American K-sisters

Loud and Proud, We Welcome LGBTQ+ Month with Linda, Ep.32

June has something special to celebrate: LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH! To join the celebration, we invited a special guest: our cohost Linda. Linda talks about her queer identity and learning about each one. Also, she shares the story of coming out to herself, her partner, friends, and family over several years. Heena helps out with the conversation with various questions including “What are your day-to-day challenges of living in this hetero-normative society?” “What would you like to say to our queer listeners?”
 
[Time Stamps]
(00:00) Intro
(00:23) Opening: Today’s Topic
(01:34) Linda’s Queer Identities
(17:14) Coming Out Story
(30:26) Daily Challenges
(40:16) Messages to Queer Listeners
 
[Mentioned in This Episode]                                                      
Meetup.com
Resources compiled by The Trevor Project
 
[More on American K-sisters]
Website: AmericanKsisters.com
Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters
Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com       
Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with a Special Guest Eileen, Ep.31

Eileen is finally here! Eileen “the most mentioned person in our show” is our loyal audience and a good friend of Heena and Linda. She is also a 1.5-generation Malaysian-Chinese immigrant who has Korean DNA (in the heart). In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM), Eileen talks about her recent trip to Malaysia for QingMing Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) and her story of growing up in the States in an immigrant family. Last but not least, she clarifies her stance on Jjampong noodle soup (Check out Ep.19)!
 
[Time Stamps]
(00:23) Intro
(02:19) How Eileen met K-sisters
(07:52) Eileen’s recent visit to Malaysia for Qing Ming Festival
(17:39) Eileen’s story as a 1.5-generation immigrant
(33:07) What Korea means to Eileen
(39:12) Closing
 
[Mentioned in This Episode]
Qingming Festival: a traditional Chinese festival observed by ethnic Chinese celebrating Spring on the first day of the fifth of the lunar calendar
Hagwon: the Korean-language word for a for-profit private institute, academy, or cram school prevalent in South Korea
Jjampong: a Chinese-style Korean noodle soup with red, spicy, and seafood-based broth flavored with red chili powder
The ‘Jjampong’ episode (Ep.19): What would be your last meal on earth? Salty-snacker Linda and sweet-toothed Heena’s wild talk about food
Seventeen’s new song: Super
 
[More on American K-sisters]
- Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
- Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com
- Website: AmericanKsisters.com
- YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters       
- Music: MissChristineMusic.com

How We Became American K-sisters, From Greeting with Ni-hao to Making Korean Podcast Together, Ep.30

American K-sisters did not begin as sisters (We are not blood-related). We actually met at a Meetup group to practice the Chinese language. Huh? Get to know the backstory of how Heena and Linda met and became best buddies. We will share the memorable moments of getting closer and the wishes we have for ourselves. We also announce the end of Season 3 at the end. See you soon! 
 
[Time Stamps]
(00:00) Intro
(00:23) Opening (Today’s Topic)
(02:25) What we do together
(11:58) How we met
(19:00) Moments we got closer
(25:00) Wishes for ourselves
(30:18) Closing and End of Season 3
 
[Mentioned in This Episode]
Meetup.com
 
[More on American K-sisters]
- Website: AmericanKsisters.com
- Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
- YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters
- Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com       
- Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Love Yourself: How We Take Care of Ourselves, Ep.29

Would you agree that the biggest part of adulting is taking care of ourselves? (Of course, you gotta pay your bills, too.) If yes, let’s have an honest talk about mental and physical health! In this episode, Linda and Heena share their self-care routines to relieve stress and keep things together in day-to-day life. Last but not least, they discuss how social connections and relationships support their general well-being. Check out the show notes for the resources mentioned in this episode. Take care!
[Time Stamps]
(00:23) Intro
(05:11) Mental Health & Stress Management
(17:06) How We Keep Moving Our Bodies
(23:00) Connection & Relationships
(36:33) Closing & Next Episode
 
