The Wonderful One Room Story Time Podcast

In the final (official) episode, Noelle comes back from vacation and moves to HBC, Sam goes cliff diving and gets COVID, Seoul is underwater, and we mull over slander laws in one of the darkest corners of humanity. CHAPTERS00:00:10 Intro00:04:15 Sam gets COVID00:12:52 Seoul is underwater00:17:03 Noelle goes to America00:22:32 Q code website to enter Korea00:29:29 Pet sitting service on Facebook (Pet Sitting in Korea)00:33:12 Noelle moves to Itaewon00:40:12 Pet taxi service (@dangdang2taxi)00:53:22 Extraordinary Attorney Woo (K-drama)01:07:51 Sam goes cliff diving (near 넓은다락방 pension in 가평)01:14:00 *TRIGGER WARNING* Child predator case01:31:07 Overrated, Underrated (Board game cafes, Jjimjilbang, Fortune Tellers)01:40:45 Thank you so much! Note from Sam: In the whirlwind of story time and catching up with each other's lives, you'll notice that we didn't get the chance to go over your questions this time around! I'm truly sorry for snubbing you guys!As we close off this final official episode, once again I would like to just express my eternal gratitude to you, the listeners, for the support we've gotten over this past year! Although the size of our listenership was never truly the be-all, end-all of this project, I have to admit it felt incredible to see our numbers grow and to see the kind of impact we've had on your lives. Knowing next to nothing about running a podcast, this was an amazing project to undertake, and the lessons I've learned from this will undoubtedly be invaluable in providing you guys with even better content moving forward! Thank you to Noelle for putting up with all my nonsense and debauchery, for overcoming the challenges of putting together a show every week (while juggling a full time job and a fur child), and most importantly for keeping me accountable. From the very beginning you have been the perfect partner-in-crime, and I mean this in every way when I say: there could not have been the WORST podcast in Korea without you.Though this is the last episode, this is not the last you'll hear from us.Expect to find us on your feed, your FYP, your Twitch highlights, and much more.But until then.. this has been the Wonderful One Room Story Time Podcast.Thank you!

In today's episode: Noelle goes to a PC bang date, we talk about finding apartments with dogs, getting high on spray paint, our favorite convenience store foods, reverse culture shock, the first gay dating shows in Korea, and finally we go through your hot takes about Korea!!CHAPTERS00:00:10 Intro00:03:46 Being handicapped in Korea00:12:20 Noelle goes on a PC bang date00:20:54 Noelle goes apartment hunting (Eden Realty)00:29:14 Having dogs in one rooms00:31:49 Question 0: Being vegetarian/Being a brown person in Korea00:32:56 Question 1: Is it safe for solo female travelers to go out alone at night?00:36:33 Warning about mace or tasers!00:40:22 Question 2: You can have only 1 convenience store drink and food forever. What is your choice?00:47:06 Question 3: What was the hardest transition in terms of culture/lifestyle? 00:49:08 Reverse culture shock00:55:59 Question 4: Where the open and supportive LGBTQ community in Korea? (Merry Queer, His Love/Man's Romance)01:02:53 Reading your hot takes about Korea!!01:22:08 Overrated, Underrated (Wearing Korean school uniforms, K-dramas)01:29:55 Outro

In today's episode we are joined by my good friend N and talk about her experiences as a Muslim woman of color in Korea! We also talk about BBQ with your pets, watching movies at the Screen X theater, the best curry restaurant recommendations in Seoul, golgappa, how to survive the monsoon season, and much more!CHAPTERS00:00:01 Intro00:01:12 Meet our friend N!00:07:14 Making friends on apps00:13:52 Living and Dating in Korea as a POC00:15:40 Facing Muslim discrimination 00:22:24 "3 weeks to 3 months"00:29:21 Facing Muslim discrimination pt. 200:58:39 Snack test: Knotted Milk Cream Popcorn01:05:08 Lake the dog (Pet-friendly BBQ)01:19:12 Watching a movie on Screen X 01:24:59 Question intro01:25:23 Question 1: What is the most challenging thing you've faced living here?01:31:53 Question 2: Is vegetarian food easily accessible in Korea? + Curry restaurant recommendations (Chakraa, Hannam)(The Royal Indian Restaurant, Konkuk University)(Amma, Seoul National University)(Jyoti, Sinchon)01:39:30 Question 3: Have you ever been subjected to racist remarks regarding your skin color/ethnicity?01:45:26 How do you survive the typhoon season in Korea?01:50:48 Overrated, Underrated (Bingsu, One Room/Officetel, International Couple Youtubers)02:02:27 Outro 

