12 episodes · Nonfiction narrative series · Story FM
How does a Chinese immigrant become a yakuza boss? While producing A Chinese Gangster Boss in Japan, I wanted to look beyond that identity: what had he lived through, and what had led him, step by step, into that world?
This 12-episode nonfiction narrative podcast follows his life through the intertwined histories of China and Japan. Migration, exclusion, violence, and the search for belonging run through his story, revealing how the wounds of war carry across generations.
I independently took the series from research to release: tracking down sources, conducting in-depth interviews, writing scripts, editing audio, and weaving voices in Mandarin, Japanese, and regional dialects into a cohesive narrative. Through sound design, I wanted listeners to do more than understand his experiences—I wanted them to feel present in the places where his story unfolded. I also led the promotional campaign, reaching out to the press and appearing on other podcasts to bring the story, and the questions it raised, to a wider audience.
Released in 2022, the series set a new national sales record for subscription-based podcasts in China, doubling the previous benchmark and holding the No. 1 spot on major podcast platforms for several consecutive weeks. It also received extensive media coverage in China and Japan, sparking discussions about history, crime, and identity.
Audience Comments
This show feels like a milestone in podcasting! A commercial success, with a remarkable personal story closely intertwined with the history of China and Japan, and real social and literary depth.
这是播客届有里程碑感的节目！成功的商业化，精彩的个人故事，与中日两国的历史联系紧密，有社会和文学的深度
Nagoa · May 21, 2022 · English translation of the original Chinese comment
