The Side Dish

Carson Allen joins the podcast to talk about anything but acting! Main topics include: being white-passing-but-also-Asian, Itaewon's infamous bootleg DVD culture, her thoughts on "Hongdae Guy", and Settlers of Catan. Admittedly, not a lot of drama in this episode. We'll save the juicy stuff for her next episode :) Enjoy!07/09/26

Between Southside Parlor, 448, and the now defunct High House, Bobby Kim has been slinging tacos and cocktails for more than a decade. Tune into the long-awaited interview that, for some reason, took five years to book. Topics include: getting drunk in high school, FATHERHOOD, and that time someone took a shit in the Southside elevator. Enjoy!07/02/26

Our guest this week is Megan Peck Shub, an Emmy and Peabody Award winning producer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver! As a highly accomplished career woman, Megan shares her journey from the check-in desk at Newark International Airport to the ~bright lights~ of New York City, while also sharing insights into sketch comedy writing, literary fiction, and life in Korea as the mother of two. Luke Black joins to even out the white-to-Asian power dynamic. Enjoy!06/18/26

Joonho Baak is Michelin-starred sommelier and certified yogi. So obviously, he’s hella chill. Tune into our conversation about how this Ivy League educated frat bro landed his first kitchen job in San Francisco, climbed the ranks of the Bay Area fine dining scene, and made the transition to South Korea. We finish the episode with a wine tasting segment, where Joon offers simple tips to better understand and appreciate wine. Enjoy! 06/11/26

Aaron Young (The Idol) and Tazmeena Haque (The Chef) join the podcast to talk about their past lives as boy band heartthrobs and professional cooks. We also talk about clay pigeon shooting, 23andMe results, and much, much more. Enjoy! 06/04/26

No guest this week — just three dudes yapping about self-optimization, among other things. Jay blew it big time, James entered a Make Me Laugh Challenge, and Aaron’s thinking about getting jacked. 05/28/26

The pride of Pflugerville, Hayleen Urbino (aka @pabtong), joins us to talk about Korean dating trends, the state of the Korean modeling industry, and her obsession with 3-wick candles. Other topics include: James’ hack for Mongolian BBQ, Jay getting shamed by Setlog, and our thoughts on how to be appropriately extroverted online. Also, if you catch the episode on YouTube, Aaron picked his nose like eight times. Enjoy! 05/21/26

Delilah Wells returns to the podcast to talk about arranged marriage, performative males, horny running clubs, and big tittied goth girlfriends. Other topics include: Dutch exhibitionism, James' college memories, and Delilah's hot take on Sally Rooney. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. It's a good one.  05/14/26

Mehtap Oezkan is a unique blend of Turkish, Swiss and Korean, garnering a following for her makeup videos, comedy skits, and vlogs about living as a foreigner in Korea. But there’s more to Mehtap than crazy social media numbers! Tune into our conversation that spans from The Fairly Odd Parents and SpongeBob SquarePants, to “influencer anxiety”, mewing, and Pokemon Go. Enjoy! 05/07/26

Mona joins the podcast to talk about anime BL, her embarrassing Chat GPT history, and what it was like attending Harvard throughout the pandemic. We also talk about how to tell if a boy likes you, James' dimples, and the 2021 action/comedy masterpiece, Free Guy. Enjoy!04/30/26

Kevin Carpenter of @Spillout_Seoul joins the podcast to talk about owning an “influencer” pizza bar, the artistic merits of the 2004 film Garden State, and the definition of the word “zygomatic”. Other topics include: our first AOL screen names, Aaron’s gripe with Project Hail Mary, outdated slang from the Miles Davis autobiography, and a definitive ranking of Seoul’s pizzerias. Grab a slice and enjoy!04/23/26

Seline Jung "joins" the podcast to give us her hot take on cherry blossoms. Other topics include: James' review of America's #1 rated burger, Jay's orchestra concert, and Aaron's thoughts on the Super Mario Brothers Movie. Enjoy! 04/09/26

