I tell stories about Korean music.

Beyond K-pop stories, I explore changing subjectivities, national identity, politics and business through the lens of Korean music. I write articles, present performances, moderate and speak at panels, and more.

Scroll below for some of my favorite music-related experiences.

host, writer, reporter

Mission K-pop is an 8-part audio documentary podcast.

23-year-old Caty Szeto travels from her home in Los Angeles to Seoul, South Korea to attend a K-Pop academy. First inspired by K-Pop as a teen, Caty struggled to see Asian-American representation in the larger entertainment industry. Now, in Seoul, she trains in singing, dancing, and styling in order to prepare for make-or-break auditions with K-Pop entertainment agencies. If she makes it, Caty could be like the chart-topping idols who travel the world and perform to legions of fans. But she comes face to face with realities of the industry.

At once a celebration of a robust musical genre and culture, a search for identity, and a portrait of indelible challenges embedded in the ever-growing global industry, Mission K-Pop represents a collaboration among Pulitzer and Peabody Award-winning organizations USG Audio and PRX, as well as the acclaimed audio studio Novel.

The podcast is available via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Overcast, and Pocket Casts.

Poetic License

Poetic License introduces Korean musicians outside the K-pop sphere. I wrote and hosted the showcases, featuring artists Soumbalgwang, Haepaary, Y2K92 and CHS. Directed by Yeji Margo Lee, executive producer Cecilia Soojeong Yi, created by ALPS Inc.

Moderator and speaker

Journey to Korean Music, a showcase for international music industry insiders, curious about the fascinating sound experiments happening in Korea at the intersection of old and new genres.

I was a moderator for various shows and a panelist at a discussion about global K-pop, alongside KEXP co-founder Darek Mazzone, Donga Ilbo journalist Im Heeyun and music critic Kim Yunha.

Select articles

Blackpink: Strangers to Sisters to Supernovas
Rolling Stone cover story, May 2022

Korean Pop, Away From The Hit Factories
NPR “Editor’s Picks,” July 2020

Music commentary

BTS And Beyond: A Guide to K-pop
NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour, May 2021

K-pop Conquered The World. Now What?
Elle Magazine, August 2021