Rotten Mango is My New Obsession & It Should Also Be Yours
If you have been stopping yourself from starting let Rotten Mango inspire you to START NOW. Plus how to mimic its gangbuster content strategy.
Confession: I’m Obsessed — and The Wheel Made Me Do It
Here’s the truth: Rotten Mango is my newest obsession. So clever. So unexpected. So strategically produced.
For this newsletter, I’ve made myself a promise — only first impressions. I’m watching shows I’ve never binged before, then circling back later with deeper commentary once I’ve had time to fully absorb the content and cadence.
Last week, The Wheel of Names (yes, I spin an actual wheel!) landed on Rotten Mango — and based solely on the thumbnail and podcast title, I braced for yet another generic true crime podcast. But what I didn’t expect was to be dropped into the world of a South Korean storytelling empire led by the captivating Stephanie Soo.
What surprised me even more? I later read that she was actually raised in Atlanta, Georgia — and still lives there. Her channels don’t clearly advertise that, which adds to the mystery and global feel of her presence. She’s built an international aura while staying grounded in the U.S. South — a fascinating contrast.
Her voice is addictive. The pacing is polished. The production feels like a warm cup of something sinister. It's not just true crime — it's true storytelling.
More to come when I binge. But for now? First impression: brilliant branding, masterful narration, and a reminder that authority online doesn’t come from suits or sets — it comes from style, substance, and staying power.
Think Like a Producer: Rotten Mango
First Impressions:
Logo:
At first glance, the Rotten Mango logo gave off horror vibes — and honestly, it delivers. The visual branding sets a chilling tone, preparing the audience for a dark, psychological dive. It's bold, distinctive, and aligned with the content’s emotional undercurrent.
Thumbnail Strategy:
Each thumbnail is eye-catching and consistent — always featuring Stephanie Soo front and center. This level of brand continuity builds instant recognition. (For this review, I focused solely on Rotten Mango, though she appears to run an entire content network.)
Set Design:
The set is approachable and replicable — a reminder that high impact doesn’t require high budget. She appears to be filming in a small office or dining room. A desk anchors the shot, and a background of warm lights and textured wallpaper creates a cozy, personable vibe. It doesn’t scream “authority figure” — it signals enthusiast, friend, and trustworthy narrator. In today’s media environment, that may be more powerful.
Equipment:
Her production setup feels attainable. With basic consumer lighting, soft backlighting, and a decent mic, you could replicate this look. (I’ve included some recommendations in my Amazon Storefront if you're looking to level up your own space.)
Format:
Years ago, I pitched a format where the solo host had someone off-camera — a producer or partner — to spark conversation. Stephanie nails this with her husband behind the scenes. He asks questions, she responds naturally, often sounding like someone who has sat in many courtrooms. Whether that’s from firsthand experience or research, she makes it believable — and that’s a skill.
Animations:
These are simple but unique and fitting for the true crime niche. Don’t feel like you need to create complicated animations. Check out her show for simple yet creative ideas.
It Takes a Team:
I’ve said this before, and it’s worth repeating — shows with this level of detail, scripting, and visual storytelling don’t come together solo. Yes, you can start out producing a show like this on your own, but sustaining it at this quality requires support.
Stephanie even mentions during one of her ad reads that sponsor support helps fund her growing team. And it shows — from the research to the visuals, it’s a production that reflects coordination behind the scenes.
Keep this in mind when choosing your format. Monologues and scripted reports like this are work. Interviews, on the other hand, often require less scripting and fewer visual elements. Be honest about your bandwidth before committing to a format. Great content takes time — and often, a team.
Storytelling & Sourcing:
Stephanie scripts her episodes like a journalist who wants the viewer to feel the story, not just hear the facts. Her narration is smooth, with clear intention and character development throughout. While I didn’t hear many verbal references to sources, some were displayed on screen. As a journalist, this leaves me wanting more — more transparency, more citations — but I also recognize that millions trust this format. She has clearly done her homework.
It’s a tension I feel often: traditional journalistic standards vs. the new wave of storytelling trust. She appears to be doing the work — and doing it well — even if it doesn’t follow the same sourcing cadence I was trained to expect.
I’ll definitely circle back for a binge session. And since she’s reportedly based in Atlanta — who knows? Maybe we’ll cross paths one day.
Content Distribution
Based on her TikTok she may use a multi-clip platform that creates reels from her long-form video allowing her team to focus on the long-form content but still utilize social media as a form of marketing.
TAG: My Take
I highly recommend focusing on long-form content FIRST then social media. Right now my newsletter is my long-form content. Why? Well, I am not as confident on camera as I should be. I tested in out with my podcast and YouTube channel and I still struggle with the little voice in my head saying, “you are not the talent, you are the producer.” So until I get that voice under control I am focused on defining my voice. I highly recommend you do the same.
Hire Jamie for Your Next Project
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Top 100 YouTube Podcasts’ Wheel of Names selected:
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