[Mentioned in This Episode]
Live streaming workout classes: Peloton Digital Membership
Heena’s meditation app: Headspace
Linda’s meditation app: Atom 
TV series of home makeovers: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
Linda & Heena's Happylight box: Verilux
Heena's self gel-nail stickers: Ohora
Linda’s Newsletter: DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Podcast: Asian Boss Girl
Podcast: The Friendship Paradox
Podcast: Behonce 비혼세: 본격 비혼라이프 가시화 방송 (Korean) 
Podcast: LonDangSa 런당사: 런던에 사는 당신의 사정 (Korean)
 
[More on American K-sisters]
- Website: AmericanKsisters.com
- Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
- YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters
- Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com       
- Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Beating Winter Blues and Awaiting Spring, Ep.28

Who is ready for spring? Me, me, me! While Heena and Linda eagerly await spring, they share all sorts of ways they try to stay active and upbeat during the winter. Attending Zumba online and using light boxes surely help. Also, you can’t miss videos of gorgeous k-pop idols and steamy Korean soup. Join in with a cup of your favorite tea! We are sure that spring will knock on our doors any time soon. 
 
[Time Stamps]
(00:25) Opening - Today’s Topic(03:23) How has your winter been?(13:18) Favorite winter food(21:08) What we look forward to in spring(28:01) Closing - Next episode
 
[Mentioned in This Episode]
Resources- K-pop dance classes online and in NYC: ILoveDanceNYC.com - Online exercise classes: OnePeloton.com- Light Therapy Box: verilux.com
Korean Food- 된장찌개 doenjang jjigae: fermented soybean paste stew- 떡만두국 Tteok Mandu Guk: Rice Cake Soup with Dumplings- 쌈장 Ssamjang (Korean spicy dipping sauce)
K-pop Reality Videos- BTS In The Soop- Seventeen In The Soop
 
[More on American K-sisters]
- Website: AmericanKsisters.com
- Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
- YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters
- Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com       
- Music: MissChristineMusic.com

The Spectacular Stories of Real K-wives, From Difficult Family Issues To Fun Wedding Parties Ep.27

We hope you all had a heart-warming Valentine’s Day full of love, including love for yourself! To celebrate February, the month of love in all shapes, American K-sisters continue their talk about relationships. We put together two awesome K-wives: Linda and our special guest Sandra. You might ask, “What is a K-wife?” We define K-wife as a Korean woman married to a non-Korean partner. In this episode, Linda and Sandra shared marriage stories, including pushbacks from their families and unforgettable unique weddings. Share this episode with your romantic partners and friends rocking in their international, intercultural, and interracial marriages!
 
[Time Stamps]
(00:24) Today’s topic
(03:01) Fun wedding parties
(25:22) Challenges - family issues
(39:20) What’s special about your marriage?
(51:45) Wrap-up & next episode
 
fun way to push people out of their comfort zones and learn more about their preferences. Heena and Linda chose 10 questions related to dating and relationships to celebrate love abound in the month of Valentine’s Day. Ranging from high school crushes to love languages, their talk knocked on every corner of their hearts. Join in with your favorite sweets or a cup of hot chocolate! 
 
[Time Stamps]
(00:23) Today’s topic
(02:41) 100 messages a day or 1 message a month? + more questions!
(22:38) Are you up for a marriage proposal in front of thousands of people? + more questions!
(42:38) Wrap-up and next episode
 
[Mentioned in This Episode]
- Check out episode 22 'Celebrating Holidays as an International and Interracial Couple' (Special Guest: Linda’s Chris)
 
[More on American K-sisters]
- Website: AmericanKsisters.com
- Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
- YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters
- Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com       
- Music: MissChristineMusic.com

“Would You Rather…?” Digging into Dating and Relationships with Korean-Style Balance Game, Ep.26

“Would you rather get 100 messages a day or one message a month?” Balance game is a fun way to push people out of their comfort zones and learn more about their preferences. Heena and Linda chose 10 questions related to dating and relationships to celebrate love abound in the month of Valentine’s Day. Ranging from high school crushes to love languages, their talk knocked on every corner of their hearts. Join in with your favorite sweets or a cup of hot chocolate! 
 