We're back! In this episode: BTS goes on haitus, Sam gets break up flashbacks, eating snails and eels, the pressures of looking perfect, Noelle tells us her perfect man turn-offs, government childcare funds, and is aegyo overrated? All this and more!!CHAPTERS00:00:30 Intro00:01:24 Hwai update00:07:31 BTS goes on hiatus00:10:06 The genius of K-pop trading cards00:18:47 Season (Bar/cafe, Pangyo)00:21:55 Cheese Room & Tasting Room (Pasta, Jamsil)00:29:13 털보네 바베큐 (Korean BBQ and Eel, Hannam City)00:31:13 The best way to enjoy live baseball00:38:57 Questions intro00:39:12 Question 1: Is it true there is a lot of pressure to look perfect?00:45:42 Question 2: Would you go on a blind date?00:47:42 "He's a 10, but..."00:53:35 Question 3: Is it expensive to live in Korea with children? 01:01:16 Overrated, Underrated (Hellotalk, Daiso, Aegyo)01:12:41 Outro 

On this week's episode: we give a rundown of the most popular summer destinations in Korea, Noelle pays way too much for dinner, possible offensive things to avoid doing, why Korean men are overrated, and much more! CHAPTERS00:00:10 Intro00:09:25 My Liberation Notes (K-drama)00:13:01 Question 1: How to deal with the Korean summers00:21:18 Summer Hot Spots/ Events (Surfyy Beach, Jeju Island, Sinchon Water Gun Festival, Waterbomb Festival, Caribbean Bay, Ocean World)00:40:29 Question 2A: How understanding are Koreans towards foreigners making mistakes?00:45:30 Question 2B: Things that might be offensive to Koreans?00:57:30 Overrated, Underrated (Korean men, Hoddeok, Busan)01:05:44 Outro

In this week's episode we talk about: Roasted Seaweed Pringles, Noelle eating Korean blood sausages, the Foreign Friendly Club List for BIPOC, James Franco in North Korea, K-drama tropes in real life, free healthcare, and what the must-do's and must-avoid's are in Seoul during the fall season! All this and more!!CHAPTERS00:00:10 Intro00:03:12 Snack Test (Roasted Seaweed Pringles, 인절미 꼬북칩)00:11:56 Noelle tries Korean blood sausage (순대)00:21:54 The Foreigner Friendly Club List for BIPOC community00:27:49 Sam watches The Interview (2014)00:32:17 Question intro00:32:28 Question 1: Are these K-drama tropes true to life in Korea? 00:41:14 Question 2: Is there free healthcare and education in Korea? 00:45:19 Question 3: Must-do's in the fall season?a) Seoul Forestb) Gyeongbokgung Palacec) Nami Islandd) Seoul Lantern Festival e) Busan International Film festival00:52:26 Question 3: Must-avoid's?a) Seoul Fireworks Festvialb) Halloween in Itaewon 00:57:14 Overrated, Underrated (Korean Beauty Mask Sheets, Photo Sticker Booths)01:08:57 Outro

In this episode we talk about Switch Sports, Sam being too old for Hongdae clubs, the Korean reaction to the lifted mask mandate, the cost of living in Korea, being touched too much in the clubs, grandmas hating, the apps you need to know when living in Korea, and much more!!CHAPTERS00:00:10 Intro/ The best months to visit Korea00:05:40 Children's Day celebrations00:10:38 Switch Sports, Pump It Up00:16:58 Too old for clubbing in Hongdae? 00:20:57 Question 1: How do you feel about the mask mandate being lifted?00:27:31 All the mosquitoes are dead?00:30:50 Question 2: How do you deal with the high cost of living in Korea, ie rent?00:38:27 Question 3: How dangerous are the clubs in Korea? (Drugs, SA)00:49:40 Why are the elderly so extra?00:56:22 Sam isn't popular with the halmonis 00:57:09 Question 5: What is the best thing about Korea? + Tips for when you live here01:01:52 Apps to knowDanggeun > CraigslistNaver > GoogleKakaotaxi > UberKakaotalk > iMessageCoupang > AmazonCoupang Eats > Ubereats01:06:02 Overrated, Underrated (Banana Milk, Triangle Kimbab)01:08:02 Noelle shows her true colors01:13:25 Outro

