The Halfie Project: Recent Episodes
The Halfie Project
Becky White and Cedric Stout deep dive into Korean history, culture and the mixed race experience. They share the half-Korean experiences with guests from all over the world. Find more at TheHalfieProject.com or @thehalfieproject
Being in a healthy relationship takes a lot of work but it is rewarding. Now add onto that cultural differences, language barriers, dealing with implicit biases and physical distances - now you have a lot more to work through.
Both Cedric and Becky are mixed Korean, Black and White on their other sides, respectively, and give some advice they've learned from growing up in mixed homes, as well as the things they have learned while being with each other.
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What makes Korean names special?
Though Korean names might typically only contain three syllables, or more specifically three characters, every part of the name traditionally contains significant meaning.
In this episode, we break down the three parts of a Korea name:
the 성 (family name) and 이름 (given name).
We talk about the most popular and least common surnames in Korea, how some ‘Korean’ last names in the West actually don’t exist in Korea in the same way, the transformation of Korea names amongst Koryo Saram in post-Soviet Union countries, why there are Korean names used in Japan, and more.
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At first glance, positive stereotypes seem different than negative stereotypes, but ultimately they do the same thing - strip down a full human being to the qualities or characteristics you choose to believe.
Take a listen as Cedric and Becky talk about some positive stereotypes we've faced and how to deal with it.
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Do you feel like people stare at you because of how you look (and not necessarily because you’re trying to stand out)?
Cedric and Becky talk about how it feels to have those extra eyes on you.
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The Kim Sisters, the first Asian group to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, also hold the record for most performances ever for the variety show - a whopping 22 times. The largely forgotten godmothers of K-Pop girl groups, the Kim Sisters were one of the most popular Vegas acts of the 60s.
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It's a long-ish title, we know, but essentially it says it all - if your Korean partner kidnaps your child and hides them in Korea, what can you do? We discuss three cases, two currently ongoing, how the Korean government is handling them and what you can do about the current cases of John Sichi and Jay Sung.
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Did you know that Marilyn Monroe visited Korea at the height of her rising power in Hollywood? Listen to why she came to Korea, what she did there and how this moment resonated.
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So you're wondering what it's like to live in the motherland? Becky and Cedric go through some expectations versus realities and how to prepare for living in Korea as a mixed Korean.
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Cedric and Becky, both having immigrant mothers from Korea, know a thing or two about living in a mixed home. They talk about what might be some common experiences children of immigrants might face, particularly if one or both of your parents are Korean.
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Send listener mail to thehalfieproject@gmail.com
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The holidays are upon us! So eat, drink and be merry. Here's a nice throwback where Cedric and Becky walk you through all the ins and outs of drinking in Korea.
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Becky and Cedric break down Korean American groups and the Korean culture that has evolved in the US.
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Becky and Cedric talk about the sharp generational (and now more frequently appearing, cultural) divides that exist in the Korean society and diaspora.
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Becky and Cedric got a great listener mail about working on your accent when learning Korean. How did we do it? Tune in.
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With the rising visibility of international couples, Becky and Cedric decided to talk about some of the realities that aren't so apparent on the social media trending pages.
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Becky and Cedric are back! We're jumping right back into the podcast with a listener mail response.
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Becky and Cedric have something important to share...
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Yellow Fever, or the fetishization of Asian women, is seen regularly today and is backed up by a long history. Where did it come from, how is it perpetuated and what are the real life consequences of it playing out for Asian women in the western world?
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Were you born with a blue-grey, bruise-looking spot that vanished as you became older? You may have been a baby with the Mongolian Blue Spot. What is this odd birthmark and how did it get such a name?
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Korean cinema has produces incredible films, but few have caught the attention like the vengeance genre. The violence, the bleakness and the despair expressed are unique to Korean revenge films. Becky and Cedric explore the cultural and historical reasons why revenge is a dish best served Korean.
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Cedric and Becky explore the hypothetical idea of growing up in Korea (late 80s-2000s), drawing conclusions from societal, historical and cultural observations. (Note: Maybe we are entirely off the mark. If you grew up in Korea during 1980s-2000s, we'd love to hear from you!)
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This is a classic episode from a while back when we explained the origins of the Korean term 'honhyeol' - mixed blood - that is used to describe half-Koreans. For our newer listeners, this is a great foundation of understanding 'honhyeol' - for our OG listeners, hope this is a fun one to listen to again.