A few facts about George Merusi: He was the first American born in Uzbekistan. He was nearly kidnapped in the Congo. And he's probably going to heaven, given how much he knows about The Bible. Stick around for some bad improv at the end! Enjoy?04/02/26

Model, actor, and stay-at-home-cat-dad Adam Strandt finally drops by The Side Dish studio. "Discovered" for his "natural modeling abilities" at a Rage Against the Machine concert, he's since popped up in Subway commercials, K-Pop music videos, and an array of dramas. Tune in to hear what's going on inside that handsome head. Oh, and Bran Taylor joins to do some improv with us at the end. Enjoy! 03/26/26

Chris Ha make his podcast debut! He acts, he dances, he shoots photography. And he doesn’t want people knowing he’s a doctor. Tune in to find out why! Other topics include: makeover suggestions from James and a critical review of the song “Wrong Way” by Sublime.  03/19/26

Sol’s agitated, Jay bowled a 150, and James hasn’t read the Harry Potter books. Other topics include: why Millennials were such music snobs, our favorite Disney Channel original movies, Aaron’s workout hack, and much more. Enjoy! 03/12/26

The owner of @hmmmbrand blesses the podcast with her GenZ spirit, sharing (nightmare) stories from her film years at USC, working on Season 1 of Beef, launching her clothing store in Itaewon, writing/illustrating books, and much more. We end the episode with a "critique" of our Millennial aesthetic. Thanks for coming on, Katie! You're one cool kid! 03/05/26

How does a homeschooled farm kid become a professor of linguistics? Perhaps it’s the live-action-role-playing. The dungeon mastering, the hippie parenting. Or, it’s because Bazil Manietta has, by their own admission, eaten a hundred rattlesnakes and thereby grew a silver tongue. Guys, gals, and non-binary pals, this is our interview with the inimitable Bazilisk. Enjoy!   02/26/26

Tamara jumps on the mic to talk about being a youth pastor at a Korean church in Pittsburgh, her hatred of Singles Inferno, baby monkeys that make her cry, and much more. 02/19/26

Our resident Gen-Z friends Bran and Tyler drop by the studio to talk about their new sketch comedy project, swap slang words, and take (another) Millennial pop quiz. Other topics include: serving in the Korean Air Force, why Gen Z has no hope for the future, and Angelina Jolie's 2001 masterpiece, Tomb Raider. Enjoy!02/12/26

As a “multi-instrumentalist”, Nicky wears many hats. She dances; she sings; she composes; and now, she pods! Tune into our in-depth conversation spanning her upbringing in the Philippines, how to write a musical, and her feelings on AI-generated art. Other topics include: our favorite jingles, songs that make us cry, and the 80s cult classic Mac and Me. And in a Side Dish first, we end the episode with an improvised jam! Enjoy~02/03/26

Today's episode is dedicated to Season 5 of Singles Inferno. But mostly, it's dedicated to Mina Sue. 01/31/26

This episode was two years in the making, but we finally did it! Mariam Ibrahim graces the podcast to talk about acting with @getinthe.van, her journalism career, and fantasizing about gay hockey players. Other topics include: grotesque AI influencers, Jay’s Irish accent, and Aaron’s criticism with One Battle After Another. Enjoy!01/23/26

As our resident young person, Branson Taylor jumps on the mic to talk about acting, creativity, and the origins of “lowkenuinely”—among other Gen-Z slang. The second half consists of Millennial pop culture quiz, where we descend into long-winded explanations of dial-up internet, Napster, and Paris Hilton, thereby establishing our unc status. (I hope I said that right.) 01/12/26

Our 10th (and final) episode of the year. We'll get those numbers up in 2026. 12/16/25

The podcast hasn’t recorded in six months. Have we forgotten how to hang...again? Topics include: making kimchi (Jay), pooping while on your period (Sue), and of course, babies (Aaron). 12/13/25

