The Dark Side of Seoul Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to True Crime Summer, our best true crime episodes. Korea’s most notorious criminal is set to be released in late 2020. Only recently has the “I was drunk” defense been scrapped as an accepted excuse for sex crimes. We explore the problematic legal and cultural barriers to effective sex crime prevention in Korea.  **WARNING** We do not suggest the episode for people recove...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to True Crime Summer, our best true crime episodes. Prisoners escape and end up becoming folk heroes. How did this happen? This is a story that many have forgotten until now.  Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier Patrons Angel Earl Joel Bonomini Shaaron Cullen Devon Hiphner Gabi Palomino Steve Marsh Mitchy Brewer  Eva Sikora Ron...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to True Crime Summer, our best true crime episodes. They were a gang of ex-convicts who went on a serial murder rampage in the mid-1990s and showed no remorse. Some even practiced cannibalism on their victims. Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier Patrons Angel Earl Joel Bonomini Shaaron Cullen Devon Hiphner Gabi Palomino Steve Ma...

Send us Fan Mail Prince Sado’s tale has been told through TV and film. Living in the 1700s, he got away with many killings and cruel acts. Yet there are others who say he himself was a victim. Listen as we delve into the life and legends of one of Korea’s most notorious royal members and how his death marked the beginning of the end of the Joseon dynasty. Join our Patreon to get more stuff https:/...

Send us Fan Mail Ghosts are everywhere, so they say. But perhaps no place in Korea is more haunted than Jeju Island. But these aren’t just ghosts. They’re goddesses.  Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier P...

Send us Fan Mail Our Zodiac series continues! The timid sheep may be easily led but that doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. Just ask evil spirits. Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier Patrons Angel Earl Joel B...

Send us Fan Mail We’re halfway through 2024 and stabbings have made the news far too many times. We’ll look at some of those stories from the past couple of years.  Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier Pat...

Send us Fan Mail Last year, we made a video exploring a neighborhood slated for demolition. We held off on releasing it until now. Here’s the audio version.  Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8E3tYvBY1I Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Sha...

Send us Fan Mail Korea can be a ton of fun, with its thousands of parks, facilities, restaurants, and pubs. But is it fun for everyone? Maybe not for those banned from entering these places. We explore segregation in Korea.  Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe...

Send us Fan Mail We explore a few of the lesser known haunted claims from some of Korea’s most popular tourist sites. Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier Patrons Angel Earl Joel Bonomini Shaaron Cullen De...

Send us Fan Mail Japan mounts its second invasion of Joseon Korea. Will the king again abandon his people? I think we already know the answer. Media recommendation Samuel Hawley’s Youtube series on the Imjin War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piOuF02ijdQ) Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofs...

Send us Fan Mail Part five of our series based on the book “Ugly Koreans, Ugly Americans,” where we explore more cultural differences and discuss them. Ugly Koreans, Ugly Americans: Cultural and behavioral differences between Koreans and Americans Min Byoung-chul 1993-2007 Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at htt...

Send us Fan Mail Our Zodiac series continues! The majestic horse plays a role in Korean folklore, from gods, ghosts, rituals, and even food!  Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier Patrons Angel Earl Joel Bo...

Send us Fan Mail Rites, charms, and ceremonies for ghosts and spirits have long been part of Korean folk traditions. But the times they are a-changin’. How are these old traditions done in the 21st century?  Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Sha...

Send us Fan Mail Ten years after the Sewol ferry disaster, how has South Korea changed? What surprising consequences sprouted from this tragedy? Danwon High School Memorial Classrooms Website Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Mus...

Send us Fan Mail We explore some cases of animals escaping, disrupting traffic, pooping on city streets, or worse - hurting people who got in their way. Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier Patrons Angel E...

Send us Fan Mail Admiral Yi Sun Shin enters the stage with his rival Admiral Gwon Yul. Can Joseon officials suspend their factionalism to defend their kingdom? Well… Media recommendation Samuel Hawley’s Youtube series on the Imjin War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piOuF02ijdQ) Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk...

Send us Fan Mail Major changes are happening in Korean culture, population, and lifestyle. With the changes come a growing tragedy: people who die alone and long periods before the bodies are discovered.  Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn...

Send us Fan Mail While Joseon Korea officials bicker and backstab, Japan mounts an epic invasion. See King Seonjo run. Run, Seonjo, run! Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier Patrons Angel Earl Joel Bonomin...

Send us Fan Mail Our Zodiac series continues with snakes, their role in folk culture, and the snakes that inhabit Korea. PLUS Joe’s irrational fear of snakes. Media recommendations  Ssssnake (1973) Stanley (1972) Snakes on a Plane Conan the Barbarian  Anaconda (absolute garbage, but fun) Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Gh...

Send us Fan Mail Con artists and scammers and hustlers, oh my! Korea has its fair share of these bloodsuckers, and many of them target you - expats and tourists! We highlight some of the worst.  Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey...

Send us Fan Mail Korea’s 300-year of rule by, of, and for the scholarly elite begins. But of course there must be intrigue, torture, and death. It’s the Joseon Dynasty. Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier...

Send us Fan Mail Questions from Instagram about Korean food, history, ghosts, and even skin care! We try to answer as many as we can in the only way we know how. Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com Credits Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey Music by Soraksan Top Tier Patron...

Send us Fan Mail Happy Year of the Dragon! We explore the powerful, determined creatures of myth found in Korean motifs, dreamlore, and spirituality. They’re also annoying jerks.  Media recommendations (not really too many horror movie dragons) D-War (just kidding; don’t watch that) Godzilla (sorta) Dragonslayer Reign of Fire How to Train Your Dragon series Pete’s Dragon (1977) ←Joe’s recommendati...

Send us Fan Mail You got a new job. It’s time to renew your visa. You’re applying for permanent residency. It’s hardly ever fun, friendly, or smooth-sailing. We look at some experiences with the most annoying and frightening part of Korea: The Immigration Office.     Join our Patreon to get more stuff https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://d...