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We recently posted on our IG about a situation where Becky's language skills were doubted; your responses were varied and interesting, so we took a deeper dive into them.
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Originally a blog post on The Halfie Project website, this is a explanation of the Korean term "여유 (yeoyoo)" - what it means, how it affects Koreans today and how understanding it can perhaps help you understand your own family a little bit better.
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Becky and Cedric received an email that asked that hard question we've thought at least once in our lives - why even bother trying when I'll only be rejected? "Given these experiences and Korea's attitude towards mixed Koreans, I find myself wanting to distance myself from every Korean person I encounter, as I figure something like this will happen if I tell them I'm half Korean. Why should I bother identifying with Korean culture/people if I'm always on the fringe of the culture. When I have that door closed on me immediately due to my more white features and mixed background, why should I bother?" Here's our response.
"혼혈이라서 좋겠네!"
"Must be so nice to be half-Korean!"
What might people really mean by saying this?
Becky and Cedric break down this simple statement, the prevalence of mixed Koreans in modeling and entertainment and where society is now in terms of half-Koreans in the everyday Korean life.
If you drank too much while celebrating New Years, you might like to relieve that pounding headache and churning stomach. Becky and Cedric reveal some Korean folk remedies for hangovers and indigestion.
Happy New Years! It's time to make your New Years Resolutions.. and time to get a little bit older. In Korea, when the new year rolls around, everybody gains an extra year of age. Becky and Cedric discuss what is Korean age and how it's calculated.
Join Becky and Cedric in a special Christmas episode! We talk a little bit about Christmas in Korea then stroll down memory lane - what Christmas was like in our households, the mixings of culture in our holiday meals, gifts and celebrations.
Haemil School was founded by famous Korean-Black singer Insooni. Having experiencing a difficult childhood due to being mixed Korean herself, Insooni decided to found and fully support economically a middle school designed to help mixed Korean kids learn and thrive in Korean society. Becky and Cedric visited the school to learn more and discovered many truths about how this overlooked group of kids is finding hope for their futures.
"Korean Lady" Kayoung joins Becky once again to talk about our dating experiences - Korean guys vs Western guys - and the cultural differences we've noticed.
Becky and Cedric respond to a listener mail asking about 'over-crowded identity.' They give their analysis of the concept and discuss how this applies to today's climate of 'multicultural trendiness.'
Something that is common among immigrant communities is how the culture they bring from their motherland remains unchanged, even as the culture changes in the motherland itself. We reflect on the Korean culture we learned from our mothers and how it ended up being old-fashioned or no longer used in Korea once we experienced modern life in Seoul.
The Olympics is always a time for countries to capture the world's attention (and let's be honest) show off a little bit. What characteristics did Tokyo want to play up this time around? Cedric and Becky talk about Tokyo's show of diversity, the reality of Hafu players and the underlying question that always exists - are you 'enough' to represent our country?
In light of a friend passing away, Becky and Cedric wanted to talk about finding reconciliation with family before things are too late. Difficulties mixed families face are oftentimes overlooked or not given efficient help: physically long distances, language barriers, cultural differences, intergenerational traumas... Becky and Cedric offer some personal insight and encouragement in seeking reconciliation by seeing a greater picture of life.
Did you have many Korean influences growing up? Cedric and Becky go down memory lane as they remember the nostalgic 90s of their mixed Korean home childhoods.
Who was Queen Noguk and King Gongmin? We share a love story that transcended time and borders, a love story between a Mongolian Princess and a Korean King.
Who are the Zainichi? A group of ethnic Koreans with a specific background in Japan, the first generation of Zainichi Koreans survived under an imperialist government that pressed for monoculturalism up to the current generation that still faces discrimination today. How did these Koreans end up in Japan, why have they suffered so much and who are they now?
Growing up in multi-lingual households has its immense share of benefits and struggles. How do two people who speak two different languages fall in love and make a relationship work? Is it possible? Cedric and Becky, both of whom grew up in households where their parents didn’t speak each other’s respective languages fluently, share their thoughts.
Are all Koreans in love with K-pop? Do we eat dog meat? And how are Koreans all so good at math? Just a few of the stereotypes we break down in this episode. Where did they come from and why are they still around?
Cedric and Becky plan their wedding. They talk about what weddings in Korea are like versus American weddings, and discuss what style they'd want.
