A ranking and review of the best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, and T-pop artists!
Support the show by…
Streaming the best episodes!
Streaming episodes of Hope’s other show, Enthusiasts!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/the-best-of-enthusiasts?r=4ajn9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Reading the best articles from the show’s website/newsletter!
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/article-directory.html
Subscribing to the FREE newsletter - although paying subscribers get bonus perks!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
Donating:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support
Getting in touch regarding ad partnerships, potential Substack collaborations, etc.:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/get-in-touch.html
After explaining the reason for this show’s hiatus and what the future of 17 Carat K-Pop looks like, Hope makes seventeen predictions for 2024 (mostly K-pop-related, but some more general ones too)!
Support the show by…
Streaming the best episodes!
Streaming episodes of Hope’s other show, Enthusiasts!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/the-best-of-enthusiasts?r=4ajn9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Reading the best articles from the show’s website/newsletter!
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/article-directory.html
Subscribing to the FREE newsletter - although paying subscribers get bonus perks!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
Donating:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support
Getting in touch regarding ad partnerships, potential Substack collaborations, etc.:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/get-in-touch.html
A ranking and review of last year’s seventeen best Japanese releases from K-pop artists!
While 17 Carat K-Pop and Enthusiasts are on a hiatus, catch up on past episodes with these directories!
The best of 17 Carat K-Pop:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/directory.html
The best of Enthusiasts:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/enthusiasts.html
Episodes and articles sorted by artist:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/content-sorted-by-artist?sd=pf
Episodes sorted by release date:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/sorted-by-release-date.html
Article directory:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/article-directory.html
Be the first to know when the hiatus is over by signing up for the show’s free newsletter!:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
More ways to support the show:
17 Carat K-Pop full back catalog:
Enthusiasts full back catalog:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/enthusiasts-podcast-guide-new-and?sd=pf
A quick overview of each episode of Enthusiasts that was released in 2023, along with some story updates!
While 17 Carat K-Pop and Enthusiasts are on a hiatus, catch up on past episodes with these directories!
The best of 17 Carat K-Pop:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/directory.html
The best of Enthusiasts:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/enthusiasts.html
Episodes and articles sorted by artist:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/content-sorted-by-artist?sd=pf
Episodes sorted by release date:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/sorted-by-release-date.html
Article directory:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/article-directory.html
Be the first to know when the hiatus is over by signing up for the show’s free newsletter!:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
More ways to support the show:
17 Carat K-Pop full back catalog:
Enthusiasts full back catalog:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/enthusiasts-podcast-guide-new-and?sd=pf
From unique highlight medley videos to pre-album-release short films, this mini-sode celebrates the coolest, most creative, and overall best teasers for K-pop comebacks of 2023!
While 17 Carat K-Pop and Enthusiasts are on a hiatus, catch up on past episodes with these directories!
The best of 17 Carat K-Pop:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/directory.html
The best of Enthusiasts:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/enthusiasts.html
Episodes and articles sorted by artist:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/content-sorted-by-artist?sd=pf
Episodes sorted by release date:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/sorted-by-release-date.html
Article directory:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/article-directory.html
Be the first to know when the hiatus is over by signing up for the show’s free newsletter!:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
More ways to support the show:
17 Carat K-Pop full back catalog:
Enthusiasts full back catalog:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/enthusiasts-podcast-guide-new-and?sd=pf
After revisiting her 2023 predictions, Hope recaps both the year in K-pop headlines and in episodes of this podcast, while adding new commentary and story updates!
First: revisiting 2023 predictions!
Starting around the 23-minute mark: a summary of 2023’s 17 Carat K-Pop episodes!
Starting around the 36-minute mark: a fast-paced recap of all the major headlines in the world of K-pop this year!
Fifty different artists from the worlds of J-pop, C-pop, T-pop, and P-pop who released the most interesting, creative, and/or overall excellent music in 2023!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA guide to the best songs of the year from Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai artists!
See the final ranking of these picks the second it’s official by subscribing to the show’s free newsletter!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
A fast-paced guide to over 100 of 2023’s best albums released by Korean, Japanese, and Chinese artists!
The albums are discussed in a random order. Subscribe to the show’s newsletter to see the official ranking as soon as it’s revealed!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
The best music videos released by Korean artists this year, a list revealed in the form of a guessing game!
Stay tuned for the final ranking of these picks by subscribing to the show’s free newsletter!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
A ranking and review of the best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop artists!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope covers a WIDE range of news stories related to the music industry, starting with recent (separate) lawsuits involving Genius and the team behind Internet Archive. Around the 17-minute mark is a brief guide to the past, present, and future of music streaming. Spotify’s heated departure from Uruguay is discussed starting around the 23-minute mark, followed by an explainer about recent Harry Styles demo “leaks” and the scramble to buy them. Lastly, around the 33-minute mark is a lightning round of other music-related news, with stories about everything from Grimes to gum!
Check out past episodes of “STAY Tuned” here:
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/directory.html
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHYBE and MBC’s olive-branch moment, BLACKPINK’s visit to Buckingham Palace, interesting data about how English language in K-pop songs has changed, FIFTY FIFTY updates, SEVENTEEN’s UNESCO Youth Forum speeches, and even more of the latest K-pop news!
The interview with Nahee, a special artist gone too soon, mentioned in the episode:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/get-to-know-nahee?r=4ajn9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportArtist-to-watch Gyubin addresses her “super rookie” label, shares why she admires IU, explains why she’s content with not clearly defining her musical style, and more!
Check out her single with Gaeko, “Start To Shine,” here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8nfIXJJsZA
Check out her single with Wonstein, “Scribble,” here!
https://youtu.be/7QXTqaoWeHM?si=VI_GUXeon2-Pr4kn
Keep up with her on YouTube here…
https://youtube.com/@Gyubin?si=EW5cx1lJdf3z0xVG
… and on Instagram here!
https://www.instagram.com/baggyubin73/
More exclusive 17 Carat K-Pop interviews here…
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/interviews--press.html
… and here!
https://17caratkpop.weebly.com/directory.html
Hope decodes all of ENHYPEN’s ORANGE BLOOD pre-release material: the concept trailer and other video teasers, the pictures, and even the tracklist! From the context behind some key words to the details from ENHYPEN’s live shows that reappear in the teaser videos, this is an in-depth look at how ENHYPEN’s newest era is picking up where the last one left off - and adding intriguing new plot twists!
Learn more about the detailed stories that make up ENHYPEN’s music video world in this essay!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/dark-blood-and-enhypens-humbling?sd=pf
Thoughts and theories about everything related to Stray Kids’ new album and corresponding videos: what the clown characters represent, how different parts of the multiverse influence each other, what to make of the “SKZFLIX” and “LALALALA” video endings, how new Stray Kids songs relate to older ones, and so much more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, T-pop, and C-pop artists!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAs strange as Fugees member Pras Michel’s corruption trial was, featuring everything from a fugitive accomplice to Leonardo DiCaprio’s testimony, the news that came out after the verdict was even stranger: Pras Michel’s lawyer used artificial intelligence to draft his closing argument. In addition to this, Pras’s motion for a retrial includes damning descriptions of his former lawyer’s behavior that range from a preoccupation with legal troubles of his own to showing extreme ignorance towards basic legal statutes. Pras further argues that his defense was weak enough that he deserves a new trial because his lawyer has a financial interest in the AI company whose program he used, a clear conflict of interest. This episode digs into the contents of both Pras’s superseding indictment and motion for a retrial. Together, they tell two surprising stories, one about a years-long illegal lobbying effort spanning multiple presidential administrations and one about a lawyer who was in over his head, took ideas from AI, and raised questions about whether AI can or should be relied on at all in the legal realm.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA comprehensive overview of TXT’s Webtoon: a guide to the characters and themes, an episode-by-episode summary, and a look at the many nods to TXT’s music videos that are present throughout the series!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter summarizing each chapter and the core themes of ENHYPEN’s Webtoon, DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR (in the first twenty minutes of this episode), Hope reviews the “FATE” World Tour and points out all of the references the group’s live show made to both their Webtoon and music video world!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA track-by-track guide to SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN, a rundown of all the Easter eggs in the “God of Music” video, and a summary of how SEVENTEEN’s new album is an excellent tribute to their past, present, and future!
