tbs eFM A Little Of A Lot

Today's theme: Big Eating Opinion is split over the Korean government's recent move to set up guidelines against what it deems "unhealthy eating habits," primarily targeting "먹방," binge-eating shows that are available online. Supporters of the move say regulations are needed to raise awareness about mindless overeating and the consequent health risks. Others claim the move also infringes upon individual freedom of choice. We look into different aspects of big eating and even extreme eating with competitive eater/youtube stars. The Conversationalist with Randy Santel - Professional eater from St Louis, Missouri and founder and owner of FoodChallenges.com Can you share some of the tips of how to eat a lot in a short period of time? You also posted many ‘how-to' videos for people trying to break into the competitive eating. One of the biggest events, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest has even been aired on ESPN for the past eight years. Do you think competitive eating can be considered a sport? & Raina Huang - Competitive eater based in local Southern California People say it's getting harder to make money by becoming a Youtuber as the market is getting more and more competitive. What's it like for the eating Youtubers? How easy would you say it is to start now and get successful? You try out food from different cultures and even took a trip to Spain to explore the food there. Is this an aspect do you think that differentiate your channel from others? Media Monster Next week: Space Force

Today's theme: 북캉스(Boocance) Hot weather created new trends this year such as 호캉스(Hotel + vacance), 몰캉스 (Mall + vacance), 백캉스 (Department store + vacance), and 북캉스(Book + vacance). These are new compound words created to describe the trend of people enjoying indoor activities to escape from hot, grilling sun rays. All these words end with 캉스, which comes from vacance, the French word of vacation. The prefix in the front refers to places or activities people enjoy indoors. For today's show, we focus on Boocance, or summer reading with special recommendations for young listeners enjoying the last bit of summer vacation left. The Conversationalist with Sora Kim-Russell - English translator of 편혜영 Pyun Hye-young's , the best-selling thriller novel in Korea which received this year's Shirley Jackson awards in the U.S. - teaches courses in translation at Ewha Womans University and Literature Translation Institute of Korea It's the first time for a Korean novel to win the award, and the writer said that she feels excited to see her work being accepted in the U.S. How do you think was able to gain success in the U.S., where there is a market for genre fiction but doesn't welcome translated fiction? & John Curran - award-winning expert and archivist who's been a longtime literary adviser to Agatha Christie's estate - author of the book Agatha Christie jotted down plots and ideas on notebooks and journalist Francis Wyndham famously called Christie's plots "animated algebra" - how do you think she was able to come up with such complex, original plots? Media Monster Next week: 소확행 (Small but Definite Happiness)

Today's theme: Game Addiction The World Health Organization recently announced that the agency is adding “gaming disorder” to its globally recognized compendium of medical conditions and diagnoses. However, there are also objections of the video game industry and researchers who have studied the issue, and believe the scientific evidence for the classification is weak at best. We look into the definition of gaming disorder as well as ways to cope with game addiction with expert guests. The Conversationalist with Dr. Doh Min-jung - from You & Me Psychological & Consultation Services - a lecturer at Soongsil University and SookMyung University - a licensed psychologist in the New York State. According to a government survey, 15% of Korean elementary and middle schoolers are addicted to either the internet or smartphones. Do you think teenagers are more vulnerable to addictions? World Health Organization's 11th International Classification of Diseases will include the condition "gaming disorder" from next year. Do you agree that game addiction should be classified as a mental disorder? & Tarik Jašarević - spokesperson for the World Health Organization Some researchers say that your organization's been under enormous pressure from some Asian countries where prevalence of gaming disorder among young people is estimated to be 10-15% and because it takes them away from family and educational duties gaming is pathologized. Would you say this is true? I understand you're getting some backlash from the entertainment and gaming industry due to the recent decision. What do you think about their response? Media Monster Next week: Bookance (북캉스)

Today's theme: Espionage In time for Mission: Impossible – Fallout release earlier in the week, we look into spies and espionage. Espionage or spying, is the act of obtaining secret or confidential information without the permission of the holder of the information. Spies help agencies uncover secret information. Like many others, the field is facing more and more privatization and nowadays intelligence gathering is not only done by secret agents for governments but also by private detectives in many countries. We look into the history as well as morality issues associated with espionage with different experts from around the world. The Conversationalist with Troy Whitford government-licensed investigator in Australia lecturer in Intelligence and Security Studies at Charles Sturt University You wrote that gathering political intelligence has been a significant part of the repertoire of government based intelligence agencies and law enforcement personnel, but in the 21st century, there has been an increase of interest from the private sector wanting to access to political intelligence. Why is this? What's your thought on the increased scrutiny and criticism towards government intelligence agencies and their wrongdoings, ranging from privacy invasion to political interference in many countries? Do you think private investigation can be an answer to this problem? & Tim Lister Terrorism analyst with CNN and Co-Author of a nonfiction book/autobiography of Mortern Storm, a.k.a Agent Storm, who is an Islamist-turned double agent from Denmark. How common is it for intelligence agencies to recruit double-agents like him, or have source inside terrorist organizations? Much of the recent terrorism activities seem to be focused on soft target terrors against civilians. For example, ISIS is claiming responsibility for many recent soft-target terrors in Europe. What do you think is the reason behind this? Media Monster Next week: Economic trade war

Today's theme: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome The Korean government recently implemented a measure to drastically reduce work hours from 68 to 52 hours a week to help people find balance in work and life. Question is, is it really going to alleviate the five major physical or psychological illnesses among workers, including Chronic fatigue syndrome, along with VDT syndrome,mental or emotional disorder, depression and neurological gastrointestinal disorder. These illnesses are often associated with consequences of long work hours. Or do these have direct correlation with overworking hours? These are some of the questions we explore with expert guests under the theme of chronic fatigue. The Conversationalist with Dr. Ronald Davis - director of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Center at Stanford University It seems like there are different degrees of the disease and there are people who manage to maintain normal life having it, but on the other hand you have people who are bed-ridden - unable to move or speak due to this disease. Your own son suffers from a serious case of the disease - can you tell us more about how this brought you closer to the issue and made you more passionate about solving the problem? Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is very hard to diagnose let alone to cure. There are a number of challenges facing the patients and their families and friends, from finding the right doctor to facing some stereotypes. Can you tell us more about these challenges? & Professor Wei Wang - at School of Medical and Health Sciences at Edith Cowan University in Perth - the Director of the Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory-Centre of Excellence on Clinical Epidemiology in China. In many of the cases involving chronic disease, it's hard for patients or even doctors pin down specific name of the disease or symptoms. Can you describe the challenge of having ambiguous health complaints? How do we draw a line between Chronic Fatigue Disease and just regular fatigue? Media Monster Next week: Spys (in time for Mission Impossible release)

Today's theme: Hidden Treasures Earlier in the week, local police raided the offices of a company which claims to have found a treasure-laden shipwreck. The police have requested an international arrest warrant for the founder of a Singapore-based firm after launching an investigation into false claims of discovering a long-lost Russian “treasure ship.” We look into the truth of Dmitri Donskoi as well as treasure hunts throughout history all around the world with expert guests. The Conversationalist with Jihoon Suk - studying 20th century modern Korea history in Yonsei University. Let's get into the recent discovery of this Russian warship Dmitrii Donskoi that was sunken in 1905. Can you tell us more about the historical backdrop of the year 1905, and why countries with imperial ambitions would send out warships around the world? Where does the rumor that this ship contained 5,500 boxes of gold bars and coins which would have a value today of around 150 trillion won or $130 billion come from? Is there any historical evidence? & Owen Jarus - who writes about archeology and ancient relics on Business Insider, Scientific American and many more outlets and runs the webpage ‘Unreported Heritage News.' Supposedly there would be many archeologists around the world who would be eager to be on the site to look into those treasures, but I understand the Egyptian government implemented a very strict rule limiting outsiders from the site. Can you tell us more about this? We hear about ancient treasures or heritages being stolen or taken away from the original site to another part of the world. What's the rule when it comes to who gets to claim those treasures? Is it the finders are keepers rule that generally applies? Media Monster Next week: Game Addiction