In this episode, we talk about Noelle's first cat cafe, Sam falling in love with Gyeongju, My Liberation Notes, understanding different Korean accents, dating divorced people, why your Korean boyfriend wants you to dress conservatively, and much more!!CHAPTERS00:00:23 Intro00:09:05 집사의 하루 (Cat cafe, Gangnam)00:16:10 Mom's birthday at a pension!00:22:09 Camping in Korea00:26:00 환리단길 (Gyeongju Cafe Street)00:28:07 ORIOLE (Bar restaurant, Haebangchon HBC)00:32:48 My Liberation Notes (K-drama, Netflix)00:37:12 Life hack: Use chapstick or vaseline to treat paper cuts00:37:46 Snack Test (Banana Kick Popcorn, Candy Pop Popcorn w/ Butterfingers)00:45:36 Questions!00:43:51 Question 1: Do you have trouble understanding different Korean accents?00:53:26 Question 2: Would you date a divorced person in Korea?00:58:34 Question 3: If my Korean boyfriend wants me to dress conservatively, is that a red or green flag?01:09:31 Overrated, Underrated (K-dramas)01:13:35 OutroNote from Sam:Regarding Korean men who tell you how to dress-- Although I say this is to help you assimilate into the culture, in the end it should be entirely up to you how you dress. Don't let anyone stop you from being proud of your body! We're back to our regularly scheduled podcast! Thanks for sticking with us! 

We're back! In today's episode we are joined by our friend A as we talk about: A's postgraduate experience in a SKY university, Noelle's weekend getaway to Yeongjong Island, trend culture in Korea, Sam's hashtag koreanboy, Korean cultural no-no's, Korea's alienation of foreign expats, and much more! CHAPTERS:00:00:01 Intro00:00:51 Meet A!00:08:40 Would you recommend foreigners going to Korea for a Master's degree?00:14:51 A's experience without financial aid00:28:21 Cherry blossom season!00:32:18 Korea lifts all curfew and social distancing rules, mask mandate in review00:39:08 Expat culture on Korean Tiktok00:50:07 Catching up w/ Noelle 00:50:14 Yeongjong Island00:53:04 구읍뱃터 어시장 (Fish Market)00:58:32 Yeongjong Seaside Rail Bike01:07:02 TV shows (Juvenile Justice, The Ultimatum)01:15:26 Trend culture in Korea (Pokemon Bread)Downtowner (Burger), Selly's Doughnuts, Randy's Donuts, 청화원 (Dimsum, Noodles)01:27:31 Question 1: Cultural no-no's in Korea? 01:26:54 Question 2: What is the number 1 thing people should know before moving to Korea? 01:42:00 OutroNote from Sam: Thank you everyone for your patience! We're so glad to be back!Regarding the last topic of our episode-- I want it to be clear that while we stand by our words about the difficulties of being accepted into Korean society, please don't let it distract you from the fact that many expats here have gone on to live wonderful lives irregardless of the challenges they face. Settling down in a new country is never easy, but the challenges you overcome will bear fruit in countless ways!The number of messages we have received from you guys has been overwhelming, and we are so happy to see what a positive impact we have on everyone! We hope you continue to stick with us. See you next week <3