We’re back! In celebration of Father’s Day, Luke Black gives a Nardwuar-style interview to our newly minted dad, Aaron Shin. Major props to our Canadian sleuth: Luke unearthed artifacts from Aaron’s stints in theater, filmmaking, and short story writing, managing to find the most embarrassing remnants imaginable. James Chung also joins to talk about his professor getting arrested, favorite Jeju Island eateries, the magic of Daejeon, and much more. Enjoy!06/16/25

For our 120th episode, Aaron “Airbear” Choe jumps on the microphone to emcee a dope conversation! Having worked with the likes of Hyundai and Yaeji, Aaron reflects on what it meant to grow up in the Bay Area’s rave scene, how he found esoteric jams, and the influences that guided—and continue to guide—his filmmaking and music career. Other topics include: San Jose’s underrated food scene, the pressure to learn Korean, and what a freelancer’s schedule really looks like. Enjoy! 03/27/25

The podcast is honored to host Rob “Dubudaddy” Joe: an icon of the Itaewon F&B/art/activism scene and all around dope human being. Aside from being a part-time filmmaker and full-time “internet guy”, Rob is perhaps most well-known for siring Dubu, Reddit’s most famous Samoyed. Check out the Korean version of Marley and Me in this very special, sometimes deep episode. Other topics include: running marathons, brain rot, and Aaron’s thoughts on Nicole Kidman’s jugs. 03/20/25

In this very special episode, we sit with Robert Jung to talk about Singles Inferno, Korean Disneyland, and what it takes to survive brain cancer. Enjoy! 02/06/25

Steve Hanson is—among many things—a Korean adoptee, dedicated teacher, and distant relative of Bob Dylan. Tune into our conversation about being “Minnesota Nice”, The Mighty Ducks’ Rotten Tomato score, why boys are dumber than girls, and what it’s like being super buff. 01/27/25

Y’all! This episode’s got our Alabaman/Texan friends Crystal and Kelly talking about the new season of Singles Inferno, bribing South African TSA agents, extreme pogo-sticking, and teabags. Other topics include: pickleball vs badminton, our favorite emo songs, and getting scrubbed down by old Asian men. Enjoy! 01/15/25

Three middle-aged dudes talk about really important stuff: Jesus, Bob Dylan, and Dyson vacuums. 01/10/24

It’s been a crazy EOY for everyone at The Side Dish, but we’re happy to bring you an epic New Year’s episode! Join us for deep reflections on our favorite Christmas presents, unforgettable 2024 moments, and an “exit interview” where we talk (at length) about the kinds of energy we want to surround ourselves with in 2025. Enjoy!01/04/25

@julseytooshoes is more than your average content creator. She's a board game designer, former model and actress, trilingual doctorate of Linguistics, and maybe Korean! Tune in for stories about rural Pennsylvania, Super Junior, and going viral on her first post. Be sure to check out and follow her socials, too!12/11/24

Baby names, body changes, tiger mom trauma, and what to do if your kid’s a serial killer: the pod talks parenting. 11/28/24

Friend of the podcast Delilah Wells graces us from France to talk about (1) translation and the sociology of language, (2) London's "vibes" or lack thereof, (3) why making fun of French people can only be classified as "punching up”, (4) what makes Seoul an S-Tier fashion city, and (5) Donald Trump fellating a microphone. Enjoy!11/10/24

If you’re a foreigner in Korea, you’ve likely heard of Restaurant Buzz Seoul—a foodie Facebook group that helped launch the Itaewon food scene. And if you’re a member of RBS, then you’ve probably seen Sean Yi trolling the comments. Has he reformed his ways? What other hot takes does he have? Tune in to find out! Other topics include: the Dodgers winning the World Series, Uncle Jay’s audit, and much more! 10/31/24

What started out as a "men's group" therapy session devolved into a possibly cancelable conversation about Shrek, cadavers, and Aaron Hernandez. You be the judge. 10/27/24