“My black side assumes I choose Korean culture over them or assume I don’t care about BLM (which I do care and support). On the Korean, side they assume I don’t respect the culture due to tattoos and not protesting with Stop Asian Hate (Which I also care about). I just feel like I can’t do right for both my people.” A recent listener mail that caught our attention.
Let’s discuss.
The way we view ourselves is affected by not only our own thoughts but certainly by the words and perceptions we get from those around us. Under this understanding, the context of our surroundings undoubtedly play a role in how we view ourselves. Becky and Cedric share how their own self awareness and perceptions has changed by living in Korea.
We talked about the problems that migrant brides can face by getting married through brokers to Korean men. But what about the other side?
Is culture inherent or is it taught? We talk about our experiences of learning the cultures we grew up in and how further exploration has led to some revelations about our lives and families.
An aging population, exodus from the countryside to cities and inability to meet eligible women… there are many reasons why South Korea has been encouraging men to find wives from outside countries. But there have been some serious issues with these brokered international marriages.
Cedric & Becky have experienced working in Korea as teachers, office workers, and as freelancers, and they're ready to break down what that's all like.
“No, painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war.” ― Pablo Picasso
What was Picasso depicting and trying to express in his painting “Massacre en Coree?” It was unveiled in 1951, was brushed off by contemporaries at the time and overshadowed by his masterpiece “Guernica”.
But looking at it today, somehow it turns the narratives painted (pun intended) by the parties involved in the Korean war into a very different, twisted image.
We love that you take the time to write to us, to lay out your thoughts, and perhaps even tune in to hopefully hear us answer you. We read every single message, and it means a whole lot. We decided to do a little segment of Dear Becky & Cedric, answering your personal questions and messages that you send us; because your questions come from real places and we think that many more people might have those exact same thoughts, but just never asked them before. We love being part of the discussion. Thank you for writing in.
The recent shootings in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States highlighted the racism that exists against Asians in the United States. Horrified and saddened by the incident, we are not shocked. Because the history speaks for itself. And history, unless addressed and wrongs righted, is always doomed to repeat itself.
We’ve noticed that many of our friends among the Korean diaspora, half-Korean, full-Korean, adoptees, etc. have commonly expressed that their parents or relatives suffer from ‘anger issues.’ What is this inability to repress anger? We explore the culturally bound syndrome 화병 (Hwa-Byung) to shed light on what might drive someone to uncontrollable anger.
Language is the medium for meaning - both explicit (a word’s specific definition) and implicit (the carried nuances of meaning + culture). Korean, both culture and language, are high context and so when you don’t speak Korean fluently, you can feel left out. As mixed Koreans, we often get the statement “You speak Korean so well!” as a compliment; but the reality of what that phrase means can hit home rather differently.
Cedric & Becky examine the entertainment industry in South Korea and their personal experiences wading into this world. Is Korea open to mixed race in the media? Do mixed Koreans actually have an edge - and is that a positive thing? Does media even have a responsibility in showing honest diversity?
Korea suffered under an oppressive imperialistic Japan rule from 1910-1945, during which the Korean culture and language were under threat of being stamped out. In 1919, the desire for freedom had grown stronger than fear, and 33 activists signed their Declaration of Independence and declared it in the streets. What happened then and the years after has echoing repercussions we are still learning about to today.
After the Vietnam War (as called in the US), thousands of mixed children, a result of the US military forces occupation, were left to languish in terrible situations as they were not accepted in their ‘home’ countries (though the Vietnam War brought most attention, there were mixed kids most notably in Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines as well.) in 1982, the United States finally passed the Amerasian Immigration Act to address the plight of these kids. Which Amerasian kids did this affect and did it actually make any difference? We dive into the legislation intricacies of two major acts for Amerasians.
Korea - the only country to ever bring Catholicism to the masses WITHOUT colonization, foreign missionaries or proselytizing. How did the oldest Western institution in the world get rooted in Korea, so much so that it played a major role in the democratization of the formerly Confucian kingdom?
Anyone who has visited Korea (especially Seoul) will immediately be aware of the cafes on every single corner. But how did Korea, a country heavily influenced by Chinese tea culture in the past, become so enamored with coffee? We explore the history of coffee and what cafe culture in Korea is like today.
