Podcasts about Korean

‘Being born in America, feeling American, but having people treat me like I'm not.'Chi Chi Izundu speaks to Korean American actor Arden Cho, star of the hit Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters, about her life and career. Cho is the voice of Rumi, a leading character who must come to terms with her own identity as part-human, part-demon.It's a duality that resonated powerfully with her, as the daughter of Korean immigrants who struggled for acceptance, and faced racism while growing up in America.Now, Korean culture is increasingly popular worldwide, and she has become a leading role model for Asian American children, the kind she says she lacked when she was young.And despite KPop Demon Hunters being crowned as Netflix's most-watched film ever, Cho warns that Asian-led film projects are still seen as a risk. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.Presenter: Chi Chi Izundu Producers: Lucy Sheppard, Clare Williamson and Rebecca Thorn Editor: Nick HollandGet in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.(Image: Arden Cho. Credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

On this Episode we talk about how Felix learned Korean during his early trainee days, Sly confesses about something, Wade has beef with Jim Carrey's Grinch and what our Christmas Traditions are.What do you want to hear us talk about next? Leave a comment below or join our discord and request something! We love hearing from you guys!Follow us! WadeTwitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WadeMFMorgan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SlyInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SillySly07⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SillySly07⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LimitlessDaze⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube and like our videos!Follow us for more content!ShinoBrozInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ShinoBroz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ShinoBroz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ShinoBroz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ShinoBroz

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Embracing Heritage: A Winter Solstice Awakening Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-21-08-38-20-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 눈이 소복이 쌓인 농장은 고요하고 평화로웠다.En: The farm, gently covered in snow, was quiet and peaceful.Ko: 나무들은 겨울의 침묵 속에 잠들어 있었고, 공기는 맑고 찬바람이 불었다.En: The trees were asleep in the silence of winter, and the air was clear with a chilly breeze.Ko: 근처에서 아궁이의 나무 타는 냄새가 희미하게 풍겨왔다.En: The faint smell of burning wood from a nearby stove wafted through the air.Ko: 민준은 막 도착한 참이었다.En: Minjun had just arrived.Ko: 도시의 바쁜 일정을 뒤로하고 시골로 내려왔다.En: He had left behind the busy schedule of the city and come down to the countryside.Ko: 그는 가족들과 함께 동지를 기념하기 위해 농장에 온 것이다.En: He came to the farm to commemorate the winter solstice with his family.Ko: 이곳은 그의 어머니의 고향이었고, 민준에게도 어릴 적 추억이 깃든 곳이었다.En: This place was his mother's hometown, and it was also a place filled with childhood memories for Minjun.Ko: 그러나 그동안 바쁜 생활에 쫓겨 자연스레 멀어졌던 곳이기도 했다.En: However, it was also a place he had naturally grown distant from due to his busy life.Ko: "민준 오빠!" 활달한 목소리로 민준을 부르는 이는 형진이었다.En: "Minjun 오빠!" The lively voice calling Minjun belonged to Hyungjin.Ko: 형진은 민준의 사촌 여동생으로, 시골 생활에 깊이 뿌리내린 인물이다.En: Hyungjin was Minjun's cousin, deeply rooted in rural life.Ko: "도와줘. 팥죽 준비해야 해." 그녀는 웃으며 말했다.En: "Help me. We need to prepare patjuk." She smiled as she spoke.Ko: "알겠어, 형진아. 어떻게 하면 돼?" 민준은 고개를 끄덕였다.En: "Alright, Hyungjina. What should I do?" Minjun nodded.Ko: 그는 형진의 활기에 약간 놀랐으나, 그녀의 초대에 기쁘게 응했다.En: He was slightly surprised by Hyungjin's energy but gladly accepted her invitation.Ko: 두 사람은 따뜻한 집안으로 들어갔다.En: The two entered the warm house.Ko: 가족들이 저마다 준비에 분주했다.En: Each family member was busy with preparations.Ko: 형진의 가족들은 전통적으로 팥죽을 끓이고, 동지날 무사함을 기원하는 시간을 가졌다.En: Hyungjin's family traditionally boiled patjuk and spent time praying for safety during the winter solstice.Ko: 그날의 하이라이트는 한밤중까지 이어지는 이야기 시간이었다.En: The highlight of the day was the storytelling session that continued until midnight.Ko: 민준은 팥죽을 저으면서 묘한 기분에 사로잡혔다.En: As Minjun stirred the patjuk, he was filled with a strange feeling.Ko: 이곳에서 그는 도시에서의 생활과는 전혀 다른 차분함과 평화를 느꼈다.En: Here, he felt a calmness and peace that was entirely different from city life.Ko: 하지만 동시에 자신이 얼마나 가족의 전통과 떨어져 지냈는지를 깨닫게 되었다.En: Yet, at the same time, he realized how much he had been distanced from his family's traditions.Ko: "오빠, 생각하는 거 있어?" 형진이 물었다.En: "Oppa, is something on your mind?" Hyungjin asked.Ko: "그냥, 좀 부끄럽기도 하고 그렇네. 도시 생활에 치여서 이곳 전통에 신경 쓸 여유가 없었던 것 같아." 민준은 솔직하게 고백했다.En: "Just, I feel a bit ashamed. It seems I've had no time or space to care about these traditions because of the city's demands." Minjun confessed honestly.Ko: "걱정 마. 우리 이야기를 나눌 때 말해 봐, 다들 이해할 거야." 형진은 위로했다.En: "Don't worry. Share when we have our storytelling; everyone will understand." Hyungjin comforted him.Ko: 밤이 깊어가며 가족들은 모닥불 주위로 모였다.En: As the night deepened, the family gathered around a bonfire.Ko: 작은 화로가 방을 따뜻하게 해주었다.En: A small brazier warmed the room.Ko: 모두가 함께 앉아 이야기를 나누었다.En: They all sat together, sharing stories.Ko: 형진의 할머니가 먼저 옛날이야기를 시작했다.En: Hyungjin's grandmother started with an old tale.Ko: 가족들은 할머니의 이야기를 경청했다.En: The family listened intently to her story.Ko: 이윽고, 민준의 차례가 되었다.En: Eventually, it was Minjun's turn.Ko: 그는 깊은 숨을 들이쉬고, 마음속 이야기를 빼놓지 않고 털어놓았다.En: He took a deep breath and shared his heartfelt story.Ko: "제가 도시에서 어떻게 지내왔는지, 그리고 이곳에 와서 느낀 소중함에 대해 말하고 싶어요."En: "I want to talk about how I've been living in the city and the invaluable things I've realized since coming here."Ko: 그는 자신이 얼마나 두 가지 삶 사이에서 방황했는지 솔직하게 말했다.En: He spoke honestly about how he had been torn between two worlds.Ko: 민준의 이야기를 듣던 가족들은 이해와 격려의 눈빛을 보냈다.En: The family listened to Minjun's story with understanding and encouragement in their eyes.Ko: 그들은 민준을 다시 가족의 일원으로 따뜻하게 맞이해 주었다.En: They warmly welcomed him back as a member of the family.Ko: 그 순간, 민준은 새로운 연결과 소속을 느낄 수 있었다.En: At that moment, Minjun felt a new sense of connection and belonging.Ko: 모든 이야기가 끝난 후, 민준은 마음이 가벼워졌다.En: After all the stories were told, Minjun felt lighter.Ko: 그는 가족의 품에서 따뜻함과 애정을 느낄 수 있었다.En: He could feel the warmth and affection of his family.Ko: 그날 밤, 민준은 자신이 전통과 가족을 진심으로 사랑하고 있다는 것을 깨달았다.En: That night, Minjun realized that he sincerely loved his traditions and family.Ko: 이렇게, 민준은 새로운 결심과 함께 하루를 마무리했다.En: With this, Minjun ended the day with a new resolution.Ko: 가족과 함께하는 시간은 그에겐 소중한 의미가 되었다.En: The time spent with his family held precious meaning to him.Ko: 그는 이곳에서 시작된 이야기를 이어 가기로 마음먹었다. 그곳, 겨울이 춥지만 따뜻한 시골 평야에서.En: He decided to continue the story that began here, in the cold yet warm countryside plains. Vocabulary Words:gently: 소복이breeze: 찬바람wafted: 풍겨왔다comprehend: 이해할comprehend: 이해할countryside: 시골commemorate: 기념하기nostalgia: 추억distant: 멀어졌던lively: 활달한rural: 시골 생활brazier: 화로highlight: 하이라이트storytelling: 이야기 시간distanced: 떨어져ashamed: 부끄럽기도demands: 치여서intently: 경청했다encouragement: 격려belonging: 소속precious: 소중한resolution: 결심solace: 위로traditions: 전통blissful: 평화로웠다transition: 뛰어넘다reminisce: 회상하다agape: 포함하다genuine: 진심으로

Today's episode takes a gentler turn as we look at Christmas in August, the quietly acclaimed debut of Hur Jin-ho. Known for its stillness and emotional restraint, it became an early milestone of late-90s Korean cinema and helped cement Han Suk-kyu and Shim Eun-ha as iconic leads. With Kenny B and Korean cinema expert Paul […]

Today's episode takes a gentler turn as we look at Christmas in August, the quietly acclaimed debut of Hur Jin-ho. Known for its stillness and emotional restraint, it became an early milestone of late-90s Korean cinema and helped cement Han Suk-kyu and Shim Eun-ha as iconic leads. With Kenny B and Korean cinema expert Paul […]

Fluent Fiction - Korean: A Christmas Gift: When Friendship Blossoms into Love Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-20-08-38-19-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 서울의 명동은 크리스마스 시즌에 항상 활기찼다.En: Seoul의 Myeongdong is always lively during the Christmas season.Ko: 거리는 빛나는 조명과 홀리데이 음악으로 가득 차 있었다.En: The streets are filled with sparkling lights and holiday music.Ko: 바람은 차가웠지만, 사람들의 얼굴은 따뜻했다.En: The wind was cold, but people's faces were warm.Ko: 민준은 그곳에서 서성이며 무슨 선물을 사야 할지 깊은 고민에 빠졌다.En: Minjun was wandering there, deeply pondering what gift to buy.Ko: 민준은 수진에게 특별한 선물을 주고 싶었다.En: Minjun wanted to give Sujin a special gift.Ko: 그들은 어린 시절부터 친구였지만, 민준의 마음은 친구 이상의 감정을 품고 있었다.En: They had been friends since childhood, but Minjun had feelings beyond friendship.Ko: 그 감정을 어떻게 전해야 할지 몰라서 망설이고 있었다.En: He hesitated, unsure of how to convey these feelings.Ko: 그저 친구로 남을 것인지 아니면 한 발짝 더 나아갈 것인지 선택해야 했다.En: He had to choose whether to remain just friends or take a step forward.Ko: 길을 걷다 보니, 수많은 상점들이 눈에 들어왔다.En: As he walked, numerous stores caught his eye.Ko: 민준은 작은 상점들에 들어가 물건을 보여 달라고 했다.En: Minjun entered small shops, asking to see things.Ko: 상인들에게 슬쩍 힌트를 얻기도 하며, 수진이 어떤 것을 좋아할지 한 발짝씩 다가가려 했다.En: He tried to glean hints from the shopkeepers to figure out what Sujin might like.Ko: “혹시 친구가 최근에 말한 게 있나요?En: "Has your friend mentioned anything recently?"Ko: ” 한 상인이 물었다.En: one shopkeeper asked.Ko: 민준은 잠시 생각했다.En: Minjun thought for a moment.Ko: 수진이 최근에 반짝이는 귀걸이가 예쁘다고 했던 기억이 떠올랐다.En: He remembered Sujin recently saying that sparkling earrings were pretty.Ko: 그래서 민준은 귀걸이를 주의 깊게 보기 시작했다.En: So, he started looking at earrings carefully.Ko: 하지만 이게 정말로 그녀가 원하는 것인지 확신할 수 없었다.En: However, he couldn't be sure if this was truly what she wanted.Ko: 며칠 후, 수진은 수다스러운 목소리로 민준에게 말했다.En: A few days later, Sujin spoke to Minjun in a chatty voice.Ko: “크리스마스 분위기가 너무 좋아.En: "I love the Christmas atmosphere.Ko: 너는 뭐가 제일 좋니?En: What's your favorite?"Ko: ”민준은 미소를 지으며 대답하지 않았다.En: Minjun smiled but didn't answer.Ko: 대신 그는 수진의 반응을 천천히 살피며 그녀가 좋아할 만한 또 다른 물건을 찾았다.En: Instead, he watched Sujin's reactions carefully, searching for another item she might like.Ko: 크리스마스 이브가 되자, 민준은 드디어 결심했다.En: When Christmas Eve arrived, Minjun finally made up his mind.Ko: 작고 심플한, 그러나 아주 예쁜 펜던트 목걸이를 샀다.En: He bought a small, simple, yet very beautiful pendant necklace.Ko: 그 목걸이는 우정과 사랑을 상징하고 있었다.En: The necklace symbolized friendship and love.Ko: 저녁이 되어, 거리의 불빛이 더욱 화려해졌다.En: In the evening, the street lights shone even more brightly.Ko: 민준과 수진은 크리스마스 시장을 함께 걷고 있었다.En: Minjun and Sujin were walking through the Christmas market together.Ko: 민준은 드디어 그녀에게 조심스럽게 선물을 전했다.En: Minjun carefully handed her the gift.Ko: “너를 위해 준비했어.En: "I prepared this for you."Ko: ”수진은 놀란 표정으로 상자를 받아 들었다.En: Sujin took the box with a surprised expression.Ko: 상자를 열고 그녀는 따뜻한 미소를 지었다.En: She opened it and smiled warmly.Ko: “정말 예쁘다, 민준아.En: "It's really beautiful, Minjun."Ko: 나도 너에게 줄 게 있어.En: She added, "I have something for you too."Ko: ”수진은 자신의 주머니에서 작은 카드 한 장을 꺼냈다.En: Sujin took out a small card from her pocket.Ko: 카드에는 손글씨로 ‘민준에게.En: On the card, it was handwritten, "To Minjun.Ko: 너의 따뜻한 마음에 감사해'라고 적혀 있었다.En: Thank you for your warm heart."Ko: 민준은 그 순간 모든 고민과 불안이 사라지는 것을 느꼈다.En: At that moment, Minjun felt all his worries and anxieties vanish.Ko: 그들의 관계는 이제 더 깊어졌고, 서로에 대한 감정은 명확해졌다.En: Their relationship had now deepened, and their feelings for each other became clear.Ko: 거리엔 여전히 크리스마스 음악이 울려 퍼지고 있었고, 명동의 밤은 더욱 환하게 빛나고 있었다.En: Christmas music was still resonating through the streets, and Myeongdong's night was shining even more brightly. Vocabulary Words:lively: 활기찼다sparkling: 반짝이는pondering: 고민에 빠졌다convey: 전해야 할지hesitated: 망설이고 있었다glean: 슬쩍 힌트를 얻기도 하며numerous: 수많은recently: 최근에mention: 말한hesitated: 망설이고 있었다carefully: 주의 깊게surprised: 놀란vanish: 사라지는anxieties: 불안beyond: 이상의symbolized: 상징하고 있었다numerous: 수많은wandering: 서성이며remained: 남을 것인지sparkling: 반짝이는careful: 조심스럽게resolved: 결심했다attention: 살피며market: 시장을deepened: 더 깊어졌고handwritten: 손글씨로atmosphere: 분위기expression: 표정radiating: 울려 퍼지고 있었고shining: 빛나고 있었다