Check out previous reflections on SEVENTEEN’s discography here!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/gearing-up-for-seventeens-comeback?sd=pf
This episode covers an ENORMOUS amount of K-pop and J-pop news in under an hour: Song and Show of the Summer poll results, a monumental day in J-pop history, DPR LIVE’s rebranding, celebrity lawsuits (involving accusations of everything from real estate fraud to illegal ambulance usage), Jennie’s official recognition as a fashion icon, FIFTY FIFTY agency-dispute-related updates, the most interesting anecdotes from Mr. Bang’s recent Bloomberg interview, and even more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportWhy the NCT Cinematic Universe is like an asterisk, how the characters NCT 127 play in the “Fact Checkmate” murder mystery special have more in common with their music video characters than it first seems, all the hidden references in the “Deities of Seoul” video, and so much more! This is the ultimate deep dive for theorizing about NCT 127’s Fact Check album and its corresponding videos!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope shares her first impressions of TXT’s new album, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL, points out all the “Chasing That Feeling” music video details worth flagging, and explains how the “FREEFALL Era” seamlessly picks up where The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION left off!
Around the 1-minute mark: a TXT Music Video Universe storyline refresher. Around the 18-19-minute mark: reacting to and reviewing the new album and video. Around the 33-minute mark: a character refresher that highlights the similarities between TXT’s music video characters and Webtoon ones, further proven through “Chasing That Feeling”!
Sometimes goofy and sometimes gruesome, but always rich with symbolism and mysterious twists, the DPR IAN Music Video Universe is unlike any other. This episode celebrates this bizarre, mesmerizing, chock-full narrative in its entirety! Hope offers a full guide to the storyline, shares her theories about the plots and symbols, and recalls what led to her own descent down the DPR rabbit hole!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the best new music from Korean and Japanese artists!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThrough both song lyrics and the “Sensitive” music video, this episode recaps the many ways Loossemble keep the symbolism of the "LOONAverse" relevant, the music video storyline ongoing, and the overall spirit of LOONA alive and well!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportNaomi Klein has an excellent new book out called Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World. It’s about the existential angst that comes with being constantly mistaken for an “Other Naomi,” who says and does things to which Klein is vehemently opposed. Klein’s writing explores much more than the emotional effects of getting a reputation for what someone else says and does, though. She questions how solid her own identity is if people can easily mistake her for someone with only surface-level commonalities, and she takes readers with her down a research rabbit hole into the ways a “Double” has appeared throughout book and movie plots. Hope explores these references through a new lens: the “SMCU”! aespa’s digital alter egos, U-KNOW’s dimension-hopping “NEXUS” short film, TAEMIN’s and KAI’s multiple selves… the SM Entertainment Cinematic Universe is filled with examples of clones! Part book review, part pop-culture-history-meets-psychology-meets-philosophy course, and part "SMCU" theorizing, this unique episode explains why uncanny resemblances are unnerving, what one’s “shadow self” symbolizes, and how pop culture can be a tool for better understanding both one’s self and one’s anti-self!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe past, present, and possible future of K-pop light sticks, photo cards, cup sleeves, and more! This episode is both a guide to K-pop merchandise and some thoughts on the best and most creative K-pop album packaging and light sticks ever!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHow do SEVENTEEN manage to incorporate nods to ALL of their previous musical eras into one new music video?! How does “Ima” both continue their music video story and offer hints about its future? And how do their characters live like crosses between Don Quixote and Truman Burbank?! Hope answers these questions by breaking down the lyrics of SEVENTEEN’s new songs and symbolic moments throughout the “Ima” music video! But before assessing the fictional narrative, Hope spends a few minutes reflecting on the story’s very real components and what about SEVENTEEN’s musical storytelling resonates so deeply for her, specifically as an autistic person.
Read the essays mentioned in the episode below!
“SEVENTEEN and The Truman Show”:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/seventeen-and-the-truman-show?sd=pf
“My Autism Acceptance Month Speech”:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/my-autism-acceptance-month-speech?sd=pf
More SEVENTEEN-related essays:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/content-sorted-by-artist?sd=pf
After a ranking and review of the twenty best new releases of the past month, Hope shares a TON of honorable mentions! Get ready to take notes and get updated on all the must-hear new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and beyond!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter sharing the highlights and lowlights of aespa’s Chicago tour stop, Hope covers new twists in the FIFTY FIFTY agency drama, a disappointing fandom name announcement, interesting details about 2024 from HYBE’s latest press conference, a peek behind the curtain into JUN’s creative process, and more K-pop updates!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAlthough this year’s World Scout Jamboree was filled with problems (including criminal charges, dangerous weather, accusations of poor planning, a blame game, and tension with sports superfans), there were also moments when South Korean businesses and places of worship stepped up and tried to still give scouts special memories. This episode covers both the highs and lows of this year’s Jamboree and its K-pop concert finale. Then, this episode tackles some other recent news stories: the latest in FIFTY FIFTY’s legal battle, suppression of a documentary, some SEVENTEEN updates, and more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter reviewing each song on the NCT 2023 album Golden Age, Hope brings up TONS of theories about hidden messages in the “Golden Age” music video and in the album’s teasers! She also shares some interesting anecdotes about the famous Beethoven piece that inspired the song “Golden Age”!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportEarlier this summer, a grand jury decided not to pursue criminal charges against anyone affiliated with the 2021 Astroworld Tragedy. Since then, over 1,200 pages from the crowd-crush investigation have been made public: 911 calls, interviews, emails, text exchanges, and more. The documents form a timeline that starts months before the Travis-Scott-hosted event, goes through the minute details of what unfolded that tragic night, and describes the varied reactions afterwards from the companies and people fearing legal consequences. Hope poured over these documents, and in this episode, she shares the most revealing excerpts from them: insights into who should have stopped the show the second the first medical emergency started, why it took so long to stop the concert, what red flags were raised during the festival construction process, what theories the investigators ruled out, and so much more.
Catch up with part one below:
Stream on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6YmQlF1zwr1cbOf7vyG6O9?si=c5W0nS7UQp6v7oWe64Ch-A
Stream on Apple Podcasts here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/17-carat-k-pop/id1610029656?i=1000625481787
Get redirected to a different streaming platform here:
https://anchor.fm/hope-jacobson/episodes/Astroworld-The-Investigation-Enthusiasts--Ep--63-e28eq12
Earlier this summer, a grand jury decided not to pursue criminal charges against anyone affiliated with the 2021 Astroworld Tragedy. Since then, over 1,200 pages from the crowd-crush investigation have been made public: 911 calls, interviews, emails, text exchanges, and more. The documents form a timeline that starts months before the Travis-Scott-hosted event, goes through the minute details of what unfolded that tragic night, and describes the varied reactions afterwards from the companies and people fearing legal consequences. Hope poured over these documents, and in this episode, she shares the most revealing excerpts from them: insights into who should have stopped the show the second the first medical emergency started, why it took so long to stop the concert, what red flags were raised during the festival construction process, what theories the investigators ruled out, and so much more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope decodes the “7 DREAM Production : Stranger Seven” short film, connects NCT DREAM’s latest video story developments to the larger “SMCU” storyline, and reviews ISTJ track by track!
Catch up on past artist-specific episodes of the show below!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/content-sorted-by-artist?sd=pf
And view a full episode directory here!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/the-complete-17-carat-k-pop-episode?r=4ajn9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=
A ranking and review of the best new K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportNew twists in the legal sagas regarding FIFTY FIFTY, EXO-CBX, and others, a fake HYBE employee’s sentencing, new K-pop concert movies, a big moment in J-pop fan-meeting history, BLACKPINK updates, NewJeans’ latest feats, and more of the latest headlines from the worlds of K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHow did an FBI sting operation lead to retrieving Dorothy’s stolen ruby slippers? How did Oz fan clubs go from the homes of teenagers to massive, globally-attended festivities? Overall, what has led both thieves and hardcore The Wizard of Oz fans to deem the story valuable, in every meaning of the word? Since earnest fans have kept fan clubs, newsletters, and conventions going to this day, and a money-motivated memorabilia market also remains alive and well, both types of people interested in The Wizard of Oz play a role in cementing the story’s legacy. This episode describes how and why that happened.
Catch up on past Enthusiasts episodes here:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/enthusiasts-podcast-guide-new-and?sd=pf
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis second part of a guide to Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS covers the backstories of specific BTS songs, touching moments when the members showed their true brotherhood, what went through their minds as they debated contract renewals, and more.
Catch up on past BTS-themed episodes of 17 Carat K-Pop here!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportBeyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS is so jam-packed with interesting anecdotes about BTS and big-picture insights into the world of K-pop overall that it deserves a two-part episode! This first part covers Big Hit Entertainment’s humble beginnings, rap feuds, an uncharacteristic outburst from “Mr. Bang,” the context behind some make-or-break live performances, and other pivotal moments in the timeline of BTS.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and T-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA conversation with Maureen “Mo” Ryan, author of Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. Mo describes what it has been like to watch streaming change everything about TV show creation, to witness multiple writers strikes over the years, to see Hollywood enable concerning behaviors and attitudes, and to envision what a better culture could look like after real systemic change. Note: this interview was recorded prior to actors joining writers in the current strike.