Does white privilege exist in Korea? In a country that has long been touted as homogenous and closed off to other nations for much of its history, we wonder if white privilege looks the same in Korea as it does in other nations with more multi-cultural backgrounds.
Korea advanced rapidly in a remarkably short amount of time to become the country it is today. We take a look at 10 inventions from Korean history that changed the country forever.
What’s your blood type? The commonly asked question in Korea and Japan stems from a history of blood purity theories from the past all the way to the popular blood type personality theory and marriage compatibility concept that are all done in fun but still have a place in Korea culture today. We break down the blood types, their so-called characteristics, and why Korea still has a thing for blood.
When did Christmas come to Korea and why is it the only southeast Asian country that celebrates Christmas as a public holiday? We dive into the history of Christmas in Korea and share the amazing, true Christmas miracle that happened December, 1950 at a port in North Korea.
As K-pop takes over the world, questions beyond who’s the best group start to arise, especially concerning K-Pop’s conspicuously straight-laced view on what a K-pop idol should look like
There's more to South Korea than K-pop and dramas... Behind the tech-savvy and shopping meccas of Seoul, South Korea plays host to a number of creatures, found in the forests, in the rivers, and even in one's own home... Tune into our Halloween special to learn more about the scarier legends of Korea, some cultural meanings and history.
Eddie Van Halen passed away October 6th, 2020.
He left behind an incredible legacy. Beyond being one of the top 10 greatest guitarists of all time (according to Rolling Stones, 2015) and the brilliant musician, Eddie Van Halen pushed the limits of what an electric guitar could do. His legacy lives on through his unforgettable solos, his individual sound, and the rock generation he inspired, perhaps in more ways and in more people than we initially ever thought.
Ever since South Korea and the Philippines opened their borders for trade in the 70s, the Philippines has been the number one country for Koreans to travel to for tourism, English study and business. However, over the years, an issue has come to light that just now the two countries are being forced to grapple with - the plight of the mixed Korean - Filipino children being abandoned by Korean men to live in poverty with young, single mothers. How have the two countries handled this? And is there hope for these children?
From 1964-1973, South Korea joined the American forces to fight the Viet Cong and threat of communism overtaking Vietnam. The South Korean army enjoyed a heroic reputation for their role in the war until 1999 when a Korean researcher was given a document noting supposed atrocities committed by the Korean troops, including brutality against civilians and massacres. Since then, the children who resulted from gender violence against Vietnamese women by South Korean soldiers - the Lai Dai Han.
Still today, the Lai Dai Han are living on the outskirts of Vietnamese society and raising their voices for justice long overdue.
Who was Shin Yun Bok? (신윤복) The artist, who’s ‘pen name’ Hyewon (혜원) meant “a garden full of orchids,” who painted the lower social classes & forbidden romantic images in a strict Confuscist society. The artist who loved the beauty of ordinary people.
Cedric & Becky are no strangers to hate online. So how do we deal with it? We also give you our personal insights on a difficult topic we tackled recently & how the backlash affected us.
Also, we share some listener mail! Hope you’ll keep writing in at thehalfieproject@gmail.com
We explore this uniquely Korean concept of injustice and sorrow that drives so much of the Korean society and thinking. We also ask, perhaps do other people groups also have their own form of “han”? How does this impact the way we interact with each other every day?
South Korea has unfortunately held a top ranking spot in highest suicide rates worldwide for many years. 2020 has been no different. With the recent celebrity suicides in the media, including Seoul’s popular mayor who passed just this July, we thought we’d look into the cultural and social pressures that might lead to suicide in Korea, particularly among teens and the elderly.
The Unification Church (also sometimes referred to as the Moonies Cult) is a religious organization that sprouted up in Busan, South Korea before making a very bold movement into the United States as well as many other countries around the world. Widely known for their mass weddings, the Unification Church has intrigued and disturbed many people in many ways in many circles - whether religiously, societally, financially and even politically.
We discuss the possibility that the Unification Church has had an impact on how many mixed people, primarily mixed Korean, there are around the world today.
In 2001, Korean director Kwak Jae-yong released the unusual Romantic-Comedy “엽기적인 그녀”, or “My Sassy Girl”, that became a smash hit and propelled Jun Ji Hyun (전지현) into stardom. The song “I Believe” was all people were listening to and the movie produced many quotable moments used still today.
