Music to My Ears

After over a month of AWOL status, I make a comeback to briefly talk about some thoughts for the podcast's future content and format! Song recommendations are full of chill vocals and smooth vibes, and I also include some movie/TV recs for those into superhero, fantasy, or action genres.

Stumbling a bit on the desired consistent episode-publishing schedule, I return at the beginning of my spring quarter in Korea, with exciting experiences in Japan and Hong Kong during my winter break! I talk about going to Disneyland, sightseeing in Tokyo and Osaka, and spending time with family (and food) in Hong Kong. I also reflect on the first week of my spring quarter, including my classmates, harder vocab and grammar, and my first movie theater experience in Korea! Song recs include some emotional and powerful male solo vocals, as well as some in-your-feels relatable vibes.

Wrapping up my winter quarter of Korean classes, I talk about my fun experiences singing and hiking with friends, doing acro with my circus teacher, and planning for my next two weeks of vacation! Song recs are good for late night and in-your-feels vibes!

After another two weeks away from the podcast, I'm back in a sore but motivated light! In this episode, I talk about my adventures exploring Korea's various department and grocery stores, as well as a fun Lunar New Year's dinner spent with some of my classmates. I also reflect on my realized lack of upper body strength after taking my first silks class at circus school. Song recs are from the same artist and are smooth, groovy, and vibey!

In a slightly on-time episode, I talk about my Korean midterm, my uncanny ability to order food that's completely different from my expectations, my love for all-you-can-eat menus, and my triumphant return to circus classes following my quarantine period. This episode's highlight includes my trip to one of the beautiful palaces in Korea, complete with a hanbok, freezing cold, and very yummy food! Song recs are both romantic, or even just good vibes, whichever mood you're in!

In the first episode of 2023, I talk about my unfortunately-timed COVID diagnosis and resulting quarantine period, where I had plenty of time to sleep, eat, watch TV, and cut off all contact with the outside world. I also talk about some of the binge-watching done during this period, including many murder-mystery-esque shows and movies, as well as a blast from the past while watching a classic adventure movie with my friend. Song recs today are ones for a chill and hopeful night!

Although the previous episode was released over a month ago, I barely make it back in time, live from Seoul, South Korea, to update you all about the end of fall quarter, exciting circus endeavors, and my life adjusting to a new city and country, where I'll be for the next couple of months! I also ponder about the weather, winter clothing, and the latest drama I finished watching. Song recs include a upbeat song with dichotomous melody and lyrics and a chill one perfect for a late-night road trip!

We're back! After an impromptu 6-month hiatus, I return in a very different state of mind, body, and stage of life. In this episode, I catch you up on my summer, thoughts about graduating college early, exciting endeavors for circus and traveling, and my apprehensive excitement about ending a chapter in my life to start a new one. As always, I include song recommendations, both of which are pretty well known, but nevertheless still perfect for a late-night, calm, and in-your-feels mood!

In another late-week and late-night episode, I talk about the busy first two weeks of my spring quarter, including choreographing Circus acro performances, indulging myself in birthday dinners, and struggling through several homework problem sets for my classes. Song recs for this episode provide a variety of feels, from upbeat yet wistful to chill but yearning!

In another slightly late episode and after a much-needed two-week spring break, I return back to the grind for the start of my spring quarter in college. I talk about my spring break, which included binge-watching a serial killer/criminal Kdrama, driving without blinking, and the absence of alarms to wake up in the morning. Now that I'm back on campus, I share more about exciting circus updates and the classes I am taking this quarter, some of which are out of my comfort zone! For a more lowkey and laid-back vibe, this episode's song recs are slow and steady but also vibe-y!

After an impromptu two-week hiatus featuring hectic packing for spring break and prep for the end of winter quarter, I return with an update on the end of the quarter as well as my circus adventures! I talk about my excitement for my first and last spring quarter of my undergraduate education, as well as the inevitable issue of having too much stuff at the end of the academic year. I also share the latest drama that I'm watching with my family: a suspenseful crime Korean drama based on South Korea's first criminal profiler! Song recs for this episode feature Korean artists, both which have crisp and clear music videos that are very aesthetic!