Catch up on past episodes of Enthusiasts here!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/enthusiasts-podcast-guide-new-and?sd=pf
Check out Maureen’s book here!
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/burn-it-down-maureen-ryan?variant=40795419476002
The highs and lows of TWICE’s Chicago concert, a breakdown of FIFTY FIFTY’s agency problems, survey results about BTS fan loyalty compared to that of other fandoms, a guide to the upcoming movies and TV shows all K-pop fans should know about, and more coverage of the latest headlines!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA guide to the best K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop albums of the year so far!
Subscribe to the show’s free newsletter for even more recommendations!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
The 50 greatest K-pop music videos of the year so far, revealed in the form of a guessing game!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportIn the form of a guessing game, this episode covers over 150 of the best songs released this year so far from the worlds of K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA timeline covering all the twists and turns in EXO-CBX’s recent lawsuit. Plus: what to expect from KCON 2023, BIGBANG status updates, the end of LOONA's contracts, and more of the latest headlines!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportMONSTA X’s JOOHONEY addresses feeling trapped in darkness in MIXTAPE [PSYCHE] and finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel in LIGHTS. Together, these releases tell a moving story about going through tough times and coming out on the other side with a desire to make that struggle lighter for those who are still in it. This episode looks closely at the lyrics from MIXTAPE [PSYCHE] that prove JOOHONEY can empathize with those who feel stuck, hopeless, and alone, the lyrics from LIGHTS that show his healing and newfound insights, and other details about JOOHONEY's work that show how he has evolved into a stronger and wiser person.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportCome for the guide to LE SSERAFIM and their discography, stay for the storytime! After an overview of LE SSERAFIM's catalog and an explanation for why they are so popular, Hope tells the classic tales that inspired one of the group's songs: Psyche and Bluebeard!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA celebration of BTS's 10-year career in four different ways! First, an A-to-Z recap of fandom lingo! Second, starting around the 5-minute mark, the best BTS song starting with each letter of the alphabet! The third part, starting around the 14-minute mark, covers a significant moment in the group's career corresponding with each letter of the alphabet! The final round of "The ABCs of BTS," starting around the 32-minute mark, focuses on pieces of pop culture from which the group has drawn inspiration (movies, books, works of art, and more)!
For even MORE reflections on this group's history and discography, check out these podcast episodes and articles!
“BTS and My Reinvigorated Love of Reading”
The “BTStudyGuides” series:
More BTS-themed podcast episodes:
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/content-sorted-by-artist?sd=pf
Subscribe to the show’s newsletter to not miss future BTS-related writing and episodes!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter sharing some thoughts and theories about the “5-STAR” trailer, the “S-Class” music video, and those videos' nods to past eras, Hope gives a track-by-track recap of Stray Kids’ new album: the funniest lyrics, interesting dual meanings, and surprising behind-the-scenes facts!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportIn the first half of this episode, Hope reacts to SHALALA, covers each song's meaning, and decodes the "T or Y" videos! Then, she provides a guide to TAEYONG's previous solo releases, from OSTs to SoundCloud tracks! Check out the written version of that guide here: https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/a-guide-to-taeyongs-solo-songs?sd=pf
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the 20 best new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and P-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportWhat went wrong with E’LAST’s North American tour, how BLACKPINK ticket prices led to legal disputes, some intriguing and overlooked details in the “SM 3.0” announcements, the debate over the Lee Seung Gi Law, details about Rain’s new movie, and more of the latest K-pop/music industry headlines!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA guide to all the major references, from Bach to Greek mythology, in ENHYPEN’s DARK BLOOD mini-album! That analysis comes after a recap of ENHYPEN’s Webtoon, DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR, and a re-interpretation of some past music video details in light of new context.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA track-by-track analysis of Agust D’s D-DAY album, interpretations of the “AMYGDALA” and “Haegeum” music videos, and an assessment of the profound social commentary underlying all of SUGA’s work.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportMeet multitalented, underrated girl group PURPLE KISS! In addition to a catchy discography, this group astounds with the ways the members weave spellbinding stories that balance cuteness with kookiness, fun with feelings, and humanity with supernatural traits. This episode follows their mystical narrative in its entirety, told through both lyrics and music videos!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportPart one of this episode: a recap of the highs and lows of NCT DREAM’s Chicago tour stop! Part two: the most noteworthy aspects of NCT DOJAEJUNG’s debut, from hidden details in their videos to the best song lyrics!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe past month in news: ENHYPEN's odd new gig, controversy over TV show hires, the best of Coachella, the most interesting comments in Mr. Bang's Billboard cover story, a rapper's ban from Hong Kong, rumors swirling over an award show's cancellation, a heated Reddit discussion, and SO much more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the 20 best new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and P-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportSinger-songwriter and The Haus of Creativity founder Krysta Youngs talks about writing for BIGHIT artists, a song that almost went to BLACKPINK, working on “The View” by Stray Kids, experiences with songwriting camps, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter decoding all the clues in the Billage of perception: chapter three and the corresponding track videos, Hope presents several theories about Billlie’s musical world. She comes to several conclusions about Billlie Love’s true identity, what really happens at the 11th hour, why the group actually DOESN’T want to succeed in finding Billlie Love, and how the books the videos feature provide big hints!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope flags all the notable details in ENHYPEN’s “DARK BLOOD” comeback trailer and theorizes about what their next era has in store!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope was a guest speaker at her alma mater for Autism Acceptance Month! This episode features the recording of her speech, which covers personal anecdotes related to the soundtrack of her life (SEVENTEEN, BTS, TXT…) and advice for those who want to be better allies to autistic people.
Note: the oral and written versions of this speech differ; the presentation was not a word-for-word recitation. Follow the link below to read the official text!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/my-autism-acceptance-month-speech?sd=pf
A close reading of each song on SEVENTEEN’s new mini-album, all the hidden details in the “Life in a minute” video, and seventeen key parallels SEVENTEEN’s new era has to their previous ones!
Check out the “17 Talk” complementary essay series here!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/gearing-up-for-seventeens-comeback?sd=pf
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA look at the life and legacy of the incomparable Moon Bin.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportEnthusiasts is a podcast about the most passionate of passionate people. Episodes cover both specific fandoms and fandom/internet culture overall. Catch up on past episodes with the links in this directory!
https://17caratkpop.substack.com/p/enthusiasts-podcast-guide-new-and?sd=pf
Alex Jones and the show InfoWars have played a massive role in spreading conspiracy theories, radicalizing right-wingers, and fostering an apocalyptic mentality. No one understands Alex’s beliefs, persuasive tactics, and sources of misinformation quite like Dan and Jordan. They host a podcast called Knowledge Fight, on which they react to Alex’s most bizarre tangents, fact-check his most inaccurate claims, and provide context for his most misleading remarks. In this episode, Hope talks to Dan about what makes Alex such a unique character, how much of Alex’s act is sincere versus clout-chasing, and how Alex’s supporter base has evolved. This episode also makes time for unrelated anecdotes about Bob Ross, a secret DJ past, wrestling, and hatchets. Tune in for Alex’s backstory and a serious assessment of his intentions and impact, then stay for the bizarre asides about the colorful company he keeps!
R&B artist ELHAE opens up about going independent, collaborating with I.M and Crush, the art forms besides music that inspire him, and what he has planned for the rest of the year!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ton of honorable mentions for the best new K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and T-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop and J-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA flash mob at a funeral, a connection between metal singers and bats, a bad-on-purpose orchestra, a first-of-its-kind, immersive music venue that K-pop artists ought to perform in, and more random music-related stories!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportIn addition to managing Nick Lee (whose production credits include Jimin’s “Set Me Free Pt.2,” SEVENTEEN’s “Ash,” and CL’s ALPHA), Max Cho has global aspirations for his management company, Cho & Co. In this episode, Hope talks to him about these plans, his experiences working with K-pop artists, the “wedding ring analogy” he uses to explain his management philosophy, parallels between working on movies and music, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportOn countless occasions, K-pop songs have interpolated, sampled, remixed, or otherwise drawn inspiration from other songs. This episode features the stories behind the most iconic, strangest, funniest, and most surprising examples!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA guide to the best J-pop albums, songs, and music videos released by K-pop artists!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA wild weekend for Roblox, cult accusations, THAT GQ profile, Mr. Bang’s candid CNN interview, chaos on set of The Idol, alleged military service evasion, exciting graphic novel news… SO MUCH has happened in the world of K-pop over the past few weeks, and it’s time to break down all the major headlines!
