Radio in Korea differs significantly from its European counterpart. In Korea, radio programming primarily revolves around news, personal narratives, and song recommendations. Consequently, I found it challenging to grasp the mechanics of radio broadcasting discussed in class. However, as I delved into various radio projects, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to audiobooks, which share similarities with Korean radio and have gained popularity in recent years.

When I was in Korea, my church embarked on a Bible reading project where audiobooks were utilized to facilitate my parents’ engagement with the text. I vividly recall my excitement as I listened to these audiobooks; the voice actors brought the scriptures to life, complemented by fitting musical scores and immersive sound effects like dialogue and environmental sounds. Despite being exclusive to a Korean app, I managed to find a nearly identical video, which reignited my appreciation for the project’s meticulous use of sound.

Upon revisiting the material, I was struck by the extensive use of sound—far beyond my initial expectations. For instance, the application of reverb effects during divine dialogues conveyed a profound sense of reverence, while subtle background murmurs during crowd scenes added depth to the narrative. This experience challenged my preconception of radio as a dull medium and underscored the transformative power of sound.

I view this project as an invaluable opportunity to explore the intricate relationship between sound and emotion. Just as a film’s soundtrack can profoundly influence the audience’s perception of a scene, mastering the art of sound manipulation in radio broadcasting holds immense potential for eliciting desired emotional responses. I eagerly anticipate learning techniques for effectively leveraging diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, overcoming the practical challenges of sound production, and discovering innovative methods for capturing elusive sound effects, such as the thunderous roar of an exploding bomb.