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Jiwoo's Journey: From Shadows to Sparkling Triumph Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-20-23-34-02-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 도시의 높은 빌딩 속, 번쩍이는 크리스마스 조명이 도로를 비추고 있었다.En: In the city's tall buildings, the sparkling Christmas lights illuminated the roads.Ko: 학교는 겨울 축제를 준비하느라 분주했다.En: The school was busy preparing for the winter festival.Ko: 지우는 창가에 앉아 생각에 잠겼다.En: Jiwoo sat by the window, lost in thought.Ko: 그녀는 학교에서 가장 열심히 공부하는 학생 중 한 명이었다.En: She was one of the most diligent students at school.Ko: 그러나 늘 친구 민서의 밝고 활기찬 태도에 비해 자신이 부족하다고 느꼈다.En: However, she always felt inadequate compared to her friend Minseo's bright and lively demeanor.Ko: “지우야, 이쪽에서 도와줄래?” 민서가 소리쳤다.En: "Jiwoo, could you help over here?" Minseo shouted.Ko: 지우는 주변을 살피며 주위를 둘러보았다.En: Jiwoo looked around and noticed the various decorations happening in each classroom.Ko: 그녀는 축제 준비에 최선을 다해 참여하고 싶었다.En: She wanted to participate wholeheartedly in the festival preparations.Ko: 그러던 중, 조용히 미술 수업에서 페인트를 옮기고 있는 동현을 발견했다.En: Meanwhile, she noticed Donghyun, quietly moving paint in the art class.Ko: 동현은 말수가 적고 조용했지만, 그의 예술적 재능은 대단했다.En: Although Donghyun was reserved and quiet, his artistic talent was extraordinary.Ko: 지우는 생각했다. '동현과 함께 하면 좋은 아이디어가 나올 것 같아.'En: Jiwoo thought, 'I feel like good ideas would come if I worked with Donghyun.'Ko: 지우는 용기를 내어 동현에게 다가갔다. “동현아, 우리의 축제를 더 특별하게 만들고 싶어. 네 작품을 함께 해 줄 수 있을까?”En: Mustering her courage, she approached Donghyun. "Donghyun, I want to make our festival more special. Could you collaborate with me on your artwork?"Ko: 동현은 잠시 멈칫했지만 곧 고개를 끄덕였다. "그렇다면, 함께 해보자."En: Donghyun hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "In that case, let's work together."Ko: 동현과 지우는 협력하여 교실 벽에 큰 벽화를 그리기 시작했다.En: Donghyun and Jiwoo began working together to paint a large mural on the classroom wall.Ko: 눈이 내리는 풍경 속에 눈사람과 나무를 그린 그들의 작품은 금세 인기를 끌었다.En: Their artwork, depicting a snowy scene with snowmen and trees, quickly gained popularity.Ko: 민서는 지우의 아이디어에 감탄하며 칭찬을 아끼지 않았다.En: Minseo admired Jiwoo's idea and didn't hold back her praise.Ko: 드디어 축제 날, 학교 전체는 겨울의 놀이터처럼 변신했다.En: Finally, on the festival day, the whole school transformed like a winter playground.Ko: 지우는 아직 조금 긴장했지만, 모두가 즐거워하는 모습을 보며 안도감을 느꼈다.En: Jiwoo was still a bit nervous, but she felt relieved seeing everyone enjoying themselves.Ko: 그러던 중, 한 순간 지우가 계획한 순서가 꼬이기 시작했다.En: At one moment, the order Jiwoo had planned started to unravel.Ko: 그녀는 당황했지만, 동현은 즉흥적으로 그림 속에 눈송이를 뿌렸다.En: She panicked, but Donghyun impromptu sprinkled snowflakes into the painting.Ko: 그것은 모두의 시선을 사로잡았고, 자발적으로 사람들이 모여 사진을 찍기 시작했다.En: It captivated everyone's attention, and people spontaneously gathered to take pictures.Ko: 축제는 결국 대성공이었다.En: The festival ended up being a huge success.Ko: 지우는 모든 친구들과 선생님들로부터 “정말 멋졌어!”라는 칭찬을 받았다.En: Jiwoo received the compliment, "It was really amazing!" from all her friends and teachers.Ko: 그녀는 깨달았다. 팀워크가 얼마나 중요한지, 그리고 자신만의 강점도 가치가 있다는 것을.En: She realized the importance of teamwork and that her own strengths were valuable too.Ko: 지우는 미소 지었다.En: Jiwoo smiled.Ko: 그녀는 자신감을 되찾았고, 다시는 민서의 그림자 속에 숨지 않겠다고 다짐했다.En: She regained her confidence and resolved never to hide in Minseo's shadow again.Ko: 함께 만들어간 겨울 축제가 특별한 기억으로 남았다.En: The winter festival they created together remained a special memory. Vocabulary Words:illuminated: 비추고 있었다diligent: 열심히inadequate: 부족하다고demeanor: 태도participate wholeheartedly: 최선을 다해 참여하고 싶었다reserved: 말수가 적고 조용했지만extraordinary: 대단했다mustering: 용기를 내어collaborate: 함께 해mural: 벽화를depicting: 그린gained popularity: 인기를 끌었다praise: 칭찬unravel: 꼬이기 시작했다impromptu: 즉흥적으로spontaneously: 자발적으로success: 대성공compliment: 칭찬regained: 되찾았고resolved: 결심했다shadow: 그림자remained: 남았다sparkling: 번쩍이는preparing: 준비하느라thought: 생각에 잠겼다bright: 밝고lively: 활기찬artistic talent: 예술적 재능courage: 용기captivated: 사로잡았고

improve your listening skills by comparing different versions of "The Little Red Hen"

**Special note to our listeners** Love the show? Help us keep the conversation going! Become a paid subscriber through our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your contributions help us continue to make content on issues related to the Asian-American, immigrant, modern parent experience.THANK YOU to our super awesome listeners who have already signed up!---------------------------------------Talking about Korean culture in America right now, we couldn't walk past Kpop Demon Hunters. As of now, it is THE MOST WATCHED ORIGINAL NETFLIX TITLE OF ALL TIME, its film soundtrack has 4 songs in the top 10 of the Billboard 100 and was double-platinum certified and it received five Grammy nominations. We see IG reels of Mormon dads dancing with their daughters to Golden. 8-year-old girls with no Korean heritage belting out Take Down at birthday parties. All this delivered by a anime-style cartoon about a modern-day shamanistic Kpop girl group who defeats demons on the side - pretty crazy right?As Asian American women (including one resident Korean-American), we have all the feels about Kpop Demon Hunters and clue you into what we felt were all the secret winks.

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Jar is back in fundraising mode with talks to raise over $100 million at a sharply higher valuation. Krafton teams up with Korean heavyweights to launch a ₹6,000 crore India-focused tech fund. And Cognizant's chief AI officer explains why tightening US immigration rules could push global AI talent toward India. We break down the three big stories on this edition of Tech 3 podcast and also tell you why Ather is foraying into insurance.

A new Korean tire factory in Poland, a cooperation deal with Turkey, changes to the mining law, hackers attacking the Public Procurement Office, the country's first locally made AI, and much more!' Thanks for tuning in!Let us know what you think and what we can improve on by emailing us at info@rorshok.com. You can also contact us on Twitter & Instagram @rorshokpoland Like what you hear? Subscribe, share, and tell your buds.“Conservative Groups and the Church – It's Not That Simple” by Paweł Stańczak: https://nlad.pl/prawica-i-kosciol-to-nie-takie-proste/?utm_sourceCheck out our new t-shirts: https://rorshok.store/We want to get to know you! Please fill in this mini-survey: https://forms.gle/NV3h5jN13cRDp2r66Wanna avoid ads and help us financially? Follow the link: https://bit.ly/rorshok-donate

Fluent Fiction - Korean: The Mystery of the Winter Bunker: A Hidden Tale Unveiled Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-19-23-34-01-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 바람이 차갑게 불던 겨울이었다.En: It was a winter when the wind blew coldly.Ko: 어느 날, 지호는 학급 친구인 은서를 생각했다.En: One day, Jiho thought of his classmate Eunseo.Ko: 은서는 며칠 전, 학교 근처의 비밀 벙커 근처에서 모습을 감췄다.En: A few days ago, Eunseo disappeared near a secret bunker close to the school.Ko: 그 벙커는 한국 전쟁 때 사용된 것이었다.En: The bunker had been used during the Korean War.Ko: 눈으로 덮인 나뭇가지 사이에 숨겨진 듯, 그곳은 늘 으스스한 이야기로 가득했다.En: Hidden among snow-covered branches, the place was always full of eerie stories.Ko: 크리스마스 축제가 열리던 날, 지호는 큰 결심을 했다.En: On the day of the Christmas festival, Jiho made a big decision.Ko: "이제 은서의 비밀을 풀어봐야겠어."En: "Now I need to unravel Eunseo's secret."Ko: 학교는 축제로 붐비며 사람들은 떠들썩했다.En: The school was bustling with the festival, and people were noisy.Ko: 그 틈을 타 지호는 벙커로 몰래 발걸음을 옮겼다.En: Taking advantage of the chaos, Jiho quietly made his way to the bunker.Ko: 바닥에는 눈이 소복소복 쌓였고, 문은 끽끽 소리를 냈다.En: Snow had piled up on the ground, and the door creaked as it opened.Ko: 지호는 가슴을 졸이며 벙커에 들어갔다.En: With his heart pounding, Jiho entered the bunker.Ko: 그 안은 캄캄하고 숨이 막힐 듯 무거웠다.En: Inside, it was dark and oppressively heavy.Ko: 지호는 조심스럽게 벙커를 탐색하기 시작했다.En: Carefully, Jiho began to explore the bunker.Ko: 구석구석 누비던 중, 벽에 숨겨진 작은 문을 발견했다.En: While searching every corner, he discovered a small hidden door in the wall.Ko: 그 문 너머로 이어지는 복도가 있었다.En: There was a corridor beyond that door.Ko: "여기가... 은서가 사라진 곳이 맞아!"En: "This must be where Eunseo disappeared!"Ko: 지호는 숨을 고르고 문을 밀었다.En: Jiho took a deep breath and pushed the door.Ko: 통로를 따라가던 지호는 마침내 넓은 방에 도착했다.En: Following the passage, Jiho finally reached a large room.Ko: 그곳에서 지호는 조그마한 노트를 발견했다.En: There, he found a small notebook.Ko: "여기는 은서의 흔적이 틀림없어."En: "This is surely Eunseo's trace."Ko: 노트에는 은서가 새겨놓은 신호와 메시지가 있었다.En: The notebook contained signals and messages engraved by Eunseo.Ko: 그 메시지는 누군가의 장난이 아닌, 진짜 사건의 실마리였다.En: These messages were not a prank by someone, but clues to a real incident.Ko: 증거를 손에 쥔 지호는 벙커를 빠져나와 친구와 선생님에게 모든 것을 알렸다.En: Holding the evidence, Jiho exited the bunker and informed his friends and teachers of everything.Ko: 처음에는 누구도 믿지 않았지만, 지호의 설명과 증거 덕분에 모두 사실을 받아들였다.En: At first, no one believed him, but thanks to Jiho's explanation and evidence, everyone accepted the truth.Ko: 사건은 풀렸다. 은서도 무사히 돌아왔다.En: The case was solved, and Eunseo safely returned.Ko: 이 경험으로 지호는 그의 가능성을 믿게 되었다.En: Through this experience, Jiho came to believe in his potential.Ko: 모두가 그를 새로운 시선으로 바라보았다.En: Everyone began to look at him with new eyes.Ko: 이제 더 이상 지호는 미스터리한 사건 속 고독한 사람으로 남지 않았다.En: No longer was Jiho the lonely person in mysterious incidents.Ko: 그는 자신감 넘치는 친구가 되어 있었다.En: He had become a confident friend. Vocabulary Words:blew: 불던disappeared: 모습을 감췄다bunker: 벙커eerie: 으스스한unravel: 풀어봐야겠어bustling: 붐비며creaked: 끽끽 소리를 냈다oppressively: 숨이 막힐 듯engaged: 탐색하기 시작했다hidden: 숨겨진corridor: 복도trace: 흔적engraved: 새겨놓은prank: 장난clues: 실마리evidence: 증거notebook: 노트potential: 가능성chaos: 틈을 타confident: 자신감 넘치는noisy: 떠들썩했다crucial: 큰 결심ventured: 발걸음을 옮겼다clammy: 가슴을 졸였다interior: 그 안은corner: 구석구석 누비던incident: 진짜 사건belief: 믿게 되었다reveal: 알렸다mystery: 미스터리한

Fluent Fiction - Korean: A Heartfelt Christmas Under Seoul's Snowy Spell Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-19-08-38-20-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 서울의 겨울은 춥다.En: Winter in Seoul is cold.Ko: 하지만 크리스마스가 다가오면 도시 전체가 따뜻해진다.En: However, as Christmas approaches, the entire city warms up.Ko: 지호는 크리스마스를 좋아하지 않는다.En: Jiho does not like Christmas.Ko: 하지만 그의 여동생 민서에게는 특별한 날이기 때문에 예외다.En: But for his younger sister Minseo, it is an exception because it is a special day.Ko: 지호는 항상 조용하며 생각이 많다.En: Jiho is always quiet and thoughtful.Ko: 그는 여동생 민서를 돌보느라 자신의 꿈을 포기했다.En: He gave up his dreams to take care of his sister Minseo.Ko: 민서는 만성 호흡기 질환으로 고생하고 있다.En: Minseo suffers from chronic respiratory disease.Ko: 그럼에도 그녀는 밝고 낙관적이다.En: Despite this, she is bright and optimistic.Ko: 민서의 소원은 지호와 함께 행복한 크리스마스를 보내는 것이다.En: Minseo's wish is to spend a happy Christmas with Jiho.Ko: 겨울이 되면 지호는 고민이 깊어진다.En: In winter, Jiho's worries deepen.Ko: 민서의 치료비는 점점 더 많이 든다. 그리고 크리스마스 준비도 해야 한다.En: Minseo's medical bills keep rising, and he also needs to prepare for Christmas.Ko: 그는 민서의 크리스마스 소원을 이루어주고 싶다.En: He wants to make Minseo's Christmas wish come true.Ko: 그래서 지호는 추가로 아르바이트를 한다.En: So Jiho takes on additional part-time jobs.Ko: 그리고 밤마다 몰래 스케치를 그려 판다.En: At night, he secretly draws sketches and sells them.Ko: 그렇게 번 돈으로 민서의 치료비와 작은 크리스마스 선물을 준비한다.En: With the money he earns, he prepares for Minseo's treatment and a small Christmas present.Ko: 드디어 크리스마스 이브가 되었다.En: Finally, Christmas Eve arrives.Ko: 지호는 민서를 데리고 남산 한옥마을에 간다.En: Jiho takes Minseo to Namsan Hanok Village.Ko: 고요한 한옥마을은 눈으로 덮여있다.En: The quiet hanok village is covered with snow.Ko: 길에는 반짝이는 불빛들이 걸려 있다.En: Sparkling lights hang along the path.Ko: 한옥 지붕 위로 하얀 눈이 내려 고즈넉하고 아름답다.En: The white snow falls on the rooftops of the hanok, making it serene and beautiful.Ko: 민서는 큰 눈망울을 떼지 못하고 지호의 손을 꼭 잡는다.En: Minseo cannot take her wide eyes off the scene and holds Jiho's hand tightly.Ko: 지호는 민서에게 선물을 건넨다.En: Jiho hands Minseo a present.Ko: 작은 포장지 안에는 그가 그린 그림이 들어 있다.En: Inside the small wrapping is a drawing he made.Ko: 남산 한옥마을을 배경으로 지호와 민서가 웃고 있는 모습이다.En: It depicts Namsan Hanok Village in the background with Jiho and Minseo smiling.Ko: 민서는 눈물을 글썽인다.En: Minseo's eyes well up with tears.Ko: "오빠, 정말 고마워. 나 너무 행복해."En: "Oppa, thank you so much. I'm so happy."Ko: 눈은 계속 내린다.En: The snow continues to fall.Ko: 지호는 민서를 안아준다.En: Jiho embraces Minseo.Ko: 마음 깊숙한 곳에서 처음으로 작은 행복을 느낀다.En: For the first time, he feels a small happiness deep within his heart.Ko: 단순한 순간이지만, 지호는 그것이 얼마나 소중한지 깨닫게 된다.En: Although it is a simple moment, Jiho realizes how precious it is.Ko: 그는 민서의 행복한 모습을 보며 자신도 꿈을 이룰 수 있겠다는 희망을 품는다.En: Seeing Minseo's happy face, he finds hope that he, too, can achieve his dreams.Ko: 크리스마스의 밤, 지호는 하늘을 올려다보며 속삭인다.En: On Christmas night, Jiho looks up at the sky and whispers.Ko: "민서를 위해서, 그리고 나를 위해서."En: "For Minseo, and for myself."Ko: 지호와 민서는 눈 속에서 행복한 순간을 공유한다. 크리스마스의 시대를 초월한 동화 속에서처럼.En: Jiho and Minseo share a happy moment in the snow, like a story from a timeless Christmas fairy tale. Vocabulary Words:approaches: 다가오다exception: 예외thoughtful: 생각이 많다chronic: 만성respiratory: 호흡기optimistic: 낙관적worries: 고민treatment: 치료sketches: 스케치depicts: 묘사하다serene: 고즈넉하다embraces: 안아주다precious: 소중하다timeless: 시대를 초월한struggle: 고생하다unwrap: 포장을 풀다expenses: 비용secretly: 몰래illuminated: 밝히다path: 길fairy tale: 동화whispers: 속삭이다eternal: 영원하다gaze: 바라보다radiant: 광채delicate: 섬세하다compassion: 연민determined: 결심하다fulfill: 이루다cherish: 소중히 여기다

Liz Cameron was 18 years old when a stranger approached her in a book shop. It was the beginning of her induction into a cult, and it was an experience Liz barely survived.The process of brainwashing happened gradually, first came the love-bombing and the allure of finding a new purpose in life. Then came the isolation from friends and family, along with sleep deprivation, overwork and sexual manipulation.Liz was one of the many women chosen to become a kind of bride for the leader of an infamous Korean religious group.It wasn't until she became critically ill, that her family were able to get the help she needed to escape and to begin the process of being deprogrammed.Liz Cameron's memoir is called Cult Bride: How I was brainwashed and how I broke free.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. This episode was produced by Jennifer Leake.This episode of Conversations touches on cults, brainwashing, religious groups, eating disorders, sexual manipulation, deprogramming, sexual assault, sleep deprivation, family, recovery, healing, trauma, biography, psychology, Providence, JMS, Jesus Morning Star, Pastor Joshua, Jung Myung-seok.

learn about Korean saunas

You're listening to Burnt Toast! We are Virginia Sole-Smith and Corinne Fay.And it's time for the episode we look forward to all year long—ever since we made it a tradition exactly one year ago! It is time for... The Year In Butters, where we look back at everything we've recommended in the past year and tell you what's still buttery and what has...gone rancid. If you're new here: Butter is what we call the recommendation segment at the end of every episode. It might be a new favorite food, a great book, an experience, or a state of mind. But since we give recs every week, some Butters stand the test of time more than others! Find out if we still love...