Sylvia Kim joins the podcast to talk about being a "Freak Korean"--someone who only found racial acceptance among other church misfits. Other topics include: Culinary Class Wars, James' recent travels to Belgium, the best subway stations in New York City, mixing friend groups, and the poetry of Ocean Vuong. Enjoy! 10/09/24

The podcast hasn’t seen Jenny in months(!), so before we caught up over a family meal, we caught up over the mic. Topics include: Hong Kong diarrhea, LA’s haunted houses, P Diddy’s possible accomplices, and much more.10/03/24

If you've ever seen the K-Drama "Queen of Tears", then get ready to meet the REAL Queen of Tears, Cyndi Song! Cyndi joins us to talk about being the daughter of a famous actress, building a social media following, and how being a nepo-baby has affected her life. Other topics include: Seline hates Jay Shetty, Aaron's AI-generated headshots, and much more! 09/28/24

Chris "The Intern" Cho returns to the mic after a 2-year hiatus! Tune into hear how he's liking his new job in Austin, the awkward social interactions he's had, and how he's keeping himself occupied with a VR headset (watching "nature" videos). Other topics include: Seline's sanitation habits, Aaron's thoughts on Alien: Romulus, Jay's trip to Incheon's new casino, and what the heck is going on with inflation. 08/21/24

It's a silly goose episode with our friend Phil "Soy Boi" Choi! Topics include: racist Atlantan schoolteachers, pissing yourself on the bus, reading Ocean Vuong while wasted, Aaron getting terrorized by a child, cars we'd like to fuck, and whether being a virgin at 36-years-old is a reg flag. 08/16/24

We interview our resident ajusshi--affectionately known as Uncle Jay--to talk about his 30+ year career, his tips on achieving success, and how he turned from an LA beach bum to a loving father of two (daughters and Porsches). Other topics include: our most expensive purchases, investment "tips", and a guest appearance by George Clooney. Enjoy!07/28/24

Khloe Kim graces the podcast to talk about skincare routines, BPOATs (Biggest Pimples of All Time), and what’s going on with Zac Effron’s face. Other topics include: Khloe’s bedbug fiasco, Jay’s favorite skincare influencers, Seline’s thoughts on “good” lip filler, and Aaron’s embarrassing years of adolescent acne. 07/15/24

The one-and-only James Chung hops on the microphone to give a crash course in improvisational comedy, an "art form" that brings "joy" to people around the world. We hope you like bits, because this episode has three of them! We also talk about Mad Men, video games, suicidal robots, and Morgan Freeman. Enjoy~07/10/24

It only took a global pandemic, two studio relocations, and thousands of tequila shots, but we did it. We made it to our 100th episode! If you're new to our podcast family, this episode features a thorough retelling of our origins and our favorite episodes. If you're a long-time listener, this episode's more or less the same shit. Sue gushes about Inside Out 2, Seline bemoans the pitfalls of being a woman, Aaron tries to rizz the gays, and Jay reveals his secret identity as the Asian Paul Dano. Thanks for all your love and support! Here's to 100 more!07/06/24

Our friend Alice (aka HUNJIYA) just moved to L.A. to embark on the next stage of her music career—thankfully, we got her to drop by the studio for a farewell interview! If you ever wondered what it would be like to (a) be one of the only Asians in your upstate NY town (b) attend music college in Florida (c), get hit up by a famous producer and move to South Korea, or (d) be the Korean Olivia Rodrigo, then this is the episode for you. Enjoy!06/20/24

Aaron’s childhood friend Michelle drops by the podcast to talk about adulting in Los Angeles—a city filled with grifters, menaces, and potential sugar daddies. She also shares an intense story of a friendship gone awry, culminating in abandoned kitties, hateful Instagram comments, and an international lawsuit. Michelle’s story reminds us that every day we stray further from God. Keep your loved ones in your prayers—especially the church homies. 06/19/24