Today's theme: Economic Trade War Tensions between the US, China and the rest of the world are escalating with the on-going trade war. The trade war was triggered by the US president Donald Trump last year when he proclaimed to impose tariffs on imported items in the US, or anything that threatens its national security. With expert guests, we look into the history and basic concepts of a trade war while getting latest updates of the US-China trade war, and assess how the situation will affect us here in Korea. The Conversationalist with Professor Yang Junsok (양준석) - Department of Economics, Catholic University of Korea The history of trade war goes back to 19th century when there was an Opium War between the Qing dynasty and the British Empire, but can you tell us what trade war means and what it entails? Trade deficit with China has been a major issue during the Obama administration and we could even say Trump took advantage of the situation with the Make America Great Again slogan. Can you give us a background of where this sentiment against China stems from in the US? & Tommy Wu - Senior economist at Oxford Economics Hong Kong Ltd Some experts say if such support plan is expanded to all the other industries that are impacted by Chinese goods will equal up to the value that US is hoping to gain from tariffs on Chinese goods, which means there will be no winner at the end from this trade war. What's your opinion on that? What kind of rifle effect will this trade war have on surrounding economies like South Korea and Hong Kong, which trade with both US and China? Media Monster Next week: Hidden Treasures

Today's theme: Korean BBQ The weather is getting warmer and for many people, it's the season to eat out – especially when the sun goes down. And one of the most popular menus for eating out here in Korea is Korean BBQ. Samgyeopsal(삼겹살, or pork belly) is perhaps the very first type of food that comes to people's mind when people think of Korean BBQ. There are so many types of different cuisines that attract people and even more number of ways these ingredients are cooked. We look into the history and the culture of local BBQs with experts. The Conversationalist with Daniel Gray - tours and events specialist based in South Korea and founder of Seoul Eats When eating at some of the barbeque restaurants, you will get some grease or smell on your clothes during the grilling. What are some of the measures these restaurants take to resolve such issue? Some analyze that it's only after the war that grilling meat became so widespread in Korea. Is there a point in this argument? Pork belly became a popular match with soju in the 80s, making barbeque a quintessential social experience. As a food expert can you see why pork belly and soju are a good pair? Media Monster MAMAMOO's Hwasa (화사) reveals a day of her life on 나혼자 산다 (I Live Alone) Next week: Chronic Fatigue (in time for reduced working hours in Korea to 52 hours per week)

Today's theme: Elon Musk ElonMusk (born June 28, 1971) is a South African-born American entrepreneur and businessman who founded X.com in 1999 (which later became PayPal), SpaceX in 2002 and Tesla Motors in 2003. Musk became a multimillionaire in his late 20s when he sold his start-up company, Zip2, to a division of Compaq Computers. Over the years Musk has accumulated wealth with several different projects. It's no secret Elon Musk is successful. We look into what are the secrets, however, are the things he's done to get to where he's at. The Conversationalist with Mark Zastrow - Science writer Can you first elaborate on Elon Musk's plan to send thousands of satellites into space to provide high-speed internet on earth?Do you think this plan is scientifically feasible? It seems like Elon Musk isn't the only one who's venturing out into space - Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg plans to use solar-powered drones to provide internet access to billions of people in the dark, while Google owner company Alphabet aims to supply internet access from high-altitude balloons placed about 18 km up in the stratosphere. How does Elon's plan stand out from all of these? Media Monster Next week: Korean BBQ

Today's theme: Immigration (refugees) These days, we see more and more foreigners living in Korea. The number has doubled from a decade ago. These foreigners mainly include immigrants who left the countries, where they were born, to work in Korea or to marry Korean citizens. Other foreigners include refugees and asylum seekers, who fled from their domestic political or social chaos to find safe havens. Increasing inflows of foreigners are prompting many meaningful discussions in the Korean society, including the recent news of 500 Yemeni refugees arriving onJeju Island. The Conversationalist with Darryl Coote - journalist based in Jeju who's covering the Yemeni refugee issue “I understand the administration is granting special employment permits to Yemeni nationals, and even a job fair was held for those people seeking jobs on Jeju Island. Can you please shed some more light on the employment situation of the refugees there down on Jeju? Has there been any notable public backlash in regards to the refugees taking local people's jobs or signs of any security concerns arising?” & EsmailAlqublani - former journalist from Yemen, who took refuge in Jeju recently “The Korea Immigration Service granted the Yemeni refugees special employment permits so they can instantly start work. Is this providing practical help to you there on the island, or are there loopholes and difficulties in this you are still facing? You yourself gave up getting a fishing job because of severe sea sickness - can you tell us more about your job seeking situation?” Media Monster Next week: Elon Musk

Today's theme: Football (in time for Russia World Cup 2018) The 2018 FIFA World Cup is the 21st FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It is currently ongoing in Russia starting from June 14th and will end with the final match on July 15th. The country was awarded the hosting rights in December 2010. The final tournament involves 32 national teams. We look into the history, the culture and the quirks surrounding the tournament with expert guests. The Conversationalist with Patrick Reevell - ABC News Moscow bureau reporter How enthusiastic do you think the Russian people, and the nation is as a whole about this world cup? Can you feel any excitement over there? Russia is such a big country and the games are being held across 12 stadiums. The distance between the easternmost host city and the westernmost host city is over 1500 miles (2414 km). That's about the same distance as Moscow to London. What kind of logistic issues might fans or teams alike experience as they traverse this vast land for their various games? & Yoo Jee-ho(유지호) - sports writer for Yonhap News Agency Do we know anything about how the Korean team has been training so far - what kind of team building efforts were going on, how are they staying fit and ready for the games, and so on? South Korea is in Group F with Sweden, Mexico and Germany, those that are not huge football fans might wonder why this has been labeled one of the tournaments “group of death”. Can you tell us just how strong these teams are, and why even round 16 can be the toughest round for South Korea? & Tom Williams - Football writer and broadcaster, specializing in English and French football - author of Do You Speak Football? Do you think there will be a “home ground advantage” for Russia going forward? We've talked about key players in the Korean national team to keep an eye on. Can you come up with some names of players, regardless of country, that you have the highest expectations for in the World Cup? Media Monster Next week: Immigration (refugees)

Today's theme: Dating through Media (in time for Popularity of Heart Signal Season 2) A dating reality show ‘Heart Signal,' which aired last fall here in Korea, gained huge popularity. The program ignited the revival of other dating reality shows. And Season 2 of Heart Signal has been even more popular. These dating reality shows may have different concepts, but they have similar settings. Young participants, who are total strangers to each other, live together in certain places designated by producers for a certain period of time. And such programs are popular all over the world. We look into the reasons behind the success of these shows and how they reflect our society's attitude toward romance. The Conversationalist with Angela Smith - Professor of Language and Culture at the University of Sunderland You analyzed the success factors of Love Islands, and the first thing you pointed out was the format of the program that blends the genres of previously successful programs. Can you tell us more about the format of Love Island? You also mentioned the thrill of live broadcast because they use the Big Brother-like camera system to capture real moments. Can you elaborate? & Dr Martin Graff - from the Department of Psychology at the University of South Wales - an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society - a Chartered Psychologist, researching online interaction romantic relationships. - author of Love, Digitally: Where romantic relationships meet internet behavior Micro-cheating is another buzzword that came along with the rise of online dating and social media. Can you explain to us what this means? Do you think people are more prone to do this when they use internet excessively? We tend to believe that online profiles on social media services or online dating services are superficial and provide limited information. But in your article “What's Behind a Dating Profile?”, you say that online profiles can tell more about people than we might actually think. Can you tell us why? Media Monster Next week: Football/soccer (in time for 2018 Russia World Cup)