Australian cinematic soul and funk outfit Temporary Blessings founder and trumpeter Liam McGorry and I talk Korean fish divers, giallo soundtracks, bugles, overnight recordings, community record shops, broken tympanies, sinister sounds, and more!Check out Temporary Blessings!Websites: https://temporaryblessings.bandcamp.com/ | https://www.coleminerecords.com/products/temporary-blessings-sumbisori-release-date-11-14-2025Social: https://www.instagram.com/temporaryblessings/40 Minutes of Funk is an interview podcast focusing on Funk practitioners, their philosophies, and their music. Listen on all podcast networks and please subscribe, rate, and leave feedback for the show. Follow on social media: https://www.facebook.com/40minutesoffunk | https://instagram.com/40minutesoffunk.Support at only $5/month or more and receive exclusive perks at https://www.patreon.com/40minutesoffunk. Check out the website for more info at http://www.40minutesoffunk.com!Listen to my weekly funk radio show, Tonic: The Funky Groove Show https://www.funkygrooveshow.com, every Friday night at http://www.kgou.org and follow on social media: https://www.facebook.com/FunkyGrooveShow | https://www.instagram.com/funkygrooveshow - thanks!Send me a text, yo!Support the show

Today I'm reviewing Guardians of Dawn: Yuli—a fun, charming fantasy that feels like classic magical girl energy meets Korean-inspired fairy-tale retellings. Think Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura vibes, blended with a fresh take on stories like Little Red Riding Hood.Yuli instantly stands out as a protagonist: fiery in spirit, bold in personality, and perfectly matched with her flame-red hair. The characters are vibrant, the magic is playful, and the story balances nostalgia with a modern twist that makes it feel both comforting and new.If you love magical girl stories, fairy-tale reimaginings, and character-driven fantasy with heart, this one is absolutely worth checking out.✨ Tune in for my spoiler-free thoughts on why Guardians of Dawn: Yuli is such a delightful read and who will enjoy it most. Follow on Spotify and subscribe on YouTube for more fantasy reviews and bookish deep dives.#GuardiansOfDawn #Yuli #MagicalGirlFantasy #FairytaleRetelling #FantasyBooks #BookReviewPodcast #SpotifyPodcasts #BookTube #MagicalGirlVibes

Fluent Fiction - Korean: A Christmas Wish: Discovering the Meaning of Family Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-18-08-38-20-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 겨울 바람이 차가운 날, 고아원 창문 너머로 진우는 하얀 눈송이들이 내려오는 것을 보았다.En: On a cold winter's day, Jinwoo watched white snowflakes fall through the orphanage window.Ko: 고아원 안은 늘 따뜻했고 웃음소리가 가득했지만, 진우 마음속엔 조금의 불안이 자리 잡고 있었다.En: Inside the orphanage, it was always warm and filled with laughter, but a bit of anxiety resided in Jinwoo's heart.Ko: 그는 매일 아침 고아원 복도를 걸으며 새 가족을 기다렸다.En: He walked down the orphanage hallway every morning, waiting for a new family.Ko: 이번 크리스마스에는 새로운 가족과 함께 하기를 소원했다.En: This Christmas, he wished to be with a new family.Ko: 소진은 고아원의 마음 따뜻한 보모였다.En: Sojin was the warm-hearted caretaker of the orphanage.Ko: 그녀는 아이들을 가족처럼 여기며 다정하게 돌봐주었다.En: She treated the children as if they were family and took care of them kindly.Ko: 어느 날 소진은 진우에게 다가가 조심스럽게 말했다, "진우야, 중요한 이야기가 있단다. 네 건강을 위해 곧 수술을 받아야 해."En: One day, Sojin approached Jinwoo and said carefully, " Jinwoo, there's something important I need to tell you. For your health, you will need to have surgery soon."Ko: 진우는 깜짝 놀랐지만, 고개를 끄덕였다.En: Jinwoo was surprised but nodded.Ko: 그는 수술이 필요하다는 걸 알고 있었다.En: He knew he needed the surgery.Ko: 하지만 마음 한구석에는 두려움이 자리 잡고 있었다.En: However, a corner of his heart was filled with fear.Ko: 혹시 수술 때문에 입양이 더 어려워질까 봐 걱정이었다.En: He worried that the surgery might make adoption more difficult.Ko: 미영은 고아원에 자주 찾아오는 의대생 봉사자였다.En: Miyoung was a medical student volunteer who frequently visited the orphanage.Ko: 그녀는 아이들을 도와주는 일을 사랑했다.En: She loved helping the children.Ko: 미영은 진우의 상황을 알고 그에게 다가가 작게 웃으며 말했다, "진우야, 넌 절대 혼자가 아니야.En: Knowing Jinwoo's situation, Miyoung approached him with a small smile and said, " Jinwoo, you're never alone.Ko: 소진 선생님과 나, 그리고 여기 모든 사람들은 너를 응원하고 있어."En: Sojin teacher, I, and everyone here are cheering for you."Ko: 크리스마스 이브 날, 진우는 병원에 있었다.En: On Christmas Eve, Jinwoo was at the hospital.Ko: 준비된 수술복을 입고 병실에 앉아 있었다.En: He was sitting in the hospital room, wearing the prepared surgical gown.Ko: 밖은 눈이 계속 내리고 있었다.En: Outside, it continued to snow.Ko: 진우는 손을 떨며 두려운 마음을 억누르고 있었다.En: Jinwoo was trembling, trying to suppress his fear.Ko: 그때, 소진과 미영이 병실로 들어왔다. 손에는 작은 크리스마스 트리가 들려 있었다.En: Then, Sojin and Miyoung entered the hospital room, carrying a small Christmas tree.Ko: "우리가 함께 축하하자," 소진이 말했다.En: "Let's celebrate together," said Sojin.Ko: 작지만 따뜻한 병실에서 그들은 진우와 함께 작은 크리스마스 파티를 시작했다.En: In the small but warm hospital room, they started a little Christmas party with Jinwoo.Ko: 그날 밤, 진우는 마음속에 깊은 평화를 느꼈다.En: That night, Jinwoo felt a deep peace in his heart.Ko: 비록 입양이 지연될 수 있었지만, 그는 가족의 의미를 새롭게 깨달았다. 가족이란 함께 걱정하고 서로를 위해 있는 사람들이라는 것을.En: Although adoption might be delayed, he realized a new meaning of family: a group of people who worry together and are there for each other.Ko: 하얀 눈이 계속 내리던 크리스마스 날, 진우는 더 이상 외롭지 않았다.En: On the snowy Christmas day, Jinwoo was no longer lonely.Ko: 그는 소중한 사람들 속에 있었다.En: He was among precious people.Ko: 고아원은 그의 처음이자 끝없는 가족이었다.En: The orphanage was his first and endless family.Ko: 진우는 그 사실을 알고서 마음 깊이 미소를 지었다.En: Knowing this, Jinwoo smiled deeply in his heart. Vocabulary Words:orphanage: 고아원anxiety: 불안caretaker: 보모surgery: 수술adoption: 입양volunteer: 봉사자trembling: 떨며suppress: 억누르다celebrate: 축하하다peace: 평화delay: 지연되다precious: 소중한heart: 마음frequently: 자주window: 창문laughter: 웃음소리reside: 자리 잡다approach: 다가가다gown: 수술복meaning: 의미together: 함께snowflakes: 눈송이들suppress: 억누르다deep: 깊다realize: 깨닫다corner: 한구석cheering: 응원하고nodded: 끄덕였다lonely: 외롭다group: 그룹

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Crafting Christmas Magic: Blending Gifts and Hearts Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-18-23-34-02-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 깊고 조용한 겨울이 한창인 어느 날, 경동고아원은 분주했다.En: On a deep and quiet day in the middle of winter, Gyeongdong Orphanage was bustling.Ko: 크리스마스가 머지않아 있었고, 고아원의 방마다 화려한 장식이 걸려 있었다.En: Christmas was just around the corner, and every room in the orphanage was adorned with colorful decorations.Ko: 밖에는 눈이 부드럽게 내려와 따뜻한 빛으로 가득한 방 안을 더욱 아늑하게 만들었다.En: Outside, snow gently fell, making the rooms filled with warm light even cozier.Ko: 지수는 조심스럽게 창밖을 바라보았다.En: Jisoo gazed cautiously out the window.Ko: 그녀는 이곳에서 자라났고, 이제는 성인이 되어 이 고아원을 돕고 있었다.En: She had grown up there, and now as an adult, she was helping the orphanage.Ko: 그녀의 옆에는 민호가 있었다.En: Beside her was Minho.Ko: 민호는 고아원에서 자원봉사를 하며, 크리스마스 행사를 돕고 있었다.En: He was volunteering at the orphanage, helping with the Christmas event.Ko: 소진 원장은 지수와 민호가 의논할 수 있도록 자리를 마련해 주었다.En: Director Sojin had arranged a space for Jisoo and Minho to discuss.Ko: "아이들에게 어떤 선물이 좋을까요?" 지수가 물었다.En: "What kind of gifts would be good for the children?" Jisoo asked.Ko: 민호는 생각에 잠겼다.En: Minho pondered.Ko: "아이들이 즐거워할 만한 장난감은 어떨까요?"En: "How about toys that the children would enjoy?"Ko: 지수는 고개를 저었다.En: Jisoo shook her head.Ko: "물론 아이들은 장난감을 좋아하지만, 좀 더 의미 있는 것이면 좋겠어요."En: "Of course, the children love toys, but it would be nice if it were something more meaningful."Ko: 예산이 한정돼 있었고, 아이들에게 줄 수 있는 선물의 종류는 많지 않았다.En: With a limited budget, there weren't many types of gifts they could give to the children.Ko: 서로 다른 의견에 지수와 민호는 잠시 말을 잇지 못했다.En: With differing opinions, Jisoo and Minho were momentarily at a loss for words.Ko: 그러다 지수는 문득 한 가지 좋은 생각이 떠올랐다.En: Then, suddenly, Jisoo had a good idea.Ko: "우리 서로의 아이디어를 섞어 볼까요?" 지수가 말했다.En: "How about we blend our ideas?" Jisoo suggested.Ko: "장난감과 뜻깊은 물건을 함께 주면 좋을 것 같아요."En: "It would be nice to give both toys and meaningful items together."Ko: 민호는 미소 지으며 고개를 끄덕였다.En: Minho smiled and nodded.Ko: "좋아요, 그럼 더 많은 아이들이 행복해질 수 있겠군요."En: "Sounds good. That way, even more children can be happy."Ko: 두 사람은 함께 계획을 세우면서 예산을 최대한 활용하기로 했다.En: Together, they decided to maximize the budget while planning.Ko: 크리스마스날, 방 안에는 즐거운 웃음소리가 가득했다.En: On Christmas day, the room was filled with joyful laughter.Ko: 아이들은 각자의 선물을 받으며 눈을 반짝였다.En: The children's eyes sparkled as they each received their gifts.Ko: 지수와 민호의 협력 덕분에, 소진 원장은 마음이 뿌듯했다.En: Thanks to the cooperation of Jisoo and Minho, Director Sojin felt proud.Ko: 아이들이 포장지를 열어보는 순간, 지수는 느꼈다.En: At the moment the children tore open their wrapping paper, Jisoo realized something.Ko: 진정한 크리스마스의 정신은 함께하며 나눔의 기쁨을 느끼는 것임을.En: The true spirit of Christmas is about being together and feeling the joy of sharing.Ko: 그녀는 민호와 소진 원장에게 감사했다.En: She thanked Minho and Director Sojin.Ko: 그들과 협력하여 더 나은 결과를 만들어낸 것을 깨달았다.En: She realized that by working together, they had created a better outcome.Ko: 지수는 결심했다.En: Jisoo made a resolution.Ko: 앞으로도 다른 사람들과 협력하여 아름다운 순간들을 만들어가기로.En: She decided to continue creating beautiful moments by collaborating with others.Ko: 그녀는 고아원의 아이들과 함께 있는 이 순간을 다시 한번 만끽하며 미소 지었다.En: She smiled as she once again savored the moment with the children of the orphanage. Vocabulary Words:bustling: 분주한adorned: 걸려 있었다gazed: 바라보았다cautiously: 조심스럽게volunteering: 자원봉사를 하며pondered: 생각에 잠겼다meaningful: 의미 있는budget: 예산blend: 섞어maximize: 최대한 활용하기로sparkled: 반짝였다cooperation: 협력proud: 뿌듯했다tore: 열어보는wrapping paper: 포장지realized: 깨달았다resolution: 결심했다collaborating: 협력하여savored: 만끽하며decorations: 장식gently: 부드럽게cozy: 아늑하게arranged: 마련해 주었다suggested: 제안했다nodded: 끄덕였다joyful: 즐거운sparkled: 반짝였다outcome: 결과warm light: 따뜻한 빛spirit: 정신

Will Ukraine be a flashpoint for a Korean conflict, Trump’s intemperate Reiner comments, it’s the economy stupid! the Monroe/Trump Doctrine, Bondi, Brown, MIT, and more!

Fluent Fiction - Korean: First Dates & Falling Stars: Sujin and Hyun's Skating Adventure Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-17-08-38-20-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 서울 광장 스케이트장에는 크리스마스 장식이 가득했다.En: The Seoul Gwangjang skating rink was filled with Christmas decorations.Ko: 조명이 반짝이고, 스케이트 타는 사람들이 웃음소리를 냈다.En: Lights sparkled, and the sound of laughter came from those skating.Ko: 하얀 눈송이가 스케이터들 위로 부드럽게 내리며 축제 분위기가 한층 더 고조되었다.En: White snowflakes gently fell over the skaters, heightening the festive atmosphere.Ko: 수진은 오늘 첫 데이트에 살짝 긴장했다.En: Sujin was slightly nervous about her first date today.Ko: 그녀 옆엔 현이 있었다.En: Beside her was Hyun.Ko: 현은 스케이팅에 자신 있는 모습으로 그녀에게 미소를 지어 보였다.En: Hyun, confident in his skating ability, smiled at her.Ko: 수진은 미소로 화답했지만 속으로는 실수할까 두려웠다.En: Sujin responded with a smile but was inwardly afraid of making a mistake.Ko: 멀리에서 나리는 둘을 지켜보며 응원의 눈빛을 보냈다.En: In the distance, Nari watched them with a look of encouragement.Ko: 처음에는 어색했다.En: At first, it was awkward.Ko: 수진은 마음속으로 "편하게 하자"고 말하며 숨을 깊게 들이마셨다.En: Sujin took a deep breath, saying to herself, "Let's be at ease."Ko: "현, 사실 나 스케이팅 좀 못해. 웃지 마." 수진이 솔직하게 말했다.En: "Hyun, to be honest, I'm not very good at skating. Don't laugh," Sujin said candidly.Ko: 현은 부드러운 눈빛으로 대답했다. "괜찮아. 우리는 재미있게 놀면 돼."En: Hyun replied softly, "It's okay. We just need to have fun."Ko: 둘은 함께 스케이트를 타기 시작했다.En: They began to skate together.Ko: 현은 멋지게 앞서 나가고 싶었지만 속도가 예상보다 빨라졌다.En: Hyun wanted to skate stylishly ahead, but his speed increased more than expected.Ko: 그 순간, 수진은 작은 실수로 중심을 잃고 넘어질 뻔했다.En: At that moment, Sujin lost her balance slightly due to a minor mistake and almost fell.Ko: 바로 그때 현도 미끄러졌다.En: Just then, Hyun also slipped.Ko: 두 사람은 얼음 위에 나란히 넘어졌다.En: The two of them fell side by side on the ice.Ko: 그들은 서로를 바라보며 웃음을 터트렸다.En: They looked at each other and burst into laughter.Ko: 현은 손을 내밀며 수진을 일으켜 세웠다.En: Hyun offered his hand, helping Sujin up.Ko: "우리 둘 다 스케이팅 챔피언은 아니야, 그렇지?" 현이 장난스럽게 말했다.En: "We're not skating champions, right?" Hyun said playfully.Ko: 수진은 웃으며 고개를 끄덕였다. "맞아. 그래도 재미있어."En: Sujin nodded with a laugh. "That's true. But it's fun anyway."Ko: 그렇게 두 사람은 서서히 서로에게 더 편리해졌다.En: Gradually, they became more comfortable with each other.Ko: 스케이트장 밖으로 나서며 둘은 손을 잡았다.En: As they left the skating rink, they held hands.Ko: "크리스마스에 뭐 할 거야?" 현이 물었다.En: "What are you doing for Christmas?" Hyun asked.Ko: 수진은 생각에 잠긴 듯 살짝 웃었다. "모르겠어. 함께 만날까?"En: Sujin smiled slightly, lost in thought. "I don't know. Should we meet up?"Ko: 현은 고개를 끄덕였다. "좋아. 그럼 크리스마스에 다시 만나자."En: Hyun nodded. "Sure. Let's meet on Christmas."Ko: 따뜻한 겨울 공기를 맞으며 그들은 이야기하며 걸었다.En: They walked, talking, in the warm winter air.Ko: 그날 수진은 마음 속 걱정을 조금 내려놓았다.En: That day, Sujin let go of some of her worries.Ko: 완벽하지 않아도 좋다는 것을 깨달았다.En: She realized it's okay not to be perfect.Ko: 현도 스스로에게 이렇게 말하며 마음이 따뜻해졌다. "솔직함이 더 큰 연결을 만든다."En: Hyun also felt his heart warm as he told himself, "Honesty creates a deeper connection."Ko: 그리하여 그들이 함께 떠난 겨울밤, 스케이트장에서의 기억은 특별한 추억으로 남았다.En: And so, the winter night they spent together, the memories of the skating rink became a special reminiscence. Vocabulary Words:decorations: 장식sparkled: 반짝이고atmosphere: 분위기nervous: 긴장했다confident: 자신 있는inwardly: 속으로encouragement: 응원의awkward: 어색했다candidly: 솔직하게stylishly: 멋지게balance: 중심slipped: 미끄러졌다laughter: 웃음을playfully: 장난스럽게gradually: 서서히memories: 기억reminiscence: 추억festive: 축제gently: 부드럽게deep breath: 숨을 깊게ease: 편하게minor: 작은champions: 챔피언comfortable: 편리해졌다slightly: 살짝honesty: 솔직함worries: 걱정realized: 깨달았다special: 특별한deeper: 더 큰

