Strangeland

2,080

STRANGELAND from audiochuck is an investigative series that examines cases in immigrant neighborhoods.Season 3: The Killing Fields of L.A. is hosted by Ben Adair and Mayly Tao.In 1996, a Cambodian refugee was gunned down in an alley in L.A.’s Chinatown. But this wasn’t a typical murder. The victim was Haing Ngor, an Oscar-winning actor and humanitarian. Many Cambodians believe Ngor was assassinated over his role in The Killing Fields – a film that depicted the Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror. Three teenage gang members were convicted and sentenced to decades in prison for murder. Yet to this day, the Cambodian community remains unconvinced of the boys’ guilt. Because the thousands of dollars in cash found on Ngor didn’t square with the LAPD’s story, and multiple witnesses said investigators coerced their testimony. In this season of Strangeland, journalist Ben Adair and Cambodian-American podcaster Mayly Tao piece through Haing Ngor’s journey from genocide survivor to Hollywood star to murder victim — and re-investigate the LAPD’s case to find out if justice was lost in translation.Strangeland is produced by Western Sound.

Ep 12 of 12: Heroes and Villains
Sep 27, 2024 – 00:36:48
Ep 11 of 12: Behind Every Great Fortune
Sep 27, 2024 – 00:31:01
Ep 10 of 12: The Cobra Strikes
Sep 20, 2024 – 00:29:55
Ep 9 of 12: The Bad Guy
Sep 20, 2024 – 00:29:27
Ep 8 of 12: The Color of Law
Sep 13, 2024 – 00:40:35
Ep 7 of 12: Hell of a Movie
Sep 13, 2024 – 00:29:48
Ep 6 of 12: Smoke and Mirrors
Sep 6, 2024 – 00:36:10
Ep 5 of 12: The Golden Lotus
Sep 6, 2024 – 00:36:35
Ep 4 of 12: Kill the Chicken Scare the Monkey
Aug 30, 2024 – 00:35:28
Ep 3 of 12: Year Zero
Aug 30, 2024 – 00:42:50
Ep 2 of 12: It's Chinatown
Aug 23, 2024 – 00:34:57
Ep 1 of 12: The Tiger and Its Stripes
Aug 23, 2024 – 00:42:12
Season 3: The Killing Fields of L.A.
Aug 16, 2024 – 00:02:54
Updates + Alphabet Boys
Mar 16, 2023 – 00:12:49
Ep 14 of 14: Six Years Later
Mar 2, 2023 – 00:36:55
Ep 13 of 14: The Witness
Mar 2, 2023 – 00:24:41
Ep 12 of 14: The Payoff
Mar 2, 2023 – 00:28:06
Ep 11 of 14: The Friend
Mar 2, 2023 – 00:26:03
Ep 10 of 14: The Mystery Woman
Feb 23, 2023 – 00:19:20
Ep 9 of 14: The Commute
Feb 23, 2023 – 00:20:20
Ep 8 of 14: The Mail Slot
Feb 16, 2023 – 00:20:21
Ep 7 of 14: The Letter
Feb 16, 2023 – 00:23:03
Ep 6 of 14: The Homeland
Feb 9, 2023 – 00:21:34
Ep 5 of 14: The Drop Off
Feb 9, 2023 – 00:19:59
Ep 4 of 14: The Inner Circle
Feb 2, 2023 – 00:21:51
Ep 3 of 14: The Husband
Feb 2, 2023 – 00:19:49
Ep 2 of 14: The Divide
Feb 2, 2023 – 00:21:55
Ep 1 of 14: Nice Town, Friendly People
Feb 2, 2023 – 00:25:42
Season 2: Murder in Maple Shade
Jan 26, 2023 – 00:03:04
Ep 10 of 10: The Results
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:35:43
Ep 9 of 10: The DNA
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:28:02
Ep 8 of 10: Holes in the Case (Part 2)
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:35:00
Ep 7 of 10: Holes in the Case (Part 1)
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:34:32
Ep 6 of 10: We Affirm
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:30:18
Ep 5 of 10: The Trial
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:38:25
Ep 4 of 10: The Case Against Robin Cho (Part 2)
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:40:19
Ep 3 of 10: The Case Against Robin Cho (Part 1)
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:38:02
Ep 2 of 10: Who is Robin Cho?
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:28:19
Ep 1 of 10: The Miracle Mile Massacre
Nov 8, 2021 – 00:36:07
Season 1: The Koreatown Murders
Oct 15, 2021 – 00:02:30

Recent Reviews

JulieGLJ

Amazing reporting

I have loved each season of this show. It is so well investigated and reported, and truly showcases stories and perspectives we don’t hear often enough.
Reba0515

