• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.58
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• pp.74-105
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• 2012

$I$ $am$ $a$ $Weasel$ > is a radically different communicative form in several ways. It innovatively utilizes podcast, a kind of internet radio format while dealing actively with thorny political issues and scandals in much direct and challenging fashion. Also this program adopts politically-charged parody, sharp critique of current socio-political issues, as well as lively dialogues through which the program provides both acute political awareness and entertainment. As a new kind of talk show and an alternative media form, this program has gained much popularity and attention since its appearance. Considering the fact that the journalistic fields and public spheres are in disarray through the government intervention and wrought with fierce partisanship and political polarization, the role of this program needs to be examined both cautiously and contextually. This study aims to shed some lights on the multifaceted and much contentious role of $I$ $am$ $a$ $Weasel$ > through a textual reading and discourse analysis, as well as email interviews.