In a very overdue episode released on Monday, I have my first guest on this podcast in a LONG time, my good friend Robert! We take the Myers Briggs Personality Test to see how it categorizes our personality, and we have some thoughtful and chaotic discussions as we go through the many questions the test uses to analyze who we are, including some confusingly worded statements and meaning-of-life-esque ponderings. Song recs for this episode feature one from our guest!

During a particularly cold day where I walked through a blizzard and horizontally-falling snow, I talk about my first college theater show, as well as provide an extensive review of three fairly different movies I watched as part of a movie marathon! Song recs have long been waiting, including one song discovered from a friend and the other a funky pop-y rendition of a classic!

During a particularly rough week with midterms and poorly-timed binge-watching of shows, I recount my last day of Kuvia and the chilly, frozen scene of Lake Michigan, as well as the still-present excitement about my first Circus class and my resulting aspirations to work on arm strength, core strength, leg strength, and all of the above (progress: still none). With the rise in studying comes a rise in study-worthy music: this episode's song recommendations come from K-Indie/R&B artists with unique and soulful voices!

During a blizzard-y and snowstorm-y week of getting up early to greet the nonexistent Sun, I talk about midterm season and dense readings for class, as well as a postponed but exciting plan to have one of my friends guest in an upcoming episode! Song recs are low-key feels vibes perfect for late-night studying!

This week's episode features a very physically and mentally tired host who has just completed her first week of in-person classes! While I lose my train of thought and say the wrong word more times than I'd like to admit, I also share my thoughts about returning back to civilization after what seemed like a long time at remote at home. Mellow song recs are dedicated to anyone else who is tired…

In an episode released surprisingly on time, I talk about my procrastination in packing to head out to Chicago for in-person classes, as well as the VERY cold temperatures there that might make my clothes-layering scheme look very strange in LA. I also recommend two shows, one a funny and low-concentration sitcom about employees at a superstore, the other a psychological thriller about using the syncing of human memories to uncover a mystery! Song recs are both lofi covers of pop songs, but with no lyrics to tap into the study vibes!

In a late-posted episode after a hectic and busy first week of winter quarter, I talk about the overwhelming amount of reading for my classes and even recommend a climate assessment report for people who are curious and have some free time! I also recommend a short easy-to-binge-watch Korean drama filled with gore, high stakes, and unrelenting action. This is balanced by the episode's song recs, which are calmer and more laidback!

In the first episode of 2022, I talk about New Year's resolutions with high stakes, and the repercussions of jumping into exercising after a period of being a couch potato. I talk about two amazing Kdramas with high levels of stress but few episodes and perfect for binge-watching! Song recs are cute, upbeat, and ideal for dancing!

After a week-long MIA moment on my part, I emerge from the void for the final episode of 2021 to recount the whirlwind of events occurring from the day of the research symposium to me purging my room of random items and gaining an extra week of winter break. Song recs are both romantic and sweet, but one is upbeat and lifting, while the other is groovy and lowkey!

After a long but fulfilling 15 weeks spent in Cape Cod, Massachusetts learning how to do science and last in the field without bathroom access, I recount the final hectic week filled with symposium prep and sad goodbyes. I talk about the possibly more hectic weeks ahead, with winter quarter looming near, as well as the YouTube binge-watching that has taken me back to the 2010's when life was a little simpler. Song recs include a mandatory Christmas song, as well as a hopeful and sweet melody for the future!

After the second-to-last week of my semester program, I talk about the final stretch, which includes prepping for a symposium, writing a research paper, and getting distracted by random TV show discoveries. To keep it in your feels before the the celebratory end of the program, this episode's song recs are wistful and emotional!

After another long week of measurements and lab work, I share with you guys my Spotify Wrapped, including my top songs, artists, and genres, as well as little walk down memory lane of some of their songs I've recommended on this podcast! I talk about a mini in-store and online shopping spree at one of my favorite stores, as well as the unfortunate assignment of going last for project presentations in my semester program. Song rec vibes for this episode are immaculately groovy and funky, with silky vocals and harmonies!

During a quiet, mellow Thanksgiving break, I talk about my evening trip to Boston with a friend to return some ill-fitting jeans and gorge myself on late-night dim sum and roasted green please! I mention some exciting updates about project work and research positions, as well as a much-needed hang-out session with my family. Song recs this week are sweet, cute, and carefree!