Love this podcast

Almost finished with season 3. The investigative journalism in this podcast is top notch. I have really enjoyed every season, but I also get very frustrated at the injustice and corruption that gets exposed in each one. In season 1, I feel like, at the very least, there was way too much reasonable doubt to convict Robin Cho. Season 2 just made me angry because the husband very clearly did it. Season 3 is heartbreaking because those boys did not get a fair trial, and their lives were ruined with zero evidence. I hope there will be a season 4! The hosts are great, and they have very good voices for podcasting.
SMSpgh

Season 3 a bust

The first two seasons were fantastic. Bailed a few episodes into season 3- it just had no energy.
MEKmommy

Absolutely must listen

What an amazing story of lost history and honoring the lives of those who have suffered
fan in Baldwin Michigan

Cliff hanger

Where is the next episode? I'm riveted. I want justice.
Eleee123

Season 3

Ahhh…LAPD, really needs help at least back in the 90s. It could have been a hired hit, which used gang members…easy story to build a case on.
Aquellita la bonita

Possibility

Anyone thought that the perpetrator used double gloves? Inner glove and outer glove which was Robin Cho’s? He did have enemies because of the fraud and all the people affected. He went unpunished for that and many people left bankrupt. They pieces left were on purpose. The person knew that. As to why that family perhaps a crime Of opportunity.
Sarey84

Season 3

I’m a big fan of audio Chuck from way back when, and I’ve listen to all the seasons on this as well. But it did shocked me when I read “the killing fields” my parents are also survivors of the Khmer Rouge and I can’t wait to get into this story. It will hit home, listening to all my parents stories growing up.
Ti C

Excellent!

This was a well researched and nicely produced podcast. I appreciate that they were candid and shared information even when it did not support one of their theories. I hope that one day we see Justice for this forgotten mother and son.
ZoeyAW

Brave witnesses and excellent reporting

Season 2 was such a heartbreaking case…seems as though it could easily be solved. My heart breaks for those caught up in the systems of oppression that keep women and children like this in the shadows. Grateful for all the brave witnesses that decided to talk to the reporters. They may be the only way we know the truth. As for the podcast, I wish the episodes were twice as long. Lots of ads but thankful they put the most at the beginning and end. I get it, you deserve to be compensated for your hard work 🙏🏽
Hansen629

Season 1: Biased from the beginning

There’s a moment later in the season where they discuss whether they think he was wrongfully convicted or not and from the beginning it was painfully obvious what they thought. Ben said something about how they had to “remain objective” when investigating this case before discussing their opinions and I actually laughed out loud. This is not an unbiased telling of this story. I don’t want to spoil anything for people that still end up listening to this podcast after reading this review, but in my opinion they ignore completely reasonable explanations for events that don’t support their beliefs. I think it would’ve been more compelling if the hosts were better able to keep personal opinions out of it for the first half of the podcast, then it wouldn’t have been so obvious where it was headed and it wouldn’t have felt like it dragged on. Otherwise, it’s not bad. It is very clearly scripted, the “acting” for the conversations is pretty awful/cringy, but frankly you get that a lot with podcasts. And the impact of cultural differences on the investigation was very interesting.
Dmcninney

Excellent reporting and investigative journalism

Love this podcast. Especially loved the NJ season since I live minutes away, and my work office is close to the main suspect’s place of employment. Shockingly I don’t remember hearing of this case in the news. Looking forward to 2024 season.
2636937

New Season

As an investigator myself and a first generation immigrant I love hearing these podcasts. Please make another season soon.
Chuckypooh

Uncovering cultural aspect of the “lost in translation” to

Culturally intriguing, deeply sought out investigation reporting, emotional charged… best true crime podcast yet.
Jimmy Neutronic

Maybe it’s the channel

But does audiochuck just hate their audience? I think maybe.
ChristieHarp7

Strange land

Must listen!! Not only do I love their voices, which is important to me, but their reporting is great! Sad story but they are telling it beautifully. Highly recommend!!!
dddmbbb

Uninspired

True crime is my favorite genre but these hosts sound like they’re being forced to do this show against their will. If you like low energy hosts who sound like they’re just reading off an unfamiliar script then this is the show for you!
d -Factor

Addicted

I just need some more! Please, just a little to get me through….got the Podcast addiction blues cause I used up all the seasons binging that strange-land, my podcast of choice! lol. Seriously, I got hooked driving from San Fran to LA. A friend suggested Stangeland Season one. Wow! Never dull, this mundane-time killer had my ears glued and my curiosity’s racing from episode to episode. “Just one more” and all save the rest for later… right? Six hours later arrived in LA and pitiful me sat in my car, in the hotel garage, with 3 more episodes to go! So that’s my truth, and strange land is all about finding the truth. Heartbreaking to creepy, sad and poignant, this podcast is a stellar production all around. So, not a drop left of season-one, The Korea Town murders. (Robin’s innocent! - I think) On the way back to San Fran I went ahead and polished off Murder in Maplewood. Riveting! Season Two and honestly, I did the ugly cry finishing the final episode. Now, just chasing’ the dragon for season 3. Please hurry!
PHG79

