Appreciating Podcasts
Graphic featuring Eric Nam by Raenna Aldabe
There exists many different formats of content nowadays such as radio, blogs, videos, and memes. While some have maintained their popularity and others have lost favor, there is one form of media that has been on the rise for the last couple of years—podcasts. Podcasts have been around since 2004, but have only recently become “mainstream” due to brands and celebrities taking more of an interest in it. The pandemic has also played a role in podcasts’ recent popularity boom, allowing people more time to explore its content. In fact, the Infinite Dial reported that 222 million Americans were now familiar with podcasts in 2021, a big jump from 2014 that reported 125 million.
For those who aren’t familiar with podcasts, they are essentially a long-form type of content, consisting of a series of recorded audio about a variety of topics. In contrast to other forms of media, the only thing one really needs to do is listen (although many podcasts also offer a full video of the hosts speaking for those who want it). This makes podcasts a convenient form of entertainment as they can be enjoyed while driving, cleaning, or eating. Podcasts are easily accessible as well, available on many platforms such as YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. While certain podcasts have paid subscriptions, most are generally free, allowing anyone to listen at any time. Typically, podcasts have a specific concept they follow such as history, language, or true crime stories, but others talk about anything they want!
What makes podcasts even more interesting is that anyone can create their own. Take Korean-American K-Pop star Eric Nam, for example. With the goal of making a positive impact and giving power to creators and communities, Nam, along with his two younger brothers, set up their own company called DIVE STUDIOS. This company is home to various podcasts that cater to many audiences including one hosted by Nam himself called the “Daebak Show.”
The word, “daebak,” is a Korean slang word to express that something is awesome. It is a perfect phrase to describe Eric Nam’s podcast where he discusses the latest trends in Korean music and the behind-the-scenes of the music industry with some of the biggest artists in Korea. Nam’s podcast isn’t just limited to K-pop fans in contrast to what people might think. While most of his guests have included Korean artists like CHUNG HA, THE BOYZ, Jay Park, and Sam Kim, he has also featured popular American artists like Lauv, MAX, and UMI. In fact, he recently had the rapper, Aminé, on the show.
As a regular follower of the “Daebak Show,” I can sincerely say that Eric Nam’s podcast is worth checking out. Each episode provides a huge comfort to the listener as Nam always makes sure to address and involve the audience. He makes it seem like the listener is part of the conversation, and during quarantine, that definitely helped make my day feel a little less lonely. Not only is it fun to listen to Nam’s discussions, but it is also inspiring to hear stories from the guests. None of his episodes with any of the big stars he’s had ever felt like an interview. The questions Nam asks his guests aren’t the general ones reporters usually ask, allowing the audience to see new sides of their favorite artist.
With that said, take the “dive” into brands like DIVE STUDIOS and catch the “Daebak Show” every Monday for new episodes. Seeing the success that the “Daebak Show” has right now, it’s surprising to think that it all started with one of the Nam brothers saying, “Let’s make a podcast.” All one really needs is a decent microphone, and as mentioned earlier, topics can be anything ranging from world folklore to simple fangirling. So who knows? Maybe one day, you can start your own podcast as well!