In another late-published episode, I recall an exhausting week filled with project work and mishaps, but also an exciting Friday night spent watching the newest Marvel movie Eternals! I give an in-depth, partially-coherent movie review (with no spoilers) and gush about the characters, subplots, and backgrounds that set up a new era of Marvel characters. I also recommend watching Shang-Chi and Black Widow (if you haven't already) as these movies are both recent Marvel releases this past year that are long overdue and much-deserved! This week's song recs are both chill, but while one is sweet and twirly, the other is boppy and straight-up "vibez"!

After a whopping two-week hiatus, I return in glory after an incredibly busy week with a final, modeling presentation, and a well-deserved full-day trip to Boston! I talk about what the week entailed, as well as exciting recounts of the plentiful shopping I did downtown, including an obnoxious amount of Asian snacks and random Chinese knick-knacks. Song recs include a versatile range from wistful and chill to funky and upbeat, both complete with impressive vocal ranges and sweet melodies!

After my first time experiencing a “nor'easter”, I share the pleasant two free days in the middle of the week that were full of hanging out with friends but stressing about research projects… I also ponder the mystery of my missing Squid Game costume order, as well as the start of my rewatching of the Korean horror drama Sweet Home to end October spookily! This week's song recs are in-your-feels, wistful, late-night, and are recently discovered songs I've been obsessed with!

Coming to you live from a VERY tired host, this week's episode is all about squid, bike seats, pianos, and fishing! I talk about the progress of my (hopefully on-time) Halloween costume order, my experience biking for the first time in several years (and its resulting soreness), my first (an unintentional) piano gig, and me being bought into the fishing life. Song recs this week are both songs that I've been playing non-stop all week and include a timeless youthful singing-rap and an upbeat joyful melody appreciating good company!

After a one week hiatus due to midterms, we return with a bang to a full update of the past two weeks, which includes said midterm, the stressful but amazing drama Squid Game, a related Halloween costume idea, and indecisiveness about watch selection. Due to my rambling, we unfortunately skip our Mythological Minute segment, but I also share my recent song obsessions for this episode's song recs!

In a surprisingly on-time episode, I finish up my fourth week and full month of my semester program in Massachusetts, providing a fun recount of an overnight kayaking trip spent with the other students in my program, which involved hiking, kayaking, and getting knocked over by a wave at the beach! I also talk about the latest (and very popular) Korean drama that I have begun, a riveting and thrilling societal/psychological show that is short, easily bingeable, and keeps you at the edge of your seat. Song recs include a poppy upbeat yet wistful melody and a playful singer-songwriter tune!

In another episode recorded late, I talk about my 3rd week at my semester program, as well as the crazy amount of TV-show-watching that was done throughout it. I also recount how I spent the days of Mid-autumn Festival with my friends, as well as my excitement for this weekend's kayaking trip! Song recs today are full of groove, funk, and smooth vocals!

During a re-recorded episode posted a day too late, I try to to make up for it by explaining my busy second week at my semester program on the East Coast. After a quick rant about the long class days and tight schedules, I give an (unsponsored) plug for Marvel's latest but first movie with an Asian lead, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings! (Not a spoiler: the movie is amazing, and everyone should watch it). I talk about the movie's homage to a portrayal of Asian culture, the beautiful costume and set designs, and the star-studded cast that portrayed every role perfectly. Unsurprisingly, this episode's recommendations include songs from both the movie's album and original score!

After the first week at my East Coast semester program, which has been keeping me busy and sleepy, I give a recap of the lectures, labs, and field days that have left me staring mindlessly at the wall in my room. I mention some necessary actions and items to give my under-prepared self a chance at surviving through the rain, mud, and dirt, and I also ponder some potential ways to lessen the burden of weight on my luggage. After a one-week hiatus, we move on to learn about Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and Apollo's twin sister. Though it is fully into September, we give summer one final huzzah with two poppy and hip-hop summer Korean tunes for this week's song recs!

In a (no longer) shortened episode recorded late at night the day before I leave for the East Coast, I talk about my prep and packing process for the trip, which includes downloading several podcast episodes, playlists, and books, as well as struggles with check-in luggage weight. To curate some late-night vibes, this episode's song recs are both soft and sweet!