Based on a true story, written by Kim Ho Sik (김호식) describing his relationship with his real girlfriend, the movie was later remade in an American version in 2008.
Becky and Cedric discuss the films and note the differences in the Korean and American styles.
The infamous question dedicated for the mixed race individual - “So where are you from really?”
This is just one of the many comments we have received about our ethnic and/or cultural backgrounds, so we decided to collect the most commonly heard ones and break them down and discuss how to respond.
Were you born with a blue-grey, bruise-looking spot that vanished as you became older? You may have been a baby with the Mongolian Blue Spot. What is this odd birthmark and how did it get such a name?
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Becky and Cedric explore hip-hop, both in its original form and as a part of Korean popular culture. Though its worldwide popularity is something to celebrate, it is easy to be critical of the appropriation of an art form born out of generations of oppression, an experience that is in many ways unique to the Black Americans who created it. Still, Becky and Cedric are hopeful that this moment leads to a greater appreciation of the origins of hip-hop as well as a deeper sense of solidarity between Korean rappers and the Black artists around the world who have inspired them.
With one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in the world, Korea’s drinking culture is as unique as it is pervasive. Becky and Cedric, not heavy drinkers themselves, try to keep up by doing shots of soju during the show while also explaining Korean drinking etiquette and customs. So pour yourself a glass of soju or maekju (water is also good), and enjoy!
After looking at Hawaiian and Japanese words for mixed-race people in our last two episodes, we bring it home this week to explore the Korean word “honhyeol,” meaning “mixed blood.” Becky and Cedric go back in time and find that the same attitude that preserved Korean culture from past invaders is now alienating and ostracizing half-Koreans today.
Continuing our theme from last week, we look at the history and present-day connotations of “hafu,” a Japanese word used to describe some half-Japanese people. Becky and Cedric trace the origins of the word back to the 6th century and share their ideas about the similarities between the mixed-race experience in Korea and Japan today.
“Hapa” — a Hawaiian term originally used to designate European missionaries as foreigners — has become an identity adopted by some mixed-race Asians. But with its roots in colonization, the use of the word by non-Hawaiians is sometimes controversial. Cedric and Becky look at both perspectives as they try to better understand the debate.
Whether in media or the real world, seeing people who look like you can have a profound effect on your own expectations in life. Becky and Cedric reflect on growing up in places and times where mixed-race people were often hard to find and explore why this kind of representation is important in the first place.
In Korea, an F4 visa, which is granted to relatives of citizens, provides many of the benefits of citizenship without the responsibility of military service. As F4-visa holders who both come from military families, Becky and Cedric share their opinions and discuss the cultural pressure of fulfilling military service, the disruption it can cause in the lives of young men, and the different attitudes toward the military in the US and Korea.
Would a larger population of mixed-race people solve racism? Do we need to eliminate race in order to eliminate racism? What would we lose if different races didn't exist? More questions than answers this week!
We’re back! It’s our first episode of Season 2, and this week we’re talking about the unique difficulties mixed-race people face when dating. Between external expectations and cultural barriers within relationships, things aren’t always easy. Good thing we have Becky and Cedric to sort it all out!
In the final show of the first season, we say goodbye to one host and hello to another. We’ll be back on April 12 for the start of season two!
Tina (Italian/Korean) lived in Italy for most of her life before moving to Korea for university. She never felt fully Italian, and she’s hoping that her time here will feel like a homecoming.
(We had some audio problems during the recording, so turn up the volume and pardon the gentle static!)
Born and raised in the US, Hannah (Korean-Indian) never really experienced the cultures of either of her parents. Now she is trying to build that connection through the universal language of food.
This week, Sangmin (Pakistani-Korean) is in the studio to talk about his experience growing up as a Christian in a Muslim country and his mind-opening journey to Korea.
Keda and V from the Soju Black podcast stop by for a wide-ranging discussion that touches on the ex-pat experience in Korea, the way Koreans interact with black people, international white privilege, and the racial dynamics of Korea, America, and South Africa.
Rowena is back(!) along with her husband, D.O., to talk about their experience in an international relationship, the added complexity of cultural differences, and their thoughts on raising a multicultural child.
As fears of the new coronavirus spread around the world, Chinese people are increasingly being met with suspicion and distrust. Becky is joined by her friend, Rowena, to discuss the global discrimination Chinese people are currently suffering, as well as the broader tendency to judge people based on their nationality or appearance.
