Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour — Edward So: The Truth About Why Steph Deserves That #5 Spot
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Edward So
Episode: DSH #1569
Date: October 14, 2025
Episode Overview
In this engaging episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with content creator and streamer Edward So for a lively, candid conversation. The episode centers on Edward's personal journey from competitive basketball to content creation, his takes on NBA GOAT rankings (with a bold case for Steph Curry at #5), reflections on sneaker culture, Korean American identity, food hot takes, and more. Edward's trademark humor and honesty illuminate topics ranging from hoops and gambling to the importance of pronunciation in Korean cuisine.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Gaming, Gambling, and Addictive Personalities
- Edward shares he's not easily addicted, especially to gambling. He recaps his first poker tournament, describing both beginner's luck and quick defeat.
- “Honestly, it was my first time. So I was learning as I was playing, actually. But … I ran out of luck, bro. I ran out of luck.” — Edward (00:34)
- He explains his attitude: “Even with gambling, I could just cut it off. I’d be like, nah, I took an L here. I’m done, bro.” (00:00, 01:12)
2. Sneakerhead Life: Quality over Quantity
- Ed identifies as a sneaker enthusiast but prioritizes selectivity over sheer volume.
- “Maybe like, 30, 40 pairs of shoes … I want to claim myself a sneaker head with 34.” — Edward (01:27)
- Sean jokes: “I would picture 100 plus.” (01:42)
3. Passions & Pastimes: NBA and Anime
- Edward alternates between watching NBA games and anime, with NBA highlights becoming his go-to for practicality.
- “During the regular season, it’s just highlights here and there.” — Edward (02:39)
4. GOAT Debate: Edward So’s Top 5 NBA Players
- Edward’s personal top five:
- LeBron James
- Michael Jordan
- Kobe Bryant
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Steph Curry (“might be a hot take”)
- Edward doubles down on LeBron as the GOAT, citing longevity and overall achievement:
- “LeBron’s my goat. … He’s the goat. I don’t give … what anybody says, but LeBron’s the goat, bro.” (03:00)
- On LeBron’s finals record: “The fact that the man even went to the finals that many times … is already record breaking.” (03:16)
- Edward’s rationale for Steph Curry at #5:
- “I hate Steph, but I respect his game, honestly.” (04:27)
- “There was like a basketball time, whatever. And like, the kids were just, like, pulling up, doing threes because of Steph. … The cultural impact and also, like, his accolades speak for itself.” (04:37)
5. Streaming, Hooping, and Competitive Spirit
- Edward misses playing basketball; injury cut his competitive career short. He hopes to do more basketball-related streams.
- “Growing up, I was playing travel basketball … but my junior year, I had an injury on my ankle and heel, actually. So, that’s when I had to stop playing basketball.” (06:03)
- Jokingly says he could beat fellow streamers one-on-one:
- “I’m cooking [Neon’s] ass, bro. … Nah, I’m beating him one on one.” (05:26)
- “I’m beating Aiden Ross too. … The only hoops he does is 2k.” (05:44)
6. Reflections on Growth & Korean American Identity
- Edward discusses his surprising height, upbringing, and family background:
- “My parents are actually both five-five. … I’m five, ten and a half.” (07:02)
- He attributes his growth to good food and sports, “a lot of steak and chicken bulgogi.” (07:47)
- He also gently corrects Korean food pronunciation, embodying cultural pride:
- “It's bulgogi. … If you’re in a table full of them, … you gotta do better, dude.” (08:01)
7. Food Hot Takes: Cookies, KBBQ vs. Hot Pot
- Hot take: Edward denounces Crumbl Cookies as overrated, even refusing hypothetical sponsorships:
- “Crumble cookie. They could come to me with 10, 20, 30, 40,000. … I’m not taking that sponsorship, dude. I don’t like crumble cookie. That’s the most overrated cookie in the world.” (11:09)
- Favors Levain Bakery and Beverly Hills Cookie as his top picks instead.
- When comparing hot pot and Korean BBQ:
- “Hot pot’s cool. It’s probably healthier, but I like the … char from the kbbq. So if I had to pick, I’m going kbbq.” (08:58)
8. Adventures in South Korea & UFC Encounters
- Edward recounts recent travels to South Korea and a (humbling) run-in with UFC legend “Korean Zombie”:
- “I watched a couple UFC fights. I’m thinking I could do it. He’s retired, bro. No, he kicked my ass. … He put me in the Twister. Oh, my gosh.” (09:57)
- “It felt like a chiropractor session … that’s when I tapped out. … He got it, bro.” (10:25)
9. Body Image and Creator Lifestyle
- Edward admits to increased body fat from content creator lifestyle and constant snacking:
- “Too much content. And what happened was, like, the body fat percentage started going up.” (10:35)
- “Body fat … at its prime … like 12, … recently … it just went up to 17.” (10:48)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “LeBron’s my goat. … He’s the goat. I don’t give … what anybody says, but LeBron’s the goat, bro.” — Edward (03:00)
- “I hate Steph, but I respect his game, honestly.” — Edward (04:27)
- “Crumble cookie. … That’s the most overrated cookie in the world. I don’t care, bro. I’m gonna say it right now.” — Edward (11:09)
- “Honestly, what I’m trying to do is get my body right, bro. Honestly. … The body fat percentage started going up.” — Edward (10:35)
- “If you’re in a table full of [Koreans], … you gotta do better, dude. You’re half Asian. Exactly, bro.” — Edward (08:28)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Addictive personality & gambling: 00:00 – 01:12
- Sneakerhead talk & collecting: 01:21 – 01:53
- Anime and NBA viewing: 01:56 – 02:39
- NBA GOAT debate (LeBron/Jordan/Curry): 02:48 – 04:56
- Basketball origins & streamer hoops: 05:14 – 06:34
- Korean upbringing & food: 07:00 – 08:32
- KBBQ, hot pot, and food preferences: 08:50 – 09:47
- South Korea trip & UFC story: 09:53 – 10:34
- Lifestyle, body fat & Crumbl cookie hot take: 10:35 – 12:18
Tone & Style
The conversation is playful, fast-paced, and full of banter, with Edward’s energy driving much of the humor and honesty. Hot takes abound, from sports debates to food opinions, all delivered with a casual confidence and self-deprecating edge. There’s a continual interplay between cultural pride and internet-savvy irreverence.
Summary
If you want unfiltered thoughts about the NBA’s biggest stars, genuine insight into the content creator lifestyle, and sides of Korean American food culture you may never have considered, this episode is essential listening. Edward So delivers strong opinions and memorable laughs, making his case for Steph Curry in the top five with an authenticity true to Digital Social Hour’s brand.