In this episode, Noelle goes thrift shopping, Sam goes through withdrawal, we try Sweet Vanilla Turtle Chips, and talk about protest culture in Korea, racists using Korean to say the N-word, and learn Korean slang!CHAPTERS00:00:10 Intro00:05:30 Thrift shopping in Seoul (Market in You, Seongsu station) (Charlie Box, Konkuk Uni. Station) 00:16:22 Sam's sugar withdrawal00:20:17 Snack test: Sweet Vanilla Turtle Chips 00:25:08 Tiktok Vs Youtube00:30:14 Video games (Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon)00:37:12 Questions00:37:22 Question 1: Are rallies common in Korea?00:58:27 Question 2: Thoughts on racist creators using Korean to say the N word?01:08:57 Question 3: Teach us Korean slang! (explicit)01:19:59 Overrated, Underrated (Korean school uniforms, Christmas in Korea)01:30:54 Corrections (Role of Ministry of Gender Equality and Family)01:35:42 OutroNote from Sam: See you guys in two weeks! We'll be back with another great episode for you guys soon! Happy Birthday, Mom! <3

Today we are joined by our very special guest S and talk about archery cafes, rage rooms, cinnamon apple pie churros, Juvenile Justice, making friends as an introvert in Korea, Hellotalk being in a sad state, how Korea influenced our ideal types, and is Jay Park overrated? All this and more!CHAPTERS00:00:12 Intro00:01:00 S loses her sense of taste and smell to Covid00:06:55 "Not Boring!" -- live review00:08:06 Guest intro-- S00:13:47 Noelle goes to an archery cafe00:21:16 S's favorite coffee shops00:22:42 Snack test (Churros: Cinnamon Apple Pie)00:27:02 Watching serial killer shows (Catching Killers, Worst Roommate Ever) (Netflix)00:30:56 Juvenile Justice (K-drama, Netflix)00:32:50 Question 1: How to make friends in Korea as an introvert00:42:48 Is Tinder a good way to make friends? 00:45:22 The current state of Hellotalk00:48:11 Question 2: Has your ideal type changed since coming to Korea?  00:58:54 Overrated, Underrated (Jay Park, PC Bang, Seoul Tower, Mukbang)01:17:35 Outro

In today's show: Noelle catches Covid-19, we talk about mental disorder stigmas in Juvenile Justice (K-drama), our thoughts on Korea's 2022 President-elect Yoon Seok Yeol, dating Korean men who oppose feminism, Korea finally lifting mandatory quarantine for foreigners, and is BTS overrated? All this and more!!CHAPTERS:00:00:18 Pre-ramble00:01:28 Intro00:01:56 Noelle's COVID-19 experience00:18:13 Love Is Blind Season 200:20:52 Question 1: Would you ever be on a Korean Love Is Blind Show? Thoughts on blind dating in general?00:25:10 Watching The Batman at Starium (Korea's biggest movie theater)00:27:18 Inventing Anna (Netflix), Tinder Swindler (Netflix)00:30:13 Question 2: Thoughts on Juvenile Justice? (Netflix, K-drama)00:34:06 Question 3: Thoughts on Korea's 2022 President-elect Yoon Seok Yeol 00:38:52 National Voting Statistics 00:42:48 Question 4: Did the conservative party win due to fears of feminism? 00:46:07 Korea removes mandatory quarantine for overseas visitors starting April 1st 00:52:27 Overrated, Underrated (Sitting on the floor, BTS, Snow [app])01:10:34 OutroNote from Sam: Happy White Day, everyone! Love from Korea <3

Today we talk about: our favorite and most interesting cafes in Korea, Hot Tuna chips, food etiquette at your Korean boyfriend's house, Sam's first Tiktok live, tipping bartenders, views on health in Korea, surprisingly easy aspects of Seoul, dealing with Korea's competitive culture, and a new segment on our show called "Overrated, Underrated"! All this and more!!CHAPTERS00:00:12 Pre-ramble00:02:07 Sam's first Tiktok live00:12:53 Noelle and Sam hate on EA Games00:20:45 State of Seoul update00:24:40 Soomgo (Private Lesson App)00:26:33 Snack test (Hot Pepper Tuna Flavor Potato Chips)00:31:10 Questions00:31:17 Question 1: Is it rude to not finish your food in Korea?00:37:41 Do you tip bartenders for opening your beer bottle?00:39:25 Question 2: How is health viewed in America VS Korea?00:50:00 Question 3: Something you expected to be difficult but was easy? 00:56:47 Question 4: How do you deal with stress in Korea, a very competitive country?01:05:24 Question 5: Best/most interesting cafe you've been to (Cheong su Dang, The Summer Bangkok, 차마시는 뜰, 꽃을 피우고)01:13:02 NEW SHOW SEGMENT: Overrated, Underrated01:23:21 Corrections (Uno)01:28:07 Special message to our Ukrainian and Russian listenersNote from Sam: Stay safe everyone! Take care of yourselves and each other.