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Shared Solace: A Serendipitous Meeting Over Tea Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-12-17-23-34-02-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 인사동의 아늑한 찻집에 고요한 겨울 오후가 깃들었다.En: A serene winter afternoon settled into a cozy teahouse in Insadong.Ko: 차가운 바람이 밖에서 불고 있었지만, 찻집 안은 따뜻했다.En: Cold winds blew outside, but inside the teahouse, it was warm.Ko: 차 향기와 조용한 국악이 은은히 퍼지고 있었다.En: The aroma of tea and the soft sounds of gugak, traditional Korean music, filled the air gently.Ko: 눈이 살짝 내리면서 창문 밖 풍경은 더 아름다워졌다.En: A light snowfall made the view outside the window even more beautiful.Ko: 지수는 찻집에 와서 조용히 앉아 마음을 진정시키고 있었다.En: Jisoo sat quietly in the teahouse, trying to calm her mind.Ko: 미술학도인 그녀는 학업에 지쳐 있었다.En: As an art student, she was feeling worn out by her studies.Ko: 전통 다도식으로 진행되는 차 행사가 시작되기 전, 그녀는 그저 차 한 잔과 그녀 주변의 평온함을 즐기고 싶었다.En: Before the tea ceremony, conducted in the traditional style, began, she just wanted to enjoy a cup of tea and the tranquility around her.Ko: 그러나 이내 다른 참석자들이 하나둘 모이기 시작했다.En: However, other attendees soon began to gather one by one.Ko: 가장 먼저 눈에 띈 사람은 현우였다.En: The first to stand out was Hyunwoo.Ko: 그는 밝은 미소로 참가자들과 인사를 나누었다.En: He greeted the participants with a cheerful smile.Ko: 소프트웨어 엔지니어인 그는 바쁜 크리스마스 시즌을 피해 이곳으로 왔다.En: As a software engineer, he had come here to escape the busy Christmas season.Ko: 그는 전통문화 속에서 평온함을 찾고 싶었다.En: He sought peace within traditional culture.Ko: 현우는 지수 옆에 앉았다.En: Hyunwoo sat next to Jisoo.Ko: 그의 활발한 성격은 지수에게는 조금 부담스러웠다.En: His lively personality made Jisoo feel a bit overwhelmed.Ko: 그때 현우는 입을 열었다.En: Then Hyunwoo spoke.Ko: "안녕하세요, 저는 현우입니다. 전통 다도를 참 좋아해요. 당신도 전통 문화에 관심이 있나요?"En: "Hello, I'm Hyunwoo. I really like traditional tea ceremonies. Are you interested in traditional culture too?"Ko: 지수는 잠시 망설이다가 대답했다. "네, 전통 미술을 전공하고 있어요. 차분한 분위기가 좋아서 왔어요."En: Jisoo hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yes, I major in traditional art. I came because I like the calm atmosphere."Ko: 그의 눈에는 흥미가 반짝였다. "미술이요? 어떤 작품을 좋아하세요?"En: His eyes sparkled with interest. "Art? What kind of works do you like?"Ko: 그녀는 조심스럽게 미소를 지으며 말했다. "저는 주로 민화와 같은 전통 그림을 그려요."En: She carefully smiled and replied, "I mostly draw traditional paintings like minhwa."Ko: 현우는 진지하게 그녀의 이야기를 들었다.En: Hyunwoo listened intently to her story.Ko: 그들은 차를 마시며 서로의 관심사를 나누기 시작했다.En: They began to share their interests with each other over tea.Ko: 처음엔 약간 어색했지만, 점점 더 대화를 나누게 되었다.En: It was a bit awkward at first, but gradually they engaged in more conversation.Ko: 차 행사가 절정에 달했다.En: The tea ceremony reached its peak.Ko: 모든 참가자들이 차 한 잔의 의미를 음미하고 있었다.En: All participants were savoring the meaning of a cup of tea.Ko: 찻집 안에는 따뜻한 분위기가 가득했다.En: A warm atmosphere filled the teahouse.Ko: 그 속에서 지수와 현우는 깊은 대화를 이어갔다.En: In this setting, Jisoo and Hyunwoo continued their deep conversation.Ko: 그들 모두 전통과 문화에 대한 존중을 공유했다.En: They both shared a respect for tradition and culture.Ko: 행사가 끝나고 나갈 때, 지수와 현우는 서로 연락처를 교환했다.En: As the event ended and they were leaving, Jisoo and Hyunwoo exchanged contact information.Ko: "다음에도 같이 이런 문화 행사를 즐겨볼까요?" 현우가 물었다.En: "Next time shall we enjoy such cultural events together?" Hyunwoo asked.Ko: 지수는 살짝 웃으며 대답했다. "좋아요, 새로운 사람을 만나는 것도 좋네요."En: Jisoo responded with a slight smile, "Sure, meeting new people is nice too."Ko: 그들은 새로운 친구가 되어 찻집을 나왔다. 하얀 눈밭 위에서 그들의 발걸음이 나란히 이어졌다.En: They left the teahouse as new friends, their footsteps aligned on the snowy white field.Ko: 이 만남으로 지수는 마음을 열었고, 현우는 문화의 깊이를 더 잘 이해할 수 있었다.En: With this meeting, Jisoo opened her heart, and Hyunwoo could better understand the depth of culture.Ko: 그들은 그렇게 새로운 모험을 시작했다.En: They thus embarked on a new adventure. Vocabulary Words:serene: 고요한teahouse: 찻집aroma: 향기gugak: 국악snowfall: 눈tranquility: 평온함ceremony: 행사attendees: 참석자들greeted: 인사를 나누었다cheerful: 밝은personality: 성격lively: 활발한overwhelmed: 부담스러웠다hesitated: 망설이다가sparkled: 반짝였다intently: 진지하게savoring: 음미하고 있었다meaning: 의미respect: 존중exchanged: 교환했다contact information: 연락처aligned: 나란히 이어졌다embarked: 시작했다cozy: 아늑한calm: 진정시키다conducted: 진행되는participants: 참가자들engineer: 엔지니어atmosphere: 분위기awkward: 어색했지만

In this episode, Dr. P sits down with Amber Shepherd — a leader whose journey from rural Florida to international consulting to regional economic development shows what's possible when you listen to the “whispers” and commit to excellence. Amber shares how she transformed workforce programs, worked with the Korean government on global expansion projects, and now leads major economic initiatives in Northeast Florida — including a $400M aerospace R&D hub and a $125M renewable energy facility. Together, they explore faith-driven leadership, navigating doubt, converting naysayers, and why relationship-building is the true engine of economic growth. A powerful conversation about purpose, persistence, and creating significance through service.