Drags it out

I listened to the second season, so my comment only applies to that. This podcast had potential, but it dragged the story out for way more episodes than it needed to. I also don’t know I agree with the journalistic approach in some cases. It seems people were ambushed and recorded against their will at times, and then when they seemed not to like that, it was used to cast aspersions on their character. Those people may well have been guilty or at least involved in the crime, but I think some boundaries were crossed. In the end, the conclusion seems to be a big shrug, making the drag out even more frustrating. Telling this story in three episodes with the acknowledgement there were some fishy things and larger community issues would have been better instead of spending so many episodes acting like there might be some answers when none were available.
East Emerald

Not the Best

The hosts act as if they showed for work this morning and were just handed the season 2 case to work on. There isn’t any sense that they have done any pre work on the story or tried to make earnest connections with the victims family or LE.
eloyas

I understand

My family immigrated to Miami, Fl from Cuba in 1963. 60 years later Miami is very different since it has a huge Hispanic population and I will say I have become very Americanized. This Podcast has brought back a lot of memories of my youth in “Little Havana” as the predominantly Cuban immigrant area was called. Funny thing is “Little Havana” wasn’t and in my opinion still isn’t a slum.
Nineth P

New follower

I love this show , they are professional polite ! You make followers feel the sadness like we are they with you all investigating ♥️♥️ and I even want to work with you all for free 🥰🥰 thank you ! Best wishes and good luck .. It’s been months and still waiting for follow up …
Commuter Caryn

Love this podcast

I’ve been waiting so long. Glad you guys are back. 🥰
Lilidrew

Love this series

This is my favorite branch of the Audio Chuck tree. Looking forward to the next season to release.
FaroukSI1975

Excellent!

Great podcast, not your typical true crime podcast. Great story telling with detailed research. They do a great job of telling all sides of the story, will keep you guessing!
ggcadena

Give it a chance!

Season 1 was good, but season 2 is amazing. Investigation and reporting is really admirable and I am emotionally invested! So many perspectives and accounts.
Cocosun90

Love This Podcast

Great job, very informative. I drive to work and listen every morning.
jvan3

Narration could use work

Season 1 was…ok. The narration, however, was very difficult to listen to in my opinion. I understand podcasts are mostly scripted, but the “acting” of the conversations between the narrators and the presenting of the information just seemed so fake and unnatural.
Odessa_See

BIAS! Not reporting.

(Spoilers) the only evidence that they present as “evidence” of his “innocence” is that people say he “seems like he’s a nice guy who couldn’t do it”. They never take on any of the prosecution’s evidence! Bullets? Gloves? Son not defending his father on the stand? Hairs found? Agenda page is wrong date? Cho’s lies during interrogation? NOTHING is explained except he “seemed” like he couldn’t have done it. You have to be a sociopath on some level to financially defraud people around you, and a great liar if nothing else. There are so many people wrongfully incarcerated, why spend the time on this guy. Plus, male hosts voice is painful. Don’t waste your time.
Olivia E. H-Belew

Great

Great investigation very meticulous, sad you all did more then the investigators. HOWEVER WHYYYYYY, At the end do you say ‘on the next episode that starts NOW’ but it doesn't start there like ad’s or commercials but it doesn't START. I have to fast forward. I would move that LINE to a part of the podcast when it ACTUALLY STARTS. Anyways thank you for the podcast
Rrrddgfgrgrvf

Journalism or Harassment?

I started listening to this podcast because I am a fan of true crime, and it popped up on my suggested. While I am really interested in learning more about the case in season 2, I cannot keep listening to this podcast. The way the narrators contacted the father and his friends/ social media friends seems borderline harassment to me. They seem to assume the father’s guilt, but it seems (at this moment and with the information presented) he is just as likely to be a VICTIM. The lack of empathy or consideration is frankly appalling to me, but maybe I’m not used to this kind of journalism, and this is the norm? I’m not sure, but this podcast is definitely not for me. I appreciate them highlighting a case that has had less attention, but I simply can’t get past the entitlement.
sgammon27

Love this series!

I'm so glad I didn't listen to the reviews that said bad narration in season one... it's not bad at all. Very detailed, well researched, and excellent podcast.
Lillylu2

Can’t stop thinking about the story!