In today's episode: we talk about Grid (K-drama), Snowdrop (K-drama), dating red flag stories, Noelle's new Twitch channel, board game cafes, privatized education in Korea, uncensored music in Korean cafes, and we don't know how to play UNO? Help us out!CHAPTERS00:00:10 Pre-ramble00:01:34 Sam's spring cleaning00:05:25 Intro00:05:55 Noelle's new Twitch channel (choicesimsie) 00:15:47 Grid (K-drama, Disney Plus)00:19:04 Snowdrop (K-drama, Disney Plus)00:23:38 Seoul's current corona situation 00:29:35 Questions00:31:40 Question 1: Are board games popular in Korea?00:36:35 Help us with this UNO question!! 00:40:04 Question 2: What would you change about Korea?00:44:37 Question 3: Any dating fails in Korea?01:00:41 Question 4: What type of American music do you hear in Korea?01:08:06 OutroNote from Sam: Please write in @theworstpodcastinkorea on Instagram and tell us how to change colors in UNO!

We talk about throwing away birthday cards, Korean men wearing make up, Love and Leashes, drama in the 2022 Olympics, sex education in Korea, alone culture in Seoul, being a professional dancer in Korea, and are foreigners ignored in restaurants? All this and more!! CHAPTERS00:01:31 Intro00:11:58 Crocheting w/ Noelle00:14:29 Street magic w/ Sam00:18:14 Do you throw away birthday cards?00:20:09 Scandals at the Olympics!00:27:55 Korean men wear make up too!!00:41:23 Love and Leashes (Netflix)00:44:20 Questions 00:44:31 Question 1: Is there sex education in Korean schools?00:49:59 Question 2: Is it common to eat alone in Korea?00:55:20 Question 3: Info about being a professional dancer in Korea00:58:55 Question 4: Are foreigners ignored in restaurants? 01:04:05 OutroNote from Sam: Happy Valentine's Day! Will you be mine? <3

In this episode we talk about: our final thoughts on All of Us Are Dead, tattoo acceptance in Korea, Sam's first booster shot, Koreans who think foreigners are looking for their kpop idol husband, the hard process of gaining permanent residency in Korea, the cost of living in Seoul, motivation to push through the week, and can men and women really be just friends? All this and more! CHAPTERSSPOILERS for All of Us Are Dead!00:24:54 Spoiler Start!00:38:55 Spoiler End!00:00:13 Pre-ramble00:03:43 Noelle buys a nanny cam00:10:13 Sam's first booster00:18:23 All of Us Are Dead (Netflix)00:24:54 Spoiler Start!00:38:55 Spoiler End!00:42:50 Fire at Noelle's apartment!00:49:24 Questions00:49:42 Question 1: Is it true tattoos are not allowed?01:03:51 Question 2: Will everyone think foreigners came to Korea to marry a Kpop idol?01:09:49 Question 3: Will you have male guests on the podcasts?01:12:19 Question 4: Is it hard to immigrate to Korea?01:19:30 Question 5: How much does it cost monthly to live in Korea?01:22:53 Question 6: What makes you motivated through this pandemic?01:27:09 Question 7: Is it common for men and women to hang out together in Korea?01:36:22 OutroNote from Sam: I wish I was Adrien Brody. 