Spending the first of my two post-internship vacation weeks lowkey, I talk about my trip to Koreatown, LA with a couple of friends to do some grocery shopping and peach tea-searching (with a tragic ending). I mention the last TV shows and episodes I'll be watching with my family before I leave for school, as well as a pack-with-me preview for next week's episode. This week's our last week learning about Apollo and his grudges, and song rec keywords include ethereal, light, and sweet!

Just after a bittersweet end to my 10-week-long summer internship, I share with you how my presentation went, as well as some (self-perceived) major accomplishments throughout this past week, including driving a full hour (and back) to and from LA and placing #1 in the highest league of my language app! We take another week to learn about Apollo and his twin sister Artemis's wrath, and this week's song recs are different but unique, with breathy falsettos and laid-back funky vibes!

In this episode, I excitedly talk about setting up my new laptop, including the new gadgets and gizmos I bought online to ensure that it lives a healthy and long life. I also give a huge list of the movies and TV shows that I have been watching and that no one asked for (common themes include: jungle, superpowers, and action!). We learn some more about Apollo's flings and wraths in Mythical Minute, and, straight from my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify, today's song recs are strong vocals and catchy melodies!

Finishing up my Korean class exam weeks with a bang, I also share my excitement about my new laptop and the opportunity to get a case and keyboard cover (as well as some Percy Jackson stickers) to help it last as long as possible! I talk about the soon-expected shift to American shows, including rewatching The Flash and potentially skimming through Love Island (not a normal watcher!). We learn a bit more about Apollo, his birthplace, and his oracle, and I recommend two different but both great EDM-y songs to finish the week off strong!

Already on my last book of the Rick Riordan's third (and currently last...) Greek mythology series, I update you guys about my future literary endeavors. I also share the current Korean drama that I've been watching with my family as well as the newest season of The Great Escape, the my favorite escape-room-esque reality show. On my most exciting note, this episode marks the beginning of the podcast's new segment, A Mythical Minute (naming in progress)! In this 5-minute segment, I share with you my very limited knowledge of Greek mythology and its starring characters, with some help from my trusty Mythlopedia books, and our first star is Apollo, the god of, among many things, archery, music, poetry, and prophecy! Finishing up this exciting episode are two song recs from a small but very talented British band I've gotten re-obsessed with!

After my laptop unfortunately crashed last week, I am recording his week's episode on my old laptop, so I sound like I'm trying to speak through a potato. On a bright note, this is probably one of my favorite episodes yet because I basically give you guys an unsponsored advertisement to read the amazing author Rick Riordan's Greek mythology series Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the Heroes of Olympus! They are middle school and current Courtney's favorite books of all time, and my rereading of the two series this past week has inspired the creation of a new episode segment where (hopefully starting next week) I share with you mythical legends and intros to the immortal and mortal characters of mythology! To stick with the theme of favorites, I recommend two song recs from my favorite chill low-key artists, Jeremy Zucker and Lauv!

Starting off groggy from a nap and sounding like a crab, I talk about the progress of my Korean class, including an unfortunate realization of a partially-there textbook PDF and an exciting encounter with a classmate in our first-ever breakout room session! After revealing that I'm rewatching the drama Taxi Driver (which I highly recommend), but this time with my family, I then spend the rest of our first segment advertising the most recent variety show I've been watching, The Great Escape, an exciting and elaborate escape room-esque show with huge sets and clever clues on another level! I also share some songs that I only very recently discovered, which is why the recommendation descriptions aren't too eloquent this episode...

After a full week of nighttime Korean classes and full-day internship shifts, I talk about the sudden, unfortunate, and unwelcome stress about my last half of undergraduate and the future beyond, as well as some new potential schedule changes for my language study plans! I also provide an update on Mouse, the Korean drama I mentioned in the previous episode and a show not for the faint of heart but those who love a psychological thriller, crime, murder mysteries, and plot twist after plot twist. To match the late-night class vibes but add a bit more somberness, I recommend two songs that compliment each other very well through the concept of... the end of the world?

After waking up slightly late for my internship shift, I talk about how my first week of my Korean class went (despite class being at literal midnight) as well as the challenges that await me next week. I also gush about the latest Korean competition/survival show I've been binge-watching, which features military units competing against each other in wild and intense missions, as well as a completely opposite Korean drama that features trauma cleaners uncovering stories of the decease, with a heartwarming storyline and touching character development. To celebrate the end of a long week, I keep things upbeat with two K-Hip Hop/Rap song recommendations, one with a deeper and darker vibe, the other with a more groovy rhythm!