The last time Yamato was heavily involved on the continent, they were defeated militarily, and they returned to fortify their islands.  So how are things looking, now? This episode we will talk about some of what has been going on with Tang and Silla, but also touch on the Mishihase, the Hayato, the people of Tamna and Tanegashima, and more! For more information and references, check out:  https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-140   Rough Transcript   Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  My name is Joshua and this is episode 140: Improving Diplomatic Ties Garyang Jyeongsan and Gim Hongsye looked out from the deck of their ship, tossing and turning in the sea.  The waves were high, and the winds lashed at the ship, which rocked uncomfortably beneath their feet.  Ocean spray struck them from below while rain pelted from above. Through the torrential and unstable conditions, they looked out for their sister ship.  It was their job to escort them, but in these rough seas, bobbing up and down, they were at the mercy of the elements.  One minute they could see them, and then next it was nothing but a wall of water.  Each time they caught a glimpse the other ship seemed further and further away.  They tried calling out, but it was no use—even if they could normally have raised them, the fierce winds simply carried their voices out into the watery void.  Eventually, they lost sight of them altogether. When the winds died down and the seas settled, they looked for their companions, but they saw nothing, not even hints of wreckage on the ocean.  They could only hope that their fellow pilots knew where they were going.  As long as they could still sail, they should be able to make it to land—either to the islands  to which they were headed, or back to the safety of the peninsula. And so the escort ship continued on, even without a formal envoy to escort.  They would hope for the best, or else they would explain what would happen,  and hope that the Yamato court would understand. The seas were anything but predictable, and diplomacy was certainly not for the faint of heart.   We are going through the period of the reign of Ohoama, aka Temmu Tennou.  It started in 672, with the death of his brother, Naka no Oe, remembered as the sovereign Tenji Tenno, when Temmu took the throne from his nephew, Ohotomo, aka Kobun Tenno, in what would become known as the Jinshin no Ran.  From that point, Ohoama continued the work of his brother in creating a government based on a continental model of laws and punishments—the Ritsuryo system.  He accomplished this with assistance from his wife, Uno, and other members of the royal family—his own sons, but also nephews and other princes of the time.  And so far most of our focus has been on the local goings on within the archipelago. However, there was still plenty going on in the rest of the world, and though Yamato's focus may have been on more local affairs, it was still engaged with the rest of the world—or at least with the polities of the Korean Peninsula and the Tang Dynasty.  This episode we are going to look at Yamato's foreign relations, and how they were changing, especially as things changed on the continent. Up to this point, much of what had been happening in Yamato had been heavily influenced by the mainland in one way or another.  And to begin our discussion, we really should backtrack a bit—all the way to the Battle of Baekgang in 663, which we discussed in Episode 124.  That defeat would lead to the fall of Baekje, at the hands of the Silla-Tang alliance.  The loss of their ally on the peninsula sent Yamato into a flurry of defensive activity.  They erected fortresses on Tsushima, Kyushu, and along the Seto Inland Sea.  They also moved the capital up to Ohotsu, a more easily defended point on the shores of Lake Biwa, and likewise reinforced various strategic points in the Home Provinces as well.  These fortresses were built in the style and under the direction of many of the Baekje refugees now resettled in Yamato. For years, the archipelago braced for an invasion by the Silla-Tang alliance.  After all, with all that Yamato had done to support Baekje, it only made sense, from their perspective, for Silla and Tang to next come after them.  Sure, there was still Goguryeo, but with the death of Yeon Gaesomun, Goguryeo would not last that long.  With a unified peninsula, then why wouldn't they next look to the archipelago? And yet, the attack never came.  While Yamato was building up its defenses, it seems that the alliance between Silla and Tang was not quite as strong as their victories on the battlefield may have made it seem.  This is hardly surprising—the Tang and Silla were hardly operating on the same scale.  That said, the Tang's immense size, while bringing it great resources, also meant that it had an extremely large border to defend.  They often utilized alliances with other states to achieve their ends.  In fact, it seems fairly common for the Tang to seek alliances with states just beyond their borders against those states that were directly on their borders.  In other words, they would effectively create a pincer maneuver by befriending the enemy of their enemy.  Of course.  Once they had defeated said enemy well, wouldn't you know it, their former ally was now their newest bordering state. In the case of the Silla-Tang alliance, it appears that at the start of the alliance, back in the days of Tang Taizong, the agreement, at least from Silla's perspective, was that they would help each other against Goguryeo and Baekje, and then the Tang dynasty would leave the Korean peninsula to Silla.  However, things didn't go quite that smoothly.  The fighting against Goguryeo and Baekje can be traced back to the 640s, but Tang Taizong passed away in 649, leaving the throne to his heir, Tang Gaozong.  The Tang forces eventually helped Silla to take Baekje after the battle of Baekgang River in 663, and then Goguryeo fell in 668, but the Tang forces didn't leave the peninsula.  They remained in the former territories of Baekje and in Goguryeo, despite any former agreements.  Ostensibly they were no doubt pointing to the continuing revolts and rebellions in both regions.  While neither kingdom would fully reassert itself, it didn't mean that there weren't those who were trying.  In fact, the first revolt in Goguryeo was in 669.  There was also a revolt each year until 673.  The last one had some staying power, as the Goguryeo rebels continued to hold out for about four years. It is probably worth reminding ourselves that the Tang dynasty, during this time, had reached out on several occasions to Yamato, sending diplomatic missions, as had Silla.  While the Yamato court may have been preparing for a Tang invasion, the Tang perspective seems different.  They were preoccupied with the various revolts going on, and they had other problems.  On their western border, they were having to contend with the kingdom of Tibet, for example.  The Tibetan kingdom had a powerful influence on the southern route around the Taklamakan desert, which abuts the Tibetan plateau.   The Tang court would have had to divert resources to defend their holdings in the western regions, and it is unlikely that they had any immediate designs on the archipelago, which I suspect was considered something of a backwater to them, at the time.  In fact, Yamato would have been much more useful to the Tang as an ally to help maintain some pressure against Silla, with whom their relationship, no longer directed at a common enemy, was becoming somewhat tense. In fact, just before Ohoama came to the throne, several events had occurred that would affect the Silla-Tang alliance. The first event is more indirect—in 670, the Tibetan kingdom attacked the Tang empire.  The fighting was intense, and required serious resources from both sides.  Eventually the Tibetan forces were victorious, but not without a heavy toll on the Tibetan kingdom, which some attribute to the latter's eventual demise.  Their pyrrhic victory, however, was a defeat for the Tang, who also lost troops and resources in the fighting.  Then, in 671, the Tang empire would suffer another loss as Silla would drive the Tang forces out of the territory of the former kingdom of Baekje. With the Baekje territory under their control, it appears that Silla was also working to encourage some of rebellions in Goguryeo.  This more than irked the Tang court, currently under the formal control of Tang Gaozong and the informal—but quite considerable—control of his wife, Wu Zetian, who some claim was the one actually calling most of the shots in the court at this point in time.  Silla encouragement of restoration efforts in Goguryeo reached the Tang court in 674, in and in 675 we see that the Tang forces were sent to take back their foothold in the former Baekje territory.  Tang defeated Silla at Gyeonggi, and Silla's king, Munmu, sent a tribute mission to the Tang court, apologizing for their past behavior. However, the Tang control could not be maintained, as they had to once again withdraw most of their troops from the peninsula to send them against the Tibetan kingdom once more.  As soon as they did so, Silla once again renewed their attacks on Tang forces on the peninsula.  And so, a year later, in 676, the Tang forces were back.  They crossed the Yellow Sea to try and take back the Tang territories on the lower peninsula, but they were unsuccessful.  Tang forces were defeated by Silla at Maeso Fortress in modern day Yeoncheon.  After a bit more fighting, Silla ended up in control of all territory south of the Taedong River, which runs through Pyongyang, one of the ancient capitals of Goguryeo and the capital of modern North Korea.  This meant that the Tang dynasty still held much of the territory of Goguryeo under their control. With everything that was going on, perhaps that explains some of the apparently defensive measures that Yamato continued to take.  For example, the second lunar month of 675, we know that Ohoama proceeded to Takayasu castle, likely as a kind of formal inspection.  Then, in the 10th lunar month of 675 Ohoama commanded that everyone from the Princes down to the lowest rank were to provide the government with weapons.  A year later, in the 9th month of 676, the Princes and Ministers sent agents to the capital and the Home Provinces and gave out weapons to each man.  Similar edicts would be issued throughout the reign.  So in 679 the court announced that in two years time, which is to say the year 681, there would be a review of the weapons and horses belonging to the Princes of the Blood, Ministers, and any public functionaries.  And in that same year, barrier were erected for the first time on Mt. Tatsta and Mt. Afusaka, along with an outer line of fortifications at Naniwa. While some of that no doubt also helped to control internal movements, it also would have been useful to prepare for the possibility of future invasions.  And the work continued.  In 683  we see a royal command to all of the various provinces to engage in military training.  And in 684 it was decreed at that there would be an inspection in the 9th month of the following year—685—and they laid out the ceremonial rules, such as who would stand where, what the official clothing was to look like, etc.  Furthermore, there was also an edict that all civil and military officials should practice the use of arms and riding horses.  They were expected to supply their own horses, weapons, and anything they would wear into battle. If they owned horses, they would be considered cavalry soldiers, while those who did not have their own horse would be trained as infantry.  Either way, they would each receive training, and the court was determined to remove any obstacles and excuses that might arise.   Anyone who didn't comply would be punished.  Non compliance could mean refusing to train, but it could also just mean that they did not provide the proper horses or equipment, or they let their equipment fall into a state of disrepair.  Punishments could range from fines to outright flogging, should they be found guilty.  On the other hand, those who practiced well would have any punishments against them for other crimes reduced by two degrees, even if it was for a capital crime.  This only applied to previous crimes, however—if it seemed like you were trying to take advantage of this as a loophole to be able to get away with doing your own thing than the pardon itself would be considered null and void. A year later, the aforementioned inspection was carried out by Princes Miyatokoro, Hirose, Naniwa, Takeda, and Mino.  Two months later, the court issued another edict demanding that military equipment—specifically objects such as large or small horns, drums, flutes, flags, large bows, or catapults—should be stored at the government district house and not kept in private arsenals.  The "large bow" in this case may be something like a ballista, though Aston translates it to crossbow—unfortunately, it isn't exactly clear, and we don't necessarily have a plethora of extant examples to point to regarding what they meant.  Still, these seem to be focused on things that would be used by armies—especially the banners, large bows, and catapults.  The musical instruments may seem odd, though music was often an important part of Tang dynasty military maneuvers.  It was used to coordinate troops, raise morale, provide a marching rhythm, and more.  Granted, much of this feels like something more continental, and it is unclear if music was regularly used in the archipelago.  This could be more of Yamato trying to emulate the Tang dynasty rather than something that was commonplace on the archipelago.  That might also explain the reference to the Ohoyumi and the catapults, or rock throwers. All of this language having to do with military preparations could just be more of the same as far as the Sinicization of the Yamato government is concerned; attempts to further emulate what they understood of the civilized governments on the mainland—or at least their conception of those governments based on the various written works that they had imported.  Still, I think it is relevant that there was a lot of uncertainty regarding the position of various polities and the potential for conflict.  Each year could bring new changes to the political dynamic that could see military intervention make its way across the straits.  And of course, there was always the possibility that Yamato itself might decide to raise a force of its own. Throughout all of this, there was continued contact with the peninsula and other lands.  Of course, Silla and Goguryeo were both represented when Ohoama came to the throne—though only the Silla ambassador made it to the ceremony, apparently.  In the 7th lunar month of 675, Ohotomo no Muraji no Kunimaro was sent to Silla as the Chief envoy, along with Miyake no Kishi no Irishi.  They likely got a chance to witness first-hand the tensions between Silla and the Tang court.  The mission would return in the second lunar month of the following year, 676.  Eight months later, Mononobe no Muarji no Maro and Yamashiro no Atahe no Momotari were both sent.  That embassy also returned in the 2nd lunar month of the following year. Meanwhile, it wasn't just Yamato traveling to Silla—there were also envoys coming the other way.  For example, in the 2nd lunar month of 675 we are told that Silla sent Prince Chyungweon as an ambassador.  His retinue was apparently detained on Tsukushi while the actual envoy team went on to the Yamato capital.  It took them about two months to get there, and then they stayed until the 8th lunar month, so about four months in total. At the same time, in the third month, Goguryeo and Silla both sent "tribute" to Yamato.  And in the 8th month, Prince Kumaki, from Tamna, arrived at Tsukushi as well.  Tamna, as you may recall, refers to nation on the island known today as Jeju.  The late Alexander Vovin suggested that the name originated from a proto-Japonic cognate with "Tanimura", and many of the names seem to also bear out a possible Japonic influence on the island nation. Although they only somewhat recently show up in the Chronicles from our perspective, archaeological evidence suggests that they had trade with Yayoi Japan and Baekje since at least the first century.  With the fall of Baekje, and the expansion of Yamato authority to more of the archipelago, we've seen a notable uptick in the communication between Tamna and Yamato noted in the record.  A month after the arrival of Prince Kumaki in Tsukushi, aka Kyushu, it is noted that a Prince Koyo of Tamna arrived at Naniwa.  The Tamna guests would stick around for almost a year, during which time they were presented with a ship and eventually returned in the 7th lunar month of the following year, 676.   Tamna envoys, who had also shown up in 673, continued to be an annual presence at the Yamato court through the year 679, after which there is an apparent break in contact, picking back up in 684 and 685. 676 also saw a continuation of Silla representatives coming to the Yamato court, arriving in the 11th lunar month.  That means they probably passed by the Yamato envoys heading the other way.  Silla, under King Mumnu, now had complete control of the Korean peninsula south of the Taedong river.  In the same month we also see another mission from Goguryeo, but the Chronicle also points out that the Goguryeo envoys had a Silla escort, indicating the alliance between Silla and those attempting to restore Goguryeo—or at least the area of Goguryeo under Tang control.  The Tang, for their part, had pulled back their commandary to Liaodong, just west of the modern border between China and North Korea, today.  Goguryeo would not go quietly, and the people of that ancient kingdom—one of the oldest on the peninsula—would continue to rise up and assert their independence for years to come. The chronicles also record envoys from the somewhat mysterious northern Mishihase, or Sushen, thought to be people of the Okhotsk Sea culture from the Sakhalin islands.  There were 11 of them, and they came with the Silla envoys, possibly indicating their influence on the continent and through the Amur river region.  Previously, most of the contact had been through the regions of Koshi and the Emishi in modern Tohoku and Hokkaido.  This seems to be their only major envoy to the Yamato court recorded in this reign. Speaking of outside groups, in the 2nd lunar month of 677 we are told that there was an entertainment given to men of Tanegashima under the famous Tsuki tree west of Asukadera.  Many people may know Tanegashima from the role it played in the Sengoku Period, when Europeans made contact and Tanegashima became a major hub of Sengoku era firearm manufacturing.  At this point, however, it seems that it was still a largely independent island in the archipelago off the southern coast of Kyushu.  Even southern Kyushu appears to have retained some significant cultural differences at this time, with the "Hayato" people being referenced in regards to southern Kyushu—we'll talk about them in a bit as they showed up at the capital in 682.  Tanegashima is actually closer to Yakushima, another island considered to be separate, culturally, from Yamato, and could be considered the start of the chain of islands leading south to Amami Ohoshima and the other Ryukyuan islands.  That said, Tanegashima and Yakushima are much closer to the main islands of the archipelago and show considerable influence, including Yayoi and Kofun cultural artifacts, connecting them more closely to those cultures, even if Yamato initially saw them as distinct in some way. A formal Yamato envoy would head down to Tanegashima two years later, in the 11th lunar month of 679.  It was headed up by Yamato no Umakahibe no Miyatsuko no Tsura and Kami no Sukuri no Koukan.  The next reference to the mission comes in 681, when the envoys returned and presented a map of the island.  They claimed that it was in the middle of the ocean, and that rice was always abundant. With a single sowing of rice it was said that they could get two harvests.  Other products specifically mentioned were cape jasmine and bulrushes, though they then note that there were also many other products that they didn't bother to list.  This must have been considered quite the success, as the Yamato envoys were each awarded a grade of rank for their efforts.   They also appear to have returned with some of the locals, as they were entertained again in Asuka—this time on the riverbank west of Asukadera, where various kinds of music were performed for them. Tanegashima and Yakushima would be brought formally under Yamato hegemony in 702 with the creation of Tane province, but for now it was still considered separate.  This was probably just the first part of the efforts to bring them into Yamato, proper. Getting back to the Silla envoys who had arrived in 676, they appear to have remained for several months.  In the third lunar month of 677 we are told that they, along with guests of lower rank—thirteen persons all told—were invited to the capital.  Meanwhile, the escort envoys and others who had not been invited to the capital were entertained in Tsukushi and returned from there. While this was going on, weather out in the straits drove a Silla boat to the island of Chikashima.  Aboard was a Silla man accompanined by three attendants and three Buddhist priests.  We aren't told where they were going, but they were given shelter and when the Silla envoy, Kim Chyeonpyeong, returned home he left with those who had been driven ashore, as well. The following year, 678, was not a great one for the Silla envoys.  Garyang Jyeongsan and Gim Hongsye arrived at Tsukushi, but they were just the escorts.  The actual envoys had been separated by a storm at sea and never arrived.  In their place, the escort envoys were sent to the capital, probably to at least carry through with the rituals of diplomacy.  This was in the first month of the following year, 679, and given when envoys had previously arrived, it suggests to me that they waited a few months, probably to see if the envoys' ship eventually appeared and to give the court time to figure out what to do.  A month later, the Goguryeo envoys arrived, still being accompanied by Silla escorts, also arrived. Fortunately the Yamato envoys to Silla and elsewhere fared better.  That year, 679, the envoys returned successfully from Silla, Goguryeo, and Tamna.  Overall, though, I think it demonstrates that this wasn't just a pleasure cruise.  There was a very real possibility that one could get lost at sea.  At the same time, one needed people of sufficient status to be able to carry diplomatic messages and appropriately represent the court in foreign lands.  We often seen envoys later taking on greater positions of responsibility in the court, and so you didn't have to go far to find those willing to take the risk for later rewards. That same year, another tribute mission from Silla did manage to make the crossing successfully.  And in this mission we are given more details, for they brought gold, silver, iron, sacrificial cauldrons with three feet, brocade, cloth, hides, horses, dogs, mules, and camels.  And those were just the official gifts to the court.  Silla also sent distinct presents for the sovereign, the queen, and the crown prince, namely gold, silver, swords, flags, and things of that nature. This appears to demonstrate increasingly close ties between Silla and Yamato. All of that arrived in the 10th lunar month of 679, and they stayed through the 6th lunar month of 680—about 7 to 9 months all told, depending on if there were any intercalary months that year.  In addition to entertaining the Silla envoys in Tsukushi—it is not mentioned if they made it to the capital—we are also told that in the 2nd lunar month, halfway through the envoys' visit, eight labourers from Silla were sent back to their own country with gifts appropriate to their station. Here I have to pause and wonder what exactly is meant by this.  "Labourer" seems somewhat innocuous.  I suspect that their presence in Yamato may have been less than voluntary, and I wonder if these were captured prisoners of war who could have been in Yamato now for over a decade.  If so, this could have been a gesture indicating that the two sides were putting all of that nastiness with Baekje behind them, and Yamato was accepting Silla's new role on the peninsula.  Or maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it does seem to imply that Silla and Yamato were growing closer, something that Yamato would need if it wanted to have easy access, again, to the wider world. Speaking of returning people, that seems to have been something of a common thread for this year, 680, as another mission from Goguryeo saw 19 Goguryeo men also returned to their country.  These were condolence envoys who had come to mourn the death of Takara Hime—aka Saimei Tennou.  They must have arrived in the midst of all that was happening peninsula, and as such they were detained.  Their detention is somewhat interesting, when you think about it, since technically Baekje and Goguryeo—and thus Yamato—would have been on the same side against the Silla-Tang alliance.  But perhaps it was just considered too dangerous to send them home, initially, and then the Tang had taken control of their home.  It is unclear to me how much they were being held by Yamato and how much they were just men without a country for a time.  This may reflect how things on the mainland were stabilizing again, at least from Yamato's perspective.  However, as we'll discuss a bit later, it may have also been another attempt at restoring the Goguryeo kingdom by bringing back refugees, especially if they had connections with the old court.  The Goguryeo envoys—both the recent mission and those who had been detained—would remain until the 5th lunar month of 681, when they finally took their leave.  That year, there were numerous mission both from and to Silla and Goguryeo, and in the latter part of the year, Gim Chyungpyeong came once again, once more bearing gives of gold, silver, copper, iron, brocade, thin silk, deerskins, and fine cloth.  They also brought gold, silver, flags of a rosy-colored brocade and skins for the sovereign, his queen, and the crown prince. That said, the 681 envoys also brought grave news:  King Munmu of Silla was dead.  Munmu had reigned since 661, so he had overseen the conquest of Silla and Goguryeo.  His regnal name in Japanese might be read as Monmu, or even "Bunbu", referencing the blending of literary and cultural achievements seen as the pinnacle of noble attainment.  He is known as Munmu the Great for unifying the peninsula under a single ruler—though much of the Goguryeo territory was still out of reach.  Indeed he saw warfare and the betterment of his people, and it is no doubt significant that his death is recorded in the official records of the archipelago.   He was succeeded by his son, who would reign as King Sinmun, though the succession wasn't exactly smooth. We are told that Munmu, knowing his time was short, requested that his son, the Crown Prince, be named king before they attended to Munmu's own funerary arrangements, claiming that the throne should not sit vacant.  This may have been prescient, as the same year Munmu died and Sinmun ascended to the throne there was a revolt, led by none other than Sinmun's own father-in-law, Kim Heumdol.  Heumdol may, himselve, have been more of a figurehead for other political factions in the court and military.  Nonetheless, the attempted coup of 681 was quickly put down—the envoys in Yamato would likely only learn about everything after the dust had settled upon their return. The following year, 682, we see another interesting note about kings, this time in regards to the Goguryeo envoys, whom we are told were sent by the King of Goguryeo.  Ever since moving the commandery to Liaodong, the Tang empire had claimed dominion over the lands of Goguryeo north of the Taedong river.  Originally they had administered it militarily, but in 677 they crowned a local, Bojang as the "King of Joseon", using the old name for the region, and put him in charge of the Liaodong commandery.  However, he was removed in 681, and sent into exile in Sichuan, because rather than suppressing revolt, he had actually encouraged restoration attempts, inviting back Goguryeo refugees, like those who had been detained in Yamato.  Although Bojang himself was sent into exile, his descendants continued to claim sovereignty, so it may have been one of them that was making the claim to the "King of Goguryeo", possibly with Silla's blessing. Later that year, 682, we see Hayato from Ohosumi and Ata—possibly meaning Satsuma—the southernmost point of Kyushu coming to the court in 682.  They brought tribute and representatives of Ohosumi and Ata wrestled, with the Ohosumi wrestler emerging victorious.  They were entertained west of Asukadera, and various kinds of music was performed and gifts were given. They were apparently quite the sight, as Buddhist priests and laiety all came out to watch. Little is known for certain about the Hayato.  We have shields that are attributed to them, but their association may have more to do with the fact that they were employed as ceremonial guards for a time at the palace.  We do know that Southern Kyushu had various groups that were seen as culturally distinct from Yamato, although there is a lot of overlap in material culture.  We also see early reports of the Kumaso, possibly two different groups, the Kuma and So, in earlier records, and the relationship between the Kumaso and the Hayato is not clearly defined. What we do know is that southern Kyushu, for all that it shared with Yamato certain aspects of culture through the kofun period, for example, they also had their own traditions. For example, there is a particular burial tradition of underground kofun that is distinct to southern Kyushu.  A great example of this can be found at the Saitobaru Kofun cluster in Miyazaki, which contains these unique southern Kyushu style burials along with more Yamato style keyhole shaped and circular type kofun.  Miyazaki sits just north of the Ohosumi peninsula, in what was formerly the land of Hyuga, aka  Himuka.  This is also where a lot of the founding stories of the Heavenly grandchild were placed, and even today there is a shrine there to the Heavenly Rock Cave.  In other words there are a lot of connections with Southern Kyushu, and given that the Chronicles were being written in the later 7th and early 8th centuries, it is an area of intense interest when trying to understand the origins of Yamato and Japanese history. Unfortunately, nothing clearly tells us exactly how the Hayato were separate, but in the coming century they would both come under Yamato hegemony and rebel against it, time and again.  This isn't the first time they are mentioned, but it may be the first time that we see them as an actual people, in a factual entry as earlier references in the Chronicles are suspect. Continuing on with our look at diplomacy during this period, the year 683 we see a continuation of the same patterns, with nothing too out of the ordinary.  Same with most of 684 until the 12th lunar month.  It is then that we see a Silla ship arrive with Hashi no Sukune no Wohi and Shirawi no Fubito no Hozen.  They had both, previously been to the Tang empire to study, though we don't have a record of them leaving for that or any other purpose.  They are accompanied by Witsukahi no Muraji no Kobito and Tsukushi no Miyake no Muraji no Tokuko, both of whom had apparently been captured and taken by the Tang dynasty during the Baekje campaign.  Apparently they had all traveled back from the Tang empire together to Silla, who then provided them passage to Yamato. The timing of this suggests it may have had something to do with the changes going on in the Tang empire—changes that I desperately want to get into, but given that we are already a good ways into this current episode, I think I will leave it for later.  But I will note this:  Emperor Gaozong had passed away and his wife, Empress Wu Zetian, was now ruling as regent for her sons.  Wu Zetian is probably the most famous empress in all of Chinese history, and while she held de facto power as a co-regent during her husband's reign and as a regent during her sons' reigns, she would actually ascend the throne herself in 690.  Her reign as a woman during a time of heightened patriarchal tradition is particularly of note, and it leads us to wonder about the vilification that she received by the men who followed her rule.  And I really want to get into all of that but, thematically, I think it better to wait.  Those of you reading ahead in the syllabus—which is to say the Chronicles—probably know why.  So let us just leave it there and say that the Tang was going through a few things, and that may explain why students were returning back in the company of former war captives. A few months later, the Silla escort, Gim Mulyu, was sent home along with 7 people from Silla who had been washed ashore—presumably during a storm or other such event, again illustrating the dangers of taking to the ocean at this time.  Perhaps related to that theme is the entry only a month later, which merely stated that Gim Jusan of Silla returned home.  Gim Jusan was an envoy sent to Yamato in the 11th lunar month of 683.  He was entertained in Tsukushi, and we are told that he returned to his own country on the 3rd month of 684.  Now we are seeing an entry in the 4th month of 685 that this same person apparently returned home. It is possible that something got mixed up, and that the Chroniclers were dealing with a typo in the records that made it seem like this took place a year later than it did.  This was certainly an issue at this time, given all the math one had to do just to figure out what day it was.  There is also the possibility that he returned on another embassy, but just wasn't mentioned for some reason.  The last possible explanation is that he somehow got lost and it took him a year to find his way back.  Not entirely impossible back then, though I am a bit skeptical.  Among other things, why would that note have found its way into the Chronicles in Yamato?  While they were certainly using some continental sources, this seems like something they were talking about as far as him leaving the archipelago, rather than discussion of something happening elsewhere. Speaking of happening elsewhere, I'm wondering about another event that happened around this time as well.  In fact, it was while Gim Mulyu was still in the archipelago.  For some reason the Yamato court granted rank to 147 individuals from Tang, Baekje, and Goguryeo.  Interestingly, they don't mention Silla.  Furthermore, there is no real mention of any Tang envoys during this reign.  In fact, there is hardly mention of the Tang dynasty at all.  There is a mention of some 30 Tang men—captives, presumably—being sent to the Yamato court from Tsukushi.  Those men were settled in Toutoumi, so there were men of Tang in the archipelago.  But beyond that, there are only three other mentions of the Tang dynasty.  One was when the students and war captives came back.  Another was this note about giving rank to 147 individuals.  Finally there is a similar record in 686, at the very end of the reign, where it is 34 persons who were given rank.  This time it was to carpenters, diviners, physicians, students from Tang—possibly those who had just come back a year or so earlier.  So if there weren't envoys from Tang, Goguryeo, and Baekje, who were these people and why were they being granted Yamato court rank?  My assumption is that it was foreigners living in the archipelago, and being incorporated into the Yamato court system.  Still, it is interesting that after the overtures by the Tang in the previous reign we have heard virtually nothing since then.  Again, that is likely largely due to the conflicts between Tang and Silla, though now, things seem to be changing.  The conflicts have settled down, and new rulers are in place, so we'll see how things go. Speaking of which, let's finish up with the diplomatic exchanges in this reign.  I'm only hitting some of the highlights here.  First is the return from Silla, in the 5th month of 685, of Takamuku no Asomi no Maro and Tsuno no Asomi no Ushikahi.  They had traveled to Silla in 684, and they did not come back emptyhanded.  The new King of Silla presented them with gifts, including 2 horses, 3 dogs, 2 parrots, and 2 magpies.  They also brought back the novice monks Kanjou and Ryoukan.  Not bad, overall. Then, 6 months later, another tribute mission came, but this one has an interesting—if somewhat questionable—note attached to it.  It is said that the envoys Gim Jisyang and Gim Geonhun were sent to request "governance" and to bring tribute.  This certainly go the court's attention.  They didn't bring the envoys all the way to the capital, but they did send to them, in Tsukushi, Prince Kawachi, Ohotomo no Sukune no Yasumaro, Fujiwara no Asomi no Ohoshima, and Hodzumi no Asomi no Mushimaro. About three months later they send the musical performers from Kawaradera to provide entertainment during a banquet for the Silla envoy, and in payment some 5,000 bundles of rice rom the private lands attached to the queen's palace were granted to the temple in gratitude. The Silla tribute was then brought to the capital from Tsukushi.  This time it was more than 100 items, including one fine horse, one mule, two dogs, a gold container inlaid with some kind of design, gold, silver, faint brocade, silk gauze, tiger and leopard skins, and a variety of medicines.  In addition, as was now common, the envoys, Gim Jisyang and Gim Geonhun, apparently had personal gifts to give in the form of gold, silver, faint brocade, silk gauze, gold containers, screens, saddle hides, silk cloth, and more medicine.  There were also gifts specifically for the sovereign, the queen, the Crown Prince, and for the various princes of the blood. The court returned this favor with gifts to the envoys, presented at a banquet just for them, before sending them on their way. A couple of notes.  First off, it is interesting that they are entertained at Tsukushi rather than being invited to the capital, and I wonder if this was because the sovereign, Ohoama, wasn't doing so well.  This was all happening in 685 and 686, and the sovereign would pass away shortly afterwards.  So it is possible that Ohoama just was not up to entertaining visitors at this time.  Of course, the Chronicles often don't tell us exactly why a given decision was made, only that it was.  And sometimes not even that. The other thing that seems curious is the mention of a request for governance.  That almost sounds like Silla was asking to come under Yamato hegemony, which I seriously doubt.  It may be that they were asking something along the lines of an alliance, but it is also possible that the scribes recording things for Yamato heard what they wanted to hear and so wrote it down in the light most favorable to Yamato laying claim to the peninsula. Or perhaps I'm misunderstanding exactly what they were asking for.  Maybe "governance" here means something else—perhaps just some kind of better relationship. And with that, we'll leave it for now.  There is more developing in the next reign, but I think we want to wait until we get there.  There are still a lot more things to cover in this reign before we move on—we haven't even touched on the establishment of the new capital, on the various court events, not to mention some of the laws and punishments that this period is named for.  And there is the minor issue of a rebellion.  All of that will be dealt with.  And then, after that, we get to the final reign of the Chronicles: the reign of Jitou Tennou.  From there?  Who knows. It is the winter holiday season, so I hope everyone is enjoying themselves.  Next episode will be the New Year's recap, and then we should finish with this reign probably in January or early February. Until then, if you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website,  SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page.  You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com.  Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now.  Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.