Was recommended season 2 by another true crime podcast. I didn’t think I’d get so hooked I end up binging the whole season! Defiantly one of those stories you just can’t stop think about.
Prozizzle

Short eps with a lot of repeating

I like it but the episodes are too short and even then they’re filled with a really annoying editing thing where they repeat information we just heard by an original source like it was gossip or something. I want to know what happens but there could be at least half as many episodes. It’s a little tedious
NawPawTaw

Shouldn’t be a full series

I enjoyed the first season- I think it incorporated a lot of cultural education and context that’s often either ignored and misrepresented when discussing cross-cultural events. The second season is a big miss. Agreeing with other reviews that the reporting has questionable ethics, the episodes are also very shallow in context. This would likely have made a compelling one-episoder or two-parter but there isn’t enough information, or it’s presented as such, to make a rich series.
selakoji

Brilliant & Infuriating

Both seasons discuss cases that absolutely deserve attention. The narration didn’t bother me at all because the stories & especially the injustice of Season 2 had me binging. Couldn’t turn it off, went online to see how I could help because Season 2 left me sad & furious. Brilliant writing & investigating, thank you for shining a light.
BRas84

Narration is hard to listen to

Love Audiochuck but this a hard “no” for me. I wanted to get sucked into the story but I can’t stand the narrator’s voice.
Venswife

Not a lover of their journalistic approach

I have to agree with the reviews the cold calling just seems a bit bizarre for me and just a bit sensational, kind of like a Jerry Springer show where they kind of just ask you questions at the drop of a hat and just see how you react I definitely feel that it would be so much better if they were to utilize Vesta gator reporting beforehand or at least that’s just the style that I like to listen to. I’ll try another season as it continues to see if it gets better but if it stays the same then yeah I’m not gonna keep on.
EastBroadwayPisces

Great

Season 2 is excellent. It’s a tragedy this hasn’t been solved or gotten any attention. Thanks for choosing this story.
RedCharl

Unethical

Hosts haven’t built the relationships or done the pre work needed to tell these stories. The entitlement is stunning. In season 2 they cold call the victims’ family members and then start investigating them and speculating about their involvement because they declined the phone interview. I couldn’t listen after that.
Jaidco

Captivating

I randomly listened to strangeland season 2. I couldn’t stop. I listened to all 14 episodes in 3 days. It was so captivating and interesting. I felt like I was there doing the reporting. I highly recommend it
zoosammy

season 1 narrators

The season 1 narration is horrible. But season 2 is really captivating. I highly recommend season 2.
lizziebeth12

Thoroughly Researched

I stumbled across this podcast one day and have been pleasantly surprised by both seasons. Instead of white reporters talking about cultures they know nothing about, each season Ben has a cohost who is from the region of the victims, giving the case further depth and is more understanding into a world we may find strange. I am curious if every season is going to feature a mother/child murder, though. Heartbreakingly sad. SPOILER: both husbands totally did it!
MeganNay

Ben’s voice

I can’t stand the way he sounds. The case is interesting, but Ben’s voice is nerve racking . If the story wasn’t so interesting I’d skip it all
ShangelaB

Season 2 is great!

I found in Season 1 the two hosts sound like they’re just reading a script instead of holding a conversation about a murder. The case is interesting but they’re convo felt weirdly forced and unnatural so I skipped it when Season 2 came out. I feel like they got their footing this time and it sounded better and more natural. Interesting case. Can’t wait for more.
Stargirlbee

Id recommend this, long-burn but worth it

The interviews seemed to be almost therapeutic for the witnesses and im glad the hosts helped them tell their stories for the sake of the family.
KateJessie

Season 1

This is just such a quality podcast. I am so impressed and the investigators/hosts are all superb. I love the analysis of the investigator, Paul, in watching the interrogation of Cho. I haven’t finished the season yet, but I have deep doubt about Cho’s guilt and that saddens me. What if he is innocent??
greenherondesigns

Riveting and Horrifying

I just listened to season two and it was riveting, tragic and infuriating. The hosts all did an amazing job uncovering so many clues and details. A double murderer could be brought to justice if law enforcement in Burlington County, New Jersey got over their EGO and looked into all of the new evidence that has been uncovered. The Burlington County police department sure look like lazy amateurs.
Camille991239

ERNurse

Painfully monotone. Boring. This was a one and done for me. It became a quest to finish this and listen to all 14 episodes that should have been 2 or 3. I would have enjoyed it more if the narrative was performed on Crime Junkie or Anatomy of Murder or I could have read it better. Ugh
JulieGann

Season 2 review

I just finished this season, coincidentally on the anniversary of the murders, which make it feel a bit more emotional. I cannot believe how much this team dug up about this case, in spite of law enforcement’s lack of ANY assistance. Truly amazing what good investigation can turn up. I hope there is a petition we can sign or something similar to help get this “active” case moving once again. Great job everyone! 👏🏼👏🏼