208 episodes

Korean dark history, ghost tales, folklore, serial killers, true crime, and more. You are about to discover why Korea has the spookiest stories and darkest history.Folklorist Shawn and history buff Joe delve into Korea's gruesome stories of massacres, betrayals, and blood. It's like "Game of Thrones" in Asia. We share our passion for Korea and its struggles throughout time. If you enjoy shows like "Kingdom," this is the podcast for you. Even if you know nothing about Korea, its history will become your new addiction.Subscribe, sit back, and enjoy.

The Dark Side of Seoul Podcast ZenKimchi

    • History
    • 4.7 • 36 Ratings

Korean dark history, ghost tales, folklore, serial killers, true crime, and more. You are about to discover why Korea has the spookiest stories and darkest history.Folklorist Shawn and history buff Joe delve into Korea's gruesome stories of massacres, betrayals, and blood. It's like "Game of Thrones" in Asia. We share our passion for Korea and its struggles throughout time. If you enjoy shows like "Kingdom," this is the podcast for you. Even if you know nothing about Korea, its history will become your new addiction.Subscribe, sit back, and enjoy.

    Why Did It Hafta Be Snakes

    Why Did It Hafta Be Snakes

    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 PlaneConan 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 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
    Devon Hiphner
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer 
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Edward Bradford



    Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Support the showJoin 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
    Pitch your idea here. https://www.darksideofseoul.com/expats-of-the-wild-east/
    Credits
    Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey
    Music by Soraksan

    Top tier Patrons
    Angel Earl
    Joel Bonomini
    Shaaron Cullen
    Devon Hiphner
    Minseok Lee
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Facebook Page |
    Instagram

    • 56 min
    Scams: Tourists & Expats

    Scams: Tourists & Expats

    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
    Music by Soraksan

    Top Tier Patrons
    Angel Earl
    Joel Bonomini
    Shaaron Cullen
    Devon Hiphner
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer 
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Edward Bradford
    Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Support the showJoin 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
    Pitch your idea here. https://www.darksideofseoul.com/expats-of-the-wild-east/
    Credits
    Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey
    Music by Soraksan

    Top tier Patrons
    Angel Earl
    Joel Bonomini
    Shaaron Cullen
    Devon Hiphner
    Minseok Lee
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Facebook Page |
    Instagram

    • 57 min
    Rise of the Scholar Elite (1560s-1580s) | Fall of Joseon, part 6

    Rise of the Scholar Elite (1560s-1580s) | Fall of Joseon, part 6

    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 Patrons
    Angel Earl
    Joel Bonomini
    Shaaron Cullen
    Devon Hiphner
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer 
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Edward Bradford




    Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Support the showJoin 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
    Pitch your idea here. https://www.darksideofseoul.com/expats-of-the-wild-east/
    Credits
    Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey
    Music by Soraksan

    Top tier Patrons
    Angel Earl
    Joel Bonomini
    Shaaron Cullen
    Devon Hiphner
    Minseok Lee
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Facebook Page |
    Instagram

    • 49 min
    Ask Us (Almost) Anything

    Ask Us (Almost) Anything

    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 Patrons
    Angel Earl
    Joel Bonomini
    Shaaron Cullen
    Devon Hiphner
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer 
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Edward Bradford



    Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Support the showJoin 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
    Pitch your idea here. https://www.darksideofseoul.com/expats-of-the-wild-east/
    Credits
    Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey
    Music by Soraksan

    Top tier Patrons
    Angel Earl
    Joel Bonomini
    Shaaron Cullen
    Devon Hiphner
    Minseok Lee
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Facebook Page |
    Instagram

    • 1 hr 36 min
    Dragons

    Dragons

    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)DragonslayerReign of FireHow to Train Your Dragon seriesPete’s Dragon (1977) ←Joe’s recommendation 🙂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
    Devon Hiphner
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer 
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Edward Bradford
    Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Support the showJoin 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
    Pitch your idea here. https://www.darksideofseoul.com/expats-of-the-wild-east/
    Credits
    Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey
    Music by Soraksan

    Top tier Patrons
    Angel Earl
    Joel Bonomini
    Shaaron Cullen
    Devon Hiphner
    Minseok Lee
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Facebook Page |
    Instagram

    • 53 min
    Immigration Horrors!

    Immigration Horrors!

    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://darksideofseoul.com

    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 
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Edward Bradford



    Korea's #1 ghost and dark history walking tour. Book at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Get your comic at DarkSideOfSeoul.com
    Support the showJoin 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
    Pitch your idea here. https://www.darksideofseoul.com/expats-of-the-wild-east/
    Credits
    Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey
    Music by Soraksan

    Top tier Patrons
    Angel Earl
    Joel Bonomini
    Shaaron Cullen
    Devon Hiphner
    Minseok Lee
    Gabi Palomino
    Steve Marsh
    Mitchy Brewer
    Ron Chang
    Mackenzie Moore
    Hunter Winter
    Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
    Emily Umbaugh
    Josephine Rydberg
    David Weatherly
    Janice Song
    Devin Buchanan
    Facebook Page |
    Instagram

    • 1 hr 13 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
36 Ratings

36 Ratings

Munemachi ,

Great Folk Tales and Social Commentary

I’m very interested in Korean Folklore so was happy to hear stories I had never heard before. Definitely give it a listen. Can’t wait to go on their ghost tour.

adonalmao ,

Great but please use a de-esser

Great podcast for unusual Korean facts. But please use a de-esser on your vocals! The sibilance is hard to listen to.

jipjopflop ,

Fun show

I enjoy their banter and knowledge of Korea. I do wonder how these guys keep this podcast alive seeing as they have so few reviews…hmmm….
It would be cool if they could have some more guests on the show to give some expert insight into some of the topics they cover, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

Top Podcasts In History

The Rest Is History
Goalhanger Podcasts
Throughline
NPR
American Scandal
Wondery
American History Tellers
Wondery
You're Wrong About
Sarah Marshall
Lore
Aaron Mahnke

You Might Also Like

The NoSleep Podcast
Creative Reason Media Inc.
Rotten Mango
Stephanie Soo & Ramble
Tides of History
Wondery / Patrick Wyman
GraveYard Tales
Adam Ballinger & Matt Rudolph
Baking A Murder
Stephanie Soo
Korean True Crime
Mimi Mizicko