About Me
My name is Steve, and I live in Korea. I graduated from Capital University (Columbus, OH, USA) in May 2008 with a degree in Music Technology, where I spent four years learning about the joys of all kinds of sounds. The August after graduation, I took a job teaching English on the peninsula. I’ve been here ever since.
On a trip home in August 2009, I bought an Olympus PCM recorder on sale and have been carrying it around with me over the past few months. I like sound, and I like to share.
Seoul Sounds / 서울 소리들 
Hey Steve!
I came across your blog because I will be moving to Korea in February. I am half Korean half white and I just have to experience more than a month in my other country! I also want to learn Korean 🙂 Well, I just wanted to say that you have a great blog because Korea is so unique in its sounds, smells, lights etc. I’ll be reading!
Thanks for reading, Angela! I’m glad that I could help you experience Korea a little better from far away, and I hope that you enjoy your stay:)
hello Mr. Steve! I’ve seen you on Arirang last night! wow! your blog is awesome! I’m a blogger too, and yes, i do love blog hopping and while waiting for Showbiz Extra on Arirang, I saw you featured before the show! And I felt like visiting your blog! 🙂
I’ll keep on supporting you! Nice blog btw! ❤
Thanks, Armi! It’s really cool to hear that someone actually saw that and came to my blog, haha. I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for reading, and keep blogging!
안녕하세요 ^^
Awww I really love your blog! You make Korea sounds more live ❤
I've been wanting to go there someday, but I'm not sure if this could come true eheh,
but your blog and all really made my day ^^
Thanks for your comment Vionna! It’s really cool to hear back from people who are actually reading, haha. I’m glad that I helped make your day a little better:)
Thank you Steve for this Project , I came across your blog and i Really liked it very good Idea . I post your Arirang tv Video on My blog vaiguoren.wordpress.com
Ciao Vaiguoren
Thanks so much for reposting my blog. I’m glad that you like it!
Just wanted to say: Love your blog. I’ve been reading several Korea blogs since I’m planning on moving there in January to teach English, but your blog makes me feel like I am there when I listen to the great sounds you’ve captured. Keep up the good work!
Wow! Thanks for your interest. I hope your move to Korea goes well. Let me know if I can help you in any way!
Hi Steve !
I am quite impressed by you . A sound collector .
I think you must regard sound as something that is very special and unique. Anyway, I enjoy your short video (Today’s blog) on Arirang website . I get a true insight into Korea’s life and also the uniqueness sounds. I will visit your website in future ..
Thanks for reading! I’m always glad to hear that people are paying attention:)
I love your soundcollection!
I’ve been to Korea twice for vacation but I wish I was brave enough to move to Korea on my own.
May I ask in what district your apartment is located?
And do you teach children/teenagers/adults?
I’m really curious because I’d love to be an English teacher in Seoul or somewhere else in Korea. Unfortunately I’m not qualified to teach English because I’m not from an English-speaking country. Do you think they’d hire me anyway?
I just graduated from high school and now I’m going to study Korean. Ijust hope to find a job there someday =]
Wow! That’s great. I’m glad you like it:) Good luck in your Korean studies. I hope you can make it here someday!
Hey Steve! Talked with you at dinner tonight. Your blog is cool! Let’s get together and talk sounds.
John
Thanks, John! Yeah, anytime. You’ve got my number, so feel free to give me a call.
wow…this is such a great idea for a blog..the sounds of korea. I am missing korea right now because my wife left last night for korea and I’m all alone…but you and your blog are making it easier for me. Thank you.
Thanks, Sky! I’m glad that you enjoyed my blog. I hope that your wife has a great time in Korea, and I hope that you’re alright in the meantime:)
Hello Steve!
Nice to meet you~
I am amazed and pleased by your efforts. Your works look so joyful. I want to be helpful for your works.
I am working in the mastering studio in Seoul. If you need a hand, don’t hesitate contact me~.
Hey, thanks for your message! I’m glad you enjoyed my blog. I’m not sure if there’s anything you can help me with right now, but I’ll email you soon. Thanks for reading!
Hey!
Your sounds stimulates my inner something.
Yes, sounds have a.. magical power.
While I look around your sounds, one video pops up in my head suddenly.
Please check it, sounds so delicate.
Keep going, I’m waiting update!
Thanks, Nomad!
It seems really really enjoyed my blog, haha. Thanks for reading, and I hope to hear from you again!
Hi there,
Just wondering if you would like to contribute some sounds for a project in Belgium. My name is Ashley and I’m a cultural producer based in London UK.
I’m developing a project called Sound Localities where I’m collecting sounds from different cities and then exchanging the sounds amongst participants to be mixed for a compilation. I’m looking for sounds of Seoul. There is also a live streaming performance part of it I would like to discuss. Please email me and I can tell you more privately.
Thanks,
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
I’d love to help! I’ll email you soon.
Hi Steve,
I found out about your blog while watching Arirang, like you I like sounds a lot, you wouldn’t believe how I even appreciate the melody/rhythm from the sounds of muffler of our Jeeps (Public Transport Vehicle) here in Manila.
I’ll be visiting your blog very often, it’s very interesting. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and putting the sound aspect on it makes the possibilities endless!
I’m planning to visit Korea with my girlfriend at the end of this year, hopefully through your blog I will be quite familiar by then how Seoul sounds.
