the Hot Seat (13:58) Linda on the Hot Seat (32:05) Why American K-sisters? (43:29) In the Next Episode   [Mentioned in This Episode] Heena's podcast inspiration: Asian Boss Girl Linda’s newsletter: DefinitelyNotOkay.com Linda’s most listen of the year? Linda thought "After Like" by Ive, but Spotify says "Darl+ing" by Seventeen.   [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Happy Father’s Day! Do you have any plans for Father’s Day this year? If you ask Linda and Heena, they would say ‘Nothing.’ Huh?  Don’t get them wrong because you will find out the reasons in this episode where American K-sisters explain how they show their appreciation for each of their fathers. They also share sweet memories with their fathers and how much they love their K-dads!   [Mentioned in This Episode] Sarira: Śarīra usually refers to pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects that are apparently found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters Music by Vitaliy Levkin from Pixabay [More on American K-sisters] Website: AmericanKsisters.com Instagram: @AmericanKsisters YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Eileen is finally here! Eileen “the most mentioned person in our show” is our loyal audience and a good friend of Heena and Linda. She is also a 1.5-generation Malaysian-Chinese immigrant who has Korean DNA (in the heart). In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM), Eileen talks about her recent trip to Malaysia for QingMing Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) and her story of growing up in the States in an immigrant family. Last but not least, she clarifies her stance on Jjampong noodle soup (Check out Ep.19)!   [Time Stamps] (00:23) Intro (02:19) How Eileen met K-sisters (07:52) Eileen’s recent visit to Malaysia for Qing Ming Festival (17:39) Eileen’s story as a 1.5-generation immigrant (33:07) What Korea means to Eileen (39:12) Closing   [Mentioned in This Episode] Qingming Festival: a traditional Chinese festival observed by ethnic Chinese celebrating Spring on the first day of the fifth of the lunar calendar Hagwon: the Korean-language word for a for-profit private institute, academy, or cram school prevalent in South Korea Jjampong: a Chinese-style Korean noodle soup with red, spicy, and seafood-based broth flavored with red chili powder The ‘Jjampong’ episode (Ep.19): What would be your last meal on earth? Salty-snacker Linda and sweet-toothed Heena’s wild talk about food Seventeen’s new song: Super   [More on American K-sisters] - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Would you agree that the biggest part of adulting is taking care of ourselves? (Of course, you gotta pay your bills, too.) If yes, let’s have an honest talk about mental and physical health! In this episode, Linda and Heena share their self-care routines to relieve stress and keep things together in day-to-day life. Last but not least, they discuss how social connections and relationships support their general well-being. Check out the show notes for the resources mentioned in this episode. Take care! [Time Stamps] (00:23) Intro (05:11) Mental Health & Stress Management (17:06) How We Keep Moving Our Bodies (23:00) Connection & Relationships (36:33) Closing & Next Episode   [Mentioned in This Episode] Live streaming workout classes: Peloton Digital Membership Heena’s meditation app: Headspace Linda’s meditation app: Atom  TV series of home makeovers: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo Linda & Heena's Happylight box: Verilux Heena's self gel-nail stickers: Ohora Linda’s Newsletter: DefinitelyNotOkay.com Podcast: Asian Boss Girl Podcast: The Friendship Paradox Podcast: Behonce 비혼세: 본격 비혼라이프 가시화 방송 (Korean)  Podcast: LonDangSa 런당사: 런던에 사는 당신의 사정 (Korean)   [More on American K-sisters] - Website: AmericanKsisters.com - Instagram: @AmericanKsisters - YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters - Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com        - Music: MissChristineMusic.com