On today’s episode, show host Ellis Tan selects the best STAYC (스테이씨) B-Side through a tournament style bracket. Ten Years Ago Today, Kim Soo-hyun (김수현) is set to return to the big screen, J.Y. Park (박진영) sweeps the charts, Katie Kim wins K-Pop Star 4, and Im Na-yeon (임나연) becomes the first candidate announced for the survival program, Sixteen.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:06:43) Introduction to STAYC
(00:08:56) Battle of the B-Sides : STAYC
(00:36:37) Ten Years Ago Today
(00:42:39) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, our host, Ellis Tan, reviews a multitude of Korean Music Releases from the First Quarter of 2025. Ten Years Ago Today, Starship Entertainment would form a partnership with Yuehua Entertainment, and Kim So-hyun (김소현) is selected as the face of Pocari Sweat in Korea.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:05:48) Finger on the Korean Pulse
(00:23:16) Ellis’s Standout Tracks
(00:29:43) Honorable Mentions
(00:36:59) Ten Years Ago Today
(00:40:18) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, on the heels of Weeekly’s official disbandment and the announcement of TR Entertainment’s Bankruptcy, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le analyze the missed opportunities of both girl groups, Weeekly (위클리) and TRI.BE (트라이비). Diamonds Left Rough studies the success and failures of the groups LABOUM (라붐) and PRISTIN (프리스틴). Ten Years Ago Today sees the comeback of the girl groups Red Velvet (레드벨벳), Crayon Pop (크레용팝), and Miss A (미쓰에이). 2AM (투에이엠) disbands and Block B’s Taeil (블락비 태일) makes his solo debut. EXO (엑소) makes their comeback with the title track “Call Me Baby." Justin Le departs the show.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:04:47) Weeekly
(00:20:59) TRI.BE
(00:34:45) Diamonds Left Rough I
(00:55:37) Prospect Patch
(01:01:42) Ten Years Ago Today
(01:25:08) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le recap their adventures gallivanting around the city of Seoul and unlocking core memories on Justin’s first trip to Korea. They cover the lessons they learned, and make recommendations based on their experiences. Ten years ago today, the CUBE Entertainment girl group, CLC, debuts.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:59) The Reason to Visit
(00:10:02) Unlocking Core Memories
(01:03:03) Food, Korea, Korean Food
(01:21:39) Experiencing K-Culture
(01:44:22) Precious KPOP Moments
(01:53:28) Ten Years Ago Today
(01:57:33) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, with the sudden passing of legendary Korean R&B singer Wheesung, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le briefly discuss the career of the artist known as Realslow and converse about the effects that toxicity and negative comments have on the mental health of public figures in the Korean Entertainment industry. Ten Years Ago Today looks back at the solo comeback of Brown Eyed Girls's Son Ga-in and her EP, “Hawwah.” B.A.P. holds their first court trial against TS Entertainment. Bang Min-ah of the girl group Girl's Day makes her solo debut.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:12:00) They call him Realslow
(00:20:35) Cyberbullying in the Korean Entertainment Industry
(00:34:24) Ten Years Ago Today
(00:47:56) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le review G-Dragon’s newest album, Übermensch. Ten Years Ago Today covers the first music show win of the boy group, U-KISS. Fiestar makes a comeback with the song, “You’re Pitiful”. Shannon also releases her first mini album titled, “Eighteen”.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:05:27) The Legend of G-Dragon
(00:22:39) Übermensch
(00:40:44) Prospect Patch
(00:42:26) Ten Years Ago Today
(00:52:18) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le walk down memory lane and discuss the history of all the SM Entertainment girl groups, including their newest girl group, Hearts2Hearts. Ten Years Ago Today sees the separation of Se7en from his longtime agency, YG Entertainment, and Taeyang ends his first solo world tour, RISE.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:08:26) 1st Gen : S.E.S & M.I.L.K.
