The Korea Society

The Korea Society has been operating since 1957 as the premier US institution dedicated to US-Korea relations, and their podcast reflects that pedigree. Running since 2006 with 100 episodes, this is one of the longest-running Korea-focused podcasts in existence. The format captures panel discussions, keynote addresses, and expert conversations from the Society's events in New York. The content spans an enormous range. You will find episodes on Joseon Dynasty palace intrigues, K-pop fandom culture, Korean shipbuilding strategy, nuclear submarine cooperation, denuclearization negotiations, and Korean art history. A recent episode from February 2026 explored K-pop fandom from the 1990s to today with scholar Areum Jeong. The quality of speakers is consistently high because the Korea Society attracts serious scholars and practitioners -- ambassadors, professors, CEOs, and cultural figures. The tradeoff is that some episodes feel more like recorded lectures than produced podcast content. The audio quality varies because these are often live event recordings rather than studio sessions. But the substance is excellent. At 4.6 stars from 44 ratings, the audience clearly values the depth and authority. This is the kind of podcast where you might stumble into a talk by a former Secretary of State or a leading Korean historian that you would otherwise need a New York event ticket to attend. Updated biweekly, it remains an active and relevant resource for serious Korea watchers.