Today's theme: Free Speech In recent months, there have been issues of free speech in many areas including schools, TV, online, etc. In the US, ABC cancelled the series as a swift response to some late-night racist tweeting by Roseanne Barr, the series' eponymous main star. Barr had compared African-American woman Valerie Jarrett, a former adviser to President Barack Obama, to an ape. And in the UK, Martin Meechan, often referred to by his YouTuber name Count Dankula, received his sentence for making a joke in a video. We look into the definition of free speech and hate speech and what we can do to protect our rights. The Conversationalist with Professor Peter Paik - from Yonsei Institute for Humanities Even in modern states with democracy, expressions that can threaten the safety of the nation and the people are considered unlawful. What is the legal basis and examples of it? How do you think online communities and social media are changing the debate over free speech? & Eric Heinze - Professor of Law and Humanities at Queen Mary University of London, who recently wrote about campus free speech on The Conversation. Just to get a recap, who are the prominent speakers recently banned from speaking on campuses and why? I understand this no-platforming is part of “safe space” policies, intended to protect students from views and languages they find offensive, including discrimination. You wrote “the originally innocuous policy has come to signify something altogether more alarming” - can you give us more background of this policy and why you think it became alarming? Media Monster Next week: Dating through media

Today's theme: Plastic Surgery With the increasing popularity on K-pop across the world, Korea is becoming one of the famous medical tourism destinations, attracting many tourists for medical treatments, including plastic surgeries. And it seems like more and more people are opening up their plastic surgery experiences. We look into the history of plastic surgery here in Korea with experts as well as some of the things you should consider going under the knife. The Conversationalist with Park Ji-young (Jessica Park) - student at Chung Ang University Graduate School Advanced Interpretation & Translation Program who previously worked at a plastic surgery clinic as a translator for foreign medical tourists “There are criticisms that the industry has grown in size but not so much quality-wise. Do you think the patients at your hospital were provided with decent quality in terms of service? Despite all these problems we have discussed, why do you think people still come to Korea for plastic surgery, when there are other options like Thailand?” & Professor John P DiMoia - from Seoul National University, Department of Korean History “I understand you take a historical approach on this matter, looking into the country's modernization and nation-building process and how it incorporates bio-medicine technology. Can you tell us more about how biomedicine technology was used in the post-war era? Your book, Reconstructing Bodies: Biomedicine, Health, and Nation-Building in South Korea Since 1945, explains the concept of ‘Medicine as a Form of “Ordinary Shopping”'. How has receiving medical care become like an ordinary shopping in South Korea, and do you think it's a positive or negative thing?” Media Monster Next week: Free Speech

Today's theme: Avengers

Today's theme: Vegetarianism With upcoming Buddha's Birthday to be celebrated on Tuesday (May 22nd), we look in to vegetarianism, an act of practicing vegetarian diet. It is deeply connected to the Buddha's philosophy. When Buddha first started spreading his philosophy to his five followers or monks, he emphasized the importance of cherishing all existing form of life on earth. What does a vegetarian diet look like? How can we practice vegetarianism here in Korea? We look into facts and discuss practicality with experts in the studio. The Conversationalist with AJ García - Manager and Plant Based Chef/Baker at Huggers, vegan restaurant in Itaewon Do you think vegetarian community in Korea is growing? Are there more restaurants and shops that attend to their needs? Vegetarianism does not only restrict to food - there are more people buying only vegan and vegetarian products. What types of products should you be conscious of and are available in vegan? & Professor Peter Clifton - from School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences at University of South Australia. A vegetarian diet centers on eating more wholesome, plant-based foods and cutting out animal products like meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy. What are the nutrition that we're most likely to miss? People sometimes just presume that having a plant-based diet will automatically make you lose more weight and become healthy. Is it always the case? Media Monster Next week: Avengers

Today's theme: Online Privacy Last month, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in front of US congress about data leak of its user information to a British political consulting firm, Cambridge Analytica. He faced accusations of “mishandling the privacy data” of its online users. Such news erupted concerns over the privacy of consumers' personal data.As much as we enjoy our cyberspace, it comes with price - invasion of our privacies. With expert guests, we look into the issue and ways we can protect our privacy online. The Conversationalist with Paul-Olivier Dehaye - co-founder of PersonalData.IO, a Swiss startup helping individuals regain control over their personal data Facebook data was not only used in influencing US presidential election, but also the Brexit vote in 2016, as people say. How exactly does the political ads target people in a way it can affect outcomes of such important elections? Mark Zuckerberg still argue that users own their own personal information and decide when to share it and when not to. How much control do you think we actually have over our online data? & Kim Keechang(김기창) - professor at Korea University Law School and Former Director of the NGO Opennet, a non-governmental organization which aims for the freedom and openness of South Korea's internet South Korea's Personal Information Protection Act (“PIPA”) is often described as one of the toughest data privacy law in Asia. How does the law protect personal information online? A pizza franchise in Korea says that the GPS tracker can improve safety of the delivery people by urging them to comply with traffic signs and traffic rules. Similarly, China's tech company is monitoring workers' brainwaves, to make sure they concentrate doing sensitive and dangerous work. How much monitoring is necessary for safety, where does the privacy invasion starts? Media Monster Next week: Vegetarian

Today's theme: The Simpsons (in time for Family Month) With Children's Day and Parent's Day, Teachers Day, as well as Buddha's Birthday, the month of May is full of holidays, and is largely considered to be a Family Month. In celebration, we look into The Simpsons, known here in Korea as 심슨가족, or The Simpsons Family. The series is a satirical depiction of working-class life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield and parodies American culture and society, television, and the human condition. With expert guests, we look into why the series has attracted so many fans all around the world and has been able to continue on for 29 seasons. The Conversationalist with Professor David Schweingruber - from Department of Sociology at Iowa State University “Watching the Simpsons every week from its premier in 1989 sounds like a real commitment. What made you such a huge fan of the show? Your research seems focus on subjects like gender, family and religion, all of which the show touches on. As a sociology professor, do you feel like The Simpsons can also be used as teaching material?” & Professor Thomas Gold - Department of Sociology at UC Berkeley who taught seminars on “''The Simpsons'' Global Mirror” “The Simpsons shows the family as part of a larger community, showing lives of foreigners and illegal immigrants. How do you think the show touches on the subject of globalization? The show was swept in controversy for its depiction of the Indian character Apu. Can you tell us what the controversy was about? The show also offended other countries like Brazil and Australia for its satirical depiction. What's your personal take on this?” Media Monster The Simpsons Albums Next week: Online Privacy