Recorded December 2nd, 2025. A lecture by Prof Jan Zielonka (University of Oxford, University of Venice) organised by the Centre for Resistance Studies. Prof Jan Zielonka's public lecture will address the challenges posed by the "sovereignist turn" in European politics to the stability of the European Union. This lecture is the annual Łukasiewicz Lecture that is organised in memory of Polish logician Professor Jan Łukasiewicz. The event is organised jointly by the Polish Embassy in Dublin and the Trinity Centre for European Studies. Jan Zielonka is Professor of European Politics at the University of Oxford and Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Venice, Cá Foscari. His previous appointments included posts at the University of Warsaw, Leiden and the European University Institute in Florence. His work oscillates between the field of international relations, comparative politics and political theory. Zielonka has produced eighteen books including Counter-revolution. Liberal Europe in Retreat (Oxford University Press, 2018, awarded the 2019 UACES prize for the best book on Europe and translated into Italian, German Polish, Estonian and Korean), Politics and the Media in New Democracies. Europe in a Comparative Perspective (Oxford University Press, 2015), Is the EU doomed? (Polity Press, 2014), and Europe as Empire. The Nature of the Enlarged European Union (Oxford University Press, 2006). Zielonka regularly contributes articles to Die Zeit, NewStatesman, Social Europe, Open Democracy, Il Fatto Quotidiano, L'Espresso, NRC Handelsblad, Diário de Notícias and Rzeczpospolita. Learn more at ww.tcd.ie/trinitylongroomhub

Bradley Sutton shares his wild journey from sumo wrestler and Zumba instructor to Amazon launch expert, revealing the Amazon seller grind mindset, resilience, hustle, heart, and hard-won lessons.

