Episode Notes

In this episode of This Korean Life, we sit down with Martin Rehder, a longtime Ulsan resident whose impact on the city reaches far beyond his own story. Martin is the creator of Ulsan Online, one of the city’s earliest digital community hubs, and the mastermind behind the wildly creative Ulsan Inferno Motorcycle/Bicycle Scavenger Hunt—an event that has brought adventure seekers together from across Korea. 🏍️🔥

But Martin’s story is much bigger than websites and motorcycles. We explore what first brought him to Korea, his early work experiences, his first impressions of Ulsan, and the cultural differences he had to navigate while adjusting to life here. He also reflects on how age and perspective have shaped the way he approaches life abroad.

At one point, Martin made the difficult decision to leave Korea and return to the United States. We discuss why he left, what it was like re-entering the American tech industry, spending time with family and grandchildren, and how life in America felt after years abroad. 🇺🇸

Then came another major twist, his decision to return to Korea once again. Martin shares the dramatic story of a road trip, a serious accident, moving logistics, transferring finances internationally, temporarily living with family, and eventually finding a permanent home.

Today, Martin is embracing a life centered around freedom, through cycling, farming, creativity, and designing a life on his own terms. We also explore his thoughts on the future, including how emerging technologies like AI may reshape the world we live in. 🚴🌱🤖

This episode is packed with adventure, reinvention, resilience, and hard-earned wisdom from someone who continues to evolve.

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