A brief overview of C-pop industry milestones and unforgettable moments, the ways many forms of music originated in China, the biggest stars in the C-pop world, the ways C-pop and K-pop differ, and heated reactions to the Hallyu wave among C-pop fans.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHow did the T-pop (Thai pop) and P-pop (Pinoy pop) industries get started? How do they differ from K-pop? What do their futures look like? Which T-pop and P-pop stars stand out the most? This episode answers all these questions and more, followed by some interesting facts about the Hallyu wave across Asia!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportFrom the origins of karaoke to the ways J-pop laid the groundwork for K-pop boy bands, the Japanese music industry is filled with groundbreaking moments and surprising twists and turns. This episode chronologically walks through the biggest ones: a dramatic prank on fans who believed a rumor about their favorite band breaking up, the introduction of Winter Sonata to a Japanese audience, the time Lady Gaga's attempt to promote J-pop was shut down, and so many more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportRegardless of what LOONA’s future looks like, it is worth celebrating all they have accomplished so far; they have left an irreplaceable mark on the world of K-pop and proved the vast storytelling potential of music. While past episodes of “LOONAverse Talk” covered LOONA’s story through music video recaps, today’s episode covers their story through song lyrics and album commentary. When looking at LOONA’s commentary on their own work over the years, the life lessons in their work become clear, and the answer to “What’s the big deal about LOONA?” becomes obvious!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA quick recap of aespa’s “Girls (Don’t you know I’m a Savage?)” short film and the terms to remember to understand KWANGYA and the SMCU!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best new releases from K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and P-pop artists!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportPart one of this episode goes over the twists and turns in the HYBE/SM Entertainment saga since the release of the episode called “HYBEs and Lows." Hope then summarizes what big plans SM Entertainment revealed in their "SM 3.0" video presentations. Part two is a rapid-fire roundup of miscellaneous K-pop news from throughout February!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportSame game as last time, different K-pop songs to guess by the English lyrics! Give yourself one half point every time you guess an artist's name or the song title correctly and one full point if you guess both correctly. If you play in a group, the winner is the person with the highest score at the end of the fifty rounds. No artist appears in this game more than once. Good luck!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter finishing up the “Best of January” countdown with numbers 5 - 1, Hope shares over 70 MORE K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop recommendations released within the past few months!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA LOT of massive business decisions were just made by the biggest K-pop companies! Why has there been so much confusion surrounding SM Entertainment’s leadership shake-up? Why did HYBE recently acquire Quality Control and become one of SM Entertainment’s largest shareholders? What do recent trends in the broader music industry, such as artists selling their catalogs, have to do with HYBE’s and SM Entertainment’s mindsets? This episode breaks down the answers to these questions and many more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best releases from December 2022, followed by a separate ranking and review of the twenty best releases from January 2023!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportUpon closer look, the album Strawberry offers much more substance and insight than it first appears to; it is another remarkable addition to Epik High's discography. This episode covers seventeen details worth reflecting on and pausing to appreciate about it, from the album cover's meaning to the most poetic lyrics!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportWhile the episode called "The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide" breaks down the Easter eggs in TXT's teaser content and sources of literary inspiration for their latest comeback, this episode analyzes the album itself. The most insightful lyrics in each song, the stories told by the album as a whole, hidden symbols in the "Sugar Rush Ride" music video, and much more is covered!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter recapping the highs and lows of P1Harmony’s Chicago concert, Hope recaps the month in K-pop news: are HyunA and DAWN really back together? What is and is not known about BLACKPINK’s contract statuses? What changes now that Scooter Braun is the sole CEO of HYBE America? Plus: a LOONA court case update, new TV programs to watch, Fashion Week sightings, and even more updates!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe original story about “making a deal with the devil,” the adventures of a boy who could never grow up, and TXT’s music video storyline have MUCH more in common than it sounds! From specific symbols to abstract themes, these three stories share surprisingly similar messages about temptation, maturity, the messy process of finding oneself, struggling to see in shades of gray, and so much more. When all three stories combine, as they do for TXT’s “Name Chapter” era, the narrative power and resonance know no bounds! This deep dive not only clarifies what TXT’s musical world is really all about, but the profound reasons for incorporating folklore about the devil and Peter Pan into it.
Part one: a guide to Faust, Mephistopheles, and the variations in the tellings of the “selling one’s soul” story. Part two: a breakdown of the (unexpectedly dark) origin story of Peter Pan’s adventures and an explanation of Neverland’s true symbolism. Part three: an explainer as to how these stories relate to both each other and TXT’s music video universe.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportIn the first half of this episode, Hope reveals the survey results from the show’s newsletter (17caratkpop.substack.com) about the best in K-pop in 2022! In the second half, she shares 27 predictions about the K-pop industry in 2023 - and throws in some “manifesting into existence,” less-likely predictions too!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope breaks down the ten reasons why K-pop girl group NewJeans has become such a massive success already, predicts how they will inspire new K-pop trends, and shares her theories about the meaning of their music videos!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter sharing the highs and lows of NCT 127's Chicago concert, Hope opens up about the unique ways she processes music as an autistic listener, how NCT 127's music affects her on a deeply personal level, and what it felt like to finally see this meaningful discography to her come to life! For even more concert coverage, check out a highlight reel and write-up on 17caratkpop.substack.com and 17caratkpop.weebly.com!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter going over seventeen buzz-worthy aspects of the SM Entertainment New Year's Eve concert, Hope compares and contrasts the show to those of previous years and reads between the lines regarding what message the company sends with this show every year. Looking closely at the pre-show forum's content reveals much more about SM Entertainment's intended brand image than what meets the eye...
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter highlighting some things to look forward to in 2023, from tours to TV shows, Hope revisits her 2022 K-pop predictions and makes some guesses about 2023!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportElvis, reality television, conspiracy theories, Elon Musk, famous scams, armchair detectives, American Girl... Enthusiasts (formerly called How to Stan) covered a BROAD variety of topics this year! In addition to summarizing every episode of Enthusiasts that came out in 2022, this episode includes status updates on previously-covered stories and not-yet-told stories related to these episode topics!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA year’s worth of K-pop news, broken down into seventeen categories! From the K-pop stars who rocked Fashion Month to the most buzzed-about legal cases, this episode recaps the best, worst, and overall most memorable moments in K-pop in 2022!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportFrom the cutest to the weirdest, these are the can't-miss K-pop music videos of 2022!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe first part of this episode recaps all the major changes to Twitter since Elon Musk bought it and dives into the now-public text exchanges Musk had with famous friends in the lead-up to the acquisition. The second part looks at the backstories of the Silicon Valley types who have Musk's ear, what they believe, and how their views and goals might be shaping Musk's own. Lastly, this episode explains what "longtermism" is all about, a popular mentality among Musk's acquaintances that explains some of their more peculiar fixations. Understanding Elon's inner circle and filter bubble help answer the question on many people's minds lately: what is Elon thinking?!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportFrom the cutest to the weirdest, these are the can't-miss K-pop music videos of 2022! Stay tuned for part two!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA guide to the 100 best K-pop/K-rock, J-pop/J-rock, and C-pop/C-rock albums of the year!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportOver 150 of the best songs of 2022, revealed in the form of a guessing game!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportIn today's roundup of music news: what led up to the Taylor Swift ticket fiasco, the strange circumstances that allowed Ticketmaster to become such a superior force in the concert industry in the first place, a study about dancing rats, agencies changing their tune on TikTok, and more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter going over what happened before and after the decision to remove Chuu from LOONA, Hope shares the latest on a variety of other stories: Hook Entertainment's alleged wage theft, two recent disbandments, an incredible piece of Lisa fan art, the girl group trying out a "silent mosh pit" concept, and more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter a recap of all the biggest SEVENTEEN moments of 2022, Hope shares her theories about the hidden details in the "DREAM" music video (starting around the 7:28 mark), plus the ways the video perfectly concludes the "Be the Sun" era!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe first half of this episode: a quick and improved guide to Dreamcatcher’s music video world, with an emphasis on how the “MAISON” and “VISION” eras are related! The second half: a roundup of K-pop news coverage that includes awards shows’ controversies, exciting TV show premieres, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe first part of this episode dissects the lyrics to Taeyong’s new SoundCloud track, “FINE,” and the hidden details in SEULGI’s “28 Reasons” video! The second half is a big K-pop news roundup that covers OMEGA X’s mistreatment, key takeaways from HYBE’s latest community briefing, and more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportPart two of an in-depth recap of TXT’s Webtoon, The Star Seekers! This episode focuses on the parallels between TXT’s and Star One’s stories and the plot from chapters 18-30!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportPart one of an in-depth recap of TXT’s Webtoon, The Star Seekers! This episode covers the story’s characters, plots, settings, symbols, themes, nods to TXT’s music videos, and most notable quotes from chapters 1-17!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best releases from last month!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis episode covers both specific artists and specific works of art RM of BTS (aka Kim Namjoon) has praised on social media and/or in interviews. From sculptures to paintings to video installations, RM has recommended a vast array of art, and each piece has a fascinating creator and unique story behind it!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA conversation with Rick Emerson about Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the World's Most Notorious Diaries. His book covers the life of Beatrice Sparks and the roles her books, particularly Go Ask Alice and Jay's Journal, played in furthering the “Satanic Panic.”
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter describing some standout moments from ENHYPEN’s recent Chicago concert, Hope walks through how ENHYPEN’s music video storyline parallels the story they brought to life on stage! The setlist order allowed for the core themes in ENHYPEN’s world-building to come into focus to a new and exciting extent!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportWhat happened at KAMP, BTS’s enlistment news, some sudden tour cancellations, Jessi’s frustrating time in Europe, a unique trademark battle, and more coverage of and commentary on the latest K-pop headlines! Also, in a new “Shoutout of the Week” segment, Hope breaks down the meaning of JUN’s “LIMBO” and its music video!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportGo Ask Alice told the harrowing story of a teenage girl’s spiral into drug addiction. Jay’s Journal told the story of a young boy’s fixation on satanic rituals and dark magic. VOICES told four stories about teenagers experiencing their own identity and mental health crises. What fierce critics and passionate fans of these books alike did not know: they were all fiction. The “real diaries” and case files of which these books consisted were all from the mind of one woman: Beatrice Sparks, a fame-hungry author who used genuine concerns to perpetuate conspiracy theories about dark influences on teens. This series of episodes covers the impact of Sparks’ books and other media on the American psyche. Sparks’ books triggered a ripple effect of paranoia in parents, but so did many other pieces of pop culture without even trying, from Dungeons & Dragons to rock music. The story of the “Satanic Panic” is one of how both innocent creators got swept up in conspiratorial allegations and how bad actors used this moment of mass hysteria to exploit parental concerns and confusion about “kids these days.” The “Satanic Panic” speaks volumes about how certain people can get away with bald-faced lies and conspiratorial beliefs for so long, how the power of suggestion can lead parents to genuinely believe satanic forces are to blame for teens’ crises, and how just a few books can redefine popular opinion.
This is part two: how so many innocent people were deemed “satanists” and had their lives turned upside-down because of it, how Beatrice Sparks’ books were able to keep their credibility despite her growing brazenness about lying in them, and how the “Satanic Panic” still impacts society today.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportGo Ask Alice told the harrowing story of a teenage girl’s spiral into drug addiction. Jay’s Journal told the story of a young boy’s fixation on satanic rituals and dark magic. VOICES told four stories about teenagers experiencing their own identity and mental health crises. What fierce critics and passionate fans of these books alike did not know: they were all fiction. The “real diaries” and case files of which these books consisted were all from the mind of one woman: Beatrice Sparks, a fame-hungry author who used genuine concerns to perpetuate conspiracy theories about dark influences on teens. This series of episodes covers the impact of Sparks’ books and other media on the American psyche. Sparks’ books triggered a ripple effect of paranoia in parents, but so did many other pieces of pop culture without even trying, from Dungeons & Dragons to rock music. The story of the “Satanic Panic” is one of how both innocent creators got swept up in conspiratorial allegations and how bad actors used this moment of mass hysteria to exploit parental concerns and confusion about “kids these days.” The “Satanic Panic” speaks volumes about how certain people can get away with bald-faced lies and conspiratorial beliefs for so long, how the power of suggestion can lead parents to genuinely believe satanic forces are to blame for teens’ crises, and how just a few books can redefine popular opinion.
This is part one: Sparks’ upbringing, the true elements of Go Ask Alice and Jay’s Journal, and the early days of censorship campaigns.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA track-by-track review of MAXIDENT, a list of seventeen hidden details in the album's track videos, and a new, big-picture theory about how the latest additions to the Stray Kids Music Video Universe keep a past storyline going!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA conversation with Professor Louie Dean Valencia, who created and is set to teach a course on Harry Styles next semester at Texas State University! He explains what to expect from the course, different lenses through which to view Harry Styles' discography, the ways Harry's music relates to today's society and vice versa, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportBLACKPINK’s VIP packages, the Crypto Arena’s recent announcement, K-pop stars’ Fashion Week takeover, a British company’s complaint against South Korean streaming services, and much more K-pop-related news.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA track-by-track breakdown of NCT 127’s 2 Baddies, followed by an explanation of the parallels between their new and past eras (especially “The Story of Favorite”)!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAllison Horrocks, a trained historian and co-host of the American Girls podcast, joins Hope to break down the ways perspectives on the American Girl books change with age, how the American Girl historical characters effectively get people interested in history, how much the American Girl brand really has or has not changed since Mattel’s acquisition, the importance of learning history, and much more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop and J-pop releases from the past month!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAhn Ye Eun gives the inside scoop on her music and videos, from the folklore she turns to for inspiration to the ways she uses costumes to tell stories! Watch the video version of this interview at howtostan.substack.com!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportInside the downfall of Pollen and the company’s decision to cancel its SEVENTEEN-themed Vegas weekend. Plus: the VMAs, the MAMAs’ makeover, MONSTA X’s future plans, and more of the latest K-pop-related news.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportSeventeen things about SEVENTEEN’s Be the Sun Chicago tour stop worth discussing, from the setlist to the VCRs! After that recap, Hope compares and contrasts the Be the Sun and Ode to You tours to decide which show was better!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope shares the highs and lows of her first-time KCON experience, the unique ways she experienced KCON as someone with crowd-related anxiety, advice for future KCON newbies, a review of day one’s concert, and more! More in-depth recaps of specific KCON events and official images can be found on howtostan.substack.com and 17caratkpop.weebly.com, and more KCON-related content is on the way!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis episode covers true stories of celebrities disappearing, the efforts - and sometimes lack thereof - to find them, and what the public’s response to high-profile mysteries says about how stars are remembered by both conspiracy theorists and genuine fans.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA man created a fake restaurant that topped Tripadvisor’s list of the best restaurants in London. A woman repeatedly took on a new identity and fled town as soon as her bills - both financial and metaphorical - came due. An influencer was caught using her supporters to launder money. A chef sold a questionably edible product to her followers. Do stories like these, of stars misleading or outright betraying the public, make a notable dent in their popularity, or is all quickly forgiven? What does it take to completely end fans’ trust in an idol? Where do fans draw the line at supporting deceptive people? This episode does not just cover many examples of times celebrities were accused of scamming their admirers, but also the aftermaths of some of the alleged scams. Beneath the surface of these fascinating true stories lies an even more interesting story about the nature of celebrity, fan loyalty, and the limitations of both.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportD.B. Cooper, who committed the only unsolved hijacking in commercial airline history, has become something akin to a folk legend among citizen sleuths. “Cooperites” and other true-crime enthusiasts still pour over theories and potential suspects to this day, both in online forums and at in-person meet-ups like CooperCon. Part of the enduring fascination with D.B. Cooper’s story is the amount of unknowns: did he survive his jump off the airplane? Was his bomb real? Did he act alone? What suspects seem the most and least likely? Why do so many people suspect they know “the REAL D.B. Cooper”? And how is the emotional investment in his daring mission still prevalent nearly fifty years after he pulled it off? Hope talks with Darren Schaefer, host of The Cooper Vortex, to find out.
CORRECTION: I misspoke during the opening of this episode. I said Cooper had requested the plane fly at a speed of less than 20 miles per hour. Cooper actually requested the plane fly at a speed of less than 20 knots, the equivalent of around 230 miles per hour. While requesting to make a daring escape at 20 miles per hour would be frankly hilarious, it is not what happened, and I do apologize for the error.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportSinger-songwriter Jenny Lyric talks about the passion that goes into her work, how she's changed since being a member of CoCo Avenue, her future plans, the dream collaboration, and more! The video version of this episode can be viewed at howtostan.substack.com!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAn overview of the latest music-related news and studies: an underwater festival, a sports team's bizarre attempt to break a losing streak, a link discovered between music tastes and personality types, research on festival attendance changing the odds of helping a stranger, and much more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportWhat to expect from KCON 2022, what happened to an idol caught in a voice-phishing scam, what the BTS-themed Airbnb experience entails, thoughts on the VMA nominations, and more of the latest K-pop news and commentary!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best new releases, including K-pop, J-rock, J-pop, T-pop, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA guide to ATEEZ's new album, THE WORLD EP.1 : MOVEMENT! From revisiting certain themes in their song lyrics to bringing back certain symbols in their new music video, this episode looks at the many ways ATEEZ's newest chapter seamlessly expands on the previous ones - and introduces new clues about what comes next!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis episode summarizes the origin story of American Girl and explores the sociocultural and economic factors that have shaped the brand’s evolution and lasting relevancy.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportNody Cika talks about songs that mean a lot to her, her time on The Voice of Korea, the pros and cons of being so hands-on in the making of her own music, and more! This episode will also be available as a video, and the transcript will be released, at howtostan.substack.com!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis guide to P1Harmony goes over the reasons for their popularity, the characters each member plays in their music videos, the messages their music has included since day one, the recurring symbols in their videos, and things to look out for as the "Harmony Era" story continues to unfold!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter sharing some stories from TXT’s Chicago concert, Hope breaks down the latest K-pop headlines, including what Jessi’s departure from P NATION is really all about, why aespa continue to be ones to watch, what to make of metaverse-related group SUPERKIND, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases of June 2022!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportGiven the new context and clarity provided by aespa's new "Next Level" short film and "Girls" music video, this episode includes an updated, comprehensive glossary to all things KWANGYA and the SMCU, a revised character and setting guide, and new theories about the ways SM Entertainment artists' stories are intertwined!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the fifty best K-pop and J-pop albums released in the first half of 2022!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe best lyrics on ENHYPEN's new album, details from this comeback's teaser videos and new music video that are easy to miss but important not to, the greater context behind the David and Goliath reference in "WALK THE LINE," and an overall breakdown of the messages ENHYPEN's musical world has sent and continues to send.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe 100 best K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and T-pop songs of 2022 so far, in no particular order!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope breaks down seventeen noteworthy details about LOONA's new album, Summer Special [Flip That], from potential hints about the future of the LOONAverse to the ways the new album and music video nod back to LOONA's previous eras!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA rapid-fire rundown of all the major headlines from the past few weeks in the world of K-pop: BTS announcing a break to focus on solo pursuits, Jisoo’s candid confession, big changes to the company behind LOONA’s world tour, Grammy Award changes, and much more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThose who closely follow celebrity trials fall into two main categories: diehard fans of the person on trial and opportunists who seek to make social media posts and/or merchandise using content from the proceedings. This episode looks at examples of how both types of spectators have made a scene outside of courtrooms, gained money and/or fame from their public support of stars on trial, and have overall shaped public narratives more than many realize. A wide variety of celebrity cases (and the superfans and grifters involved in them) are covered, including those of Elizabeth Holmes, Anna Delvey, Lori Loughlin, and TikTok star Cameron Herrin. Later on, particular attention is paid to the immense amount of social media content made in response to the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, the reasons why the trial was livestreamed in the first place, and future implications of both the verdict and the social media activity surrounding the story.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop, J-pop, and T-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA quick Q&A with Luvabstract about his new music, his stage name, music video concepts, and more! This interview can also be watched as a video at howtostan.substack.com!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA quick Q&A with Hamingu about his new single with Luvabstract, "SELECT," as well as the B-side, "Hint of Yellow"! A transcript for this interview will be published at howtostan.substack.com later this week, and stay tuned for Luvabstract's interview, coming soon! This episode is also available as a video at howtostan.substack.com!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis episode describes seventeen things worth appreciating about SEVENTEEN's comeback! From hidden details in the "HOT" music video to the meaning of "DON QUIXOTE," this is a guide to all things Face the Sun!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA close reading of all the Face the Sun Era teaser content, from Easter eggs in the teaser videos to the messages each SEVENTEEN member posted to their Instagram Stories on their solo teaser release days!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis two-part episode seeks to make sense of who Elon Musk is, who the "Musketeers" are, and why Musk has consistently been present in the public conversation, both online and in the "real world." This comprehensive timeline lays out Musk's social media history, personal and professional lives, career highlights and lowlights, and other moments that are key to understanding why, like it or not, Musk's popularity and level of influence come as no surprise.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis two-part episode seeks to make sense of who Elon Musk is, who the "Musketeers" are, and why Musk has consistently been present in the public conversation, both online and in the "real world." After a quick overview of Musk's past and current business endeavors, a comprehensive timeline lays out Musk's social media history, personal and professional lives, career highlights and lowlights, and other moments that are key to understanding why, like it or not, Musk's popularity and level of influence come as no surprise.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope recaps her experience at a GROOVL1N USA 2022 Tour stop in Chicago, in an extension of the thoughts laid out in the written review on howtostan.substack.com!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportToday’s roundup of entertainment/music industry headlines: the fan who married Miku says the relationship has fallen apart, the first entirely-AI K-pop group debuts, a feud between producers and a special effects company, a new list reveals the most popular songs for the first dance at weddings, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis is part two of this week's TXT special! In addition to Hope's reaction to and review of minisode 2: Thursday's Child, she shares her theories about the hidden messages in the "Good Boy Gone Bad" music video, in the album's song lyrics, and even in this comeback's promotional pictures!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportJULE talks about his unique habit in the recording studio, his proudest work, reactions to his music, and much more! A transcript of this interview will be available in the coming days on howtostan.substack.com!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop and J-pop releases from last month!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA conversation with Kelly Weill, a reporter for The Daily Beast, co-host of the Fever Dreams podcast, and author of the book OFF THE EDGE: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything. Her and Hope discuss the history of the Flat Earth Movement, the overlap among conspiracy theory groups online, the implications of de-platforming misinformation-spreaders, ways to bring conspiracy theorists out of an alternate reality, and much more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis episode starts off covering all things “Love Theory”! Hope breaks down the hidden references in the lyrics to TAEYONG and Wonstein’s new single, admits what the music video strangely reminds her of, and reveals some details about the making of the song! Then, Hope covers a variety of the latest K-pop headlines, including the clamor for Stray Kids concert tickets, the South Korean government’s plan to change the country’s aging system, HOT ISSUE’s disbandment, and more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope decodes the “Darl+ing” lyrics, points out some hidden details in the “NEW RINGS CEREMONY” comeback trailer, reacts to POWER OF LOVE : THE MOVIE, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportIn this conversation with Stephanie Kariuki, supervising producer at VICE, she and Hope discuss the making of the podcast Authentic: The Story of Tablo, the broader messages Tablo’s story sends, and the point of reporting on what “just happens online” in the first place. All episodes of Authentic are available now across all major podcast platforms!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportBoth BTS’s music and member RM’s book recommendations tell stories of courage, compassion, and community. This episode draws parallels between the ways in which those themes are addressed in BTS’s work (especially throughout the Map of the Soul Era) and in three books: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook, and The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis episode covers many honorable mentions for the most significant movie references in K-pop songs and music videos!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support7Fates: CHAKHO Ep. 11 and 12, season two of Queendom so far, BTS’s Vegas takeover and Grammys performance, a new K-pop broadway show, and more coverage of and reactions to the latest K-pop headlines!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis deep dive into the pop culture references, social commentary, fashion statements, and other variables that make up G-DRAGON’s songs and music videos illustrates how his artistry has evolved and led him to become the world-renowned star he is today. In addition to better understanding his musical persona, G-DRAGON, this episode shines a light on Kwon Ji Yong, the man behind the character, and the increasingly frequent presence of Kwon Ji Yong sans alter ego in his work.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the 20 best new releases from the past month!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe multitalented musician WOOJAE opens up about his music, gives his rationale for NOT wanting to collaborate, shares some unexpected life advice, and much more!
View the video version of this interview at howtostan.substack.com!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA condensed history of the most bizarre and concerning reality shows of all time, reality television's rise, and the reasons why reality TV stars gained a permanent spot in the world of pop culture.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA recap of 7Fates: CHAKHO episodes 7-10, everything you need to know about American Song Contest and AleXa’s role in it, Taeyong’s new song and YouTube channel, backlash to K-pop companies’ NFT-related plans, TXT’s unique new title, and more of the latest updates in the world of K-pop!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support“Fade to BLACKPINK” is a series of episodes explaining the movie references, both overt and rumored, in K-pop songs and music videos!
The movies discussed in this episode: Thelma & Louise, Kill Your Darlings, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Scarface, and Trainspotting!
The artists discussed in this episode: TXT, BTOB 4U, Agust D, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support“Fade to BLACKPINK” is a series of episodes explaining the movie references, both overt and rumored, in K-pop songs and music videos!
The movies discussed in this episode: The Mummy, The Shining, IT, The Tag-Along, Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, American Beauty, and American Psycho!
The artists discussed in this episode: Dreamcatcher, TXT, Brown Eyed Girls, DeVita, Hash Swan, MONSTA X, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support“Fade to BLACKPINK” is a series of episodes explaining the movie references, both overt and rumored, in K-pop songs and music videos!
The movies discussed in this episode: Oldboy, James Bond films, Léon: The Professional, and Batman Returns! Plus: the true story of Bonnie and Clyde!
The artists discussed in this episode: IU, MONSTA X, HA:TFELT, AOA, SUNMI, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support“Fade to BLACKPINK” is a series of episodes explaining the movie references, both overt and rumored, in K-pop songs and music videos!
The movies discussed in this episode: Inception, The Matrix, Black Swan, Louder Than Bombs, Snowpiercer, The Fifth Element, Interstellar, Alien, and The Silence of the Lambs!
The artists discussed in this episode: NCT, BTS, AOA, MONSTA X, GOT7, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support“Fade to BLACKPINK” is a series of episodes explaining the movie references, both overt and rumored, in K-pop songs and music videos!
The movies discussed in this episode: The Grand Budapest Hotel, La Boum, Chungking Express, Love Letter, Ghost, La La Land, Saturday Night Fever, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, (the much darker, original version of) Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast, and Alice in Wonderland!
The artists discussed in this episode: BamBam, GWSN, LABOUM, LeeHi, TWICE, SUNMI, J.Y. Park, SHINee, f(x), BOYFRIEND, ATEEZ, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support“Fade to BLACKPINK” is a series of episodes explaining the movie references, both overt and rumored, in K-pop songs and music videos!
The movies discussed in this episode: A Trip to the Moon, Days of Being Wild, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and The Great Gatsby!
The artists discussed in this episode: TXT, BTOB 4U, TAEYEON, I.M, and ENHYPEN!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportRolling Quartz discuss their musical influences, their new mini-album, and lots more!
Subscribe at howtostan.substack.com and visit 17caratkpop.weebly.com to not miss the video version of this interview, coming soon!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAn overview of what goes on at the world's largest Elvis festival, the conspiracy theories surrounding Elvis's death, the rumors that Elvis worked for the FBI, and why the intrigue surrounding and the love for Elvis prevail to this day.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best new releases from the past month!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHow this game works: Hope will read some English lyrics from a K-pop song. You can pause the game if you need more than the time allotted to think of your answer. Give yourself half of a point if you only guess the artist or the song correctly, and give yourself one point for that round if you guess both correctly. There are 50 rounds, and no K-pop artist shows up in more than one round. If playing with others, only the person who answers the correct answer the fastest gets the point or half-point for that round. Enjoy!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe first half of this episode recaps episodes 4, 5, and 6 of 7Fates: CHAKHO. The second half runs through all of the latest K-pop headlines: tons of in-person and livestream concert announcements, what we know so far about Queendom season two, and much more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA close reading of the lyrics in Epik High Is Here 下, Pt. 2 and the parallels to the references, metaphors, and overall themes in Pt. 1!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportFrom thought-provoking messages to a unique blend of musical influences, B.A.P is a remarkable group worthy of its lasting legacy. This episode follows a timeline of B.A.P’s career highs and lows, explores the best B.A.P song lyrics and music video storylines, and overall shows how B.A.P impacted the world of K-pop in ways that are still felt today.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportATEEZ, BTS, CLC, IZ*ONE, LOONA… so many K-pop artists have incorporated famous works of art into their song lyrics and/or music videos! This episode provides seventeen examples and tells the stories behind the sculptures, paintings, and art installations referenced in K-pop!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA recap of 7Fates: CHAKHO episodes two and three, HyunA and DAWN's engagement, Jimmy Kimmel's monologue criticism, a BTS version of Wordle, the surprising impact of BamBam's tweets, and even more K-pop headlines and commentary!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope's take on the Joe Rogan situation, a new study confirming the most dangerous songs to listen to while driving, scrutiny over the When We Were Young Fest, and more of the latest headlines from the world of audio entertainment!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best releases that came out towards the end of 2021!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA breakdown of the first episode of 7Fates: CHAKHO, the importance of Taemin’s recent disclosure, some thoughts on the new ATEEZ concert protocols, more big news for TYONGF, and more commentary on the latest K-pop news!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope recaps the best and worst parts of SMTOWN's 2022 New Year's Eve concert, compares her 2021 and 2022 reviews of the event, and shares some miscellaneous thoughts she had while watching the show!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe end of an era for both Jay Park and Jae from DAY6, exciting updates for TYONGF, highlights from Weverse Con, recent awards show wins, and more of the latest K-pop headlines!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportToday’s episode covers seventeen topics, some of which are K-pop predictions for 2022 and some of which are reminders about what TV shows, music, and other new releases there are to look forward to this year!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter a close reading of aespa's short film and music videos, Hope draws connections to other SM Entertainment artists' videos and to the stories told through SMTOWN's latest concert. Overall, this episode provides clarity on what the SMCU is all about and how different SM Entertainment artists fit into the same cinematic universe!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis is a good episode to pause repeatedly and listen to with friends! Follow along as Hope asks what your favorite K-pop moments were this year and lists your options! From whose disbandment was the most upsetting to which magazine cover was the most iconic, this is a chance to reflect on the highs and lows of K-pop in 2021!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportIn this final news roundup of 2021, Hope gives an honest review of MONSTA X’s The Dreaming movie, revisits her K-pop predictions for 2021, recaps the MAMAs, and much more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportOver 150 K-pop music video recommendations, discussed by category (quirky plot, aesthetically beautiful, etc.)! Listen until the end to find out which ones made the top 50 countdown!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe 150 best K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop songs released this year, ranked!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportFrom the poem Johnny is seen reading to the numbers that keep popping up, this episode is a thorough guide to all the meaningful details in NCT's Universe Era teaser images and videos! It also serves as a breakdown of the ways NCT's newest chapter continues telling the story of the broader SM Entertainment Cinematic Universe!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe world of "true crime makeup," the latest example of an author revealed to have been an imposter, a new sense of vindication among UFO enthusiasts, the story behind the once-beloved Von Dutch brand, and even more updates on stories covered this year! This episode both summarizes what this year's episodes of Enthusiasts were all about and shares stories that previously did not make the final cut.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA chance to meet MONSTA X, the best parts of the BTS concerts at SoFi Stadium, some MAJOR SEVENTEEN news, the blacklist that was just made public, global Spotify Wrapped data, and more of the latest headlines.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe seventeen most iconic moments in the world of K-pop in 2021!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop and J-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis episode summarizes the findings from a variety of studies on the psychology of music preferences and the "fan economy." Why do some people love sad music? Are music tastes more biological or social? When do people "age out" of intentionally listening to new music? Which music preferences have been linked to vegetarianism?! This research answers all these questions and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportRolling Stone culture reporter and Don’t Let This Flop podcast co-host EJ Dickson joins Hope to break down the best of, the worst of, and the most memorable content on TikTok! They also discuss other buzzed-about topics from the past year, from David Dobrik to right-wing children’s books!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis episode starts off with a revised timeline of Britney Spears's conservatorship and the Free Britney Movement, including additions from new documentaries, reporting, and publicized documents from the past year. The latter half of this episode (during which listener discretion is advised) focuses on disturbing instances of financial malfeasance, neglect, and even deaths in the unregulated world of guardianships in the United States. Britney's story must stay in the public consciousness for more than a short news cycle; the conservatorship system at large needs attention and reform, so that those in Britney's situation can regain a sense of autonomy and truly have their needs met.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe "scammer-turned-millionaire" vying for a girl group member's attention, the new song drawing ire in China, the surprising rise of "Costco influencers" in Shanghai, the eye-popping profits from virtual merch sales, and more of the latest news related to K-pop, China, and the internet!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportChoreography, spotlights, camera angle changes, makeup, clothes, color schemes, props, backgrounds, settings... these are just some of the many variables SEVENTEEN utilize to engage in effective “storyshowing,” as they put it. This episode takes a close look at some examples of "storyshowing" in their music videos, instances where every detail added to the delivery and impact of a message. From the perfect timing of a lipstick change to the text seen on the newspapers in one video, SEVENTEEN always manage to send messages through their music videos in new and intriguing ways.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportBoth Andrew Solomon’s The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression and its predecessor, his wildly popular article in The New Yorker, are outstanding examples of how to discuss a mental illness with the care and depth it deserves. Rather than focus solely on personal experiences or the science behind depression, Solomon explores both and then some. He covers the philosophical, biological, personal, social, and various other dimensions of what living with depression is truly like, all the while finding ways to articulate the struggles that words often fail to encapsulate. After a brief introduction to a similar story, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, this episode focuses on The Noonday Demon and Solomon’s most profound quotes.
