The Korean Atlas and History

Nicholas Sheen takes a geography-first approach to Korean history that you do not see in other podcasts. Across 76 episodes and five seasons (2021-2023), the show covers specific Korean cities, provinces, rivers, mountains, and historical sites -- connecting physical places to the events and people that shaped them. One episode might focus on the city of Yongin, the next on Bukhan Mountain, and another on the Daedong River, each time using the location as a lens into Korean culture and history. The format keeps episodes short, typically around 5-10 minutes, which makes it easy to pick up individual topics without committing to a long listen. Sheen covers both North and South Korea, which is unusual for English-language Korean podcasts. Episodes range from profiles of historical figures like the inventor Jang Yeong Sil to explanations of Korean holidays like Buddha’s Birthday and Children’s Day, to deep cuts on topics like the ancient Jin State and Buyeo Garimseong Fortress. The show also branches into Korean mythology and food culture, with episodes on dragons in Korean tradition, the tattoo culture of Munshin, and the history of JjaJangMyeon (Korean black bean noodles). South Korean presidents get their own episodes too. With a perfect 5.0 rating on Apple Podcasts (from 4 reviews), the show has found an appreciative audience among listeners who want bite-sized Korean history and geography lessons. The last episode dropped in December 2023, covering Buddha’s Birthday celebrations.