[Time Stamps]
(00:23) Today’s topic
(02:41) 100 messages a day or 1 message a month? + more questions!
(22:38) Are you up for a marriage proposal in front of thousands of people? + more questions!
(42:38) Wrap-up and next episode
 
[Mentioned in This Episode]
5LoveLanguages.com
 
[More on American K-sisters]
- Website: AmericanKsisters.com
- Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
- YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters
- Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com       
- Music: MissChristineMusic.com
 

From BTS to NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM, the K-Pop Artists We’re Obsessed With Ep.25

Do you like K-pop? If so, what is your favorite group and who is your bias? In this episode, Linda & Heena enthusiastically talks about the K-pop artists they’re obsessed with, from the all-time favorite, BTS and Seventeen, to the 4th generation groups such as NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM. If you’re going to say “Ditto” to everything we said in the episode, check out our show notes to learn more about the artists & their songs we mentioned in the show. Enjoy!
 
[Timestamps]
(00:00) Intro
(4:41) NewJeans & RM
(19:07) Lee Jinhyuk, H1-Key & LE SSERAFIM
(32:16) Closing & Next Episode 
 
[Mentioned in this Episode]
NewJeans song of Linda and Heena's dance class: Ditto (Spotify Link)
RM’s new album: Indigo (Spotify Link)
RM 'Indigo' album interview (YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/lRy8OYhLO-A)
RM’s Indigo concert (YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/6ZIh3ZLbUv8)
J-hope 'Jack in the Box' album interview (YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/umSGz3WtLMg)
H1-Key’s new song: Rose Blossom (Spotify Link)
LE SSERAFIM documentary (YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/mjcJOJkNPRw)
Heena’s LE SSERAFIM EP 1&2 combined playlist (Spotify Link)
Linda & Heena's favorite dance studio: ILoveDance NYC (http://www.ilovedancenyc.com/)
 
[More on American K-sisters]
- Website: AmericanKsisters.com
- Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
- YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters
- Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com       
- Music: MissChristineMusic.com

How to Navigate Social Events & Holiday Gatherings Ep.24

Have you had many gatherings over the holiday season? What did you like or dislike about the events you attended? In this episode, American K-sisters talk about their experiences of participating in social events as an introvert (Heena) and an extrovert (Linda) as well as personal preferences. Also, we share the lessons we learned the hard way! Standing around at a cocktail party is definitely a challenge for Koreans who are used to having meals at a low table on the floor! 
 
[Timestamps]
(00:00) Intro
(03:05) Social events we attended
(11:06) Social settings we like/dislike
(21:57) What we learned from these events
(30:30) Closing & Next Episode
 
[Mentioned in this Episode]
- Find local groups by interest at Meetup.com
- Various interest groups of Korean speakers in major cities in the US: HeyKorean Clubs
 
[More on American K-sisters]
- Website: AmericanKsisters.com
- Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
- YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters
- Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com       
- Music: MissChristineMusic.com

Good Bye, 2022! Welcome, 2023! Ep. 23

Can you believe it? 2022 is over, and 2023 has come. Even the number sounds unfamiliar, yet we’ve got to move on, don’t we? In this episode, American K-sisters check on the resolutions set at the beginning of this year, summarize the year in three keywords, and discuss their plans for the new year. Join us on our journey forward! 
 
[Timestamps]
(00:00) Intro
(00:23) Opening & Today’s Topic
(02:20) Reviewing the resolutions from 2022
(14:52) Summarizing 2022 in Three Keywords
(21:45) After Skipping the Part about Family Loss and Suicide
(38:58) Plans for 2023
(45:36) Closing & Topic of Next Episode
 
[Mentioned in this Episode]
 
- Linda’s Instagram with Artwork Posts @KoreanLinda  
 
- Linda’s Goodbye Grandmother Project on Instagram @GoodbyeGrandmother 
- Linda’s Newsletter: DefinitelyNotOkay.com
 
- Episode 2 about Holidays from November 19, 2021 (Recorded in Korean) 
 
- Episode 18 about Heena’s Visit to Korea 
Recording in Korean: August 19, 2021
Recording in English: August 26, 2021
[More on American K-sisters]
- Website: AmericanKsisters.com
- Instagram: @AmericanKsisters
- YouTube: YouTube.com/@AmericanKsisters
- Email: AmericanKsisters@gmail.com       
- Music: MissChristineMusic.com