Last time we spoke about the battle over Changfukeng Hill. In the frost-bit dawn by the Chaun and Tumen, two empires faced a cliff of fate: Soviet and Japanese, each convinced that Changkufeng belonged to them. Diplomats urged restraint, yet Tokyo's generals brewed a daring plan, strike at night, seize the crest, then bargain. Sato and Suetaka debated risk and restraint, weighing "dokudan senko" against disciplined action as rain hissed on the ground. Night fell like velvet. Nakano, a quiet, meticulous regimental leader, gathered the 75th Regiment's veterans, choosing five fearless captains and a rising star, Nakajima, to carry the charge. Scouts and engineers moved ahead, weaving a fragile path across the Tumen: wire-cutters in the dark, signals humming softly, and the thunder of distant Soviet tanks rolling along the shore. At 02:15, after breaches breached and silent men slid through wire, the Japanese surged up the slopes with bayonets glinting, swords ready, and nerves as taut as steel. The crest lunged with savage resistance: grenades flashed, machine guns roared, and leaders fell. By 05:15, dawn broke, and the hill, Course of blood and courage, stood in Japanese hands.   #180 A premature Japanese Victory over Changkufeng Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. On 31 July 1938, dawn seemed to indicate Changkufeng Hill was in Japanese hands. From his command post, Colonel Sato Kotoku, his regimental staff, and most of Hirahara's 3rd Battalion had been anxiously watching the progress of the 1st Battalion's operations since 12:30 on 31 July. Around 03:00, the Japanese infantry commanders issued "heroic orders to charge," audible above the withering fire. Sato expected the crest to fall in little more than an hour; when no signal shell burst over the hill, he grew apprehensive, praying for success with his heart breaking. A mile away on Hill 52, the troops could discern no voices, only gunfire and the spectacular glow of flares and tracers. As one soldier recalled "It was like fireflies," another soldier added "it was like a carnival". To Sasai, on the heights at Kucheng, it was, as he put it, "c'était un grand spectacle." By the way I think its one of the only times I've read a Japanese soldier using French, what he said translates to "it was a large spectacle", I am from Quebec so I speak baguette. The mist moved up Changkufeng Hill, and Japanese troops followed it, fighting for hours. Fearing Nakano's battalion might have been wiped out, Sato's staff prayed for fog. Sato later admitted, "By dawn we were failing to take our objectives."   At the base of Chiangchunfeng, Sato held the 6th Company in reserve, ready to attack Changkufeng from the left. He would have preferred not to commit it, given the danger of an accidental fire-fight with friendly forces. Nevertheless, as combat intensified, Sato decided to push the company into support of the 1st Battalion. After orders at 03:15, Ito moved toward the northwest side of Changkufeng. The Russians laid down heavy fire, especially from a well-placed machine-gun position on the far left. Ito's company, suffering heavy and needlessly casualties, had to hold near the middle of the slope. A runner was sent to the regimental command post requesting artillery support after dawn. By 04:30, Sato could discern the Changkufeng crest, where fierce close-quarters fighting raged between Japanese and Russians on the south edge, while the enemy continually sent reinforcements, troops followed by tanks, up the northern slope. Ito's company was visible on the western slope, bravely bearing a Japanese flag. 10-15 minutes later, grenade-discharger fire began to blast the Soviet positions. At 04:40, Ito, redeploying at dawn, observed elements of the 1st Company near the hill's summit. Contact was established with Inagaki's men. The Russians began to show signs of disarray under the grenade dischargers and the heavy weapons deployed by the reserve battalion at Chiangchunfeng. Thereupon Ito's company charged as well, capturing the northwest corner of Changkufeng roughly concurrently with the main body of the 1st Battalion under Sakata. Ito was wounded and evacuated; two sergeants were later cited in dispatches. Meanwhile, the 10th Company, led by Takeshita of the 3rd Battalion, was to conduct a separate night assault against fire points around Hill 24, about 1,000 meters north of Changkufeng. The aim was to disrupt Russian withdrawal along the slopes to the rear and to hinder reinforcements. At midnight, the company left the skirts of Chiangchunfeng in fog and darkness. Moving stealthily over the undulating terrain, they faced knee-deep bogs and tall vegetation. After evading sentries, they penetrated behind the enemy. By 02:00, five teams totaling 16 men under Sergeant Uchibori were ready to strike Hill 24. Takeshita led the charge from the right and overran the defenders by 02:20. The Russians, numbering 20 to 30 riflemen with one machine gun, fled toward Khasan, leaving four soldiers behind whom the Japanese bayoneted. Takeshita's company continued to consolidate Hill 24, awaiting counterattacks, which soon followed. At 04:00, eight tanks, with headlights on, launched an attack from the Shachaofeng sector, supported by an infantry company . Takeshita reinforced Uchibori's unit with assault teams; the Russian infantry were routed, and five tanks were knocked out. At dawn, about 100 Soviet troops were observed retreating from the direction of Changkufeng, surprised and mowed down by heavy and light machine guns at ranges of about 300 meters. At 06:30, the Soviets attacked again with an infantry battalion and a machine-gun company from north of Khasan. The Japanese allowed them to close, then concentrated the firepower of both infantry platoons plus heavy machine guns. After a 30-minute firefight with heavy casualties on the Soviet side, the Russians fell back. Again, at 07:10, the Soviets struck from the north of Khasan, this time with one company and five tanks. Russian infantry, supported by three tanks, pushed in front of the Japanese positions, but machine-gun and small-arms fire forced them to retreat eastward, the tanks being stopped 50 meters from the lines. Meanwhile, two Japanese enlisted men on patrol near the lake encountered armor; they attacked and, after taking casualties, returned with captured ammunition and equipment. One rapid-fire piece had been providing covering fire behind Takeshita's unit and opened fire on three tanks attacking north of Changkufeng, helping to stop them. As daybreak arrived, Takeshita's company cleared the battlefield, retrieved casualties, and reinforced the defenses. Then an order from the regiment transferred the main body to Changkufeng. Leaving one platoon at Hill 24, Takeshita came directly under Hirahara's command. Takeshita was later officially cited by the regiment. If Hill 52 fell, Changkufeng would be lost. The Russians understood the importance of this constricted sector as well. Their armor could swing south of Khasan, while the terrain to the north was boggier and could be made impassable by the field-artillery battery emplaced on the Korean side of the Tumen. To check hostile reinforcements into this vital region, Sato had dispatched an infantry element to Hill 52 early. Northward, he had 1st Lieutenant Hisatsune emplacement the two 75-millimeter mountain pieces belonging to his infantry gun battery, together with two of 2nd Lieutenant Saito's three 20-millimeter anti-tank guns and the two 37-millimeter infantry rapid-fire guns belonging to 2nd Lieutenant Kutsukake's battalion gun battery. At 23:00 on 30 July, in accord with Nakano's orders, Hisatsune moved these six guns to the ridgeline between Changkufeng and Hill 52. Apart from the guns to the left, defense of Hill 52 was entrusted to the experienced Master Sergeant Murakoshi Kimio, 2nd Platoon leader in Nakajima's company. After the Shachaofeng affair, Murakoshi was ordered to occupy the hill. Moving along the shore on 30 July, his unit encountered neither friendly nor hostile troops. The regimental records note that "some enemy unit came into the dip east of Hill 52 since morning on the 30th, and both sides were watching each other." Murakoshi deployed his three rifle squads, totaling 34 men. After Nakano's battalion jumped off on 31 July, the platoon observed not only the "fireworks display" but also Soviet motorized units with lights aglow, moving on high ground east of Khasan. Later, tanks could be heard clanking toward Hill 52. Around 04:00, Murakoshi organized anti-tank teams and sent them into action. Most accounts emphasize the anti-tank efforts, rather than the fire of Murakoshi's machine gunners. Three privates, carrying anti-tank mines, undertook daring assaults once the terrain obliged the Russian tanks to slow. They laid their mines, but the soil proved too soft, and the attempt failed. In the most publicized episode, Private First Class Matsuo, nicknamed a "human bullet," was badly wounded by machine-gun fire from a tank and knocked from the vehicle, but he managed to reboard with a satchel charge and, it is said, stop the tank at the cost of his life. The platoon leader and his remaining 20 men, having withdrawn 200 meters below their positions, poured torrents of fire at the infantry accompanying the tanks. Flames from the antitank mine assaults provided blazing targets. In concert with Hisatsune's six infantry guns emplaced on the Crestline southeast of Changkufeng, Murakoshi knocked out the remaining two tanks. When the tanks were immobilized, the Soviet troops did not press forward; exposed to Japanese fire, their losses mounted. By daybreak, the Russians had pulled back. Official records describe one Soviet company with four heavy machine guns, led by mounted officers. After hours of intense combat, Colonel Sato and his staff observed that all operations were succeeding by dawn. It was fortunate that Japanese units had posed a threat from the east; only then did the Russians begin to retreat. "But what an incomparably heroic first combat it had been… the scene at Changkufeng was sublime and inspiring. Private feelings were forgotten, and all bowed their heads in respect for the gallant fighting by matchless subordinates." As soon as Sato confirmed that Changkufeng had been occupied, he sent an aide to assess casualties. "When the colonel learned about the death of his capable and dependable officers," a lieutenant recalled, "he… murmured, 'Is that so?' and closed his eyes. The dew glistened on his lids." Meanwhile, in addition to the battle of annihilation at Changkufeng, Major Takenouchi of Okido's regiment was to conduct the dawn assault in the Shachaofeng area. His 1st Battalion and attached elements numbered 379 men; Kanda's company of the Kucheng Border Guard Unit added another 49. An engineer platoon was attached. At 18:00 on 30 July, Takenouchi issued his orders. According to that evening's regimental maps, north of Khasan were two battalions of Soviet infantry and 20 tanks. South of Shachaofeng, the Russians had entanglements and machine-gun nests, with additional emplacements to the rear, west of the lake, and armor moving south toward Changkufeng. Northwest of Shachaofeng lay the main body of Takenouchi's battalion. Signal lines connected his headquarters with Sato's command post. The only Soviet patrol activity noted, as of evening, was in the direction of Matsunobe. Around 02:00, machine guns chattered south of Changkufeng, signaling an increasing intensity of Sato's night assault. On Takenouchi's front, the Russians went on alert, firing illuminating shells and opening fire from the north side of Changkufeng. At 02:30, Matsunobe's unit finished breakfast and moved to the jump-off site. The terrain was difficult and there was considerable enemy tracer fire, but, thanks to effective reconnaissance, the force reached its destination without loss by 04:00. Matsunobe eliminated an outpost unit using rear-area scouts who struck from the rear and gave the enemy little opportunity to respond. Then the Japanese prepared for the main attack as they awaited daybreak. At 04:00, the supporting mountain artillery platoon took position between Matsunobe and Takenouchi. Throughout this period, the sounds of fighting grew more violent toward Changkufeng; machine guns were especially active. At 05:00, three enemy tanks could be seen moving up the northern slope of Changkufeng, but soon after news arrived that friendly forces had seized the crest. With sunrise imminent, the Japanese guns assumed their role. The longest-range support Takenouchi could expect was Narukawa's two 15-centimeter howitzers, emplaced across the Tumen north of Sozan. This battery took position at 04:20, after which the commander went to join Sato just behind the front. Several thousand meters of telephone line had been strung across the river, linking observation post and battery. Narukawa watched the fierce struggle at Changkufeng and prepared to support the dawn assault, while honoring the desperate effort of Ito's company for covering fire. Firing began at 05:10, though range data were not adequate. After little more than ten rounds, the enemy heavy machine guns on the Shachaofeng front subsided. A veteran artilleryman proudly remarked, "These were the first howitzer shells ever fired against the Soviet Army." At 05:20, Takenouchi's own heavy weapons added effective counterfire. Matsunobe and his company had crept to a line 150 meters in front of the Russian positions, taking advantage of dead angles and covered by light machine guns. Three Soviet tanks, however, had pressed forward against the main body. Two Private First Class soldiers, members of a close-quarters team, waited until the lead tank reversed course, then dashed in from the rear and blew it up. Two other soldiers attacked the third tank with mines but could not destroy it because of the tall grass. In a dramatic action that always thrilled Japanese audiences, a Private First Class jumped aboard with a portable mine, while a superior private jammed explosives into the tank's rear and allegedly blew off both treads, though the tank continued firing. While Matsunobe's company laid a smoke screen and prepared to charge, the Soviet tank was knocked out by rapid-fire guns. Master Sergeant Sudo's platoon seized the opportunity to race forward 15 meters and overrun two firing points at 05:40. When the Russians counterattacked with 60 infantrymen and three new tanks, Matsunobe ordered the grenade-discharger squad to fire while he had Sudo pull back to the foot of the hill. Close-quarter teams knocked out the tanks in succession. By this time the Russians had been shaken badly, allowing Matsunobe's main force to surge into two more positions. Five or six remaining Soviet soldiers were wiped out by a combination of Japanese pursuit fire and Soviet gunfire emanating from east of Khasan. After 06:00, the Japanese held the high ground at Shachaofeng. Kanda's unit had achieved a similar result, swinging around Matsunobe and skirting the left of the Soviet positions. Russian artillery opened from the east, but the Japanese used the terrain to advantage and suffered no casualties. Around this time, enemy forces in the Changkufeng area began to retreat, a portion by motor vehicle. Takenouchi had Matsunobe secure the site and, at 06:13, directed the main battalion to advance toward the north side of Khasan. A stubborn four-hour battle then ensued as Soviet forces delayed their retreat and the covering unit occupied the northern edge of the lake. Takenouchi estimated the enemy's strength at two infantry companies, a company of 12 heavy machine guns, and one heavy battery. Several Russian counterattacks were mounted against Matsunobe, while Takenouchi reinforced Kanda. The battalion attacked with great intensity and by 10:30 had managed to encircle the right flank of the enemy defenses at the northwest edge of Khasan. The Russians began to fall back, though one company of infantry resisted vigorously. At 10:50, the Soviet rear-guard company opened fire with machine guns while several tanks delivered heavy machine-gun and cannon fire. Soviet artillery, firing rapidly, also joined the resistance to Takenouchi's advance. Firepower pinned down the Japanese in this sector from late morning until nightfall.    For reasons of necessity as well as doctrine, the night assault on Changkufeng Hill received no artillery support. The dawn assault to clear Shachaofeng, however, required all available firepower, even if limited. Firing diagrams reflect no howitzer fire directed north of Changkufeng; this is understandable since Narukawa had only two pieces to handle numerous targets. A Soviet tank element was driven off, west of the lake, by 03:00 from the skirt of Chiangchunfeng by 3rd Battalion heavy weapons. Sasai, at the Kucheng command post, contends that Japanese artillery scored a significant success: school-tactics were followed, and the battery stood ready in case the night assault by the infantry failed. By dawn, Russian remnants clung to the crest, though the infantry had "peeled the skin" from their defenses. "In the morning, one of our howitzer shells hit near Changkufeng, whereupon the last of the enemy fled." Survivors of the night assault recalled no direct artillery support by Japanese artillery, though firing charts suggest some; Soviet sources dispute this. Regimental records note: "After firing against positions southwest of Shachaofeng, the Narukawa battery fired to cut off the enemy's retreat path from Shachaofeng and to neutralize the foe's superior artillery. Results were great." In the morning, Sato returned to Chiangchunfeng, observed the difficult anti-artillery combat by the Narukawa battery, and commended their performance. He watched howitzer fire disrupt Soviet artillery positions opposite Shachaofeng and estimated enemy strength at a battalion. Sato saw Russian horse-drawn artillery blasted from its sites and pulled back north of Khasan. Narukawa's first targets were positions and tanks south of Shachaofeng. Northeast of the lake, one battery of Russians headed north after dawn. In Narukawa's firing pattern, north of the lake, a Soviet motorized unit of more than ten vehicles withdrew in the afternoon. A new Russian artillery formation moving north of Khasan that afternoon received the heaviest fire from the howitzers. On that day Narukawa's two active pieces fired a total of 74 rounds. The only other Japanese artillery support for the infantry consisted of the half-battery of 75-millimeter mountain guns already forward. The platoon under 2nd Lieutenant Ikue moved west of Shachaofeng, starting from behind Kanda at 04:00, and bombarded Soviet positions to the northeast. Firing a lighter projectile than Narukawa's pieces, Ikue's men fired 162 shells and 37 shrapnel rounds at the Russians. Colonel Tanaka, the artillery regiment commander, reached the front during the night as battle's fury peaked from Changkufeng. Tanaka's mission was to take over Narukawa's battery and support infantry combat from dawn. Upon establishing his headquarters, Tanaka sent a liaison officer to the 75th Regiment. The 3rd Mountain Artillery Battalion completed unloading at Shikai Station in the night, and at 03:40, it entered emplacements on the north side of Nanpozan. Tanaka ordered Rokutanda to repel any enemy attacks that might be staged from Changkufeng and north of Yangkuanping. The battalion made good use of prior surveys and proved helpful in thwarting offensive attempts from the vicinity of Shachaofeng after daybreak. Rokutanda also coordinated with Narukawa to cut off the Soviet retreat route after enemy motorized and infantry forces began to fall back from Shachaofeng.   At Changkufeng, once the last Russians had been routed, two hours of quiet settled over both sides. The Japanese busied themselves with cleaning up the field, retrieving casualties, and bearing the dead to the rear. The few Japanese historians who have worked with 75th Regiment records have argued with a dramatic passage describing dawn: "From 05:15, after the top had been secured by us, the fog began to drift in. At about 05:30 rain started to drench the whole area; therefore, enemy artillery had to stop firing. God's will." Sakata counters that no Russian artillery shelled the peak after his men had cleared it. Sato agrees; only in the afternoon did at least 20 Soviet guns, emplaced north of the lake, open fire at Changkufeng. At first, Russian shells fell harmlessly into a pond nearby; Sato recalls fish splashing out. Thereafter, Soviet gunners gradually corrected their aim, but the Japanese took cover behind rocks and sustained no casualties. Soviet shellfire may have begun at dawn but appeared to be directed mainly toward Shachaofeng, where Soviet defenders were not evicted until an hour after Changkufeng fell. Tanaka, however, argues that when he arrived at the front at 05:00, Russian artillery was firing on objectives west of the Tumen, and several shells struck his men and guns. Japanese firing charts show that Soviet guns initially bombarded Takenouchi's sector at Shachaofeng from two positions north and northeast of Khasan. After these Russian positions were forced to evacuate, the new Soviet gun unit that arrived in the afternoon engaged not only Changkufeng but also the area of the Japanese regimental headquarters. A Japanese military history suggests that Chiangchunfeng, the site of the observation post for the heavy field-artillery battery, was hit early in the morning, just after Takenouchi's ground assault against Shachaofeng had begun. The only other Russian artillery fire noted is the early-morning bombardment of the region of Hill 52. This shelling emanated from a point southeast of the lake but appeared directed primarily against Hisatsune's guns, which pulled back to Changkufeng at 06:00. Takeshita's company, which had jumped off at 02:00 and struck to the rear of Changkufeng toward the heights southwest of Shachaofeng, sustained severe enemy artillery fire after dawn. The main body secured the positions it had captured, while one platoon occupied Hill 24. On Takenouchi's front, intense enemy artillery fire continued after the Shachaofeng district was cleared, but the battalion maintained its position throughout the day. At 20:00, Takenouchi pulled back to the heights northwest of Shachaofeng. Elements of Matsunobe's unit on the right flank clung to advanced positions southeast of Shachaofeng. Regarding the theological allusion to merciful rain at dawn, no interviewee recalled a torrential downpour at Changkufeng. One soldier remembered descending from the crest at 08:30, taking breakfast, and returning for battlefield cleanup an hour later, at which time it began to drizzle. The 75th Regiment's weather record for Sunday, 31 July, simply states, "Cloudy; sunrise 05:08."   At 06:40, Colonel Sato ordered Hirahara's 3rd Battalion to relieve Nakano's mauled 1st Battalion and Ito's company atop Changkufeng. The 1st Battalion was to become the regimental reserve force, assemble at Chiangchunfeng, and collect its dead and wounded. Shortly after 08:00, Hirahara arrived at the crest of Changkufeng. Sakata was still upright, blood-streaked. "It's all right now," Hirahara told him. "You can go down." Sakata limped away with the remnants of the 1st Battalion. At the command post he met Sato, who praised him, promised to replace his damaged sword with one of his own, and told him to head for the hospital. When he protested, Sato bellowed, more in pride than anger, "To the hospital with you!" Sakata went, leaving Kuriyama as acting company commander. That morning, Sato climbed Changkufeng and gave Hirahara instructions. He commended the heavy field artillery battery commander, Narukawa, for his effective support of Takenouchi's dawn attack at Shachaofeng. Before returning to his command post, Sato carefully supervised the collection of Japanese dead. He looked into the face of each man and bade him farewell, a regiment officer recalls. "His sincerity and sorrow inspired reverence in all of us." In the afternoon, Sato sent Oshima back to Haigan to report the victory to forces in the rear, to visit the families of the fallen, and to "exert a beneficial influence on the native inhabitants lest they become confused and upset by the recent fighting." After the Russians had been ousted from Changkufeng and Shachaofeng, information became available to Japanese headquarters concerning the extent of the victory and the price. The 75th Regiment put Soviet casualties at 300 men in each area and claimed a total of 17 tanks knocked out during the operations—seven at Changkufeng, three at Hill 52, seven at Shachaofeng. Assault infantrymen noted that few Soviet bodies were found in the crestline positions, other than those cut down by cold steel; many Russians were presumably wounded by grenades. Colonel Sato asserts that 30 Soviet corpses were picked up in the Changkufeng area after the night attack. Most Japanese survivors judge that Soviet casualties were at least double those incurred by their own forces. The Japanese used much of the materiel they had captured. The price had been grim in the assault units: 45 killed, 133 wounded. In both Colonel Nakano's and Colonel Takenouchi's battalions, about 25 percent of the officers and almost 10 percent of the men were killed or wounded. The main assault waves, chiefly the 1st and 2nd infantry companies and 1st Machine-Gun Company of Colonel Nakano's unit, suffered as many as one-half or two-thirds casualties, down to platoons and squads. Before the night attack, Colonel Nakano's battalion had a total of 401 men. The strength of Shimomura's battalion had diminished by only 17: Hirahara's by 10. Nakano's unit lost over 80 percent of all Japanese killed and wounded in the Changkufeng–Hill 52 sector.  Japanese accounts were lavish in their praise of Colonel Sato's conception and execution of the night-dawn assaults. "Everybody had conducted several inspections of the front, yet only two or three individuals were acquainted with the precise sector where we carried out our assault." The costly lack of comprehensive intelligence necessitated reduction of firing points in succession and made the assault on the peak, the true key, possible only at the end. "This was a rather difficult method. It would have been better to have thrown one small unit against one firing point invariably and to have used the main force to break through the depth of the foe swiftly." On the larger benefits of the night operation, Akaishizawa wrote, "We prevented the main hostile forces, numbering several thousand troops concentrated east of Khasan about 600 or 700 meters behind Changkufeng, from laying a finger on us." Sato regards the night attack as a success: "The Soviets would have taken over the entire region unless checked." But with respect to Suetaka's words of praise for Sato himself, one candid division staff officer does not share what he calls "extravagant laudation." "The night-attack plan had been devised long in advance. I do not see anything particularly brilliant about it. Only in terms of results could one call the assault well done." Sakata concurs but stresses that training paid off: "All the men in my company followed their leaders to the crest and thus displayed their teamwork and unity," despite the unexpectedly severe casualties. The Soviets seemed particularly apprehensive about the possibility of Japanese armored operations. Antitank weapons were deployed on the eastern slopes of Changkufeng, ready to fire against the axis of Hill 52, which theoretically was good tank country. Illuminating shells and flares were employed profusely in concert with heavy machine guns firing blue tracers from the time Japanese troops entered the zone of wire defenses. Tanks supplemented the fire network, as did artillery zeroed in east of Khasan. But it was the grenades, in "heaps and mounds," that troubled the attackers most: "This tactic must be one of the most important aspects of Soviet infantry training, together with snipers. Our night assault unit did not sustain too many casualties until the crest but, since we could not run up into the positions, the foe was able to hurl many milk-bottle-size grenades. Our forces must be given more training with hand grenades".  The first phone call to Seoul did not come until Changkufeng had been assaulted and cleared. Around 05:00 the division learned that victory had been achieved at Changkufeng; the first reports mentioned no Japanese casualties. "Thank God!" was the reaction. Suetaka and the major toasted Sato's victory with sake. "At 06:00, one company of the Sato unit occupied Shachaofeng and expelled the Soviet forces across the border." Not long afterward, the division, like the 75th Regiment, began to learn the extent of the casualties. Although personal sorrow displaced initial elation, there was grim satisfaction that the insolent Russians had been ousted and the dignity of the Imperial Army maintained. It was hoped and expected that the Korea Army would share this view. Seoul had learned of the Japanese assaults only after the fact and in a rather cursory fashion. Nakamura ordered the front-line units to secure the heights and to localize the affair by limiting the strength used in that area and by ensuring cautious action.  Nakamura's orders to not expand upon the victory were criticized heavily. However Tsuchiya recalled "The decision was taken too easily. Perhaps some had covert opposition, but no one spoke up. I think there was some misunderstanding of individual positions. Yet the crisis should have been analyzed carefully. It is too bad that there was no direct supervision by the Chief of Staff." For Tsuchiya, the Korea Army would have been in trouble if the incident had dragged on because of Soviet buildup and Japanese casualties and low mobilization. Although Nakamura likely wished the 19th Division to abandon unnecessary actions regardless of victory or defeat, he did not seem to care; he showed no intention of inspecting the local scene. Yet Tsuchiya felt such a keen sense of responsibility that he was prepared to commit suicide if matters went wrong. Inada argued that Nakamura did not visit the front to avoid expanding the troubles and disturbing the troops. Analyzing the Korea Army's nebulous control, Imaoka notes that Nakamura had only recently arrived in Korea and had little time before fighting began, but something seemed lacking in the army's exercise of command. Thus, Nakamura never met Suetaka until after the incident had been resolved, although the governor-general came from Seoul to visit Suetaka at the battlefront and to express appreciation in person. "It was quite proper to adhere to the policy of nonenlargement, but the Korea Army should have furnished more positive operational guidance in such a case when a subordinate division was in serious trouble." There were important lessons to be learned here, Tsuchiya recalled  "The 19th Division attacked the Russians twice in 36 hours without army orders or approval. How is it that the division commander, a lieutenant general and certainly not an reckless man, could have been allowed so much margin to act independently?" Some suggest that Suetaka tended to violate the spirit of the law, especially in force majeure. Others think that Suetaka was loyal, deliberate, and law-abiding, a worrier who could be expected to follow orders. Why risk one's career—one's life, given that self-censure loomed—when headquarters' decision was available? Military discipline and national interest dictated prior consultation and compliance. Or did Suetaka, like other notable generals, think gambles were justified by the goddess of Victory? I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. A daring Japanese night assault, led by Colonel Sato and his bold captains, threaded through fog, wire, and enemy fire. As dawn broke, the crest fell into Japanese hands, after brutal stand-ins on Hill 52 and Shachaofeng. Glinting grenades, roaring tanks, and disciplined infantry forged the victory, at a heavy price: dozens of officers and many men lost.   