This is another installment in “RM’s Recs,” a series of episodes about the book recommendations made by RM of BTS!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA timeline of significant changes to the six main K-pop music shows, TRL's parallel evolution, and memorable moments in K-pop music show history- for better and for worse!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope predicts who will win at the 2021 MAMAs and what Winwin’s future holds. Plus: the best Halloween costumes K-pop stars wore, all the major announcements made at HYBE’s and SM Entertainment’s latest briefings, the struggles KEY faced during his Bad Love comeback, and more coverage of the latest K-pop news.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best new K-pop, J-pop, and J-rock releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA brief history of K-dramas, a Squid Game primer, and an explanation of how and why Korean television became a massive hit globally.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportSome big revelations about the SM Entertainment Music Video Universe and NCT 127's role in it! Plus: an overview of each chapter in "The Story of Favorite"!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA theory for why BLACKPINK recently stopped accepting fan gifts, the Korean words just added to the Oxford English Dictionary, what went wrong with the BTS LA ticket presale, and more on the latest K-pop news.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis new and improved guide to ENHYPEN’s music video universe shows how each of their intros, outros, and interludes come together to tell an intriguing story, how the mythological characters the band draws inspiration from fit perfectly with this comeback’s theme, and where ENHYPEN’s story goes from here!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportRedone ratings for various K-pop albums, upcoming online and offline concerts, the best and worst of the Fact Music Awards, surprising statistics regarding the latest KCON:TACT viewership, and more of the latest K-pop news!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportWhat would it look like to live in a utopia? Would it be a place where no one has to make any sacrifices or compromises? If so, how would it be possible for its inhabitants to coexist peacefully? Can there ever be a perfect balancing of individual and communal wants and needs? This episode covers the plots and themes in several books that consider these questions and envision the "ideal" society. These different visions of the "perfect world" are then compared and contrasted to the fictional town of Omelas, a place discussed in the episode titled "BTStudy Guide #2: Omelas" and overtly referenced in BTS's music videos.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of September's twenty best K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe future of LOONA, the underlying causes of ARMY’s disappointment with James Corden, China’s new restrictions on cartoons, behind-the-scenes details about the making of SEVENTEEN’s dance routines, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThere are infinite reasons why people can be drawn to the true crime genre. The horror element excites and intrigues some people. The feeling of becoming a detective galvanizes online communities, sometimes to the detriment and other times to the betterment of investigations. The stories of victims can hit close to home in ways that allow people to process their own traumas. The list of reasons goes on and on, but one thing all fans of the genre should have in common is a desire to be introspective. In what ways has the digital landscape made it easier or harder to achieve true justice and solve cold cases? When does a passion for getting to the truth cross over into an unhealthy obsession with a case? In what ways has social media warped the discourse around crime? Most importantly, what about true crime and its media coverage needs to change? In today’s episode, Hope interrogates her own fascination with true crime and how the roots of this fascination can be redirected in better ways.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope reacts to and reviews NCT 127’s new album, STICKER, gives an overview of The Matrix, lists the reasons to believe The Matrix served as a massive source of inspiration for NCT’s concept, and dissects the many ways one of the band’s “Resonance” monologues can be interpreted, especially in light of the new additions to the NCT Music Video Universe!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis is the first episode in a five-part series of guides to books RM from BTS has recommended! This episode focuses on his more popular book recommendations: The Catcher in the Rye, 1984, and The Stranger. In addition to plot and character summaries, the symbols and themes in the books are discussed, and parallels are drawn to the symbols and themes in BTS’s songs and music videos. Both these stories and BTS’s music send powerful messages about a fight for youth, love, and autonomy. Focusing on stories with these massively broad themes allows this episode to lay the groundwork for the next episode of “RM’s Recs,” which will have a narrower focus.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAfter an abridged history of C-rock and C-pop that adds context to the current wave of restrictions on creative expression in China, Hope shares some of the best details in TXT’s series of PAPER magazine interviews, the latest on TS Entertainment’s closure, and more of the latest K-pop news.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHow did Stephen Colbert change the perception of the place where politics and fan culture intersect? What kind of impact has this merging of the personal and political had on society? And what ultimately makes someone a member of the "Colbert Nation"? Through both prior research on the nature of television and celebrity and examples of times Colbert's segments had real-world impacts, this episode seeks to answer those questions. Then (starting around the 38:40 mark), Hope reveals what she thinks is the key to The Daily Show's longevity. In both logistical and more subjective ways, Hope explains what about The Daily Show keeps it so well-done and relevant, which Trevor Noah quote sums up the nature of political talk shows, and why an unexpected cameo spoke volumes about what the show does best.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA ranking and review of the twenty best K-pop and J-pop releases of the past month!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportToday’s episode begins with an overview of all the major headlines in China’s music and entertainment scene lately: the disbandment of a band after just four days, the disappearance of a famous billionaire, the banning of celebrity rankings, and more. Sociological and historical context is used to better understand why all these events are happening and what they all have in common. Part two of today’s episode unpacks the sources of ARMY’s anger at a recent BTS cover story and summarizes the legal fight that had to take place prior to releasing the “Butter” remix. After these major topics, the rest of the show covers a host of miscellaneous K-pop headlines from the past few weeks.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportCountless times, K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop artists have drawn inspiration from Greek mythology. This episode features seventeen examples, and it tells the corresponding origin stories of the gods, goddesses, and symbols they reference in their work.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThe reasons behind the shortest debut-to-disbandment period ever, a new Netflix film worth checking out, some updates on romances, and more of the latest K-pop and J-pop news!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportDecoding the details in the first round of STICKER Era teasers!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportFrom revenge-themed horror stories to adorable romances, mandopop icon Jolin Tsai’s music videos are as varied as they come. This variation applies to her sound as well, which ranges from gothic to upbeat, industrial to electronic. Yet there is a core element in Tsai’s work that remains consistent: each release is another testament to the power of storytelling. Beneath the colorful and elaborately detailed fiction stories, there are raw and powerful truths told about body image, equality, and other serious topics. Social commentary is paired with attention-grabbing visuals to make each of Tsai’s musical personas unforgettable.
This episode covers a timeline of Jolin Tsai’s career, takes a close look at the meanings of the lyrics in her most profound songs, summarizes the plots of her best music videos, and overall pays tribute to an artist whose work is endlessly entertaining and inspiring.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportOn today’s news roundup episode, Hope predicts the futures of (G)I-DLE and CLC members, shares her VMAs dream scenarios, reveals the most interesting excerpts from a new set of Weverse magazine interviews, and much more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAliens may or may not be real, but the belief in them certainly is. People have dedicated their lives to researching UFO sightings and alleged alien abductions. This series of episodes explains why that is the case. From finding patterns in alleged alien encounters to looking at the impact of “UFOlogist” gatherings, these episodes piece together a timeline that reveals how the belief in aliens and UFOs has been shaped by pop culture, current events, and human psychology.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA quick PSA about a new musical duo worth paying attention to and how you can watch them perform live this Friday!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis is the second episode in a 7-episode series that explores the literature and cinema BTS references in their music video universe! Today’s episode compares and contrasts the messages told through BTS’s “Spring Day” music video with “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin and Demian, the story discussed in BTStudy Guide #1!
Aliens may or may not be real, but the belief in them certainly is. People have dedicated their lives to researching UFO sightings and alleged alien abductions. This series of episodes explains why that is the case. From finding patterns in alleged alien encounters to looking at the impact of “UFOlogist” gatherings, these episodes piece together a timeline that reveals how the belief in aliens and UFOs has been shaped by pop culture, current events, and human psychology.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAn overview of what the podcast Enthusiasts (formerly called How to Stan) is all about and a preview of what fandoms will be explored in future episodes!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis latest installment in the “Betrayals” series of episodes tells the true stories of false identities. First, the story of Marla Olmstead, a painter and alleged child prodigy whose actual abilities were questioned after a 60 Minutes investigation. The second story is about how Timothy Barrus portrayed himself as a Navajo man named Nasdijj while writing his memoirs, and what happened when the truth about his life story came to light.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportThis first installment in a series of toy-themed episodes provides a timeline of Barbie’s and Mattel’s career highs and lows, unpacks the complicated legacy Barbie dolls have, and looks at the impacts of the “Barbie vs Bratz” feud on consumers. Plus: the true story of the feud between two people who both insisted on getting sole credit for the creation of Cabbage Patch Kids.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportHope talks with Zoe Fraade-Blanar, one of the authors of Superfandom, about the evolution of fandom studies, what distinguishes fans from consumers, sources of tension among fans, and ultimately what it means to be in a fandom.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportEach episode in the “Betrayals” series tells a story about a time when fans felt lied to and betrayed. From lip-syncing scandals to memoirs that turned out to be fiction to ordinary children made out to be child prodigies by their parents, each story breaks down a time fans felt disillusioned and why they did or did not remain a fan of the pop culture source of their sense of betrayal. Episode one tells the story of JT Leroy, the teen author who never actually existed.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportA brief history of how the concept of “reality” has been redefined by live performances over time, from puppetry to holograms to famous virtual characters like Hatsune Miku. In addition, Hope breaks down why Miku and other “vocaloids” are so popular and what that says about how what is “real” to fans is actually quite subjective.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportAn overview of the various ways some bands market themselves as VERY different from the rest.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/supportDiscussion topics this week: why C-Pop and J-Pop aren't gaining the same level of popularity worldwide as K-Pop, underrated C-Pop and J-Pop artists you need to know, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hope-jacobson/support