Korea Deconstructed

David Tizzard holds a PhD in Korean Studies, teaches at two Seoul universities, and writes a weekly column for the Korea Times. That academic firepower shows up in every episode of Korea Deconstructed, but Tizzard wears his expertise lightly. The show runs as a series of open conversations with historians, artists, professors, musicians, and cultural commentators, published about twice a week. With 121 episodes and still actively producing as of early 2026, the scope is impressively wide. One episode might feature a historian discussing the Itaewon tragedy and questions of Korean identity. Another could be a filmmaker talking about how Korean cinema processes historical trauma, or a Buddhist monk explaining the religion's centuries-long relationship with Korean governance. Tizzard also covers contemporary subjects like K-pop's global machinery, generational tensions between Korean boomers and millennials, and the evolution of feminism in Korean society. What sets this apart from other Korea-focused interview shows is Tizzard's willingness to ask uncomfortable questions. He does not treat Korean culture as something to merely celebrate -- he pushes guests to examine contradictions, power dynamics, and uncomfortable truths. Episodes run about an hour, and the 4.5-star rating from 19 reviews reflects a listener base that values intellectual depth. This is the show for people who want to understand Korea's cultural DNA, not just its surface-level talking points.