Today's theme: 갑질 (Gapjil) There has been a public uproar regarding the latest infamous behaviors of some of the familyKorean Air family. 조현민(CHO Hyun-min), who is in charge of marketing at Korean Air, is the second daughter of the company's Chairperson. She rekindled furor with an episode of ‘갑질(Gapjil)' by allegedly physically and verbally abusing an executive of an advertising company. The recent incident reminded the public of her elder sister 조현아(CHO Hyun-ah)'s gapjil back in 2014 known as ‘nut rage.' We look into the definition of the term ‘gapjil' and the impact of power distance here in Korea and abroad. The Conversationalist with Kim Hoe (김 호) - Founder and head coach of THE LAB h (a leadership and organizational communication consulting firm) “I understand you also worked in a public relations agency for some time. I heard gab-jil can be quite common in these agency-client relations. Can you share your experience or insight? To have such a frequent outburst tells us something about the emotional distress and frustration the person is going through, aside from just wanting to enjoy one's status. You wrote a column about people who have aggressive attitude in the workplace, saying the real reason behind is 'fear'. Can you tell us more about this?” & Professor Joseph Cabuay - organizational leadership expert from Department of Technology & Society at SUNY Korea “It seems like the power imbalance between superior and subordinate allows things like gapjil or workplace harassment to happen. Is this only Korea's problem, or do other countries have the same issue as well? You've lived and worked in more than 24 nations worldwide. Based on your experience, how does workplace culture such as having strict hierarchy affect workers' performance?” Media Monster Next week: The Simpsons (in time for Family Month)

Today's theme: Birthrate The number of newborns here in Korea is dropping rapidly in recent years. Also, the total fertility rate, or the number of babies that a woman is projected to have during her lifetime, fell to 1.05 last year from 1.17, also marking a record low. Coupled with a rapidly aging population, a low birthrate can reduce the available workforce in and drive up welfare costs, undermining the growth potential of the economy. We look into the reasons behind the decreasing birthrate as well as solutions with expert guests. The Conversationalist with Professor Lee Bong-joo - from the Department of Social Welfare at Seoul National University - a former civil member at the presidential committee of ageing society and population policy “The government spent 80 trillion won ($74.5 billion) in past 10 years on population policy. Why do you think past policies haven't worked well enough? Countries like Germany and Japan are looking to sustain population by accepting immigrants. Is this an option that's being considered by the Korean government?” & Francesco Billari - Professor of Demography and Dean of the Faculty at Bocconi University in Milan You draw comparison in an interview with the Straits Times between Northern and Southern Italy where birthrate reversed over time. Can you tell us about this interesting example? You also discussed a Chinese example, how the country abolished one-child policy to reverse a demographic slide but hasn't seen notable results. Are there any reasons behind it that's specific to China? Media Monster Roujin Z (노인 Z) Next week: Gapjil (갑질)

Today's theme: K-pop Export Korean culture is being widely consumed by many fans not just here in Korea but also in the global market. K-pop music is hitting Billboard charts and even k-pop idol training systems are being exported in the overseas markets. Even during the PyeongChang Winter Games, athletes marched in the Parade of Nations to the accompaniment of a select group of K-pop hits.With catchy melodies performed by polished dance groups, pop bands and soloists growing rapidly, the spin-off industry around their amazing ranks is growing even faster. The Conversationalist with Professor Hae-kyung Um(엄해경) Lecturer in music at the University of Liverpool and author of Asian Pop Music in Cosmopolitan Europe: K-pop Fandom in the Age of Globalization “As a lecturer in music, what do you believe are some of the musical elements of k-pop that appeal to European audiences? How do you think K-pop is able to have such large fanbases overseas when there obviously are cultural differences and language barriers which can be an obstacle in accessing popular culture?” & Chelsea Proctor - Managing editor at Seoulbeats “While pop star Psy found massive chart success with his 2012 dance hit Gangnam Style, his star soon fizzled. Do you think the success of BTS is here to stay? The group is not from one of the three large labels in South Korea, SM, YG and JYP, and most of their lyrics are in Korean. How does that compare with other groups that have gone or are going global?” Media Monster 노라조“형” Artist: Norazo Song: Hyeong (brother) Next week: Birthrate

Today's theme: Constitutional Debate Amending the constitution has long been a popular agenda in South Korean politics with President MOON Jae-in's recent reform bill submission. Although amended nine times before, the need for further amendments recently surfaced. Some blame the high incidence of corruption on the over-concentration of power in the hands of the president and the brevity of the president's term. We look into the major issues surrounding the debate. The Conversationalist with Joung Hwang - Independent legal researcher with LawQuant LLC - former Professor of Law at Hankook University of Foreign Studies “The revision submitted by the presidential office seeks to enhance basic human rights, by replacing “citizens” to “people” and including “right to life.” But constitution is not a law that can directly penalize people I understand. Can changing constitutional phrases make a real difference in people's lives? Countries that have prime ministers as head of state rarely have term limits, Germany's Angela Merkel is serving her fourth term despite Germany being a democratic country and Margaret Thatcher was prime minister there in the UK for over 11 years. How is it different from China's Xi Jinping having no term limit for example? Do you think having a term limit is really necessary?” & Robert Blackburn - Professor of Constitutional Law at Kings College London, who's a leading authority on British and comparative constitutional law “We're seeking to change a single five-year term for presidents to two four-year terms as seen in the American model. How do you feel this is likely to play out? Is it a change you would be in favor of? Can you think of any alternative ways of ensuring continuity in governing while reflecting public wills? How do you think of a 7 year presidential term while granting another 4 years if re-elected, for example?” Media Monster Schoolhouse Rock! - series of animated musical educational short films Next week: K-pop Export

Today's theme: 장국영 (Leslie Cheung) On April 1st, 2003, beloved Hong Kong actor and singer, Leslie Cheung, 장국영, decided to end his life at a Hotel in Hong Kong. Most people were in disbelief when the news was reported that afternoon. His fans came to him through their love of his music and his performances on the screen, both large and small, but they stayed with him, and even now, over 15 years after his death, they stay with him because of his warmth, simplicity and humbleness of character. In commemoration, we listen to the songs he sung and look into the movies he performed in. The Conversationalist with Writer & Director Robert Joe His film with John Woo (오우삼), A Better Tomorrow (영웅본색), has opened up the era of new genre in Hong Kong cinema called “heroic bloodshed.” Can you tell us more about these movies and how A Better Tomorrow has set the tone for many similar films? Farewell My Concubine (패왕별희) 1993 - Can you first tell us about Peking opera which the main characters perform? This film wins Palme d'Or in Cannes Film Festival in the year of the release. How do you think it shed light to Chinese cinema? & Mathew Scott Hong Kong based freelance journalist who writes for South China Morning Post “Fifteen years passed since his death, but he is still missed in Hong Kong. Can you give us a sense of how big of a star he was there, the space he takes in Hong Kong people's mind, perhaps by comparing him to western celebrities? What are some of the Leslie Cheung films that are most popular among the local people in Hong Kong?” Media Monster Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries Next week: Constitutional Reform

Today's theme: Stephen Hawking Stephen Hawking, the physicist and author of A Brief History of Time died at the age of 76 on March 14th, 2018. In a statement, Hawking's children said: “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world.” In commemoration, we look into his findings and achievements as well as the personal side of the brilliant mind. The Conversationalist with Science journalist Mark Zastrow “His areas of interests were on black holes, Big Bang and the origin of universe. Are these common subject of study in the field of theoretical physics, or is he unique? One of his most prominent discoveries was what's called the Hawking radiation, which suggests that black hole isn't so black. Can you walk us through the theory?” & Professor Gary Horowitz Physics Department at University of California Santa Barbara From left to right, former UC Santa Barbara professor Andy Strominger (now at Harvard), Stephen Hawking and UC Santa Barbara's Gary Horowitz. “You actually met him several times visiting Cambridge and Hawking also visited you in Santa Barbara. How was he generally when meeting with other scientists? He had to speak with great difficulty because of the Lou Gehrig's disease and had to use the speech synthesizer from some point. Can you tell us what it was like communicating with him?” Media Monster The Theory of Everything Next week: 장국영 Leslie Cheung (in time for April Fool's Day)

