The Dark Side of Seoul Podcast

Folklorist Shawn Morrissey and history buff Joe McPherson make an unexpectedly great duo on The Dark Side of Seoul. With over 300 episodes and counting (the most recent dropped in January 2026), this is one of the most prolific and consistently active Korean history shows in English. The premise is Korean history told through its darkest chapters: massacres, palace betrayals, folklore, ghost stories, serial killers, and the kinds of events that K-drama writers would reject as too dramatic. The conversational format between the two hosts gives the show real personality. Shawn brings the folklorist perspective, connecting old stories and superstitions to broader cultural patterns. Joe brings the historical grounding, pulling from archives and academic sources. They disagree sometimes, crack jokes at the right moments, and genuinely seem to enjoy each other's company. The result feels like eavesdropping on two knowledgeable friends who happen to be obsessed with Korea's grimmest stories. Topics range from ancient Joseon-era court intrigues to modern true crime cases, with detours into Korean funeral customs, burial practices, and supernatural beliefs. The hosts also run ghost walking tours in Seoul, which gives them a ground-level connection to the places they discuss. At 4.5 stars from 43 reviews, listeners appreciate the blend of genuine scholarship with accessible, sometimes irreverent delivery. If standard Korean history podcasts feel too polished or academic, this is the antidote.