Some Stuff to Do
News August 9th, 2008While we are on “vacation,” we aren’t doing full podcasts, but we still talk about stuff and share pics and news we find. We want you to join! There are two ways:
Also please help us out by writing a review or something about us on iTunes, and tell your friends to subscribe. It’s weird that we have a good many subscribers, but our ranking on iTunes is still below podcasts that don’t podcast anymore.
Someone also suggested we create t-shirts. I’ll get to work on that. Suggestions appreciated.
In the meantime, here’s a panda playing a bamboo flute.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
First of all I want to say that I love your podcasts. I have turned into a huge fan of your show and for the past month have been highly highly recommening it to my friends and students (I’m a college profssor). I followed a link to a link to listen to your second interview with Stephanie White, and ever since I have been hooked. I have listened to all of the latest podcsts since then, but now that you guys are on vacation in August I’ve been listening to all of the older podcasts and working backwards since (curently listening to Episode 7: Amanda Takes Off.)
I love your podcasts but there are a few things I think that could make it better. First of all, could you post links to older podcasts at the top of the page? It is a little annoying that I have to scroll down to the bottom of each page 4 or 5 times to listen to your older podcasts. Also, before I listen to each podcast, I do check out most of the links that you provide for the stories you discuss. But it might be a little bit better if you give a bit more background info about a story before you discuss it. There are times while I’m out on my patio drinking mak-ko-lie and smoking and listening to your podcast that I really feel like I have no idea what you guys are talking about, despite the fact that I do read the Korean Herald/Times everyday and do follow your links. A brief bit of exposition would help a lot before you guys start discussing.
Otherwise, keep up the good job!!
August 18th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Thanks Robert! That’s exactly the type of critiques we like to hear. Karl has also bugged us about not giving enough exposition. I’ve been trying to give more background before we let Jennifer out of her pen. I’ve been toying around of doing a Daily Show-style rundown of the news before starting. Or just announce the stories like that before starting each topic.
I’ll look into creating a menu for the archives at the top of the page. It should be easy. I could manually program that, but I’m worried about making WordPress blow up by screwing around with PHP. Okay, some solutions bouncing in my head.
Thanks for telling people about us.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:41 am
I’ve been an avid listener in preparation for my month long program in Seoul this summer and have been hooked since. I’ve always downloaded off itunes and so this page is completely new to me. I found Ep.5 Survival Korean very useful. I accidentially deleted that episode and its no longer available on itunes. Can you explain how the downloading works off this site as I hit download 4 times, but got a blank page. Although the control bar at the bottom says download complete, I can’t find it on my computer. So my question is whether you have any pointers on what I’m doing wrong?
As for feedback:
I love the show: entertaining and witty, also super informative and genunine. I felt really prepared culturally going to Korea (and certain crazy ajumma antics) by getting to know a little current affairs mixed with cultural references. Lol even the tiniest nuggest of info like Wondergirls and the “Big Screw” ice lolly proved useful. I think u’ve done a good job in keeping with time, in the last few episodes (Survival Korean was my first, and definitely one of the longer ones). But that being said, both of u are hilarious and so the 3 hour podcasts are a good companion if one happens to be on a long train ride.
If you guys are planning to upgrade and expand the podcast it would be amazing to get itunes enhanced podcasts for itouch i.e. where photos play simultaneously to the audio podcast (Chris Christensen’s Amateur Travelleur is an awesome example). But I’m guessing that’s really technically challenging and not practical at this moment.
In terms of topic wise, have you ever considered doing a ‘touristy’ must see/ must do in Seoul/ Korea episode as a special?! Being a non-Korean listener, I think it would really boost itunes downloads as many listeners like to download travel related podcast before embarking on the trip. Furthermore, I think you guys do a much better job giving listeners a sense of the Seoul vibe than travel books. Something as simple as introducing good haunts for eating and drinking in Sinchon, Hongdae or the joys of samgyepsal, dak galbi, Dr. fish cafe etc.
Thanks for doing the podcast and hope to hear soon about the downloading!
August 27th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Thanks Rachel!
As for your technical problems, you have a few options. On our main page in iTunes, they still carry all the old episodes, as far as I know. I’ll check on that. When you click on the “Download” button, it’s placing it in a folder that your browser has designated as the download folder. Likely it’s in Documents | Downloads. The other option is to right-click on the “Download” button and select “Save As.” Then it will give you a choice on where to download it.
I’ve been wanting to do an enhanced podcast from the beginning, but I still have not found Windows-friendly software to make it possible. You’d think it would be simple, but you need a Mac to do it, and it requires a little programming knowledge that I’m too lazy to learn at this moment.
A “tourists” show is a good idea. I have a friend who was an English-language tour guide. Maybe she could do the show.
Again, thanks for listening.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Ok, I’m all caught up! I’ve now listened to all podcasts from beginning to end, and I want more! When will you guys post the newest podcast?
I enjoyed hearing about your journey to “Asia Town” in Ansan. I live in Ansan myself on campus near Gojan subway station and one of my fellow way-gook profs introduced me to Asian Town my first month in Ansan. I go there now every week or two for my favorite new food: Uzbekki! If you like lamb it’s the place to go. (Saw recently there’s an Uzbekki restaurant near the Muslim Mosque in Itaewon, but haven’t tried that place out yet.) Even the french fries are served covered in roast mutton and onions. Awesome food. I love Ansan. And Don-Won-gu has got to be one of the nicest neighborhoods I have ever lived in in Korea (I live south of the train tracks near the “bay”, not the City Hall side.)
Rachel, I’ve lived in Korea now for 8 years but this summer was the first time I ever had to play tour guide for an Australian friend who visited Korea for a week and a half. It was really interesting taking her to places that I’ve been to a number of times but was now seeing through the eyes of a tourist. We spent a lot of time eating and drinking and getting lost in Itaewon, but I also took her to Namsan park and Tower (take the cable car up, then hike down to Itaewon) Insa-dong, downtown, Youido (and 63 Building, the “Hello Kitty” exhibition if it’s still there will blow your mind), JUMP! (got hauled up onstage!), Gyeongbokgung, and Co-Ex Mall/World Trade Center (and the Buddhist temple across the street). Avoid the tourist restaurants but try going to the places where Koreans like eating and drinking.
If you guys ever want to interview another lifer about teaching at college (no blog or website to promote, unless I can promote my Marvel comic book site) I’ve got great stories and would love to be on your show!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:10 am
(check your email, Robert)
We will record our first post-break show next Wednesday, September 3rd. Jennifer is in Louisiana, so Stafford (Mr. Chosun Bimbo) will sub. Anna from Annalog will be the panelist.