Today's theme: Yoga From Hot Yoga to Flying Yoga, there are many different Yoga classes available here in Korea. While some say Yoga is a postural practice or a form of exercise, others argue that from looking into the historical traditions of Yoga, one can cultivate transcendental state of spirituality. We look into practitioners' spiritual and physical intentions and Yoga's transformation over time throughout the world. The Conversationalist with Jane Aquino - Seoul-based actress and model & Yoga instructor - Having learned Yoga in a Certificate Raja Yoga Program. She has learned about chackras, energy control and perhaps most importantly, how to live a more balanced and healthy life. “Yoga is gaining popularity not only in western countries but also here in Korea as well. What do you think about the Yoga culture here in Korea? Has its popularity grown over the years? Do you think of this as a lasting lifestyle, or just a fad passing by? What do you think about the commercialization of yoga and just focusing on its diet effects rather than the core philosophy?” & Ayman Al-Khatib - founder of Guru Yoga group in Lebanon - He traveled to Nepal, South India and many other places and studied in an ashram in India. He is now dedicated to share the traditional Yogic philosophy and science in Lebanon and worldwide “Yoga is often described as “the journey to the self.” Can you first tell us about your journey of self-discovery and how yoga changed your path? I heard you always say in your classes ‘Observe without judgment.' Why is it important to remove judgment in our lives and how can yoga help achieve that?” Media Monster Novel Go by Kazuki Kaneshiro Next week: Stephen Hawking

Today's theme: PyeongChang 2018 Paralympics The Paralympic Games is a major international multi-sport event involving athletes with a range of disabilities. The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games takes place from March 9th to March 18th, featuring athletes from competing in six sports for 80 Gold medals. What is the origin of the word “Paralympic”? When did it all begin? We look at the history, as well as the present competition, speaking to athletes and coaches from the scene. The Conversationalist with Jon Kreamelmeyer - Former American cross-country skiing coach who was the head coach of United States from 1998 until 2006, during which time the United States won 11 Paralympics medal in cross-country skiing. - During the Winter Paralympics in Sochi, he was inducted into the Paralympic Hall of Fame. “Should we, in your experience, be treating the Paralympics as its own special and unique event with noticeable differences from the Olympics, or is it more important that we pay less attention to the unique nature of it and try, instead, to blur the lines between them? There have been some reports that in some countries, it has been rather tricky to attract attention and interest in the Paralympics, with reasons ranging from the commercialization of the healthy body image to a lack of expansive tv coverage. Is this the case for the US or any other countries you've been associated with? What do you think can be done, if anything, to raise interest in these games?” & Joany Badenhorst - para snowboarder and co-captain of Australian Paralympic Winter team for PyeongChang 2018 “From an early age you took part in various youth paralympics and sport events. But the story of how you got into snowboarding is intriguing. You were trying on a high heeled prosthetic leg to wear on your graduating formal, jumping and running, and head coach of the Australian para snowboard team Pete Higgins was watching you on the other room? Children with disability don't see as much representation of them on media or it might be hard for them to find a role model. Do you hope that they might learn something from watching the Paralympics games? Or do you have any message for them?” Media Monster Derren Brown: The Push Next week: Yoga

Today's theme: Minimum Wage Minimum wage is an hourly statutory labor cost set by the government to force employers to pay over a certain level for their employees to maintain minimum standard of living. Over the years, Korea's minimum wage has surged a number of times since 1989, with the most recent raise of 16.4% to 7,530 won starting this year. Some are happy with higher pay, but others say employers are dodging the increasea and even laying people off instead of paying them more. Is minimum wage the solution to the employment and economic problems at hand? Questions: Does it work? Is it discriminatory? Does it create more unemployment? Will it lead to the increased automation of jobs? We look into the pros and cons of the system with experts from around the world. The Conversationalist with Professor Yang Junsok - Department of Economics at Catholic University of Korea “The current government is promoting wage-led growth which means to seek economic growth by boosting household income and spending. Do you think raising the minimum wage can help achieving this goal? As in any countries, there is a noticeable difference between the cost of living in a large city and more rural areas. Thus some nations, including Japan, have adopted a system in which the minimum wage is relative to the area: something akin to a smart wage. Do you think that Korea should be looking at something like this?” & Professor Margot Young - in the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, and a Research Associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-BC Office “We're encountering a structural shift in the labor market which led to famous people like Elon Musk advocate the idea of universal basic income. But what led the Ontario state to experiment with this idea? Unlike minimum wage, basic income doesn't require the recipients to work to earn it. What can they do instead of participating in the labor market?” Media Monster Morgan Spurlock's 30 days Next week: Paralympics

Today's theme: Gangwondo (in time for Pyeongchang Winter Olympics) The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is an ongoing international event hosted by the county of Pyeongchang here in Korea. The games aren't limited to the county itself. With a comparatively large population, the nearby coastal city of Gangneung can lay claim to being the true Olympic capital. Let us introduce to you Gangneung, a city full of the cool scent of the sea and the pine trees and the province of Gangwondo. The Conversationalist with John Breckenfeld full-time visiting professor of English Language and Literature Department at Gangneung-Wonju National University “So the Olympics has finally started, and you must be familiar with all the locals' excitements and expectations of hosting the world event in their hometown. How do you think people in Gangneung are feeling about hosting the Olympics and how do you personally feel watching all the developments and finally the games being underway? Pyeongchang has lost two times to Vancouver and Sochi in a bid to host the winter Olympics. It won in the third trial in Durban, South Africa in 2011. So it should be all the more special to the locals - do you think the way events are carried out lives up to the expectations of everyone?” & Gene Justice an organizer of expat community activities in Gangneung organizer of Korean food podcast Tipple & Squid “I understand you yourself will invite a friend over to watch a ski event in the PyeongChang Olympics. But generally how do the local expats feel about the Olympics? One of the most well-known Gangwondo food would be Chodang Dubu (초당 두부) - there's a village in Gangneung devoted to it. For our listeners who don't know what it is, can you give us an introduction?” Media Monster Mario Kart Next week: tbs eFM Pyeongchang Olympics Special

Today's theme: Plagirism Recently, Korean singer Sunmi and composer Teddy were under suspision of plagiarizing her track “Heroine.” Some popel have argued that the song is a copy of “Fight for This Love” by Cheryl Cole. Also, Momoland's latest song “Bboom Bboom” has been accused of plagirism by Serebro, the original singers of “Mi Mi Mi.” Meanwhile, some of the Korean TV productions have criticized China's brazen plaigirim of Korean programs such as “Yoon's Kitchen” and “Hyori's Homestay.” We look into the definition of copyright and discuss the controversies surrounding plagirism issues in many different fields including music, TV, academia, etc. The Conversationalist with Professor Mun Chae-young (문채영) from Seoul Women's University General English Program “We see many thesis plagiarism charges raised against academic figures. Just how difficult is it to get a thesis approved? How long does it take to write one, and how many sources do you have to refer to?” & Lawyer Baek Kyung-tae (백경태) from Korea Copyright Commission “Often times, we see so many plagiarism issues in terms of breaching copyrights of original works in music, television shows, films, product brands and many more. How effective are these copyrights when it comes to plagiarism controversies?” & Kpopalypse K-pop blogger based in Australia who is also a music teacher “Earlier in the show, we listened to clips of Sunmi's Heroine and Cheryl Cole's Fight for this love. For many of us they sound strikingly similar but can you explain for us why this does not constitute a plagiarism?” Media Monster Mishima: A Life in 4 Chapters Next week: Gangwondo (in time for Pyeongchang Olympics)