We often talk about the tougher parts of being an outsider in Korea, so we thought it was only right to share the things we love, like 24-hour PC bangs, flawless public transportation and health care systems, and, of course, the people!
Cyber-bullying, from celebrity abuse to YouTube channel comments, is a global problem, but it is especially bad here in Korea. In this episode, Becky and Jay wonder why and ask if there is anything that can be done to fix it.
It’s Tey Time! Tey was born in Korea but grew up in India before later living in England, Hong Kong, and Australia. Despite being a bit of a nomad, she finds a sense of belonging in her spirituality, which allows her to effortlessly move from place to place and feel at home wherever she lands.
Becky is joined by her friend, Dani, to discuss the human side of immigration (we’ll leave the politics to the politicians). As children of immigrant parents, they both know firsthand the importance of having compassion and empathy towards people who left their homes to live somewhere unknown.
Becky takes the show on the road for the first episode of 2020! While visiting family in the US, she decided to sit down with her sister (Tory) and a family friend (Kate) to talk about the halfie experience in America and share their personal relationships with their own Korean heritage.
For our final show of 2019, we’re joined by Pablo, a photographer and outdoor enthusiast who moved to Seoul one year ago. Though ethnically Korean, Pablo was raised between Bolivia and Canada, so when he moved to the so-called “motherland,” he experienced a bit of a culture shock. Happy New Year everyone! We’ll see you in 2020…
To celebrate the upcoming holiday, Becky and Jay chat about the origins of Christmas in Korea, including US influence and a lifted curfew. We also take a quick hop over the border to check in on Christmas in North Korea. As you’ll hear Jay exclaim before he turned off his mic, Merry Christmas to all, regardless of height!
Becky and Jay sit down with Zoë, a budding activist and crunchy fiddler from sunny California. After moving to Korea, she found a calling of sorts with the International Strategy Center (ISC), a group she works with to promote justice and democracy in her new home.
As a little prelude to an upcoming interview, Becky and Jay meet up to discuss the status of political movements in Korea, from workers rights to feminism. (Plus another round of listener mail!)
Becky, Jay, and Michael are back to briefly discuss the hopes, dreams, and desires they each have for The Halfie Project and read some listener mail!
Becky, Jay, and Michael (Big Mike!) reconvene to share their own versions of daily life in Seoul. Becky tells a scary story, Jay talks about carrying roasted chickens in his backpack, and Michael has a hot take on shoe hygiene.
Picking up where we left off in the last episode… Ty turns the tables and interviews Becky! They discuss the purpose and goals of The Halfie Project as well as more personal topics, like her experience modeling in Korea.
Ty is a Korean adoptee who grew up in a small, rural (mostly white) town in the Pacific Northwest of the US. He always wanted to move to a bigger city, and after a few missteps, he finally ended up in Seoul, where he has happily lived for the past 12 years!
Becky is joined by Pietro, a third culture kid who was born in Busan but grew up in Australia. When moving back to Korea, he expected to fit right in, but things didn’t quite turn out as planned, so he kept on moving… Now he’s fluent in five languages (and counting)!
This week, Hwi-Yeon joins Becky in the studio to talk about the perks of being multi-cultural, such as the freedom to pick and choose parts of each culture to adopt. Born in Morocco to a Berber mother and a Korean father, she moved to Italy when she was young, before coming to Korea to explore the country of her father.
He’s back! Jay joins Becky to discuss #work in Korea. They share personal experiences and compare the office cultures and job opportunities in Seoul to those in the US.
Also, The Halfie Project will soon be expanding to all mixed-race and cross-cultural experiences! If you have a story to tell, let us know.
This week, Becky enters the studio alone to bravely face the terrifying world of YouTube comments. Some are (predictably)… not great… but others are very supportive! Let us know what you think, and tune in next week, when Jay makes his triumphant return to the pod.
This week, we delve into the wonderful world of soju! Becky and Jay (aka Soju Boy) explain the history of and customs surrounding the popular Korean libation.
P.S. — Becky and Jay are hosting a radio show! Tune in to 101.3 TBS eFM every Sunday morning from 9-12 starting October 6.
We’re back! Hopefully you enjoyed your Chuseok break as much as we did. This week, Becky and Jay take us back in time one last time, picking up where they left off in Part I. We go from the Korean War and the splitting of the peninsula through the Gwangju Uprising to present day North and South Korea. (Also, Jay got a haircut!)
