What's Han Your Mind?

Allison Needels and Hannah Roberts are two non-Korean expats who lived in Seoul and built a podcast around a clever premise: each episode starts with one seemingly unrelated word, then uses it as a springboard into Korean history, culture, or daily life. Over three seasons and 90 episodes, they covered everything from the tragic story of King Danjong to LGBTQIA+ rights in Korea to the country's approach to period poverty — all connected by those single-word entry points. The format keeps things surprising. You might tune in thinking you know where an episode titled with a random word is headed, and end up learning about the development of dentistry in Korea or the cultural significance of a specific Korean drama. Episodes run 30 to 60 minutes, and the hosts bring complementary perspectives — Allison runs PinPointKorea.com and focuses on cultural insights, while Hannah works in travel and tours with an artistic sensibility. They also play games like "Never Have I Ever" with Korean twists, keeping the tone light even when topics get serious. The show wrapped after Season 3 in December 2022, so this is a completed series with a definitive ending rather than an abandoned project. The back catalog holds up well because most episodes focus on cultural and historical topics that don't expire. It earned a perfect 5-star rating from its listeners, and if you're looking for a binge-worthy introduction to Korean culture from an outsider-who-became-insider perspective, the entire run makes for a satisfying listen from start to finish.