Does the European Union have an ‘intelligent' green strategy that is failing in practice while Hungary pursues a ‘dumb' one that seems to work?In this episode of the Visegrad Insight Podcast, Wojciech Przybylski speaks with Hungarian journalist Vilmos Weiler about the surge of Chinese and Korean battery investments in Hungary and what this means for European competitiveness, economic security and environmental safety.This podcast is a part of our Europe Future Forum Polish-Hungarian Perspectives project. Through a programme of meetings with experts, political advisers and opinion leaders from both countries, we aim to explore Poland's and Hungary's perspectives on the transformations underway in the European Union at the threshold of an age of economic warfare. Supported by the Wacław Felczak Institute for Polish-Hungarian Cooperation.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ZVjpVC-rAListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5rS975XzpvScfteSbUFuaM?si=fA_K_aAVSkytXZmjQ15A4g

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Joel Kim Booster jokes about being Korean in his Netfix special, "Psychosexual".

You never see them coming, and yet they never stop coming. From the beginning of popular music to today, offbeat songs just keep pushing into our consciousness. As much as we're conditioned to respond to formula-based songs that fit into established genres, the outliers just keep catching our attention and burrowing into our brains. Over the decades, there's been a singing nun and chanting monks, weird mini-musicals from the likes of Queen and Paul McCartney, unlikely foreign-language acts promoting red balloons, taxi drivers and whatever “Gangnam Style” was. Unconventional instruments, animals (including the performer who thought she was a cow), cheerleader-esque songs and mashed-up genres also found fame. And in just the last year we've seen the charts topped by everything from a song based on a Korean drinking game to a country hit that was completely invented by AI. On this week's “How We Heard It,” your hosts explore some of the strangest songs that have ever been made - funny, bizarre, racy, disturbing, catchy … and sometimes annoying in the long run. Expect the unexpected!

444,163 viewsStreamed live 12/12/25 #arestovych #shelest #war#arestovych #shelest #war #zelensky #trump #trumpplanFundraising for the 9th Brigade of the Special Operations Forces "Lavri Patriots"

Gina Darling joins The Steebee Weebee Show for the 2nd time!! We talk about: her dating experience with a Pastor's Kid cheating on her, the difficulties in dating Korean men, dealing with GRIFTERS: con artists who swindles people, especially through online platforms or social media, to make money through deceptive means, Steebee's nightmare- dealing with a demonic woman posing as his mother, and him losing another tooth, Korean Ghost Stories, how Gina met her current boyfriend, The Choi's, Tooth Butter: plaque "gunk" that builds up which causes bad breath , and much much more. Go this week to: www.youtube.com/steebeeweebee to watch. More Gina : https://www.instagram.com/missginadarling ** Now on iTunes:  https://goo.gl/CdSwyV ** Subscribe: https://goo.gl/d239PO Little Ray promises a Karma Boost if you join our Patreon: https://goo.gl/aiOi7J Or, click here for a one time Karma Boost. https://www.paypal.me/steebeeweebeeshow/2 More Steven: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quangou Bandcamp: https://steebeeweebee.bandcamp.com/ Itunes: https://goo.gl/PSooa0 Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/steebeeweebee Send stuff to: 1425 N. Cherokee Ave P.O. Box 1391 Los Angeles, CA 90093 

Friday Fail Series: Locked Out of Church Episode Title: Friday Fail Series: Locked Out of Church Host: Rob Skinner Podcast: The Rob Skinner Podcast

improve your listening skills by comparing different versions of "Stone Soup"

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Jamie is joined by Bryan Quinby, formerly of Street Fight Radio and currently of Guys: With Bryan Quinby, to discuss Yorgos Lanthimos' latest piece of wackypants cinema. In this remake of the 2003 Korean film "Save the Green Planet," a wingnut named Teddy (Jesse Plemons) kidnaps girlboss big pharma CEO Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone) because he thinks she's an alien who's killing the bees. Themes of paranoia, atomization, niche internet culture, and...Stav?! Bryan uses his PhD in guy-ology to determine what kind of guy Teddy is. Check out Guys: With Bryan Quinby: patreon.com/GuysPodcast *** SIGN UP NOW at https://patreon.com/partygirls to get the full version of this episode, all other bonus content, Discord access, and a shout out on the pod! Follow us on ALL the Socials: Instagram: @party.girls.pod TikTok: @party.girls.pod Twitter: @partygirlspod BlueSky: @partygirls.bsky.social Leave us a nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you feel so inclined: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/party-girls/id1577239978 https://open.spotify.com/show/71ESqg33NRlEPmDxjbg4rO Executive Producer: Andrew Callaway Producers: Ryan M., Jon B., Charlotte Albrecht (emeritus) Design: Julie J.

Send us a textBall Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap SLU Men's Elite 8 win over Akron and other NCAA results with local impacts, chat about the MLS Cup Final, talk about the US Open Cup schedule, break down the World Cup draw, and a whole lot more!Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)! Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com!Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you... Seoul Juice is the official drink of Ball Watching and made with three clean simple ingredients: water, organic lemon juice, and Korean pear juice. Get yours at Dierbergs, Sams Club, or online at seouljuice.com. Use code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout for 20% off all online orders!Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com) and receive a 15% discount on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

Sometimes I wish I could just have the intro paragraph to an episode be GAAHHHHHHH THIS ONE WAS SO FUN! So this is my version of that: telling you that I wish it could be that, and then also telling you that we go deep on so many components of the global spread (and embrace) of Korean pop culture. We go into the calculated political elements, the uncanny elision of North Korean stories, and why so many of the Korean narratives resonating with American audiences are ones crafted by Korean-Americans. This is a really effusive and loving episode that also manages to have some very real talk about why kids dressing up as characters from K-Pop Demon Hunters is not yellow face. IT'S SO GOOD, and I know we're gonna have a great discussion about it. ALSO GUESS WHAT, WE HAVE VERY GOOD EPISODES TRANSCRIPTS NOW! They come out within 24 hours of the pod, so you just have to be a little patient and then come back and click here. We pay an actual human for help with these, so thank you for either being a paid subscriber or listening to the ads that make this model possible! If you're a paid subscriber and haven't yet set up your subscriber RSS feed in your podcast player, here's the EXTREMELY easy how-to .And if you're having any other issues with your Patreon subscription — please get in touch! Email me at annehelenpetersen @ gmail OR submit a request to Patreon Support. Thank you for making the switch with us — the podcast in particular is much more at home here!Thanks to the Sponsors of Today's Episode! Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/CULTURE to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.Head to Graza.co/CULTURESTUDY and use code CULTURESTUDY to get 10% off your order and get cooking this holiday season with some fresh, delicious olive oil!Visit moshlife.com/CULTURE to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the best sellers trial pack or the new plant-based trial pack.Go to shopremi.com/CULTURE and use code CULTURE to receive 55% off  your new nightguard PLUS a free foam gift.Show Notes:GO LISTEN TO BIG KOREAN ENERGY!!! And then go find out a lot more about The Mash-Up AmericansSubscribe to The Mash-Up Americans newsletter for updates Really cannot recommend Episode 1 highly enough — it puzzle pieces so well with what we talk about for each of these questions A good secondary listen: our episode with Elise Hu about the Sephora Teen Freakout and my interview with Elise re: her book on K-Beauty We also reference this episode on The Irishification of Pop Culture with Caroline O'Donoghue REP SWEATSTHE KOREAN VEGAN!R.O. Kwon's appearance on Big Korean EnergySusan Choi's Flashlight, Min Jin Lee's Pachinko, Lisa See's Island of Sea Women I try to remember the name of Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo We're currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:Questions About How to Respond When People Ask/React To the Knowledge That You're Not Having Kids'90s Movie SoundtracksHow we think about the morality of money and taxes — who should pay taxes, who shouldn't, who "deserves" money, who doesn't, how we came to decide that religious organizations shouldn't pay taxes (and how that belief is changing), SO MUCHHow to process all the STUFF accumulated from relatives (we have a really helpful organizer with a bunch of mental health training for this one!) The State of The CHAIN RESTAURANT — and chain restaurant supply chain!!! (I'm so excited for this one) Anything you need advice or want musings on for the AAA segment. You can ask about anything, it's literally the name of the segmentAs always, you can submit your questions (and ideas for future eps) hereFor this week's discussion: What's your favorite manifestation of BIG KOREAN ENERGY right now?

Episode Summary: We're back with a short one, and the last one of 2025! In this week's episode of your favorite Korean Adoptee podcast, the Janchi Boys sit down and talk about whether or not we can trust our origin stories, and have further reflections on the TRC Report — Human Rights Violations in Intercountry AdoptionShow Resources:Full English Language version of the reportPatrick's Substack Reflection (and new podcast, “From the Kitchen Table”)---// Support the Show!Online at janchishow.com / @janchishowSupport the show at janchishow.com/supportJoin our Facebook Group! janchishow.com/afterpartyWatch our Youtube VideosLeave a voicemail! 972-677-8867Write us a note: janchishow@gmail.comThe Janchi Show Quick BioThe Janchi Show focuses on exploring intersectional identities and current events through the lens of adoption, race, lived experience and more. Sometimes we have guests, and sometimes it's just the three of us. Either way, it's always a janchi!// Meet the Janchi Boys!Nathan NowackNathan (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee who was born in Seoul in the 1970s. He was adopted at the age of 5 months old and raised in a small town in Oklahoma along with a non-biological Korean adopted sister.  After going to college in Colorado he later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a digital media career and eventually started 2 photography companies.  He loves spending time with his wife and 3 kids, playing golf, and collecting Lego. He is in reunion with his biological family as the youngest of 7 and has been in contact since 2015.  He currently serves on the Advisory Council for KAAN and helps with the planning of their annual adoptee conference.  In 2021, Nathan and his family moved back to Colorado to be closer to family and start a new chapter in their lives.  Connect with Nathan!Website: http://www.coverve.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/nnowackPatrick ArmstrongPatrick Armstrong (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee, podcaster, speaker, and community facilitator. He is one of the hosts of the Janchi Show, a podcast that explores and celebrates the experiences and stories of Korean adoptees everywhere. He also is host of Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong, a podcast where he discusses the missing pieces of the conversations we're already having. He is a cofounder of the Asian Adoptees of Indiana, a group dedicated to creating a safe, engaging community for all Asian adoptees who need it. He is currently based in Indianapolis with his wife and cat. Connect with Patrick!Website: http://patrickintheworld.meLinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/patrickintheworldInstagram: http://instagram.com/patrickintheworldK.J. Roelke (@kjroelke)KJ (he/him) was adopted from Daegu and raised in Dallas, Texas with his two biological, older siblings and his younger sister, adopted from Russia. After spending a decade in the Midwest for college and career, he and his wife are back in Dallas and living large! He has been on his journey of discovery since 2015 and spends his days as a web developer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.Connect with K.J.!Website: https://kjroelke.online/LinkedIn: https://linkedin/in/kjroelkeInstagram: https://instagram.com/kjroelke// Listen to/Watch The Janchi Show on all major platforms:Apple: http://janchishow.com/appleSpotify: http://janchishow.com/spotifyYoutube: http://janchishow.com/youtubeGratitude & CreditsMichelle Nam for our logo and brandingJerry Won for bring us togetherThis show is created and produced by Patrick, Nathan and KJ and is the sole property of the Janchi Show, LLC.

Get MORE Bad Friends at our Patreon!! https://www.patreon.com/c/badfriends Thank you to our Sponsors: Dominos, Rocket Money, Shopify, Raycon, Quince & Simplisafe • Dominos: Order now at https://dominos.com • Rocket Money: Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to https://RocketMoney.com/BADFRIENDS today. • Shopify: Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/badfriends • Raycon: Go to https://buyraycon.com/badfriendsOPEN to get up to 20% off during this holiday season. Thanks Raycon for sponsoring! • Quince: Go to https://Quince.com/BADFRIENDS for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. • Simplisafe: This month only, take 50% off any new system at https://SIMPLISAFE.com/BADFRIENDS YouTube Subscribe: http://bit.ly/BadFriendsYouTube Audio Subscribe: https://apple.co/31Jsvr2 Merch: http://badfriendsmerch.com 0:00 Hispanic Or Latino? 5:00 Cancer Surgeon 10:00 Ombre 15:00 Meeting Yuki Tsunoda 20:00 Bryce L.A. Howard 25:20 Elephant Ghosts 30:00 Cow Poo Cologne 34:30 Marge and Barbara's Clam Chowder 39:00 Eddie Murphy Documentary 45:00 Carbon Monoxide Detector 50:00 Rudy's Mom 55:00 Savoring My Sovereignty 1:00:00 Sub in a Tub 1:05:00 Koreans in the Philippines 1:10:00 Frog Those Pants More Bobby Lee TigerBelly: https://www.youtube.com/tigerbelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyleelive Twitter: https://twitter.com/bobbyleelive Tickets: https://bobbylee.live More Andrew Santino Whiskey Ginger: https://www.youtube.com/andrewsantinowhiskeyginger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheetosantino Twitter: https://Twitter.com/cheetosantino Tickets: http://www.andrewsantino.com More Fancy SOS VHS: https://www.youtube.com/@7EQUIS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancyb.1 More Bad Friends iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bad-friends/id1496265971 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badfriendspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/badfriends_pod Official Website: http://badfriendspod.com/ Opening Credits and Branding: https://www.instagram.com/joseph_faria & https://www.instagram.com/jenna_sunday Credit Sequence Music: http://bit.ly/RocomMusic // https://www.instagram.com/rocom Character Design: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreymyles Bad Friends Mosaic Sign: https://www.instagram.com/tedmunzmosaicart Produced by: 7EQUIS https://www.7equis.com/ Podcast Producer: Andrés Rosende This video contains paid promotion. #bobbylee #andrewsantino #badfriends #sponsored #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices