This week's episode is about the book, Shoko's Smile, a collection of short stories by Eunyoung Choi As many of the stories in this book revolve around a character who has lived through a major event, I present some historical context for some of the stories. kpopbookshelf.contactin.bio My Family’s Shrouded History Is Also a National One for Korea by Alexander Chee - Survivor of Korean troops’ civilian killings in Vietnam files suit against Korean government  - By Ock Hyun-ju [Korean Herald] The Forgotten History of South Korean Massacres in Vietnam - Hoang Do [ the Diplomat] Namsan - then and now - Richard Pennington [The Korea Times] 7 Years After Sewol Ferry Disaster, Bereaved Families Still Urge Government to Reveal the Truth - by Mitch Shin (The Diplomat) On Teacher’s Day, father received carnations instead of his daughter - By Kim Gi-seong and Lee Jung-ae [Hankyoreh] What Does It Mean to be a Social Outcast in South Korea? - Interview with author Choi Eunyoung done with her translator, Sun Ryu, by Jae-Yeon Yoo [Electric Lit] - may contain spoilers The PEN Ten: An Interview with Choi Eunyoung, Translated by Sung Ryu - By: Viviane Eng [The PEN Ten] - May contain spoilers, click on the part that says “Choi’s Q&A in English” to access the English version) In the Absence - short documentary film about the Sewol Ferry Disaster

In this episode we discuss the book From Factory Girls to K-Pop Idol Girls: Cultural Politics of Developmentalism, Patriarchy, and Neoliberalism in South Korea’s Popular Music Industry by Gooyong Kim. The Kim Sisters on the Ed Sullivan Show Wonder Girls - Nobody SNSD on Letterman SNSD on Live with Kelly (guest co-host Howie Mandel) SNSD Featured in the Wall Street Journal [Soompi] Girls' Generation David Letterman Performance: “The Boys” Debuts Korean Stars K-Pop in America [International Business Times] How The South Korean Government Made K-Pop A Thing

We discuss the lives of trainees as discovered through SHINE by former member of Girls' Generation, Jessica Jung, with the help of additional former idols and trainees. Website Girls' Generation Playlist About Jessica Lately Former Idols and Trainees Who Spilled the Cha From 9 to 8 - Articles about Jessica's Departure from the Group

Do you love Kpop and K Dramas? Do you also love to read books? Then check out KPOP BOOKSHELF, the podcast where we explore Korean popular culture through books! My name is Mina. I am a Kpop multifan and K drama fan in the United States. I myself am not Korean, nor do I have any Korean heritage, and I have never lived in Korea. So I want to get a deeper knowledge of Korean society, history, & culture to enhance my appreciation of Korean music, dramas, and movies. I invite you to come learn along with me! So come checkout the KPOP BOOKSHELF Podcast!