Thanks 🙂
Thanks, Carlo! I’m glad to hear that my blog has been a help for you. It seems like you enjoy sounds just as much as I do. Why don’t you start your own sound blog in Manila? It would be awesome to get people from all over the world to work out some sort of sound network to map other places;)
Thanks for your message. I hope you enjoy your visit to Korea. Keep your ears open!
Steve,
I have an inquiry regarding licensing your recordings. Please contact me via email. I couldn´t find a way to contact you other than leaving a comment here.
Thanks!
Sure, I’ll email you now. Thanks!
Hi Steve
I would like to drop you a note as I’ve used one of your photo on my posting. I’ve credited your site but I can’t seemed to figure out how to download the audio as well.
I can’t find your contact anywhere, so please email me?
Thanks!
Jenny
Yeah, I should probably fix that. I’ll email you now!
Added a ‘Contact Me’ link. It’s not exactly what I wanted, but it’s the best I can do with what WordPress provides.
This is really interesting and unique blog I’ve ever seen. Probably you know about Korean sound more than me. Someday I can suggest you to capture interesting sound in Seoul.
Thanks so much for your feedback, Parisboy! If you have any ideas that you think I should record in Seoul, please let me know. I’m always looking for new ideas!
Okay, I’ll let you know when I find good a idea for your recording. ^^
Thank you so much for having this blog. I am often finding myself “homesick” for my birth country (was adopted to Minnesota from S.Korea as an infant) and although I lived there from 2008-2010 teaching English in Apgujeong, I am often wishing I were still there instead of back here in the USA. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing some familiar sounds again. THANKS!!!
Thanks, K! I’m really glad you enjoyed the blog and that it was able to ease some of your homesickness for Korea. Honestly, I’ve been running short of ideas recently. Any suggestions for new sounds to post?
Oooh…hmmm…
10 ideas for you:
1. those loud guys trying to sell stuff in Myeongdong? They would clap their hands and such – they were usually standing by cell phone charms.
2. more fun sounds you hear on cell phones in Korea. The LG and Samsung phones sent to the USA don’t have all the same sounds, and I kind of miss them…I really really liked the alarm clock post you had. It SOOOOO brought back memories.
3. if you ever take KTX to somewhere like busan or something, maybe sounds that come through on that?
4. maybe the sound of some construction site? i remember there always being some loud construction project somewhere near where i was (either my hagwon or officetel).
5. maybe an employee at a cafe shouting out that someone’s order is ready? i miss how Koreans would say “green tea latte” and other typical coffee shop orders.
6. as long as you don’t damage your recording device, try braving gangnam station on a friday or saturday night during rush hour when it’s packed to the brim. i used to roll my eyes, but also kind of get a kick out of the sounds of all the people screaming/squealing as people would get on and off the train. it both annoyed and cracked me up. 🙂
7. if you ever come across any loud group protests, that’s always interesting to hear…
8. how about kids and families playing in the fountains by gwanghwamun station? especially since it’s the hottest time of summer, there’s bound to be some fun and loud play going on?
9. how about some catchy commercials on TV right now?
10. even typical greetings you hear constantly, such as what you hear when you enter a store, like a GS25.
Thanks again.
Wow, there are some really good ideas in there. Thanks, K! It’s amazing how quickly you begin to pass over the simple things as they become “normal.” Part of the reason I started this blog in the first place is because I thought being an outsider would give me a different perspective than those who had lived here their whole lives. Now, reading your ideas, I realize that in many ways, I’ve fallen into the same pothole I sought to avoid. It’s interesting and amazing at the same time. Thanks for the suggestions, I think I’m going to try to go out and capture a few of these soon.
Hi Steve! I came across your blog because I was searching for subway musics. I’ve been in Korea as an exchange student this summer for 40 days. I tried recording the subway musics using my digital camera because I’m sure I’m gonna miss them but I haven’t organized my files yet (and I’m sure the recording sucks!). Anyway I’d like to thank you for this wonderful blog. I went through every page and it’s really awesome to hear familiar sounds – especially now when I’m having really bad ‘withdrawal syndrome’. I wished I had captured more sounds while I was there. Once I sort through my files and if I find good recordings, I might submit them here.
And if I may suggest one, how about the elevator announcements?
Ooop! I don’t know why I missed this: https://seoulsounds.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/079-talking-elevator/ O.o
This blog is excellent and inspiring. I hope to capture more sounds myself while living here! Thanks so much for sharing =)
Thanks so much. Unfortunately, I left Korea, so I haven’t been recording more sounds. I still have a bunch left on my hard drive that I plan on posting once I finally get a breath from grad school. Thanks for reading!
Wow, what a creative blog. Thanks, I was able to live in Seoul through your tape recorder.
Post more recordings of urban sounds. Each one is unique, and the Korea ones were so powerful …I smelt coffee., sea breeze, and springs warmth …all from my iPad. How cool is that.
he man, cool blog, i make music and am looking for good quality kecak sounds…could you send me an mp3 of your recordings? that would be so great! bart.engel@gmail.com cheers bart amsterdam
Hello, I’ve visited your home page through searching the Korean royal music. It’s very nice home. I’m very impressed with your project. Thank you for your effort and sharing these sounds!