K-DRAMA REVIEWS (INDEX)
K-CULTURE WITH JAE-HA KIM is the space where I curate my reviews and views about Korean-centric things happening in the pop culture realm (and beyond) that pique my interest…and I hope yours, too. Won’t you join me?
‘BTS: The Return’: Six Things We Learned From the Revealing New Documentary
The Netflix film “BTS: The Return” offers insight into the pressures faced by the superstar group as they came back from military service to make their new album, “Arirang.” My latest review for Rolling Stone magazine.
In The Latest Edition of ‘You’re Not Korean Enough,’ the Internet Attacks a Transnational Adoptee
Accusing a Korean adoptee of ‘not being Korean enough’ isn’t the slam dunk losers think it is.
Go Away With … Maria-Christina Oliveras
In the Broadway production of “The Balusters,” Maria-Christina Oliveras portrays Luz Baccay, a Filipina housekeeper who has served the very wealthy Vernon Point community for 30 years. “Her power lies in observation and deep listening [and] in knowing what to say and what not to say,” the actress said in an interview from her home in New York City.
“BEEF” Tackles Korean Identity in Season 2
Saying “I don’t see color” doesn’t mean you’re not racist. How this second season of “Beef” tackles Korean identity.
Go Away With … Sabrina Song
“I played SXSW in Austin in 2023 and some of my friends came to play in my band,” said “Big Trick” singer-songwriter Sabrina Song. “Our flight home was really early so we figured we would get to the airport late the night before and wait at our gate. We found out [it] was closed for the night when we got there, so we laid down on the floor with all our gear and slept at the entrance until morning. It was such a tragically funny ending to such a great week.”
Go Away With … Alexandra Metz
Alexandra Metz isn’t a doctor, but “The Pitt” star contemplated becoming one when she studied at Brown University. After graduating with a degree in human biology, she deferred med school for two years while she gave acting a shot. “On the surface, it felt like a perfect backup plan, making my [acting] choice seem less risky,” said Metz, who portrays Dr. Yolanda Garcia on the hit series. “At my core, though, I always knew I wouldn’t follow through with medicine, because I wasn’t excited by the journey. Acting moved me in an undeniable way. While I found medicine incredibly inspiring, I knew it wasn’t for me.”
Go Away With … DoYeon Kim
With her gayageum, avant-garde musician-composer-vocalist DoYeon Kim blends traditional Korean music with free jazz, which she showcases on her upcoming debut album, “Wellspring”
Music, music, music
I’ll be updating this page periodically to include music that’s piquing my interest at the moment. Song of the day: “Pretty Baby” by Blondie.
Oscar-winner Youn Yuh-jung is in Her Renaissance Era, and She’s Nowhere Near Done
In her latest role in the second season of “Beef,” Youn Yuh-jung, portrays the powerful billionaire of a South Korean chaebol conglomerate, who buys an expensive California country club as an investment property. A ruthless businesswoman, her one weakness is her much-younger and inept plastic-surgeon husband (played by Song Kang-ho), who she dotes on.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
True story: When I was in college, we didn’t have access to The Internets like all you young whipper snappers today. So, instead of drooling over all the photos of food on Pinterest and Instagram, I used to look at recipe books and imagine that I could be eating that instead of the dorm food my parents had paid for.
Go Away With … Youn Yuh-jung
When Youn Yuh-jung won an Academy Award for her role in “Minari,” she made history as the first Korean actor to be honored with an Oscar. Already a legend in her homeland, Youn – who is repped by the Creative Artists Agency – added more U.S. productions like “Pachinko” and “The Wedding Banquet” to her expansive resume. In the second season of “Beef” – currently streaming on Netflix – Youn portrays a billionaire South Korean businesswoman who will do whatever it takes to protect her bumbling boy-toyish husband.
BTS’ Suga Co-Wrote a Music-Based Book About Autism Therapy
Why Suga’s Korean-language book “MIND Problem” excites me more than the pop group’s worldwide tour.
Go Away With … Patrick McEnroe
“[Travel] is one of the great perks of working in tennis,” said Patrick McEnroe. “You build relationships all over the world and get to experience different cultures in a really meaningful way. The global tennis community is pretty special in that sense. I’ve made lifelong friends in all different parts of the world, and it’s been fascinating to see how places evolve over time. I like to keep it simple – walking, hiking, exploring and finding great local food. I always try to avoid the American chains when we’re overseas, and really experience wherever we are.”
Go Away With … Stella Pecollo
“I play Francesca, the funniest sister-cousin you wish you had,” said Stella Pecollo, who is one of the stars of the film “You, Me & Tuscany.” “She is a sassy, confident, fun, loving woman who adores Michael, played by Regé-Jean Page, and becomes close to Anna, played by Halle Bailey, whom she confides all the family gossip to.”
Go Away With … Joanne Lee Molinaro
“We went to Venice, we went to the Dolomites and we went to Rome, because [my husband] Anthony’s family is in Rome,” said the Korean Vegan, Joan ne Lee Molinaro. “We did that trip, which was absolutely sensational. The Dolomites are like nothing I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
“What Kind of Asian” is Stella Choe? The Kind Who Dances at the 2026 Academy Awards.
“‘What Kind of Asian Are You?’ is what I wished I could do when that question has come up,” said actress and dancer Stella Choe. “But most of the time I’m just in shock and so annoyed [that] I don’t know what to say. The video version of myself is a lot more witty and sassy. I wish I was that quick to clap back!”
Future 25: TWS Have Retro Vibes, a Feel-Good Pop Sound — and a Megahit
The Korean group TWS is making waves with their “Boyhood Pop” music and their inventive choreography. My profile of the group is featured online and in print in Rolling Stone magazine’s Future 25 issue.
Go Away With … Neb Chupin
“During some weekends I drive from Zagreb to my grandfather’s house, ” said filmmaker Neb Chupin.” “The town is called Vodice and I converted his original house into an Airbnb called Dida Boza House, [which] has a cafe and a gift shop. When I worked and studied in Boston, my getaways were always Cape Cod.”
“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” Won an Oscar and a Grammy, But is It K-pop?
A college student asked me what made K-pop, well, K-pop. The gist of what I said was that K-pop has to maintain a Korean element. In my latest newsletter, I dig deeper into this with a K-pop expert.
Go Away With … Chloe Qisha
“I’ve always said my ultimate dream would be a headline show at Red Rocks in Colorado,” said singer-songwriter Chloe Qisha. “There’s something about that amphitheatre that’s really legendary. At night, especially with how it’s lit, it looks beautiful. I also like venues where there’s staggered seating or standing because you can see everything clearly. It’s somewhere I’d love to see a show, but also somewhere I’d love to play.”