After a tiring day of mishaps and language struggles, I talk about the inevitable features of a late-night episode recording, as well as some worrying apprehension about future academics. However, I also celebrate the pleasantly surprising influx of listens on the podcast's previous episode, and I discuss the latest Korean drama I've been watching with my family since coming back from Chicago which was a wild ordeal at the airport. To match the tired vibes, I recommend two lowkey and in-your-feels songs from artists with smooth and silky vocals!

Finally remembering to record an episode on time, I start off welcoming summer and talking about the newfound difficulties of going out and hanging out with friends. To begin supplying you with plenty of TV recs for the summer, I mention an American sitcom I've been rewatching, some first-responder shows that just had their season finales, and the current multi-season Korean drama I'm watching that is fully of mystery, action, and suspense! Providing some summery roadtrip song recommendations, I recommend a song by a classic pop band that has been around for a while and another song by a Korean solo artist, both having instrumentals that hit you in your soul!

After another forgetful night of not recording an episode, I start my day off with a half whispering-half speaking session to not wake up my neighbors. Celebrating the end of my sophomore, I talk about some interesting findings of my GIS assignment, and talk about the (many) Korean dramas that I've been binge-watching (listen if you like fantasy and action!). For some funky and groovy vibes, I recommend two songs from the small but versatile label DPR!

Recording from Chicago during finals week (the last week of spring quarter!), I struggle to stay in the "finals" mindset as recount the tiring ordeal of picking up and moving my storage boxes from the basement of my old dorm building from first year, including some mysterious sand and a very stuffy and sweaty me. I also mention my plans for the summer, including both an internship and a language class, and, to maintain the motivating and upbeat mood, I recommend two hip-hop/R&B songs, an English poppy and popular Tik Tok song, and a Korean chill and groovy song!

After a sudden realization that I forgot to record this week's podcast episode, I spontaneously host a recording session on Friday morning, accompanied by a very loud leaf-blower in my neighborhood (that may or may not have found its way into the audio). Laying out the last week of my spring quarter and recounting my summer plans, I then reveal a surprising fact that I have not watched a show since last week's podcast episode. However, I do reveal my shift to reality and variety shows, comparing and contrasting American and Korean reality TV and giving some recommendations for both. For song recs, to keep us pumped and motivated through the remaining school year, I provide some good vibes and vacation-y feels!

After an unsuccessful struggle to properly introduce the podcast, I try to ignore the schoolwork bearing down upon me in the final weeks of my spring quarter by detailing to you the history of my watching of horror/scary movies and TV shows (which isn't long at all). I then go into what inspired this recollection: my latest binging spree of various thriller/horror/exorcism Korean dramas that have been intense and engaging, yet very stressful. To share my recent music discovery in the genre of K-Hip Hop and K-R&B, I share two song recommendations to provide both smooth and ethereal vocals as well as some rapping with unique and catchy flow!

During a late-night recorded episode, I talk about an upcoming statistics quiz that I need to study for, as well as several unwelcome guests that have invaded my room, keeping me on my toes. I also provide an update on the crime/detective drama that I had started during the previous episode of this podcast and (unsurprisingly) finished shortly afterwards, giving my final thoughts and recommendations in this episode, then discussing my latest shift to a new genre of shows that I've been watching. To match the late-night and lowkey vibes, I recommend two mellow and chill song, one with a more intimate and risque vibe and lyrics, and the other with a more relaxing and peaceful melody and message!

Finally finishing my last midterm for my classes, I forge ahead in my binge-watching habits, updating you guys with the most recent drama I've just started, a thrilling show filled with mystery, a detective, and a ghost! After dishing on my future plans for the summer and upcoming fall quarter, also unexpectedly enter a contemplative spiel about the decisions on majors and minors in college, offering advice about how to plan ahead and make the most of undergrad. To continue the surprisingly nice and balanced trend of one song rec with lyrics and one without, I recommend an EDM-y dance song with a melodic conversation between two unique voices, and a calm but in-your-feels score from a classic teen/dystopian/action movie!