Today's theme: Webtoon Korea's webtoon industry is a fast-growing business. But in recent years, people have been speaking up about the working conditions of webtoon artists. Lezhiin Comics, one of the most popular/Korea's first paid-service platform, has been the center of the controversy. Webtoon artists have staged protests in front of the company's building denouncing Lezhin's alleged ‘blacklist' and other mistreatment of the artists. We look into the potential and problems Korea's webtoon industry holds. The Conversationalist with 이종범(LEE Jong-beom) best known for his webtoon Dr. Frost which was also adapted into a TV series He is also a board member of the Korea Webtoon Artist Association. “Our stance is quite simple. Lezhin must issue an earnest public apology regarding the problems that have gone on for several years. Only then can we discuss specific solutions” & 장혜원 (a.k.a 돌배작가) Chang Hye-won (penname: Dolbae) known for her webtoons 샌프란시스코 화랑관 (San Francisco Hwa Rang Kwan) and more recently 계룡선녀전 & Elaine Ramirez Seoul-based journalist specializing in technology, startups, business and contributor for Forbes Asia. “Can you give us a glimpse of how platforms can build a business model around webtoon service overseas, by giving us some prominent examples?” Webtoon is a part of this K-wave, Korean pop culture contents gaining popularity abroad. We're seeing trends like Korean developed PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds being played worldwide, or megahit webtoon Love Alarm winning Netflix original remake. How can tech companies ride this wave?” Media Monster "Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art" by Scott McCloud Next week: Plagirism

Today's theme: 1987:When the Day Comes 1987: When the Day Comes is a fact-based political thriller that reconstructs a turning point in Korean history triggered by the death of a student. Directed by Jang Joon-hwan with intelligent insight, this movie is a compelling depiction of how brave individuals from all walks of life mobilized a whole nation to bring a dictator to his knee. We look into the significance of the movie and the year itself. The Conversationalist with Darcy Paquet Film critic Teaches at Busan Asian Film School Program consultant for the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy “This film has been very highly praised by critics, even more so than other films about contemporary Korean history like A Taxi Driver. What do critics single out as this film's strengths?” “This is a sweet victory for director Jang Joon-hwan. Who is he, and why are film industry people so happy for him?” & Professor 문명재 Moon Myung-Jae Department of Public Administration at Yonsei University “Can you tell us about your reaction to the tragic news of Yonsei university student 이한열 YI Han-yeol? What was it like being in Busan at the time? It must have been difficult for you to be serving as a public service worker while many other students were protesting against the government” Media Monster SIMPSONS BEFORE “THE SIMPSONS” Next week: Webtoon

Today's theme: The Art of Not Giving a… Mark Manson book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a ….: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, was released on September 13, 2016. The book has also been published in Korea as 신경 끄기의 기술, and it has become a best seller for 8 consecutive weeks here. Some have said it is a “masterful, philosophical and practical book that will give readers the wisdom to be able to do just that.” We break down this self-help book to see what the craze is all about. The Conversationalist with Jennifer Thompson organizer of Facebook group on this book You have well over a thousand members joining the group who also actively communicate through the page. What's interesting is that the members seem to post what they're struggling with and they give advice to each other via comments. Is it just something that naturally happened, or what you expected from the beginning? & Dr. Robert Puff licensed clinical psychologist based in Newport beach of California host of Happiness podcast which has been downloaded over 4 million times regular writer for Psychology Today Mark Manson, the author of the book that we're discussing today, says that by trying to become happy, we become less happy. You also wrote in one of your articles on Psychology Today to keep expectations low is one of the keys to happiness. Do you feel like the pursuit of happiness or focusing too much on it can actually drive us away from that goal? Media Monster Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness Next week: 1987 (the movie & the year)

Today's theme: Genetic Engineering Genetic engineering means to directly manipulate the genes of a given organism, whether it's bacteria or plants or vertebrates. The general technique is by now about forty years old. Nowadays there are myriad ways to do this, the latest one being CRISPR-Cas9 or similar systems of gene editing. Of course, no technology is ever completely “safe”. But the reality is that there isn't a single example of a catastrophic consequence of genetic engineering. Hopefully we can keep it that way. The Conversationalist with Mark Zastrow science journalist How did the idea of eugenics affect society back then? Does it have any real grounding in science or scientific theory? Can Artificial Intelligence be incorporated into the human brain using this gene engineering technique, to create a machine-supplemented mind? & Professor Mark Kay studies pediatrics and genetics at Stanford University Professor Kay, you expect the treatment for rare immunodeficiency conditions such as “bubble boy” disease can come about in the next five years. Can you first explain what these diseases are? How come these are first on the list that can be cured by genetic engineering? Media Monster Unnatural Selection (The Outer Limits Episode) Next week: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a ****

Today's theme: Learning a New Language (top new years resolution) As cliche as it might sound, most people have a goal for 2018. While one of the top ones may be that everlasting quest to lose weight, there are some other important ones on the list. According to a recent survey, for resolutions people keep visiting year after year, diet, exercise, and self-development were the top three, but in fourth place, over a quarter said they planned to study a foreign language. So it seems the new year brings many familiar challenges, but as the world becomes ever more globalised, the need and push towards learning a new way to speak - and perhaps a new way to think - is on many people's minds. We look to get to grips with the idea of language learning. The Conversationalist with Kong Seong-jae (공성재) or Korean Billy Youtube star based here in Korea who attracted thousands of viewers all across the globe. He runs a channel that teaches some of more than 30 British dialects BBC introduced him as a knight in shining armor preserving northern accents “You no doubt receive many compliments and a lot of praise as is evidenced by the huge numbers of views and comments you have on some of your youtube videos, but how would you rate your own ability in terms of language? Or how would you define ‘fluency' according to your experiences?” & Jeremy from Motivate Korean on Youtube “You said on one of your videos that instead of trying to learn the language, we need to surround ourselves with the language and try to absorb. Can you elaborate on this point?” Media Monster Black Mirror Season 4 Next week: Genetic Engineering

Today's theme: 2017 A Little of a Lot Recap It's the last day of 2017. We've covered many different topics throughout the year from pop psychology, air dust, Youtube, democracy, zero-waste living, Seo Taiji, etc. We look into which episodes were most popular among our listeners, and other issues that have been trending throughout 2017 here in Korea. The Conversationalist with Professor Christian Joon Park Department of Cultural Anthropology at Han Yang University Most downloaded this year: Coffee (August 20th): It is not totally surprising to see the topic of ‘coffee' gaining so much attention. There are so many coffee shops in the cities. And it seems the trend has become popular in recent years. How do you perceive Korea people's love for coffee? 2nd most downloaded: Pop-psychology, Self-esteem (March 19th): This was actually our first topic episode. Pop-psychology books almost always seem to be included in the best-seller lists. And with recent suicide of a pop Korean idol, people are clinging more to books on self-esteem and pride. Can you tell us about people's reliance on such books? 3rd most downloaded: The science of lying (April 2nd): We covered this issue broadly from individual lies, lies of the scientists to societal lies such as fairy tales. Can you tell us how lying can be connected with various issues here in Korea? Media Monster Split - January 20th, 2017 Split is a 2016 American psychological horror-thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring James McAvoy Thor: Ragnarok - November 3rd, 2017 It is the sequel to 2011's Thor and 2013's Thor: The Dark World, and is the seventeenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film is directed by Taika Waititi Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - May 5th, 2017 The film is written and directed by James Gunn Logan - March 3rd, 2017 It is the tenth installment in the X-Men film series, as well as the third and final Wolverine solo film following X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013). Star Wars: The Last Jedi - December 15th, 2017 written and directed by Rian Johnson. Colossal - April 7th, 2017 science fiction black comedy film directed and written by Nacho Vigalondo. The film stars Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis Next week: Learning a New Language (in time for New Years)