(00:19:17) 2nd Gen : The Grace, Girls’ Generation, & f(x)
(00:48:53) 3rd Gen : Red Velvet
(01:03:02) 4th Gen : aespa
(01:24:50) 5th Gen : Hearts2Hearts
(01:29:04) Prospect Patch
(01:33:28) Ten Years Ago Today
(01:41:10) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, with the recent releases of ROSÉ and JISOO and the upcoming album releases of LISA and JENNIE, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le discuss each of the individual BLACKPINK members' careers up to this point. Ten Years Ago Today dissects a tier list presented by Sports Chosun of the top KPOP girl groups. Davichi celebrates its 7th anniversary.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:05:38) BLACKPINK
(00:12:12) JENNIE
(00:22:36) LISA
(00:29:27) ROSÉ
(00:41:39) JISOO
(00:50:38) Prospect Patch
(00:53:31) Ten Years Ago Today
(01:07:19) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le return with a part two of their concert movie discussion featuring a review of the film, "IU Concert : The Winning in Cinemas". Justin has his first KPOP Concert Movie theater experience. Ten Years Ago Today relives the debuts of KIXS, Amber Liu, and TEEN TOP’s Niel. Lee Jinah releases her breakout hit, “Yum Yum Yum”. Tiny-G and 15& disband.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:05:19) Who is IU?
(00:17:33) The IU Concert Experience
(00:29:32) IU Concert : The Winning in Cinemas
(01:12:13) Ten Years Ago Today
(01:40:05) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le evaluate the legacy of fromis_9’s career thus far. Our hosts walk through the history of the group, give song recommendations and make predictions for the future. Ten Years Ago Today reviews the viral hits of Hello Venus, the debut of solo singer McKay, and the return of Berry Good. Our hosts also dive into the comeback of 4minute with their song, Crazy.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:08:41) Birthed from Idol School
(00:14:48) Establishing a Name: Debut & Early Years
(00:20:25) Controversy & Forced Hiatus
(00:31:37) Reinventing fromis : A Shift in Musical Identity
(00:43:31) fromwas_9, then_8, now_5 : Their Legacy & Future
(01:02:36) Ten Years Ago Today
(01:15:26) Final Thoughts & Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le dive into the experience of watching a KPOP concert movie and debate the value of these movies from differing perspectives. Our hosts explore the varying directions that these movies can take, and analyze what it takes to produce them. Ten Years Ago Today reviews the reunion of JYP Entertainment’s first male group, g.o.d, and the airing of the first episode of Unpretty Rapstar. Our hosts discuss what was the shocking announcement confirming the relationship between singer Gummy, and actor Jo Jung-suk.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:04:57) The KPOP Concert Movie Experience
(00:42:21) Ten Years Ago Today
(00:55:02) Final thoughts, Conclusions, and Wrap-up
(01:03:56) Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le take a look at how the pandemic changed the shape of the KPOP industry. The Ten Years Ago Today segment reviews the debuts of G.Soul and CNBlue’s Jung Yonghwa, Kahi’s departure from Pledis Entertainment, and puts a spotlight on ZICO’s comeback, Break Up 2 Make Up.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:05:34) KPOP Before the COVID-19 Pandemic
(00:15:21) KPOP During the Lockdown
(00:56:28) The Evolution and State of KPOP Today
(01:09:58) Ten Years Ago Today
(01:18:50) Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le discuss the return of legendary KPOP girl group, GFRIEND. Our hosts cover the debut and rise of the group, the acquisition by the company that would become HYBE Corporation, their 10 year anniversary, and the impact GFRIEND had on the industry. The Ten Years Ago Today segment reviews the disbandment of the girl group, Glam, and revisits the airing of AOA (Ace of Angels) on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Alt Title: The GFRIEND DNA
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:43) The GFRIEND DNA
(01:00:21) Ten Years Ago Today
(01:07:02) Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
This podcast is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
On today’s episode, show hosts Ellis Tan and Justin Le discuss their top 3 KPOP tracks of 2024 and their most memorable KPOP moments of the year. The Ten Years Ago Today segment covers the solo debut of SHINee's Jonghyun, and the meteoric rise of EXID’s Up & Down.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:34) I am ground, introduce yourself!
(00:06:33) Our Top 3 KPOP Tracks of 2024
(00:44:30) Most Memorable KPOP Moments of 2024
(01:02:18) Ten Years Ago Today
(01:09:51) Outro
The Diaries of an MZ Generation podcast discusses a range of topics centering around South Korean culture, music, and entertainment.
Diaries of an MZ Generation is a part of the Selective Hearing network of podcasts.