We talk about the new Korean zombie highschool drama All of Us Are Dead, our favorite street food, eating hamburgers with forks and knives, why Koreans ghost, Asian eating culture, why Koreans are afraid of confrontation, the state of body positivity in Korea, and why you should never fight back when harassed, and much more! CHAPTERS:00:00:01 Pre-ramble00:03:40 Intro (Paying off your sleep debt)00:19:05 The state of Seoul during Lunar New Years00:20:25 All of Us Are Dead (Netflix)00:25:49 Goldfish crackers00:30:07 Questions!00:30:23 Question 1: Favorite street food?00:34:17 Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market00:36:39 Bonus Question: Fork & Knives with Hamburgers?00:42:31 Question 2: Why do Koreans use so many dishes for their food?00:53:33 Question 3: Why are Koreans so afraid of confrontation?01:02:29 Question 4: What is the state of body positivity in Korea?01:12:34 Question 5: Do Koreans sue foreigners after fights or accidents?01:14:31 LEENLAW (Korean lawyer on Tiktok)01:24:17 OutroNote from Sam: Happy Lunar New Years!! 

Our friends J and T join us for a special quartet episode, where we talk about Single's Inferno finale, strip clubs and other adult entertainment in Korea, casinos, horse races, quality of life changes in Korea, how Koreans view mental health, raising kids in Korea's competitive culture, fulfilling our baking needs, and much more on The Wonderful One Room Story Time Podcast!CHAPTERS:00:00:48 Intro/Catching up with J and T00:13:48 Single's Inferno (Netflix) Ending spoilers!00:25:13 Questions!00:25:54 Question 1: Why aren't strip clubs allowed in Korea? Opinions on hostess/host bars in Korea?00:34:40 K@ngw0n L4nd (Korean Casino)00:36:40 **TRIGGER WARNING** discussion of gambling related death00:37:28 **TRIGGER WARNING** End of discussion00:38:37 Question 2: Have you gone to horse racing events? 00:42:49 Question 3: Haws your quality of life changed since living in Korea? How so?00:47:07 Question 4: What is the view on mental health in Korea? Is therapy easily acceptable?01:01:19 Break time01:03:04 Question 5: Do you think Korea is a good place to raise kids? 01:09:26 Question 6: Is it true that baking supplies are hard to find in Korea? 01:16:33 Outro Note from Sam:Thank you so much to our friends J and T for making this such an amazing, memorable episode!Danke Almal~~ 

In this episode, Sam and Noelle talk about making money through livestreaming, more Single's Inferno, work-life balance in Korea, how our families reacted to our decision to move to Korea, spycams in hotels, tsunamis and earthquakes in Korea, and is it worth it teaching English in Korea anymore? All this and more!CHAPTERS00:00:10 Pre-ramble00:04:40 Intro00:13:04 Lifestyle changes00:18:15 Livestreaming in the future? How livestreamers make money00:23:23 Sam getting back into dance practice00:26:16 Hawkeye (Disney)00:33:14 Single's Inferno (Netflix)00:40:53 Questions!00:41:24 Question 1: How is the work-life balance in Korea?00:55:03 Question 2: How did you family react to you moving to Korea? 01:02:53 Question 3: Are spycams in Korean hotels a real problem? 01:10:38 Question 4: Is Korea prone to tsunami and earthquakes like Japan?01:16:45 OutroNote from Sam: Thank you everyone who submitted questions to the podcast this week! We were short on time today, but we'll be sure to answer the remainder of your questions next week! Have a wonderful day! 

In this episode, Sam and Noelle talk about Single's Inferno, seeing K-dramas filmed in the streets, Korean vaccine passes, new driving laws in Korea, and much more!CHAPTERS00:00:10 Pre-ramble00:00:59 Intro00:03:52 Noelle gets her booster shot00:07:58 Your vaccine pass expires (!!)00:12:39 2022 New Year's Resolutions00:14:15 The Original Pancake House (Itaewon)00:17:52 Sam's struggle with social media & validation00:24:30 Single's Inferno (Korean Dating Reality Show)00:33:22 Question 1: "Have you ever seen K-drama being filmed?"00:39:55 Question 2: "What other city or island is famous in Korea?" 00:43:38 Pokemon Go is the key to world peace00:48:45 Question 3: "Gym memberships, getting your driver's license?"00:57:40 New Korean driving law, as of 202201:00:25 Question 4: "What is something that you wish people would know about you?"01:08:15 Question 5: "What new laws would you like to see in Korea?"01:15:58 Question 6: "Gluten-free and lactose intolerance options in Korea?"01:25:35 Corrections (Korean maternity leave)01:26:26 Outro