Today's theme: Christmas Christmas day is finally upon us. It is only one day away now. Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. The Christmas season is a time when people come together with charities and organizations as a way to share in the festivities. We get into all the history and culture behind this celebratory day, as well as ways we can give to others in need. >>>The Conversationalist with Professor Abraham Shragge from business communications group at KAIST school of business, studying public policy and civil society “Can you first tell us how charity organizations operate as vital parts of modern society? We have many philanthropic organizations working hard to promote their causes, but the actual amount of donation is estimated to be lower than countries with similar GDPs. How can we increase participation in philanthropic causes?” & Dr. Ruth Shapiro founder and chief executive of the Center for Asian Philanthropy and Society “Korea's non-profit sector's close relations with the government can be healthy or unhealthy depending on how we look at it, but clearly last year's scandal involving Mir and K-sports foundation and alleged bribery to presidential office has shadowed the reputation of these non-profit foundations and their link with the government. How can the non-profit sector of Korea become more independent?” & Dr. Stephen Law philosopher and teacher at Heythrop College, University of London, and the author of The Xmas Files: The Philosophy of Christmas “Your book speaks about the philosophy of Christmas. But before we delve deeper into the philosophy, can you tell us a bit about how the holiday has become a global and worldwide phenomena?” >>>Media Monster Christmas with a Capital C >>>Next week: 2017 A Little of a Lot Recap

Today's theme: Star Wars The world premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi took place in Los Angeles recently, and judging from the early buzz on social media it seems fans of the franchise won't be disappointed. The new film is "amazing," according to The Hollywood Reporter's Ryan Parker. Meanwhile, Erik Davis of the film blog Fandango called it "absolutely fantastic – gripping, touching, funny and powerful". Star Wars is a series of science fiction/fantasy movies created by George Lucas. Although it has dominated the box office over wide swaths of the globe, it hasn't been popular in Korea compared to other Hollywood blockbuster films. We look into what's appealing/off-putting about the series. >>>The Conversationalist with Robert Joe Filmmaker and screenplay writer Former host of National Geographic's Asia TV “For Star Wars beginners, can you tell us what Jedi is, what the Force is, and why they are important in undrestanding the whole franchise? The first Star Wars film was something new in Hollywood. Please tell us how director George Lucas got to produce the first film.” & Jennifer Yamato Film reporter at LA Times “How do you think the new Star Wars movie differentiates itself from the previous episode The Force Awakens? How do you think actress Carrie Fisher leaving the series affected the whole franchise?” >>>Media Monster >>>Next week: Christmas

Today's theme: Cryptocurrency / Bitcoin It has been said that a wise person should have money in their head but not in their heart - but as we enter what some are calling the 4th Industrial Revolution, a question tugs at our purse strings: Should we have money in our computers? Is this the money of the future or no more than a 21st century unicorn? It's well known that South Korea is one of the world's most wired societies, with near-ubiquitous broadband access and blazing-fast Internet speeds. Now the country is also becoming a hotbed for cryptocurrency trading. >>>The Conversationalist with Ruben Somsen self-taught Bitcoin expert and the founder of the Seoul Bitcoin Meetup. “Have you yourself ever bought Bitcoin, or made Bitcoin transactions? Can you break it down for us? If we wanted to, how could we start using bitcoin? One of the key underlying technologies of this whole movement is Blockchain. Can you unpack this for us, please: what exactly is Blockchain?” & Professor 홍기훈 Hong Ki Hoon from College of Business at 홍익 Hongik University adviser to bitcoin exchange 'Coinpia' “Korea's Bitcoin transaction volume is the third largest in the world, and the price is rising fast. Why is the Bitcoin frenzy seemingly that much fiercer in Korea? How is Bitcoin different from assets like gold, oil or hedge funds, whose prices can also fluctuate regardless of their product value?” >>>Media Monster Diary of a Wimpy Kid >>>Next week: Star Wars

Today's theme: Alcoholic drinks (in time for year-end parties) Now that the year is coming to an end, it's time for the end of the year work dinners or outings, also known as 연말회식 here in Korea. Many people, families, friends and companies plan various gatherings and dinners to finish the year well and it is usually accompanied by lots of people, food and of course, alcohol. People have enjoyed alcoholic drinks since prehistoric times, making drinking one of the few strands that runs throughout the history of civilization. >>>The Conversationalist with Tobias Jerling founder of South Trade, company that focuses on importing quality wine, bottles and kegs, beers, ciders and brandy mainly from South Africa owner of The Hidden Cellar & The Workshop “In the early days of craft beer in South Korea, beers like IPA were deemed too ‘bitter' to be successful. Are things changing now? What are some of the most popular beers these days? Do you really think the light Lager-type beer that the conglomerates here produce, light on flavor and big on carbonation, pairs well with spicy Korean food?” & Professor Steve Allsop faculty of Health Sciences and a member of National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University, Australia “Common myth goes that more colorful drinks give more severe hangover. Does the type of drink affect the degree of hangover? Is there a genetic difference in the ability to decompose alcohol? Can some people drink better than others naturally?” >>>Media Monster Mix Nine Mix Nine is a South Korean survival reality show. In the show, YG Entertainment founder and producer Yang Hyun-suk travels to music agencies all over Korea to find up-and-coming K-pop stars. >>>Next week: crypto currency

Today's theme: Me Too Movement People across the world are writing "me too" on social media to raise awareness of sexual assault and harassment. The phrase began trending on Twitter and has been posted by millions of Facebook users after people were asked to share their experiences in light of allegations against Harvey Weinstein. And here in Korea, a string of workplace sexual harassment exposes here in recent weeks has triggered angry calls for boycotts of the companies involved. The internet age has better equipped people to deal with these issues. We look into how a hashtag became a rallying cry against sexual harassment. >>>The Conversationalist with Jen Schradie Research Fellow at Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse, France sociologist who studies digital activism “As someone who studies digital activism and things do or don't take off in the cyber world, what can you tell us about the recent eruption of the Me Too hashtag? It's been around since 2006 so what has precipitated this latest viral incarnation?” & Jayda Rasberry Organizing director for Dignity and Power Now, dealing with sexual harassment in the women's jail and prisons recently took part in the Me Too Survivors March Rally in LA as a speaker “There has been talk about those that have come forward being reluctant to name their attackers. Do you think this is something that should be addressed? Do we need to start bringing more names into the equation? Or is it enough that people are able to finally relieve themselves of the burden they've been carrying alone?” >>>Media Monster An Open Secret An Open Secret is an American documentary film directed by Amy J. Berg exposing child sexual abuse in the film industry in California. The film features interviews with victimized performers, who were targeted when they were young boys, as well as industry figures, the predators themselves, and journalists. >>>Next week: Alcohol (in time for 연말회식, year-end gatherings)