P.S. — Starting October 6, Becky and Jay will be hosting a live radio show Sundays from 9am to noon on TBS eFM 101.3 in Seoul… Tune in and reach out!
Cedric is back! Our old friend returns to share his thoughts on the Halfie Project so far and offer Becky some sage advice regarding trolls. We’re in a reflective mood, so if you have any feedback, please reach out via YouTube or Instagram, or email us at TheHalfieProject@gmail.com!
In this week’s episode, we explore a new kind of Halfie experience. While Jay is away doing whatever it is that Jay does, Becky is joined by Kayoung, who shares her struggles growing up in Korea before rediscovering herself in America.
Becky has a bit of a cold this week, so we’re taking a sick day. Instead of a new interview, here’s one of our favorites from the YouTube channel… It’s Tony! He discusses his experience as a half black, half Korean man and shares some perspectives he’s gained through moving between rural America and Seoul. And if you want to see their lovely faces, check out the original interview on YouTube!
Sangil sits down with Becky to talk about his early life as a third-culture kid in Pakistan and his later transition to Korea. He talks about how a military exemption can be a social stigma and explains how difficult it can be to learn some cultural norms.
Join Becky & Jay as they go back in time! Starting thousands of years ago, they share a brief history of Korea — from a hermit kingdom to turtle ships to the Korean alphabet to Mongols — and explain how the effects of the past shape the country and culture today.
Andrew returns to the pod, this time to talk about his own history! He talks about his experience growing up and become conscious of his Asian identity in relation to the overwhelming whiteness of America. He and Becky were also high school classmates, and he drops a bombshell about her past…
Andrew (you’ll meet him next week) stops by to drop some knowledge about post-colonial Korea, the present-day effects of the Korean War, and one way half-Koreans and Gyopos are directly connected. Take notes!
We cap off this series with the one you’ve all been waiting for… the leader of The Halfie Project herself, Becky! We talk poetry, Alabama, and an important life lesson learned at Disney World. Jay hosts, and Producer Greg does his best to co-host. Tune in next week when everyone returns to their proper roles and a new guest joins us on the podcast.
This week we talk to the man behind the podcast, Producer Greg! He tells us how many sheep are in New Zealand and offers some questionable life advice to people who are bored with their jobs.
Continuing our journey of self-discovery, we sit down with our director of photography / video editor, Michael, aka BIG MIKE! We talk about his experience as a Korean adoptee in Norway, debate the validity of excusing behavior based on cultural differences, and finally give up the dream of ever becoming fully Korean.
This week, we turn the mics on ourselves! What do selfie sticks, freestyle raps, bleached tips, and law school have in common? Find out as we hear about the life and times of our favorite co-host, Jay.
Monica (Koryo-saram) gives us a quick history lesson through the story of her grandparents, who migrated to Uzbekistan in the 1930s. Growing up in Russia, she always felt Korean, but after moving to Korea, she realized how Russian she actually is. Check her out on Instagram @monalee.k
Kaila (Native American/Korean) stops by on her annual visit to Seoul to talk about being raised by her Korean father in New Jersey and feeling like an outsider among the Acoma, her mother’s Native American tribe.
Jack (Canadian/Korean) talks about the unique culture of Toronto and tells us what it was like to live with a foot in two different worlds. (Things get heated when Jack and Jay debate Toronto vs. L.A.)
This week, Alex (Egyptian/Korean) joins the discussion to talk about his early life in Queens, NY and his current life here in Seoul!
We also share personal examples how language fluency (or lack thereof) has shaped our experiences.
We’re taking a break from interviews this week!
Instead, we share what The Halfie Project means to us and what we hope to learn, discover, and accomplish as the project continues to grow.
Also, a special thanks to photographer Lee Jae Gab, whose advice and inspiration we carry with us as we strive to help half-Koreans tell their own stories, in their own words.
This week, Cedric (African-American/Korean) stops by to share his experience growing up in a Korean-American community, discuss white privilege and racism in Korea, and offer advice on adopting a positive attitude towards change.
{{ More from Cedric at YouTube.com/skycedi }}
Stella (German/Korean) joins us in the studio to share her experience moving to Korea, learning the language, and adjusting to the cultural differences between Europe and Korea.