Ep. 2 - Manuel Azuaje-Alamo on Japan and Korea differences, East Asian literature, and language learning
Release Date: 03/19/2017
Ep. 28 – Robert Koehler on Blogging, Travel, and Photography
Settlers of Seoul
Robert Koehler is a long-time Korea resident, who rose to fame - at least among expats in Korea and those interested in the country - by way of blogging. The Marmots Hole, as his site was called, was for a time arguably the most well-known and well-written blog of its kind. It was certainly a tremendous conduit for those interested in Korean politics, society, history, and just general everyday life here. Now Robert spends his time wearing many hats - he writes books, he edits columns, he tours, and he takes photos - beautiful photos. We talk about all of that, his decision to terminate the...
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Ep. 27 - Darcie Draudt on Multiculturalism and Korean National Identity
Settlers of Seoul
Darcie Draudt is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. She is currently in Seoul as a Korea Foundation dissertation fieldwork fellow and a visiting scholar at the Yonsei University Department of Political Science. Darcie's research comprises US-Northeast Asian relations and Korean identity and multiculturalism, and we spend a lot of time on what it means to be Korean today and how the country is grappling with internationalism and growing migration, and how that forces a reconciliation of sorts with traditional - or lets say, conventional - Korean...
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Ep. 26 - Colin Marshall on 30+ Benefits of Living in Seoul
Settlers of Seoul
Colin Marshall is a Seoul-based essayist, broadcaster, and public speaker on cities, language, and culture. He writes the Los Angeles Review of Books Korea , and his work has appeared in Guardian Cities, Open Culture, the Times Literary Supplement, and many more. Colin is also a regular contributor to a Seoul urbanism radio feature on TBS eFM’s Koreascape. You can follow him on and at This episode of the podcast is brought to you by TooSix Media Group and recorded and co-produced at their studio in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea. You can check them out on Instagram at and also at...
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Ep. 25 - Joey Croner on Running a Board Game Cafe and the Game Scene in Korea
Settlers of Seoul
Joey Croner is the founder and owner of board game cafe in Seoul's Dongdaemun district. In this interview we talk about the market for board games in Korea, what the locals like to play, discuss what it’s like starting one's own business in Korea, and how The Dice Latte distinguishes itself from competitors. This last part is hugely important as board games become tremendously popular not just in Korea but seemingly everywhere. Keen listeners to Settlers of Seoul have noticed the name was inspired by a certain board game – a favorite of my friends and family. Anyway, The Dice Latte is a...
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Ep. 24 - Laura Bicker on the Media Landscape in South Korea
Settlers of Seoul
Laura Bicker has worked for the BBC for 18 years. She is currently the BBC Seoul Correspondent, covering everything from North Korea to women’s rights. She is one of the more well-known foreign correspondents on the peninsula, not only for her excellent news coverage but for her willingness to ask the kinds of questions and dig deeper in a way the local press does not. Connect with Laura on Twitter For bios and show notes please visit , and connect with the show on Facebook and Twitter, at Settlers of Seoul.
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Ep. 23 - Peter Choi on Seoul's Architecture and Design
Settlers of Seoul
For bios and show notes please visit , and connect with the show on Facebook and Twitter, at Settlers of Seoul.
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Ep. 22 – Paul Carver on the Seoul Global Center, International Community, and Football
Settlers of Seoul
Paul Carver heads the Seoul Global Center, a multi-lingual, comprehensive support center that provides counseling on a wide range of issues like business, legal concerns, labor disputes and real estate, and much more. The center also provides resources to start your own business, education classes including the all-important language training, and even organize networking and volunteer events for the local and international community. You can connect with the Seoul Global Center . Full show notes available at
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Ep. 21 - Walter Foreman on Korea's Car Market, Education, and Media
Settlers of Seoul
Walter Foreman is the Director of UC Riverside's International Education Center in Gangnam (GNUCR), content monitor for the Korean government's Culture and Information Service, and the host of tbs eFM’s Weekly Review. Previously communications manager for Korea University's Office of International Affairs, Walter as well has extensive radio and print media experience, hosting the shows Inside Out and Weekly Edition. He’s also an avid car lover and Pez collector. You can connect with Walter on Twitter and GNUCR at Show notes, bios, and links can be found at
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Ep. 20 - Alastair Gale on Japan and the Koreas
Settlers of Seoul
Alastair Gale is the former Korea bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal and now Japan Editor, writing about Japan’s economic, business and security challenges. Alastair has lived in Asia for over two decades covering the two Koreas, including the emergence of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Prior to Seoul, Alastair spent several years in Singapore and Tokyo. He’s originally from the U.K. and graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in Philosophy and Mathematics. You can connect with Alastair at and on Twitter Show notes and links can be found at
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Ep. 19 - Matt Rutledge on Voice Acting and Small Business Ownership
Settlers of Seoul
Matt Rutledge is a voice actor, radio announcer, and co-founder of TooSix Media, which he founded in 2009 with his wife of 10 years, Kay Rutledge (정경옥). The TooSix brand (Media and Global) connects native-speaking voice and translation talent with Korean companies across all industries. A publishing company, TooSixHouse, will launch in 2018. Matt also entered the exciting food services industry in 2017 as a partner with CraveFood. You can connect with Matt and TooSix at Show notes and links available at
info_outlineManuel Azuaje-Alamo is a PhD Candidate at Harvard University. Manuel came to Korea mid-last year to conduct research for his dissertation on world literature in East Asia. He speaks seven languages and his lived in over half a dozen countries. Manual spent several years in Japan, and you’ll hear in this podcast a lot of references and inferences to the country as a reference point to placing Korea in context over certain topics and themes.
We talk about growing up in Venezuela, the differences between Korea and Japan, how foreigners, especially Koreans, are received in Japan, the lifestyle of Tokyo compared to Seoul, language learning, and of course, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese literature.