Today's theme: Good Food & Fine Dining (in relation to 2018 Michelin Guide) Michelin guides are a series of guide books that are published by the French tire company, Michelin. In 1926, Michelin started sending out anonymous restaurant reviewers to try restaurants. To this day, Michelin relies on a full-time staff of anonymous restaurant reviewers whose expertise not only lies in food but in their chameleon like abilities to blend in as an ordinary consumer. The reviewers go into the restaurant and write a thorough memorandum about their experience. Then, all the reviewers come together to discuss and decide on which restaurants will be awarded the stars. How would you define fine dining? And what is good food? >>>The Conversationalist With Daniel Grey founder of the Seouleats, a food blog covering Seoul's eateries “What do you think are the main reasons for a restaurant to be successful? Why do they fail? Any specific reasons in regards to restaurants here in Korea? What role does the Michelin Guide play in Korea's culinary culture?” & Gemma Wardle founder of A Fat Girl's Food Guide an author at 10 Magazine “You extensively reviewed places in Itaewon. For people not familiar with Itaewon area, how would you introduce its food scene? Do you feel like there are any notable trends burgeoning in Korea's dining scene?” >>>Media Monster Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy (항아리게임) >>>Next week: Me Too Campaign

Today's theme: Tests (in time for Suneung 수능, college scholastic ability test) This week on A Little of a Lot we are discussing "tests" as the Korean Suneung (수능) SAT exams approach. The word exam comes to us today from both Latin and French origins - the middle English version of the word examine actually originally meant to “test one's conscience according to a standard”. But tests are now used to measure a whole slew of things, from movies to IQs, taxi drivers to personalities. Some argue that standardized tests such as SATS and 수능 are now simply IQ tests designed to filter us into the appropriate level universities and then the appropriate jobs according to our intelligence. >>>The Conversationalist with Kate Lee and Ju Young Lee Students from Seoul Women's University “Can you describe the day of Suneung when you took it? What was the subject that gave you the biggest challenge? How did your teachers motivate you to study? How much impact do you think Suneung has on you now?” & Anna Choi analyst at OECD's center for educational research and innovation Korea's college entrance rate is relatively high among OECD nations - about 70% of Koreans go to college, whereas the average is 40% among OECD. Why is this the case? The race towards elite colleges starts very early in Korea. Even elementary students go to Hagwons(private institutions) to learn materials in advance. What are some of the side effects of this competitiveness? >>>Media Monster ZX Spectrum >>>Next week: Credibility of restaurant guides

>>>Today's theme: Personal Finance (in relation to KIM Saeng-min's Receipt, 김생민의 영수증) Enter Kim Saeng-min's Receipts, one of the most popular podcasts these days here in Korea. The popularity of the podcast doesn't seem coincidental, especially at a time when consumption is declining in South Korea, in tandem with record-high household debt, which likely limits consumer spending sprees. >>>The Conversationalist with Michael Na Financial expert “Bank of Korea analyzed that the rate of savings reached a record high in the first quarter of this year - but it seems more people feel uncertain about the economy and are saving up less. What's behind this gap between data and reality?” “Saving up and living frugal like Kim Saeng-min would be a good personal finance strategy, but in a macroeconomic perspective, what will happen if everyone saves up and no one spends money?” & Haeryun Kang Managing Editor at Korea Expose “Why do you think YOLO and Kim Saeng-min's frugal lifestyle are both gaining popularity? (Experts say they're like two sides of the coin, in that they're both responses to the low growth economy?” & Daisy Luther blog : The Organic Prepper author : Have Yourself a Thrifty Little Christmas: And a Debt-Free New Year “What led you to adopt a frugal lifestyle and why would you convince more people to do so?” >>>Media Monster TOY “좋은 사람” (good person) >>>Next week: Tests (in time for 수능, Korean college entrance exam)

Today's theme : Baseball (2017 KBO League) The KBO League is the highest level league of baseball in South Korea. The KBO started play in 1982 with six teams. Four of them have since changed their names and one has relocated, while the league added four more along the way. Flash forward to 2017, there are 10 teams in the league, all working towards the goal of being one of five playoff teams and winning this fall's Korean Series. >>>The Conversationalist with Cho Seong-min (조성민) sports reporter for tbs efm's morning show This Morning “KBO, or the Korean Baseball Organization League, was launched in 1982. How did Korean baseball changed before and after KBO? What's the importance of Korean Series? In Korea's pro league, teams are affiliated with big conglomerates like Kia, Lotte, Samsung, etc. How does this positively or negatively affect the league?” & Dan Kurtz founder of MyKBO (website about the Korean Baseball Organization, created to help non-Korean speakers learn more about KBO) “Why do you think Korea is one of a few countries where baseball scene is big and famous? There was also a famous match fixing scandal recently - how common is this?” >>>Media Monster The Room The Room is a 2003 American independent romantic drama film starring, written, directed, and produced by Tommy Wiseau. The film is primarily centered on a melodramatic love triangle among an amiable banker named Johnny (Wiseau), his deceptive fiancée Lisa (Juliette Danielle), and his conflicted best friend Mark (Greg Sestero). Sestero's memoir of the making of The Room, The Disaster Artist, was published in 2013 to critical acclaim; a film based on the book, directed by James Franco, is scheduled for release on December 1, 2017. >>>Next week: Personal Finance (in relation to 김생민 KIM Saeng-min's 영수증 Receipt)

Today's theme: Fashion Week Seoul Fashion Week has just wrapped. Fashion week happens all around the world, in Milan, in Paris, New York, and they are the time for not only designers to show off their clothing lines, but for you to show off your own sense of style. And this past week at Dongdaemun Plaza, was just the place to go to see the style scene in Seoul. >>>The Conversationalist with Lorena Calvo Jimenez (left) Stylist based in Seoul & Jane Aquino (right) Seoul based actress and model France and UK now regulate using underweight models, as fashion industry's been blamed for causing anorexia and eating disorders. Is there a similar move in Korea? Fashion is a fast-evolving industry always being up to the trend. Is there a tip for keeping up with the fast change? >>>A Few Minutes with Amos I never judge anyone by the job that they do. Whatever you do and you are happy, I have more respect for you compared to anyone who's making a million times more than you. I was talking to this guy and he was saying how he didn't like his company because the management was bad and treated people poorly. Here's the thing. You can quit. Here's another thing. There is no reason that anyone in a position of power over you should change because, logically, it wouldn't make sense for them to do so. >>>Next week: NEW SEASON!!

Today's theme: Zero waste living >>>The Conversationalist with Bradley Layton - Author of Zero Waste In the Last Best Place - A Personal Account and How-To Guide on Landfill-Free Living - Associate Professor in the Applied Computing “All living systems, and all mechanical systems produce waste: waste material, waste gas, waste liquid, waste heat. If a person or an animal, or a machine isn't making waste, then it's not alive or functioning. The engineer must find a way to optimize the waste flow so that it goes to the best possible use: building materials, soil, fresh water, or even heat.” & Im - Director of the SimPL project - lives in Nepal and practices zero-waste living “Many things we buy are wrapped with unnecessary packages. What do you do with this package waste, and how do you reduce them?” & >>>A Few Minutes with Amos A [FAST FOOD] public relations stunt has ended in chaos and acrimony after the fast food chain promised fans of the TV show Rick and Morty a limited edition, long-out-of-production Szechuan dipping sauce and then swiftly ran out. Police were called to at least one outlet after people in queues for the sauce began getting angry and chanting “we want sauce”. >>>Next week: Fashion week